Nobody had seen or heard from Zak in a few days and it was really starting to worry me. Yeah, he didn't like me, but I still liked him. He hadn't been at school, he hadn't been out anywhere, he also hadn't been uploading on Skeppy.

I felt like something was very, very wrong.

I wanted to go over to his house, but if his dad was there I felt like it'd be a really bad idea.

Something in my head told me I had to go anyways. No matter what, I had to go see Zak. Just to make sure he was okay. So, I began my walk there.

[time skip!]

I finally arrived there, the front door was slightly cracked open. I walked closer to inspect the scene. The first thing I saw was Zak's dad passed out on the kitchen floor, shattered beer bottle right next to him.

I quietly made my way in and walked upstairs to Zak's room. I lightly knocked a few times, but after getting no response I let myself in.

"Zak..." There he was. Sprawled out on his bed, face down. He seemed smaller and paler than I last remembered. I looked at the surroundings and noticed blood to be on many things, like his sheets, and my hoodie?

I had forgotten my hoodie at his house completely by accident and I never remembered to come pick it up. Now it seemed too late considering it was covered in blood.

I turned him over slightly so I could better examine his physical state, and I immediately noticed the cuts up and down his wrists.

Was this because of me?

Surely it wasn't. We had been talking for only a few days, there's no way it was because of me.

I turned him over more as to flip him on his back. He looked frail and ill. I checked his pulse and breathing before attempting to wake him up, making sure he was still alive.

His heart rate seemed steady and his breathing was slightly heavy, but nothing of concern. I lightly shook him to try and wake him up. I wanted to be gentle to be sure I wouldn't hurt him, but I still wanted to awaken him.

A few more light shakes later and he started moving slightly. He opened his eyes up for a moment before closing them again.

"Hmmmmm," He said while shaking his head a little bit.

"Come on, Zak. Get up." He grabbed onto my arm and wouldn't let it go. He just continued to lie there, holding onto my arm.

"Zak, plea-"

"Lay with me," He murmured out while still latched onto my arm. My face got a little heated afterwards.

"What?"

"Lay with me, please."

Part of me really did not want to, but the other part was begging to. I missed him, his touch, his warmth. I just missed him. I thought about it for a moment before crawling into bed with him and holding him close. He almost instantaneously snuggled up to me.

I found myself drifting off to sleep while embracing him. It was so peaceful.

"

Oh, yeah, him.

I woke up to see Zak's dad standing in the doorway. The look of pure anger on his face. I looked over to see Zak silently panicking.

As his dad was walking over to us he whispered "Run." in my ear. I wanted to, but I couldn't.

Before the smaller boy could do much more Darryl stood up and got in Zak's dad's way. As Zak's dad went to hit Darryl he signaled for Zak to run. Zak got up sprinting out of the room and into the downstairs.

Punch.

Right in the face. Darryl didn't mind it though, he preferred that over Zak being hurt. He managed to work his way around Zak's dad and he ran downstairs to Zak.

Darryl grabbed Zak's hand and practically dragged him out of the house. The two ran as fast as they could down the street, but not the way towards the school, so they ended up getting lost.

"W-where are we....?"

"I'm not sure, but it'll be okay."

Darryl grabbed the other boy's hand and started walking further down the street. They two went on for a little bit before Darryl recognized one of the street signs.

"Clover St. My house isn't too far from here, come on." Zak just tightened his grip on Darryl's hand and continued walking.

After a rather tiring walk the two made it to Darryl's house and went inside.

"Alright listen, I know you don't like me that much, but I still want to help you. I'll do anything I can."

Those words stung Zak. Even with Darryl thinking Zak hated him, he still cared about him. Zak couldn't find any words to say and instead just threw himself into the bigger boy's arms.

"I love you..."

-

oop cliffhanger !