Floating in the Abyss ✔️

Chapter 41

AUSTIN POV CONTINUED

"Mum!" I yelled.

"What is it?" She hurried out of her office, Dad closely behind.

"Something's wrong with Ash!" I exclaimed. Both went straight into Ash's room, sitting next to her.

"Ash, baby, wake up." Mum said, not touching her yet. "What do I do?!"

ASH POV

Everyone started coming closer, laughing, getting louder. Words become noise and noise became screams. It was only when yelling became distinctive did I realise I was the one screaming. I stopped when the first foot came into contact with my shin.

"Shut up." My father yelled, followed by strings of swear words. More laughter. What was so funny?

Another blow came towards me and I flinched back. I was already pressed against the wall, nowhere to go.

"Ash, baby, wake up! What do I do? Chris help me!"

I felt my wet cheek on the soft surface and opened my eyes, panting to catch my breath. Coming back to my senses, I couldn't help but cry.

"It's okay honey, shh." Laura gently wrapped her arms around me and pulled me close whilst Chris rubbed my back.

"Mumma I'm scared." I whispered to her, my voice cracking.

"I know, baby, it's okay. We're here."

"What's going on?" Ryan said. All the boys gathered around my door, concerned and confused.

"Go back upstairs boys." Chris told them, seriously.

"Now, Ryan. All of you." He stopped rubbing my back and left my room with everyone, except for Austin. I could hear mumbled arguing and protesting, but it didn't last long.

"Your arm Ash!" Laura gasped as we both looked at my forearm. Bruises, scrapes and cuts lined with blood covered the surface. My other hand was bloody from the damage too, and I had stained all my new sheets. "I don't think you need to stay in here tonight. I'll set up the couch for you and Abi can keep you company."

"You can come up to my room Ash, if you want." Austin offered. "It's comfier than the couch and I can keep you company, instead of that stupid dog." He smiled. I couldn't help but give him a smile back.

"Yes, please."

"We can go see someone Ash. I don't want you to keep doing this to yourself and I don't like you getting hurt."

"I'm sorry." I lowered my head.

"It's not your fault, okay?" She grabbed my chin and I nodded. "Why don't you go upstairs and try to go back to sleep? Get me or one of the boys if you need anything at all, okay?"

"Thankyou." She kissed my forehead and I followed Austin upstairs to his room.

"Are you okay?" He asked me, once he had closed the door behind him.

"I'm fine." I nodded. He didn't believe me but didn't push for another answer either.

"Do you want another top? That one's kind of dirty." He offered, referring to the stains on the t-shirt.

"It's okay, all mine are downstairs."

"Here." He passed me one of his. It could have passed as a dress for me, even if we are the same age.

He turned around whilst I slipped off my top and changed into his.

"Do you have a pair of pants too, please?" He smiled and grabbed a pair of trackies that he claimed were too small for him, even though they were huge on me.

Austin pulled back the sheets for me to get in and grabbed the throw blanket before sitting down on the floor.

"What are you doing?" I asked, looking at him as if he'd grown another head.

"Lying on the floor."

"Why?"

"Because you're in the bed."

"There's enough room for like 10 people!" I exaggerated, making him smile. "You don't need to sleep on the floor."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"How sure?" I rolled my eyes and waited for him to move. He finally got back up and came into the bed next to me, after turning all the lights out.

"This is the longest I've ever been in your room," I commented, thinking aloud.

"I'm sure you'll spend enough time in here over the years. Neither of us are going anywhere."

"Yeah."

Years sounded like a long time, but at the same time they didn't. Austin and I were turning 16 soon. That was a big number. Apparently, you could drive in some places once you're that age.

"Are you okay, Ash?" Austin whispered quietly.

I paused.

"I'm okay." I wasn't amazing, but I was grateful. Grateful to finally have a caring family, a home, food on the table. Grateful for feeling better. I didn't feel useless anymore.

"I love you Ash, just know that. Everyone here does."

"I love you too." He reached under the covers and found my hand, holding it gently. I shuffled closer to him as he put the other arm around me. I was safe here.

"What's your favourite thing to do?" I asked, curious.

"Aren't you tired? It's like midnight." He laughed.

"No, not really. I've already slept a few times today."

"Okay...I love going skateboarding with Sean."

"Some kids at my old school went skateboarding."

"It's really fun. Him and I spend most of the weekends in the spring and summer skating. It's the best on Monday's because our school finishes early, so we get to go straight to the park and usually we're the only ones there."

"It sounds fun."

"Maybe I can teach you."

"Tomorrow?"

"Sure." He laughed.

"Just you, or Sean as well?"

"We'll see. I think mum is going to be all over you tomorrow anyway."

"But you can still teach me when we have time. Do you have school?"

"Yes."

"Oh."

"But I have time afterwards, so it's fine."

"Do you have to get up early? I'm going to be in your way."

"Eh, you can keep sleeping. I don't care. Now, go to sleep."

"Not tired."

"I sound like mum." He chuckled, making me laugh too.

"Goodnight Austin."

"Night Ash. Sleep well."

"You too." 

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