Tangled In Blue

Stay

CORBYN’S POV

Blue asked me, more like pleaded with me to run her a bath as soon as we got to her house.

She burst into hysterical tears and ranted through her sobs that she urgently had to have it. “Need a bath! Please! Need a bath...I feel so dirty-I need a bath...”She looked pale, with a tormented and strangely softened but agitated expression on her face.

I deeply regretted waking her up when we arrived at her place; I should have just left her to sleep and carried her upstairs instead. Only the car was uncomfortable and she needed a proper rest, under her warm covers.

I left her lying on her kingsize bed while I got the bath running. She was shivering and rubbing, scratching herself all over like she had a bad rash.

I perched on the edge of the mattress and peered at her frail form. “Your water is ready? Do you need help?”

She sat up and tore at her clothes, throwing them haphazardly on the floor, like they were on fire and scorching her skin. She stripped off everything until she was naked as the day she was born.

“Need a bath...need to bath...” she clawed at her skin again a wild look in her eyes.

She sat with her head on her knees for a moment then began to weep softly. “Dirty...so dirty...” she whimpered as she attacked her skin again.

“Laura-Jane stop..” I grasped at her wrists and pulled her forward. “You’re going to hurt yourself.”

A sob constricted her throat, cutting off the words she couldn’t bring herself to say anyway. “Help me Corbyn...I’m so...dirty...”

I swept her off the bed, disregarding the fact that she was naked, and carried her to the bathroom. I set her in the water and grabbed a sponge and soap, then knelt down as I began to wash her body, with a slow, steady hand. Pity and anger increased as I studied the bruises on her legs, arms, and face. She rocked back and forth, tears coursing down her cheeks unchecked.

I hummed a soothing song to distract both her and me, as I bathed her. “Shhh...it’s okay baby...I got you Blue...” The stored tears continued to flow and the sobs wracked her body, robbing it of the ability to speak – barely allowing a breath to be drawn. “I’m here baby. I’m right here okay?” My hand lingered on her cheek, and she rested her forehead against mine.

I took her out of the tub and wrapped her in a fluffy white towel before taking her back to the bedroom. I set her down on the covers and went over to her dresser to get her lotion. I slowly massaged it into her body until I felt her relax. Then I got the huge t-shirt that she liked to sleep in and slipped it over her head.

I tucked her in the covers and brushed her hair, tying it up in a messy bun like she usually did.

“You’re hungry?” I didn’t expect her to answer but I went to make her something anyway.

“Don’t leave me! Please..” she clung onto my arm and once again I carried her downstairs to the kitchen. “You’re deceptively heavy, you know that?” I said as I placed her on the island and went over to the fridge to see what I could make.

I heated up the frozen mac and cheese in the oven, then quickly threw together a green salad, while I boiled water for chamomile tea.

“Dinner is served my lady,” I announced dramatically as I set the food in front of her. I figured since she couldn’t bath herself, she probably wouldn’t be able to feed herself either, so we ate from the same plate.

At least she was a good sport and swallowed morsel that I forked into her mouth. I gave her the tea that I had laced with a shot of brandy, and she managed to gulp it all down.

“You’re ready for bed cookie?” A ghost of a smile flashed across her face as I lifted her off the chair and carried her back upstairs. “You shouldn’t make this a habit cookie...This is a once-off deal okay?” She rested her head on my chest and draped her arms loosely around my neck.

I covered her with the thick, warm comforter and as I was about to leave she grabbed me.

"Stay-please...don't leave me Corbyn..." she pleaded.

"Okay..." I removed my jeans and t-shirt as I sat at the foot of the bed and preceded to kick off my shoes.

Immediately, she snuggled closer to me and I put my arms around her as she nestled her head on my shoulder.

"Corbyn..." she spoke into the darkness.

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

"Anytime Laura-Jane."

"Goodnight Corbyn."

"Goodnight Laura-Jane."

I was almost drifting to sleep when I heard someone pounding on the door. Blue was fast asleep and I didn't want her to be wake up because of the racket downstairs.

I slipped out of bed and put on my top and pants as I clambered down the stairs, where the door was being mercilessly pounded on.

"Alright! Alright! I'm coming!" I called out, slightly annoyed.

The door swung open and a disheveled Levi barged in.

"How is she??! I came as soon as I got her text-" he rambled. So she told him what happened. "I'm sorry man-I was out of town-football-had a game you know?" he raked his hands in his hair. "I'm sorry I wasn't here! I'm so sorry this happened to her...where is she? Can I see her?"

"She's in her room," I jerked my head. "I finally got her to sleep so please don't-"

"I won't. I got this now-you can leave if you want to," he told me. "Thanks, Corbyn...for everything. I owe you, one man." He dashed towards the stairs and leaped over them three at a time.

I grabbed my car keys off the side table in the foyer and left without saying goodbye.

Guess my work here was done.