Orange

Short chapter but I posted another one right in behind it.

I wake in terror to the sound of screaming. My name is being chanted at me and hands shake me. I struggle to stop the screams when I realize they are tearing out of my throat. The screams become whimpers and end in sobs and tears. The hands stop shaking my shoulders and grab my face to turn it towards the face attached to the hands. I almost begin screaming again until Mark’s face swims between my tears from where he stands next to the bed.

“Cilian! You’re ok. You’re safe here. Calm down.” He wipes my hair off my face. He suddenly turns his face away and yells, “Don’t you put him to sleep! At least not yet. Give us a second, God damn it!” He brushes his hand across my face and through my hair. My breathing calms as I realize I’m not back in that motel room. I release the tension in my chest that has trapped my breath in my lungs. I finally fill my lungs to capacity which helps calm me down.

“I’m okay now Mark. Thank you. I’m sorry to cause so many problems.”

“You didn’t baby brother. Although you need your sleep. Do you want them to put you to sleep?”

My eyes fly wide. “No. No. Don’t let them use drugs! I can’t go through detox again. I can’t.” I hear the nurse behind me shuffle away. Mark climbs back into the bed and his arms curl around me. My energy brought by terror has drained away so exhaustion takes over and I quickly fall asleep.

I wake to the sensation of being moved. My mind wants to panic but I’m just too tired. “Careful brother. I’ve got you but don’t move too much or that could change.” I smile a little and listen to Andy’s heartbeat. I hear doors open and shut and soon feel the breeze of being outside. A car door pops open and I’m carefully set inside. A seatbelt comes across me and I fall asleep before the car starts.