This choice: Right here, he's your friend and you'll protect him as best you can. • Go Back... You shook your head as you tried to think. Aiden had already taken a huge risk trying to get back here, and you couldn't risk moving him any more with the condition he was in. He needed time to recover, and there was no way he could travel again the way he was. He still had several injuries, and it was a miracle that he even managed to get back in his condition.
You quietly moved your hand, just letting it firmly hold his shoulder. He winced a little, but his gaze turned to yours, shaking a little bit as you tried to steady him. "Aiden... For now... can you stay here?"
He looked up suddenly, his eyes red as he tries to suppress his sobs. He stared at you silently for a moment, giving a small sniff as he tried to move a little closer. "A-are you sure it's okay? You... You're scared of me, aren't you? I saw you... You were..."
Your heart sank as you heard his words. You shook your head before moving up to him, holding the sides of his arms and looking straight at him. "Aiden, you surprised me. That's all. It doesn't matter what else might happen, but I would never, EVER be scared of you."
His eyes widened for a moment before you suddenly found yourself in his arms. He had pulled you against him, almost effortlessly bringing your body into his arms. You winced a bit as he hugged you tight, his fur spread against you and his body holding tight. "T-thank you... I was afraid... You'd think I was a monster..." He was barely holding it together, and though it was almost painful for you, you couldn't bring yourself to tell him to let go.
"Come on, Aiden... You'll never be a monster... I know you'd never try to hurt me..." You struggled to move try and hug him, his grip holding you firmly in place and his body large enough to make it tough for you to get your arms around him. However, you managed it with a bit of effort, his eyes clearly tearing up a bit as his muzzle rubbed against the side of your head. "You're just a bit bigger, that's all... It's not like that's new..." You give a small, quiet chuckle as you pat his back. "I mean, I was here when you tried pretty much every sport at school, and when you got back after physical training. You surprised me then, too... I mean, you grew a lot back then, too. This is like that, just a lot more, right?"
You felt his body slump slightly, his grip on you relaxing as he manages a weak laugh. An arm moved up to try to wipe his eyes as he let go of you. "T-thank you..."
You just do yours best to smile, a hand still perched lightly against him. "Of course. Aiden... No matter what happens, I'll always be here for you." You smile, looking right at him. "So... You can stay as long as you need to."
He smiled for a moment, but shook his head violently. "No... I can't... You're in danger here, too. They're going to be after me, and I can't..."
"We should at least have a little while before people start looking for you." You saw him shift a little bit, worry still in his expression as he looked at you. "I know... It's rough right now... But I promise, we'll get through this somehow."
You swallowed silently as he looked at you. You were close enough to a nervous breakdown as well, but there was no way you could let Aiden see that right now. He had been through more than anybody should, and he would always do his best to hide his problems if there was a chance anybody would find out. It was only when you two were alone that he would even talk a little. It was rare that he would let it show that he was depressed, and to see him in that state drove you to the edge as well.
You nod slowly to him as you let go. "Come on... You need to sleep, and I think you'd better use my bed. You're not sleeping on the floor, and I don't think you'd fit on the couch anymore." You slowly move, trying to haul his arm over your back. You feel him slowly standing up, struggling a bit to keep his weight against your shoulders as you do. "Don't push yourself, okay?"
"I'm... I'm okay..." He tried to take a breath as he followed. "I... Can't rest yet... My parents-"
"I'll call and let them know if there's a chance, but you can't go now. If people are after you, your house is going to be one of the first places that they'll look. For now, it's safer here. And... and if they come here... Well, we should at least have a couple of days. I'm staying right here with you." His eyes widen a bit as he looks at you, but you give him another firm pull. "Besides, you aren't in any shape to run off on your own, and I doubt I can carry you through the rain without a whole lot of problems. You're not going to be discrete right now..."
You feel him resisting a little, but you continue walking forward. You avoid looking at his face to try to keep yourself calm, but it doesn't take long before you're forced to turn. You feel his arm shifting off of you, Aiden trying to let his weight shift back onto your own feet. However, you only have to give him a quick glance before you realize...  indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
| Members who added to this interactive story also contributed to these: |
<<-- Previous · Outline  · Recent Additions © Copyright 2025 MysteriousMist (UN: mysteriousmist at Writing.Com). All rights reserved.
Juac has granted Writing.Com, its affiliates and syndicates non-exclusive rights to display this work within this interactive story. Poster accepts all responsibility, legal and otherwise, for the content uploaded, submitted to and posted on Writing.Com. |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
More by this author