7

                                    

                                          
Zoe
                          
I felt the buzz of my phone in my pocket so I thought I'd flip it out and check it.
                          
Oliveyew: I'd just like to let you know that Connor is NOT a bad person! He has issues and it doesn't help that you yell at him. I don't know what your Dad's saying to you but HE'S LYING!!! Connor's not high all the time! He's trying to quit, really!!!
                          
Zoediac: Who is this!?
                          
Oliveyew: This is Evan.
                          
Zoediac: Did he give you my number!? You don't even know him!
                          
Oliveyew: I'm just worried about him. What is he doing right now? Is he okay!?
                          
Zoediac: From what I heard from inside of my room, he came upstairs and is crying again, sounds like he went into the bathroom.
                          
Oliveyew: Oh no! Can you check on him for me?
                          
Zoediac: Why should I? He's probably high.
                          
Oliveyew: He's not. Please.
                          
Zoediac: fine.
                          
I threw my phone into my pocket and stomped out of my room.
                          
"Connor?!" I called out, turning the corner towards the bathroom.
                          
Heavy, panicked breathing.
                          
I moved a bit further forward.
The door was ajar slightly. Weird.
                          
"Hey Connor, you okay?"
                          
Drip.
                          
"Connor?" I pushed the door open.
                          
Connor was sitting in the shower in only his boxers, tears pouring down his face, knees to his chest. Dark black blood pooled around him, his arms still seeping. I could see the bruises forming everywhere in sight.
                          
"Oh my god! Connor!"
                          
It was clear that connor was having a panic attack and, I mean, who wouldn't. 
                          
"Wha- What do I do!? How can I help, Connor?!"
                          
Connor was just silent, shaking and crying, but silent. 
                          
"Connor, I should have believed you! Did Dad do this?!"
                          
He winced slightly and nodded into his knees weakly.
                          
I felt a vibration in my pocket. 
                          
Oliveyew: Zoe?
                          
Zoediac: Evan! Help! He's bleeding and bruised and I think he's having a panic attack!
                          
Oliveyew: Oh my god!
                          
Connor moved his hand to one arm, scratching violently.
                          
Incoming video call from Oliveyew
                          
"Evan! Oh my god! How do I calm him down! Help! Please!"
                          
"Okay Zoe, put me in front of him, okay?"
                          
I moved the phone quickly.
                          
"Okay, Zoe, now put your hand on his shoulder." I did.
                          
He flinched away slightly so I rubbed it lightly.
                          
"Okay, sweetie, we're going to do some breathing exercises. Can you do that for me?"
                          
He nodded again.
                          
"Okay, honey, in for 7, hold for 4 and then out for 8."
                          
Connor did this slowly as Evan's soothing voice kept reassuring him.
                          
"Good, Connie, Good. Zoe?"
                          
I jumped a little at his sudden mention of my name but soon responded with a simple, "yes?"
                          
"Do you have any bandages to wrap his arms, a-and a lot of tissues?"
                          
That's the first time Evan stuttered throughout this ordeal.
                          
I ran and got some from the cabinet over the sink and a roll of toilet paper from another cupboard and brought it back to Connor and the phone that I had put on the floor to face Connor.
                          
"Okay, just dab his arms with the tissue to get rid of most of the blood then you can put the bandages around them, alright?"
                          
I did as he said and Connor winced to no end. Why wouldn't he?
                          
As I was almost done with wrapping his second arm, he reached around a hugged me so tight. I've missed this so much.
                          
My big brother.