AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I smile softly at her and stroke her smooth skin.
“I’m here, baby.”
Her face crumbles and she throws herself into my arms. A broken sob escapes her. Within seconds the front of my shirt is soaked in her tears. She clings to me with all her strength. I wrap my arms around her small frame and kiss the top of her head before pressing my cheek against it.
The scent of berries fills my nose. She’s missing the scent of wildflowers, and it sends another wave of sadness through my heart.
I pull back when I remember the wound on her leg, and I peer down. She sees what I am looking at and tries to pull the hem of her shorts over it.
“Why are you doing this?” I whisper.
She doesn’t answer, simply dips her head with embarrassment, or is that shame?
“Emily, why are you hurting yourself?” I press.
Her red hair falls from behind her ear and umbrellas over her face.
“It quiets the noise,” she mumbles.
My brows furrow but I don’t say anything. I’m not sure what to say. She haunted and I don’t know how to help. I don’t know what to do.
“Can I help you get cleaned up?” I ask and she nods.
Gently, I scoop her up into my arms and she wraps her arms around my neck. Her body is trembling and there is still a light sheen of sweat along her hairline.
I stride to the ensuite and set her down on the countertop. She keeps her eyes trained on the ground.
I walk over to the cabinet and search for a first-aid kit. Once I’ve found what I need, I step in front of her and set the container on the counter.
“Em…” I whisper, but she shows no indication that she’s heard me.
I grip her chin with my forefinger and thumb and gently raise her eyes to mine. Her eyelids flutter and there is glossiness in her gaze.
“I’m going to start cleaning your leg, okay?” I ask, keeping her from moving her eyes away from mine.
She studies my face and then nods slowly while chewing on her cheek. When I release her chin, she keeps her head up and watches my movements as I set the supplies out.
“This is going to sting,” I say as I pour the antiseptic on a clean cotton pad. She doesn’t react when I place it on her wound which causes me to pause and look up at her.
She’s staring blankly at her leg; her eyes are vacant.
Feck.
I continue through the motions of tending to her leg. Once finished, I throw the garbage away and place my hands on either side of her hips, holding onto the counter.
“Do you want to talk about it?” I ask quietly.
She shakes her head and my shoulders sag.
“Tell me how to help,mo ghrá.Please,” I plead.
“You can’t…” she whispers. Her voice is emotionless.
I step closer to her, and her entire body tenses. Slowly, I press a kiss on the top of her head. Her body begins to relax after I do not remove my lips from her hair.
“Let me help you, Emily. Let me be here for you.”
The back of my eyes burn as the emotions within me begin to overflow.
