Old Fashioned

Chapter 2

       The movements of Tai's lips suggested that he'd cried out in pain, but it was far too loud in the room for Alex to hear - for anyone to hear. No one even noticed.

       Frank ripped the blade out, tearing through the flesh, then easily vanished into the crowd again. Tai couldn't even hope to follow, as he collapsed back against the bar, holding on with a white knuckle grip just to try and stay standing, blood pouring from the wound.

       "NO!" Alex shouted, delving right back into the mob, bulldozing his way through to get to Tai. Once he was close enough, Alex slipped one arm under Tai's to give him someone to lean on, then spoke in a calm voice, trying to keep his tone neutral. "You're okay, you're gonna be okay. Let's get out of here. Keep your head down and don't look at anyone."

       Tai clung on, as he'd pretty much just been getting shoved around by the mob, while his blood splattered on the floor. If Alex hadn't witnessed the actual attack, it would've just looked like water had been splashed on his shirt, as his outfit was entirely black - but the dark red leaking through his fingers told otherwise.

       He was already white as a sheet, a cold sweat breaking out on his forehead, and so he didn't put up any kind of fight as Alec practically had to drag him out.

       They managed to fight their way back through the crowd and stumbled out the door, then Alex moved Tai around the side of the building where Erin was waiting, and helped him sit down against the brick wall.

       "He's been stabbed," Alex explained to Erin. "We need first aid supplies."

       "Stabbed??" she repeated, eyes widening. "Uh, how about we try an ambulance???"

       "N-No!" Tai suddenly hissed through grit teeth. "No a-ambulances. No cops either. Just- just give me a second. I don't live far."

       He closed his eyes and took in a few deep breaths, trying to get a hold of himself. Then, without another word, he attempted to just stand right up and start to, assumedly, walk home.

       "Whoa- hey, you don't need to be walking on your own right now," Alex said, slipping right back under Tai's arm. "At least let us help you home."

       "I'm fine-" Tai tried to insist, but was cut off as Erin moved to his other side, helping steady him as well.

       "You absolutely are not fine," she snapped. "Plus, you're in no condition to shove us off, so cope."

       Tai grumbled under his breath, but just focused on staying upright after that, as his feet refused to cooperate with him.

       He meant what he said - he only lived a couple blocks away, so it didn't take long, even with the slow pace in which they had to move at.

       It was a rundown townhome that had clearly seen better days, with a flickering porch light, grime covered bricks, and the address "626 Sycamore" carved into the door.

       "Okay, this is it, you can let me go now-" Tai started to say, attempting to get rid of them again, but not before his body decided to betray him. He let out a grunt of pain, a fresh surge of blood gushing past his hand, causing his whole body to shudder. "S-Shit."

       "Fuck, shit, fuck - are you sure we can't just take you to the hospital??" Erin asked again, not letting go of him.

       Tai's jaw was set too tightly to respond, so he just fervently shook his head, eyes pinched shut and brows drawn together.

       Alex couldn't help but wonder why he was so insistent on keeping cops and doctors out of this, but that was absolutely none of his business, so he left it alone.