Chapter 3
Normal POV
Syrus' father had finally gotten a new job and he was able to go back to therapy. He had a new therapist and he was happy for that. He hadn't like his previous one. He liked the new one. She was easier to talk to and better at getting to the root of his problems.
His cutting had gotten out of control, although he didn't think so. He had his way of justifying his behavior. He would tell himself that he could be doing something much worse. He could be drinking or do drugs. It's not like he was doing anything illegal. He was only making scars on his skin, he wasn't doing any serious damage. That's what he told himself. He knew it could get infected, but he always made sure to clean his wounds, because if it got infected, he would have to tell his parents.
He did tell his therapist. She was surprisingly understanding. Syrus had expected a much different reaction. When he was done with his therapy session, he was surprised to see Zane in the waiting room.
"Hi Zane. I thought Mom was picking me up," Syrus said.
"She asked me to pick you up. She had a few things to do," Zane smiled. "I don't mind though. I haven't gotten to spend any time with you lately."
"Oh...you mean you actually want to spend time with me?" Syrus asked, as if expecting him to say something else.
"Yes! You're my brother! Of course I want to spend time with you!" Zane took Syrus home and he went straight up to his room.
"I'll be down in a minute Zane. I just want to change clothes," he yelled down to him. He had a particularly rough day in therapy. He had several sharp objects stashed around his room for just such an occasion. He took out one of his mother's sewing needles that he kept in his teddy bear. "Needles are so much easier to hide," he thought. He rolled up his sleeve and began to gouge his arm. He could hear Zane's footsteps on the stairs when he realized that he had forgotten to lock the door. He quickly shoved the needle under his bed when he heard Zane turn the door knob. He covered the cut with his blanket.
"Syrus, I though we were gonna hang out," Zane said.
"Sorry, I just got a little distracted is all," Syrus replied, holding the blanket around his arm.
"Why are you holding your blanket around your arm, Sy?" Zane asked concerned.
"Uh... I-It's nothing," he said, and looked away.
"Show me," Zane demanded.
"No! I don't have to," Syrus said.
"Come on Syrus, I'm not joking around, now show me your arm."
"No!" Syrus yelled.
"Fucking show me Syrus!" He struggled as Zane grabbed his arm and pulled it so that it was straight.
"Syrus..." Zane said in a half shocked, half angry tone.
"What?" Syrus asked sadly.
"Why the hell would you do this to yourself!?" Zane yelled.
"It's none of your damn business Zane!" Syrus yelled back. Zane grabbed his shoulders.
"My little brother slicing himself isn't any of my business?" Zane glared angrily.
"You don't know how it feels Zane! You can't understand!"
"I won't understand if you don't talk to me!"
Syrus cried. Zane put his arms around the small boy.
"I didn't mean to yell at you. It' just ... this sort of thing scares me Sy. I don't want to lose you. I don't want this to go too far."
"I'm sorry Zane." He hugged his big brother then laid back. Zane leaned down and kissed his cheek. He looked deep into his brothers big bright eyes.
"Syrus..." Zane whispered and pressed his lips softly to Syrus's, "You'll be ok, Sy. I promise."
Syrus fell asleep in his brothers arms, finally feeling safe and secure.
"I love you, Syrus."