OUTLAST II : SENTENCE STARTERS. @needsempathy sent ; “let me help you.”
the little words somehow make her more inclined to say no. she shouldn’t. not when she used to want the same every time lee had to face the obstacles of ensuring she could go to sleep without an empty stomach. she was as small as a throw pillow , & yet she jumped at EVERY opportunity to help lee move tables , BARRICADE ENTRANCES . she’s adamant for the very reason she’s supposed to do this ------ not aj. she’s supposed to help him always. he’s not supposed to worry about the things that are her responsibility. food , shelter , the next time they needed to scavenge. this school , the kids & teenagers like her , it all meant a BETTER beginning for him. he could focus on being little. it was what kenny meant , all those years ago after arvo’s ambush on their group. his caved in eye cavity that she effectively patched up with new gauze , & disinfected with medicine. you shouldn't have to do stuff like this. she had done worse , way worse. the acknowledgement of it stops her hands that go over the bruise that blemished her cheek from the altercation with abel the night before . the very one that sent them tumbling from the headmaster’s office balcony & onto the cold cobblestone courtyard. it was all for nothing . they still kidnapped aasim , omar , louis. the cynical thought is left behind. SELF-DEPRECATION isn’t going to be a favored option of distraction either. ruby’s medical kit is still in their room from patching aj’s bullet wound , & a moments hesitation writes across clem’s features as she stands by their beside dresser , eyeing it with impasse . her hands flattened against the blueprint that picturized the layout of the boarding school ---- preparation for the delta’s attack , her nose wrinkles at the paper . a permanent reminder of two things. one is what they gained & another is what they L͟O͟S͟T͟. but aj’s genuine want to help moves her to blink away the salt water that she doesn't realize until now that pools at the ducts of her eyes. its been awhile since she’s cried around him , & she didn’t want to break that streak. a extended sigh leaves her shoulders , for a minute it lifts the heaviness that never left her chest. ( that or its smoke inhalation taking a toll on her lungs. ) & finally turning to face the smaller boy with a little smile. ❛ . . .thank you , kiddo. can you grab the peroxide & a clean cloth from your bed? I don’t want this cut to get infected. ❜
