Floating in the Abyss ✔️

Chapter 39

I explored all the new features of my room whilst Laura, Chris and Ryan had a break and some food. I insisted I wasn't hungry, because it was true, but Laura said she would bring me something to eat anyway. Something about making sure I was eating enough good food.

I was sitting, spinning on my desk chair, admiring my new room, when my phone pinged, giving me a fright. I jumped and flailed more than I should have and knocked the new faux plant off the desk, sending it flying towards the floor. I gasped as I saw the pieces of the porcelain vase shatter all over the floor. I knelt down carefully trying to pick up the pieces so that I could somehow put them back together.

"What was that?" Nick appeared at my door. Again, I got a fright and clenched my fist, sending the porcelain shards searing into the palm of my hand. "Ash, put it down!" Nick realised what I was doing and hurried over to move me away from the mess I had made. "Don't pick it up." He sighed, turning my hand over to inspect it. He wasn't gripping me hard, but it was enough pressure to press against the bruises, and I couldn't hide the wince as I pulled away. "What?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Nothing." I said, brushing it off.

"Let me see your hand then."

"It's fine."

"No, it's not, liar. It's bleeding." He rolled his eyes and reached for my arm again, but I wasn't fast enough to pull away, so when his grip came into contact, I couldn't help but wince. "Did you cut your wrist?" I tried to free myself of his grip, but his glare would have been enough to make a swarm of bees back off, so I stopped. "Ash!" He gasped slightly as he pulled back my sleeve. "Dad!"

"Nick, stop, please." I begged. He gave me a minorly sympathetic look, but I couldn't really tell. He always looked serious and angry.

"What?" Chris appeared at the front door. Everyone was so quick around here.

"Look." Nick held my arm out for Chris to see.

"Ash." He said softly, looking at me with kind eyes.

"I didn't mean to, I got a fright and knocked it." I blurted out, looking at the broken plant, lying dead on the floor. My eyes started to tear up.

"Let's go get the first aid kit." I followed Chris to another bathroom which I'd never been in before and sat on top of the counter. "What are we going to do with you, huh?" He tutted smiling.

"I'm sorry." I looked down.

"Hey," he gently lifted up my chin, "mistakes happen. It's okay."

He started to pull a few different things out of the kit, before he got interrupted by his phone.

"Sorry, Ash, I've got to take this. Nick will take care of you but if you need anything, call Laura and she'll come. She's just on the phone but she'll still come and help.

Nick was quick to start fixing my hand. He made sure he couldn't see anything inside of the cut, before putting on this really stingy stuff that made me feel like my hand was burning.

"Oww." I whined, tossing my head back. He laughed.

"All done." He told me, once he had wrapped it.

"Thankyou." I told him, getting down from my spot on the counter to leave.

"Hold up." He grabbed me underneath the arms and hoisted me back up.

"What?" I frowned.

"Where'd the bruises come from?"

"Don't remember." I shrugged.

"Those aren't old bruises, Ash. I've played enough contact sports to know that old bruises don't hurt. You were obviously in pain."

"I don't know where they're from Nick! They just happen." I huffed.

"Calm down. What do you mean 'they just happen'?"

"I don't know, I get nervous or worried and then bam I get bruises, end of story."

"Not end of story. Sequel needed." He winked. I couldn't help but smile.

"When I get worried, I grip something, and I just keep gripping my other wrist because it's close." Nick didn't say anything but nodded.

"Can I go now?" I asked. He nodded in response and followed me out.

I went to the lounge, where Jonah had joined Austin and Sean, then went into my bedroom.

"You okay, honey?" Laura was there, sweeping up the mess.

"I'm fine, Nick fixed it." I assured her, showing my hand and lying down on my bed.

"I'm glad. Maybe we can go see a doctor, so you don't hurt yourself anymore." She suggested.

"Oh, it's okay, I don't think I need too."

"We'll talk about it. You can just have a think about it for now."

"Okay." I nodded. I didn't want to go see a doctor.

"Don't go back to sleep though, or else you'll never sleep tonight." She laughed. "If I catch you sleeping, I'll send River in, and that boy could wake a bear in hibernation." I laughed and just laid there. Laura left and said dinner wouldn't be too far away and she'll send someone in to get me when it's ready.

I couldn't believe how different my life had become over the past few months. I had parents and siblings who took care of me and didn't get angry at every single thing I did. They were concerned when I hurt myself, rather than being the ones inflicting pain. I felt loved and safe and comfortable.

I had gotten used to being around all of my brothers so quickly and I was genuinely happy. Soon I would be able to start school and try lots of new things. Maybe next year everyone would be able to come and watch me play in a competition, just like I had done the first time I had met the boys.

My life was perfect, and I was the only one causing myself problems. I was the one who made the little bruises and hurt myself when I broke the faux plant. I am the one who needs to get better. Then everything will be complete.