Ruminate (Bo Sinclair)

Ruminate: 6

A/N: sorry about the delay! I've honestly been flaring a lot lately and by the time you add being uninspired to the mix it makes for a deadly combo. I'm actually surprised I've managed to type anything up today. I didn't have high hopes in myself. Starting to get back into writing so I apologise for any mistake.

~~~

With every passing second came nothing but pain.

Pain which worsened as it creeped and imprinted in my bones and on my flesh. Every hit from Bo's hand and foot made itself known with every pang but as much as physical discomfort hounded and harassed me, it was nothing compared to the brutal and agonising realisation that August was no longer part of this world. I wasn't in denial of that, like a candle his life had been distinguished and for what? An old grudge which resided in that of my childhood friend. I wasn't sure if I believed in Heaven but I could only hope that he was at peace but it was little consolation knowing that I had played a part in his departure. I could have fought back harder, I was certain at the very least I could have verbalised more that the man I had given my heart to had changed and matured. He had become against childish squabbles and asshole behaviour but it was too late and the regrets would live in his place.

The notion of sickness only aiding in the realisation as my body winced at the smallest of movements, my vision only a blur of shapes and fuzziness as I strained to open my eyes before closing them once again. To say I was in agony was putting it lightly as was dolour.

There was a voice murmuring quietly, perhaps in an effort to offer comfort but without being able to place it, it did no such thing. Even though it seemed to come with a tune to an unknown song, rising and falling I dreaded the full extent of what I was waking up to. I knew one thing for sure, it was not Vincent tending to me. Whether it was Lester or Bo, I had no doubt that they each had motivations behind keeping me alive and ones that stretched further than the fondness their Ma had for me many years ago but my brain was refusing to think too much into it. August, it was all I knew, all I wished to know for with every passing minute I became closer to him being a vague memory but for now the image I lingered on was not the most pleasant. I could see him clear as day in the back of my eyelids, the way the fresh wax crumbled and soaked in blood as he was stuck like a helpless pig. We should never have come back. Stings of tears irritated my corneas before I jerked away from the sensation that graced my forehead, cold drops etching my skin from one side to the other as I feverishly attempted once more to see.

Through the swirl of colours was a prominent figure which leant over. Fingers caressed my shoulders gently in an effort to keep me still while causing as little pain as possible. The struggle was futile and with every nip of pain, I relented against the force which held me down and back.

"Hey now, stay still." Lester's exasperated voice seemed distant but eerily close at the same time, it echoed and caused further pain to what I was already enduring. My head felt close to combusting with every throb, the tinnitus in my ears being unbearably uncomfortable. "You know, Bo has suckered me a fair few times as well. Better to just keep your nose clean and stay on his good side, otherwise...well, might be more than some drops of water and bandages." With time came clarity and within seconds, his filthy features were more visible and realistic as he bit his lower lip in concentration, a wet wad of soaking kitchen roll folded against my aching and sore skin. Whistling through the gaps of his teeth, he sat back a moment later looking more achieved. "Reckon that has you feeling better?" His smile was crooked as he cocked his head in satisfaction that he had done what he set out to do with less hassle than he perhaps predicted. I could not empathise, my muscles were weary but with every passing second, the image of my partner was slowly fading like ash in the wind. "We were startin' to get real worried you wouldn't wake up. Wouldn't be the first time, probably not the last time either but that's neither here nor there now you're up. You want a drink or anything?"
"Where's August?" My hoarse voice demanded ignoring Lester's question. There was no denying that I was parched but it was the least of my problems and a kindness I was unwilling to accept.
"Bo must've hit you harder than I thought. How do I put this...your boyfriend is dead." Lester stressed gingerly while clumsily tracing a line over his chin. His dirty nails stroked any residue of facial hair he had growing. "Good thing he was mostly wax by that point, you do not want to know the mess he'd make otherwise!" His brown eyes widened as I glared at him in difficulty. The smallest action caused a ripple effect as I moaned in discomfort. "I wouldn't worry Cassie, might not have hurt him that much. Sure some people groan now and again but that might be a gas thing or air bubbles." His idiocy offered no consolation and in the end changed nothing. "Don't look so down, it might've been like blowing out a candle. Like that." Snapping his finger against his thumb, he fumbled over trying to look sincere before turning his head in an effort to conceal his somewhat amused facial expression. "Just poof."
"I know he's dead but where is he?" Part of me was torn on wanting an answer, to know he had been murdered was horrific enough but to imagine his corpse petrified and posed was too much.
"Cassie-"
"Where?" I demanded dryly. Lester's face was reluctant and it was clear that he would rather talk of anything else but as I insisted, he gave a heavy breath and nodded to himself. "Where?" I repeated more sternly before he could talk himself out of giving any further answers. "Where is he?!" Puffing out his cheek, the man leant over me more. His eyes pierced into my sore, tear filled ones.
"You asked."
"I did. Please tell me Lester, please."
"Suit yourself." The dirty male shrugged. "Can't say I didn't tell you so." Placing his hands back to my face, he pressed and flattered the soaking clothing harder. "He's in the dumpster." My mouth gaped for a moment, the split of the cut ripping further from the action and the taste of a warm metallic liquid trickled against my gums.