"Blessed" with a Curse

It wasn’t snowing today, but the wind still blew its harsh, cold air.
I snuggled more into my jacket and continued to walk until I finally reached the small lake.

I sat down in front of it, enjoying the silence.

This place was the first thing that Kellin took a picture of, and it’s still as beautiful as it was three years ago. I sat just like this, waiting for him to take the picture already, because he had to spend about ten minutes to get the ‘perfect angle’. It was absolutely perfect, though.

I wiped away a couple of tears that formed and smiled at the memory.

A couple of quiet sobs came from under one of the trees, breaking the silence.
“W-Who’s there?”

No response.

Should I go look…?
Another sob told me to do so.

I got up and walked over to one of the trees.
It was a guy, doubled up on the ground.

I ran over to him and knelt down next to him.
I placed a hand on his shoulder and it didn’t go through.

At least he’s not dead…

I placed a hand on his cheek.

He was really cold…

I pulled him into my arms and shook him a little.

“Hey…hey…are you okay…?”

“I have to get away. I have to get away…I just have to…”
He slightly shook his head over and over.

I took another look at him.
He was bleeding from the side of his head, a purple bruise on his pale cheek. A strangle mark around his neck.

Poor kid…

I gently petted his ginger hair, hoping to calm him down a bit.
He shifted a little and slowly opened his eyes.

Those soft, hazel eyes met mine and sent a shock through my whole body.
He tried to say something, but then he closed his eyes and went limp in my arms again.

“No…no no no…! Come on…! Wake up...!”
No response.

I gently tapped the side of his face, but he didn’t move.

“Great…”

I hooked one of my arms under his knees and held his back with the other one, picking him up from the ground and threw him over my shoulder, still holding him with one arm.
I looked at the ground and saw a small backpack. I probably should get that as well…

I headed back toward the house, a backpack on one shoulder and a stranger on the other one.

~*~*~*~*~

I got a couple of cotton balls and rubbing alcohol from the cabinet before grabbing some bandages from the bathroom closet, returning to the living room, where he sat patiently on the couch.

At least he was awake now.

I wet a cotton ball with alcohol and carefully wiped off the blood from the cut on his face, causing him to whine slightly and shrug away.

“Come on…I have to clean it or else it’s gonna get infected…”
I felt like I was talking to a child…

He pouted and nodded in understanding.
I proceeded to gently wipe the cut until all of the blood was gone.

“You never told me your name.”
He looked up at me and blushed slightly.

“Alan…It’s Alan…”

I gave him a reassuring smile as I placed a bandage on his cut.
“Nice to meet you, Alan. I’m Austin.”

He smiled slightly and pulled his knees to his chest, resting his chin upon them.
“Nice to meet you too, Austin.”
His vibrant, ginger hair fell over his eyes, covering them slightly.

My heart skipped a beat with the way he said my name.
Such a soft, sweet voice…

I gasped slightly and quickly moved away from him.
He gave me a confused look.

“I-I’m sorry…! I need to be alone for a bit…!”
I ran upstairs to my room, not allowing Alan to respond.

I closed and locked the door, then I dropped to the floor and rested my head against the door.

What am I doing…?! My heart’s racing. My chest feels tight. My stomach feels uneasy.
I haven’t felt like this since I met Kell— Oh no…

I ran my hands through my hair, tugging at it in frustration.

This can’t happen already…I refuse to let it happen.

I slowly stood up from the floor and took a couple of deep breaths before I left the room and walked back downstairs.

Alan was curled up on the couch, asleep, snoring cutely.

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair again before I walked over to the other couch, picking up the blanket that was sitting on the arm of the chair. I unfolded the blanket and placed it on top of Alan. He didn’t hesitate to snuggle into it, quickly falling back to sleep.

I lay on the couch where I picked up the blanket from and stared at the ceiling.
I can’t sleep and my wrists itched for the painful, silver comfort…and…

I’m stuck alone with my thoughts again.

I closed my eyes.

It’s my fault…I should have died instead…
I shouldn’t have fallen for him…he was innocent…
I’m cursed…I’m cursed…I’m cursed…

I sobbed quietly as I fought to keep myself from tearing open the cuts on my wrists.

Kellin…where are you when I need you?

I felt a hand on my cheek wiping the tears away. I opened my eyes to see Alan kneeling down next to me, a concerned look on his face. I shrugged away from his touch.
He pulled his hand away and dropped it to his side.

“I’m sorry…it’s just…”
I couldn’t say anything else, but he seemed to understand.

I watched him walk over to the couch and curl back up into the blanket, then he slowly drifted back to sleep.
I took a deep breath and closed my eyes again.

“I won’t fall in love…”
I bit down on my lip.

“I can’t…”
A couple of tears rolled down my cheek.

“I’m cursed…I’m cursed…I’m cursed.”