- (Continued from the last post)TRIGGER WARNING: BLOOD (I can’t tag asks, I’m sorry)
The cleaver was in my arm. Omer still held it tightly, but his hand was shaking. I looked down and saw scarlet liquid running down my smooth arm. The dirty knife was still stuck inside as my brain attempted to process what was happening.
I should mention that I was screaming at the time. Excruciating pain journeyed from my arm up to the back of my throat. Lumps had begun to form in the back of my throat. I bursted out in choked sobs.
“Take out the knife!” my grandma shouted. Omer didn’t move, he only stared at the wound. “Take out the knife, Omer!” my Grandma screamed, loud enough to catch his father’s attention. I dimly remember the commotion which ensued. My eyelids grew heavier every time I blinked, and a shadow fell across the room. I vaguely recall the knife being jerked out of my arm, but at that point it hardly made a difference. My knees grew lighter and my ankles felt like jelly. Unable to support he heaviness of my torso and my head anymore, they gave away. Before I hit the ground, I remember that a pair of arms caught my torso. I looked up one last time, but I couldn’t identify the person because my vision blotted out.—-They say that I was sound asleep for at least half the day, which made the healer’s job easier. Apparently I woke up once, but the healer gave me some crude anesthetic to go back to sleep. They said I was sound asleep. But I don’t know about that. I felt Eris on top of me, and I heard all of my mother’s grievances in soft whispers. I felt my father’s rough hand ruffle my hair and mother telling him to stop, that I might wake up.And strangely enough, some chastising. “You need to toughen up. How else are you going to grow up?”“Your face looks so pale. You should really eat more. If you did, you might not have been a total wuss and passed out.”“You really need to eat more.”
I heard this chastising the entire time. His voice and his observations still managed to take up space in a room which was meant for me. At the time I didn’t understand why he didn’t leave, if I annoyed him so much.I woke up before the sun rose. My parents were sound asleep on a few cots next to my bed. I peered around calmly, debating if I should pretend to wake up later just so they could witness it. But that idea was short lived. I turned my head back, only to find a bewildered Omer. “Basil?” he shouted. I have no idea on how he managed to wake at that specific moment. I shushed him, but it was too late. My parents were up on their feet. Omer almost looked… shy.
His dad arrived bringing hundreds of apologies. For the stitched up gash on my arm, for the stupidity of his son, for how his dolt of a son caused extra trouble by deciding to sleep over for the night. And of course we were welcome to come into the shop and get the next carcass for half price. And Omer sure as hell would not be working with a knife anytime soon. His father squeezed Omer’s shoulder tightly, as if it were meant to be a show of affection. But between his father’s nervous laughter and the strained small talk, I could hear cracking.
As everyone began to leave, I stayed back for a moment, to collect some clothes I’d left behind. And by complete surprise, I felt his arms wrap around me form behind. He held me like that for a few minutes. I pulled my bad arm out quickly, but I stood there for a minute. My face became warmer, and my pulse picked up a little speed. Strange. Then, as quickly as he had embraced me, his arms fell away and he ran out saying,“See ya later, Herc.”