He opened the back door.Romeo’s shoulders slumped as Chad threw himself outside, stumbling as he landed at an odd angle before he ran.
Romeo exhaled through his nose and did the only thing he could.
He went after Chad.
Thick mud slowed Chad’s escape.It had rained days before, but the field still oozed and squelched as Chad’s feet sunk into it.He didn’t try to get around Romeo, he ran straight, and it was miles until the field ended with a deep ditch, and then a road.
Romeo could make him out in the darkness, stumbling, weakening.All Romeo had to do was wait until Chad couldn’t continue.
Romeo didn’t run, but his pace was brisk, he knew where to walk, where the earth was firmest.He knew how to avoid the biggest puddles, the ones that sunk Chad almost down to his knees.
Chad groaned, pulling himself free.
Romeo continued to stalk him, gaining ground without exerting effort.
Romeo clutched his hand high up his chest.When the wind blew at him, when it brushed against the flaps of skin no longer connected in a singular piece, it burned.
It burned so fiercely he bit back a growl.
“Let me go.”
“No.”
Chad gasped, stopped, and clutched his head in both hands.
Romeo widened his eyes.
Chad swayed, then dropped to his knees.
“Shit.”Romeo mumbled, picking up the pace.
It was only six weeks ago Chad had been hurt.His brain had been damaged.And there was Romeo, stalking him like he was prey until he collapsed from utter exhaustion.
He gripped Chad’s shoulder before he could face-plant in the field.Chad tried to push him away, but he was weak, unsteady as he pitched forward, clawing at his temples.
“Don’t hurt me.”he gasped.
Romeo closed his eyes.He dropped down to his knees beside Chad.
“I’m not going to hurt you, Chad.”
Chad lowered his hands from his head.His eyes searched Romeo’s.
“I’m going to make everything better,” Romeo promised.
He cupped Chad’s cheek with his good hand, and the relief of him not pulling away made him laugh.
It made him splutter.
“Trust me, okay?”his throat tightened.
Chad watched him for a moment, then began to nod.Romeo brushed his thumb against Chad’s face, nodding too and the warmth in his chest was so intense he couldn’t feel the wind on his face or the slice in his hand.
Chad’s eyes sharpened.
Romeo frowned, mouth opening soundlessly, and then there was pain, a dull throb to the side of his skull and he tipped over, flailing as he lost his hold of Chad.
He collapsed on his side, consciousness wavering, but with just enough awareness to lift a hand to the side of his head and run clumsy fingers through the wetness soaking into his hair.Chad was no longer kneeling, he stood over Romeo, emotionless, with a bloody rock in his hand.
