Chapter Two
Craig's POV
I heard heavy footsteps on the sidewalk across the street and I got up from my computer and looked out my window just in time to see Kenny collapse onto the pavement…again.
Last week it'd been outside Tweak's house and a few days before that it was at Stark's Pond. He always looked like he'd been dragged through a lawn mower and I had no idea how he managed to make it this far from his house.
Tonight he looked different though. He was usually lying down, on his back, facing the sky and fully conscious. Tonight, I couldn't see his face and for some reason that scared me. Kenny was my best friend, even though we'd both wanted to be more than that, but it was too dangerous for Kenny. If his dad ever found out…well Kenny would look a lot worse than he does now.
I pulled my shoes and jacket on and raced down the stairs. My mother called my name but I ignored her. I got outside and stood on the other side of the street. From here I could see Kenny was shaking and I could almost hear what sounded like sobs, but I'd never tell him I heard him crying.
I stepped across the road and crouched on my knees in front of Kenny, resting my hands on his shoulders. He flinched and backed away quickly so he was out of reach and he looked up and stared at me. I couldn't keep in the gasp that came up my throat at the sight of his face. It was almost entirely covered in fresh blood and what little of his skin I could see was white as the snow he was sitting on. Tears ran down his face, clearing the blood away a little bit. I backed up slightly, and he moved back towards me so I stopped.
He was back in the gutter now and I moved slowly forwards with arms in front of me so he could see I wasn't going to hurt him. I stood up slightly and picked him up bridal style. He winced as soon as I picked him up and he tried to squirm away but I held him a little tighter and he stopped. He was still tense and I could hear the occasional sob get caught in his throat as he tried to stop crying.
I opened the front door of my house and softly kicked it closed behind me. I ignored my parents once again as I carried Kenny upstairs to my bedroom. They should almost be used to it by now; this is the 3rd time in 2 weeks it has happened. I lay Kenny on my bed and closed my bedroom door. He'd rolled onto his side, facing away from the light and he had his head buried into my pillow, blocking out the light. I flicked off the overhead light and turned on the lamp on my desk instead and I kicked shoes off before grabbing a spare blanket out of my wardrobe. I placed it over Kenny and moved back to my desk when he spoke. This is the first he's spoken when I've found him like this.
"Craig? Don't leave me here; please, come back." It was a whispered, almost like he was pleading and like he didn't know where he was.
I stood up and walked over to my bed and sat down. He relaxed little as I lay down and the closer I got the more it seemed to help. I climbed under the blanket and wrapped an arm around his waist and pulled him carefully against my chest, not wanting to hurt him.
He whimpered slightly and I made calming shushing noises to calm him down.
"I'm here Kenny, baby. And I'm not going anywhere, not ever. You're safe now you're in my arms.
I know Craig's POV was really short, but I lost inspiration towards the end and I thought it sounded okay ending it there.