Chapter 11

2-D groaned as he rolled over and looked at the clock. 1:23AM. this was getting out of hand. He turned round to see the bathroom light on, the door was open and muffled sobs could be heard. 2-D pulled himself out of bed and crept into the bathroom. Noodle was stood over the toilet one hand on her stomach, the other leaning on the wall for support. She retched violently, and let out a weak moan.

"Oh love."

2-D walked over to Noodle, stood behind her and pulled the hair back from her face as she continued to vomit.

"This ain't right Noods. I'm no expert, but I know you shouldn't still be sick like this."

The only reply was weak cry.

"Have you finished?"

"Mmm."

2-D flushed the toilet and put the lid down. He manoeuvred Noodle and sat her on the lid. He grabbed a damp face cloth and slowly wiped her face. She looked awful. So pale. He grabbed an empty tumbler and filled it with water.

"Here love. You need to drink this."

Noodle took the tumbler and drained it in seconds.

"Come on. Let's get you back to bed."

2-D leant over and helped Noodle to her feet. He guided her into the bedroom and sat her on the bed. He lifted her legs up and twisted her round so she was lying down. Her head propped up slightly with pillows.

"You alright?"

"Not really. It hurts here."

Noodle took 2-Ds hand, lifted up her shirt and positioned it over her bump. 2-D stroked it softly and jumped when her felt a kick.

"Agh." Noodle gasped.

"Excuse me. You're going to be a good little girl and let mummy get some sleep, aren't you?"

Obviously there was no reply. Noodle giggled. He was so simple, yet so sweet. He brought his hand up to Noodle's face and stroked it gently. He leant over and caught her in a deep kiss.

"Sleep tight love."

He positioned the covers over both of them and turned out the light.

2-D was asleep in minutes. Noodle couldn't. She tried for hours, but just couldn't drift off. The pain in her stomach was keeping her awake. She leant over 2-D and looked at the clock. It was 4:34AM. She'd been trying to sleep for over 3 hours. She slowly sat up, pulled her legs up to her bulging stomach and sat- in a ball sobbing and talking to her self in her mother tongue.

2-D woke around 5AM. He turned round to check on Noodle and found her sat up, body curled tight in a ball. He scooted over to see what was wrong. As he got closer he could tell she was talking- in Japanese. She was crying too.

"What's wrong love?"

Her head shot up and she glanced around the room. She found herself face to face with 2-D.

"Hallo 2-Dsan." She stopped, her eyes closed tightly and she let out a low moan.

"It really hurts."

She rubbed her stomach and continued to sob helplessly.

"I think I can help you there love."

2-D stood up and pulled on yesterday's jeans and a clean shirt. He walked round to Noodle's side of the bed and scooped her up into his arms. Despite been 6 months pregnant she was really light. 2-D carried her out the room, across the car-park and up to the TV room. He lowered her onto the sofa and told her to wait for him. He disappeared off into the kitchen.

Russel was in the kitchen making his morning sandwich when 2-D burst in and began rummaging through the top cupboards.

"Hey D, what you looking for?"

"Painkillers."

"What, you ran out or something?"

"No. There for Noodle. She's been up all night crying and says her stomach really hurts. She's still been sick too."

"Whoa. Slow down. Firstly, I wouldn't give her any of that shit you take- it can't be good for her or the kid. Secondly, sickness should stop just after the second month. When is she sick?"

"Early morning usually."

"How long has this been going on for?"

"Most night for the past few months."

"That ain't right. Let's go talk to her. I think we'd better take her to the hospital about the stomach pains."

Russel abandoned the sandwich and dragged 2-D down to the TV room.

Noodle was sat up on the sofa, curled into a ball with her legs as far to her chest as she could, not crying as fiercely but sobbing still.

"Baby girl."

She looked up and saw Russel towering over her.

"Hi Russel-san."

She groaned and rubbed her stomach.

"How bad is the pain?"

Noodle took his hand and when the next wave of pain hit she squeezed, hard.

"Ok. A lot. D go get her some clean clothes. We better take her down to the hospital."

2-D headed up to Noodle's room and left Russel and Noodle alone.

"I'm ill Russel-san."

"I know. D said you're still been sick on a morning."

"I don't want to die Russel-san."

Russel looked down at the small girl on the sofa.

"You're not gonna die Noods."

"Yes I am."

Russel cleared the hair from her face, her eyes were bloodshot from all the crying and her face was going really pink.

"I'm burning up."

"Take off that hoody thing."

"I've not got anything underneath."

"I've seen it all before Noods. We need to cool you down."

"Ok."

Noodle put her legs down and let Russel take off her sweater. He threw it on the floor and lowered Noodle so she was lying down.

"That's better."

Noodle mumbled, she shut her eyes and wrapped her arms round her stomach. Russel stared at Noodle and gasped.

"Noods. What have you done to yourself?"

Meanwhile up in Noodle's room

2-D cursed as he tore through boxes of shirts and pants. He couldn't find any trousers that looked as though they'd still fit Noodle. He'd found a blouse, a bra and a pair of panties but no trousers. He was about to give up when he found a box that he'd not looked it before. It was a small wooden crate and his curiosity had gotten the better of him. He opened the lid and inside was a small pink journal. He put the clothes in a pile on the floor and sat on the bed. He'd just found Noodle's diary. He knew he shouldn't, but he had to read it. He was sure she was hiding something from them. He flicked through the pages and began to read.

He stared in shock at the words on the page. It all made sense. He couldn't believe what she'd been living with the past few months. His poor little love.

"D! Get down here now!"

2-D jumped up, grabbed the clothes and the diary and ran downstairs.

Back in the TV room

2-D ran into the room, face pink with running.

"What is it Russ?"

The big drummer had tears in his eyes.

"Look what she's done to herself."

He turned round and showed 2-D Noodle's body. He'd pinned her down so she couldn't run away and now she was frantic and screaming. She stopped dead when she saw what 2-D had in his hands.

"Where did you find it?"

Oh boy, now she was really mad.

"Noodle, it's ok. It's gonna be alright."

"Have you read it?"

"I'm sorry Noodle I had to."

Noodle burst into tears and 2-D ran over to her. Russel let go of her and 2-D wrapped his arms tight around her.

"What are you on about D?"

"See for yourself."

2-D pushed the diary across the floor and Russel picked it up. He flicked through and began to read.

I feel so dirty and used. I feel as though my insides have been torn out and run over by a bus. … I can't tell the guys I was raped, they'll think I'm drunk or had drugs last night. But I'm not that stupid. … My life isn't worth living anymore, in life; all I do is cause pain and upset those close to me. … I can't take this no more; I can't live knowing that the kid may not be 2-D's. I can't live with all this secrecy and pain. … Murdoc saved me from killing myself, I wish he'd never found me. … I'm starving myself to death. I've had enough of my life and want to end it as soon as possible. I'd shoot myself but can't find a gun. …

He snapped the book shut. He'd read enough.

"Why? Why didn't you tell us?"

He looked at Noodle with tears in his eyes.

"I couldn't. I just wanted to forget about it and get things back to normal. I didn't think you'd believe me, especially when you found me unconscious on the floor."

"Of course we'd believe you."

Russel took Noodle's hand and held it tight.

"We're gonna sort this out. Today."

"It's too late."

Noodle went limp and fainted in 2-D's arms.

"I can't believe she never told us."

"I feel awful Russ. How come I didn't notice all this going on?"

He traced his fingers over the bones sticking out of Noodle's back and ribcage.

"It's not your fault D. She kept it hidden."

"Look at her!"

2-D screamed in hysterics.

"I'm gonna kill that bastard that did this to her."

"So am I D. So am I."