[Bitter-Sweet Lives]

Chapter 6; More and Alice

I gripped my side, the pain was almost unbearable. Trying to escape the grasp of the monster, I managed to penetrate a gaping hole in my side by hitting a jagged piece of rock while running. I clenched my teeth, trying to keep sprinting to safety- if there was any. I continued until my side couldn't take it. I stopped running and leaned on a tree. I collapsed down onto the wet ground. I removed my arm, the crimson,thick liquid trickled down my hand. All hope is lost for me, I'll die of blood loss if the monster doesn't get me first. Death is my only choice. I sigh, my family will sure miss me. I close my eyes and wait for the pain to end. Just as I did so there was a glimmer of light that flashed across my eyelids. I opened them and there she was, holding a flashlight and outstretching her hand to help me. I grabbed Alice's hand and she pulled me up. We were both silent as she helped me to shelter.

More lazily opened his eyes, the dream he had last night was odd. Why was Alice in his dream? More sat up and scratched his cheek with his finger, he yawned. The sky was crying, he smiled. More loves it when it rains, it brings a strange sense of security to him when ever it does. He stretched his arms out, yawning again. He got out of bed and went to the bathroom. After taking a shower he put on random T-shirt and jeans. He went own stairs to see his mom cooking breakfast. She was humming a melody , unusually happy. More tilted his head and leaned on the counter "Why so happy?" he asked, she shrugged "I think I had morning coffee a little too early" She giggled, More just shook his head "Mom, you're crazy" she nodded in agreement.

Genesis crept down the stairs, looking sickly. Caitlin sighed "Honey, you still sick?" She nodded "Yes, I'm afraid so" Caitlin frowned "Looks like you'll have to miss school today then" Genesis gave a weak smile "Does that mean I can go back to sleep?" he mother nodded, dismissing her. Genesis went back up the stairs and back to bed. More sighed "I hope she gets better" he said as his mother put a poorly made omelet on a plate. She sighed in frustration "You can eat breakfast at school" she said. Caitlin was not that good of a cook, her ancestors were from the UK so that makes a bit of sense. More nodded "Okay, see you then" he said, grabbing his book bag and headed towards the door. "Bye!" his mother yelled from the kitchen as he left.

More walked into the hallways of the high school, the school his sister and he go to is connected to a middle school (Where Genesis goes). More is a freshman in high school,Resulting in older bullies from higher grades. He sighed, walking to the cafeteria to get breakfast. He saw Alice, she was sitting at a far table. He went throughout the lunch line and went to go sit with her. There was something wrong, was she crying? He sat next to her and turned to her. She was crying. He lifted her chin, shocked to see the side of her face had a healing scar. "Alice, what happened?" he asked, she stayed silent for a moment "M-My dad" She looked around as if what she said was going to get her killed. He tilted his head a bit "What about him?" She said in a shaky breath "He d-did this to me" she gestured to her face. More's face was a mixture of hatred and anger. But it softened and came to her aid "It's okay Alice I'm here for you" he said, pulling her into a hug.

Alice was silent until there were breaks during the day, in that time she cried quietly into More's chest. During recess (It's really the time they have before dismissal), More sat with her on the benches. The words he spoke to her calmed her and actually made her smile. "More, thank you" she said, leaning on his shoulder. He put an arm around her "It's fine, you would've done the same" she nodded at the statement. "More?" she asked, he looked down and her "What?" she kissed his lips, igniting a fire. When she pulled away both of their faces were red. "I like you" she said, he smiled "I like you, too" he said, kissing the top of her head.

When the bell rung Alice clung to More's arm "P-Please don't make me go back t-there!" he shook his head "I wouldn't, but if I took you home that would be kidnapping" She started to cry, More took her by the shoulders "Listen, whenever he's asleep get all your stuff and sneak out. If the door is locked go through a window. I want you to come to my window like you did last time. You'll be safe, as long as you can stand one evening" She nodded, kissing him . "I'll be there as soon as I can" she said, turning and walking home. More sighed, he hoped she would be able to sneak out.

When More went home he went straight to his parents. "Alice is coming over tonight" he said, Ivan and Caitlin looked confused "Why tonight?" Ivan asked, More sighed "Alice's dad beats her, and I told her she could come here to get away from it" he explained quickly. Caitlin's eyes widened "Well, should I get one of the guest bedrooms ready for her then? I want to help in the best way I can!" More nodded and turned to his father "I can take care of that man" Ivan said "The law isn't really on his side on this" More nodded, looking at them "She's going to be fine, I just know it"

More was sitting in his room, praying for her safety. It was almost midnight and he was worried. His face lightened up when he saw her at his window. She had a small bag with her, her belongings in it. He pulled her into a hug, she whimpered in pain. He looked at her urgently, noticing the cuts and gashes all over her. He closed the window "Sorry" he said, taking her cut up hand in his. She had been crying and he could tell "What happened?" he asked, she bit her lip choking back her tears "H-He killed my m-mother tonight" she said as he lead her to one of the guest rooms. He sat her down, and looked at her condition "I'll be right back"

More came back with Caitlin. She gasped, going over to the beat up girl known as Alice. "I'll get you patched up, it's going to okay" Caitlin turned to her son "You need to go for now, she's go cuts that her clothes cover" More nodded, going to the door. When he was out of the room he sat in the hallway. After about half and hour later Caitlin opened the door, More got up and stood at the doorway. Alice was wrapped up, and wearing an loose nightgown that went to her knees. She ran into More's arms. He smiled, enclosing his arms around her carefully. She looked up at him "Thank you" she said. More kissed the top of her head "It's okay" Caitlin stood there, smiling like a boss. This was a fluffy moment to the max.