~𝟵~

                                    

                                          
I woke up, shooting upright in bed. My head hurt and my throat felt raw. I rubbed my eyes and tried to think of where I was. My thoughts cleared a bit and I remembered; I was staying with the boys. I rubbed my throat, not quite awake enough to remember why it hurt. I shook my head, the pain flaring slightly before subsiding a little again. Then my eyes grew wide as I remembered what had happened. My breathing quickened and my heart rate spiked. I had to get out, get away. 
I yanked the covers off of my body and bounded to the door, slamming against it when I stumbled. I grabbed the handle and twisted, but it wouldn't budge. I twisted and twisted, jiggling the handle in a miserable attempt to free myself. I started banging on the door, screaming for someone to let me out. I banged the door until my hands were bruised and bleeding, my voice hoarse from screaming. My fist met the wood on last time, my strength leaving my body completely. I leaned against the door and slid down onto the carpet, my bloody hands leaving red smears on the white wood. Tears were spilling over my cheeks and my body shook with violent sobs. 
Then I heard footsteps approaching the door. My brain sprang to the worst conclusion it could think of. I moved away from the door as fast as I could, not wanting to face the man on the other side. A key turned in the lock and I turned away from the door, clutching my head in my hands to protect myself from the pain to follow. The door swung open and I sat there, trembling in fear. Footsteps approached me, but I just stayed curled up, not wanting to see his face. Instead, I heard a gentle voice. 
"Hey, Ava. It's okay. It's just us. We're here now." 
It was Changbin. I uncurled myself to find them all standing in front of me, Changbin kneeling close to me and reaching a hand out. I felt tears spring to my eyes again, and I leapt and engulfed him in a hug, so relieved to see a friendly face instead of the one my demons conjured up. I cried on his shoulder, violent sobs ripping through my body again. He gently cradled me in his arms until I stopped crying. My breathing was still shaky, but I was feeling much better. He smiled gently at me, before his gaze caught hold of my hands. He reached out a hand to take mine, but I winced and pulled away.
"What happened to your hands?"
Changbin turned around when he heard someone clearing their throat, Felix pointing to the door. I looked down guiltily, not wanting to see their disappointed gazes. Instead, I felt fingertips lifting my chin ever so gently. Felix had come to crouch down in front of me. He wiped the remaining tears from my cheeks with his thumbs. 
"I-I'll clean it, I promise. I just need a little ti-"
"That's not necessary. We can do it. What you need to do right now is rest."
"But-"
"No buts. Get in bed and let us handle everything else."
He helped me up and back into bed. Then he chased the other boys out, going into the bathroom to get the first aid kit. He got out two bandages, some gauze and disinfectant. He gently took my left hand, examining the damage. He was very careful not to hurt me. My fingers still trembled in his grip as he gently ran his thumb across them, not once hurting me. He warned me the disinfectant would sting, and when I winced after application, he immediately took my hand and blew on it, easing the stinging sensation. Then he applied the gauze and bandage. The process was repeated on the other hand. I watched his brows furrow in concentration. When he was finished, he cleaned up and got up to leave when I spoke.
"Wait." 
He turned, leaning against the doorframe. 
"Yes? Is there something you need?" he asked, concern washing over his features.
"Can... Can you please stay? Just until I fall asleep?"
His eyes widened slightly before a caring smile spread across his lips.