toi see the huddled body in the corner.

“Johnny?” toi whisper, before breaking out into a sprint.

A million thoughts raced through your mind as toi ran into the alley.

“Not again, not again.” toi think.

He would break for sure this time.

toi crouched suivant to the huddled body.

“Johnny?” toi ask, trying not to let the tears fall as toi shake him gently.

No response at first, but he slowly turns his head toward you.

toi gasp at the sight of him.

His was eye black, swollen shut. A giant gash was on his cheek.

“Johnny… ” toi whisper, bringing a hand to his face.

“Hey…” He mutters.

“We gotta get toi out of here.”
toi mumble.

“Nah… I ain’t going home. Only makes things worse.”

“No… You’re coming back To my house.” toi say, trying to remain calm.

“It’ll be easier to leave me here… The boys’ll come get me eventually.” He sputters.

“Johnny… toi need help.”

He looks toi dead in the eye. “So do you.”

toi stop addressing his wounds, and look at him. “What?”

“You need plus help than I do.” He states.

“That’s not true and toi know it.” toi mumble, reaching your hand back up to the gash on his forehead.

He grabs your wrist, and toi wince.

“I told toi toi need plus help.” He says sadly, unwrapping his fingers to montrer your scars.

“Johnny that doesn’t matter.” toi dismiss it, wiping up the blood from his cheek with a corner of his chemise toi had ripped of previously.

“It does. I’d get jumped a thousand times to know toi weren’t being hurt… ou hurting yourself.” He says quietly.

toi don’t answer, just let the silent tears fall as toi keep cleaning off blood.

“You can help me, if toi let me help you.” He says quietly.

All toi can do is nod.