Just Breathe: Sequel to Bullied By My Brothers

Chapter 8 - Daniel

I just woke up.

But, I'm on the couch in the living room.

I sit up.

"Hey, sunshine." I hear Kyle say.

I turn around and face the table.

There Kyle is playing on his phone.

I rolled my eyes.

He glared at me.

"Let's get you cleaned up," he said.

What does he mean by get me cleaned up?

"I mean, you have blood on your face," he said.

"Did I say that out loud?" I asked.

"Yes. You do that a lot." He said.

Kyle came over to me and held out his hand.

I was unsure if I should take it or not.

But, I did anyways.

He helped me up.

Then, he led me to the bathroom in the upstairs hallway.

He grabbed a first aid kit.

"El," he began.

"It's Ellie." I corrected him.

He rolled his eyes. "Ellie," he said with clenched teeth.

I nodded for him to continue.

"I'm so sorry about what happened earlier, Ellie I'm so sorry." He said, while using a wet paper towel to wipe off the blood on my face.

I just sat there quietly.

I nodded.

"So, do you forgive me?"

"Sure, big bro," I said.

"Thanks, lil sis."

"Mhm," I said.

He chuckled.

Then, he put the paper towel in the trash can

"Do you want to watch a movie later?" He asked.

"Yes, please," I said. I sounded like a little girl asking someone for chocolate ice cream.

He smiled.

I know I probably shouldn't have forgiven him, but I'm scared he'll hurt me if I didn't. He's older, and stronger. That's what scares me. Boys that are stronger.

I gave him a fake smile.

"But, if you tell anyone...I will hurt you. Got it?" He said.

I nodded.

"And we're all done with cleaning you up," he said.

"Thank you," I said.

"No problem."

After talking a little while, I decided to go to my room and just hang out.

I sat down on my bed.

I took out my journal and pen.

Then, I looked at the photo of my family. I mean, old family.

I smiled at the photo.

It's gone, Ellie.

Get them out of your life.

Then, I picked up the photo of Daniel that was on my nightstand.

I got some tape out of my art kit. Then, I flipped over the photo of Daniel. I was about to put the tape on the back of it when I noticed something.

There was writing on the back if it.

A note.

For me.

It said:

Ellie, I know you'll see this picture. But, I hope you can find this message. It's Daniel. I'm sorry for treating you so horribly. Every single day I regret it. But, I need to tell you something and that can't happen now so I just wrote it down. I'm suicidal. I cut myself. I cut on my stomach, upper thighs, ankles and shoulders. I don't want people to know. I'm sorry I never told you. People at school keep bullying me. I'm sorry. Now, I know how you felt at school. I can't take it anymore. I'm going to kill myself. I'm going to kill myself this Monday. I'll miss you so much. Please don't hurt yourself. You deserve the world. I love you so much, little sis. And if Austin hurts you, I'll haunt him! Goodbye. Love you.

I cried at the note.

My tears dripped onto the paper.

I was so focused on myself that I didn't have time to realize that my brother was hurting on the inside too.

I'm so full of myself.

I'm such a disappointment.

I'm so dumb, but I do know one thing. I can't go to school on Monday. Because I need to go and save my brother.

Yes, my brother.