Phil stared at the unconscious Keely inside the tape. Minutes later, he saw himself fall down at her side. He saw his own tears fall from his own face. He couldn't believe he had heard what…he had just heard. Those certain words strung together like that. Coming from Keely. On one hand, she thought she was going to die and on the other- she said… she loved him. Moments later, the footage of what they did to Keely re-entered his mind. Making him once again, mad as a wet hen. A strange noise awoke Phil from his zoning off. He looked down at the tape.
"No."
The tape had gotten stuck and twisted causing the film to break and video gone forever. He tried to get out the tape but the film was wrapped around the gadgets inside.
He got up and went to the door. The sun was up now, it shined brightly on the white snow. He climbed down the stairs and hurled the camera into the trash can. He walked back inside and sat back down on the couch; wincing as he did so. He had forgotten about his ribs and arm. He hasn't forgotten about his ankle though. He's reminded of that particular aching every time he steps down.
He heard the floorboards suddenly creak behind him. He whipped around. Keely was standing there, soundless. With Marshmallow Kit-Kat McGee in hand. She held it close, not realizing she was holding it so tightly. Phil stood up as Keely walked to the couch.
"How are you feeling?" Phil asked worriedly.
"Fine. Good. Not great but…good." She said shyly.
"That's…that's good."
Keely looked down at the stuffed animal in her arms.
"I…I think I took this from you. Maybe when I was asleep or something. Maybe I slept walked." Keely stuttered. He held up the buffalo.
"No, I gave it to you. Last night. So you could sleep with it." Phil clarified.
"Phil, this is like your favorite childhood stuffed animal. You let nobody take this away from you." Keely gave a small laugh as she said this. It was kind of funny that Phil still had a stuffed animal to sleep with.
Phil smiled and looked at her.
"You're not a nobody."
Keely smiled.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Phil asked once more.
"A tad sore but, nothing I can't overcome."
Keely put down the buffalo and wrapped her arms around Phil. He welcomed the hug with open arms. Nevertheless, once Keely's arms wrapped around his stomach, he winced in pain and pulled back. He nervously laughed.
"Uh, not so…not so tight okay?" He stuttered.
"Why? Phil? What's wrong?" She asked fearfully.
"Nothing. Nothing to worry about Keels." Phil tried to reassure her.
"It's just a…" He accidentally took too deep of breath, causing him to cringe again before he could finish his sentence.
"Is it your lungs? Ribs?" Keely looked at him with a concerned expression. Phil sighed.
Keely looked at him, fingering the bottom of his shirt. She took hold of it and carefully slipped it off. Once he was bare and quickly whipped his arm behind his back. Keely gasped in sight of the huge bruise. She lightly ran her fingers down it. They slowly sat down on the couch. Keely still in awe, gazing at the discoloration.
"Phil…"
She didn't know what to say.
"Where did this come from?" She asked.
Phil sighed once more and took his arm out from behind his back. She immediately knew what happened when she saw the row of four neat cuts.
"No. Did they come looking for me?" She panicked and looked around the room.
"No Keely. No. They're gone. For good."
"Phil, tell me what happened.
"Keely I don't want you to worry." Phil said quickly.
"Please Phil!" She cried, looking at him with watery eyes. Phil gazed at her.
"I…I went back. I thought I could…teach those guys a lesson." She said.
"Is this only what they did to you?" She asked.
"And my ankle. They stepped on it."
Keely stared at the floor.
"This is all my fault." She whispered but Phil heard her clear.
"This is not your fault."
"Phil! If it wasn't for me, none of this would have happened. You have to agree."
Phil said nothing. Instead, he scooted over and wrapped his arms around her. She leaned her head on his chest, returning the embrace. She felt the bare skin of his back under her palms.