Cian P.O.V

I frowned, guilt my constant companion as I watched Ashe. I had sat up and scooted to the headboard; he had flinched and curled more into a ball as far from me as he could. I sat quietly, following his every slight expression and movement. My eyes followed as his hand lightly felt the bandaging covering his neck, then to the shirt, feeling it before his eyes shot open wide and he shivered slightly. I frowned, until I realized the material had felt different to him from the one he had on before, and he was scared probably because he was passed out and somehow was not only bandaged, but changed as well. I frowned, following his thought process; he was probably wondering what else had happened while he was asleep. He probably felt very vulnerable and exposed. I silently berated myself for putting the boy through so much more so soon after he was attacked.

I could tell, at this point, that he was listening very carefully at me, hands clenched on his new shirt. His breaths stayed fast and shallow, trying to keep as still and quiet as possible. I didn't want to cause more trouble for him, but I also knew whatever I did at this point would not make matters any better. Just trying to explain myself or voice anything would have probably caused him to spring into the air like a surprised kitten.

I chose the lesser of all evils for him by turning on the television first, volume on low. He shivered, and I watched as his eyes moved sightlessly as the sound filled the room. After a minute or so, I could have sworn he had sighed and relaxed ever so slightly. I let it go, grateful at any positive change and patiently waited a half an hour, unable to pay any attention to the events on the television, before finally speaking up, "Ashe..." He jumped slightly at the sound of his name.

"Would you like to stay here another day, or go see your new," I paused ever so, unsure what to call it. Home?... House? Place? "Room?"

Ashe stayed silent long enough for an awkwardness to settle on my guilt-ridden shoulders. He lightly drew in a breath, "Can't I just go... Back?"

His voice was light, barely heard over the sounds emanating from the screen. My brows immediately scrunched down. Did he consider us worse than the treatment he had back at that place? "No," I couldn't help my voice roughening in response. "You can't, Ashe."

He shivered, eyes going glassy. The silence lingered for a long time, even with the scenes continuing on the television. I watched him, but it became obvious that he wasn't going to say anything more.

We continued like this through two new shows that I couldn't remember for the life of me, before finally getting up, "I'm going to take a shower, Ashe. You can take one after." I hadn't looked straight at him after the end of our conversion, but I didn't see him move as I shifted to grab some clothes and head to the bathroom. I figured he was asleep, and if so, I would leave him be at least until after my shower.

I stepped out an hour later, half of that time spent, embarrassingly enough, procrastinating. I really didn't want to go back out there. I felt like a failure. I was just another adult making this kid's life hell, pushing him around, and then dumping him somewhere else. I also knew that it wasn't going to change my decision. I was still going to send him to Gale, but I swore to myself that I was still going to stay in his life; make it at least a little better. I was going to at least make sure he's a little better off, a little happier, at least a little healthier and safer.

When I finally returned to the room, I noticed that Ashe hadn't moved a bit. In fact, he hadn't even seemed to respond to my presence, even though I had made no move to be quiet. I remembered how he had always usually tilted his head, listening to things of which I had no idea. But... He hadn't done any of that right now. A sliver of panic and ice sprinkled down my chest. He was like stone; no reaction, no shiver, no sound.

It was then that I panicked. I didn't even bother going around the bed. Instead, I vaulted and bounced over to him, shaking his shoulder harshly to still no response. My eyes widened in absolute fear as I grabbed his chin and roughly shifted it to face me. There was a slight resistance, but once I moved it, I could do nothing but gasp. I quickly pulled at his stiff shoulder until I was able to listen to his chest for anything. Anything at all. It took a few moments, but I finally heard as he breathed so lightly that I strained to catch it. His heart beat very slowly.

What happened? What's wrong with him?! I watched as his body, not him, moved like molasses until it was back in its original fetal position. A few moments passed, shock leaving me momentarily pinned in place.

"Shit," i breathed out finally before rushing back to my side of the bed, pulling out my cell phone and hitting speed dial.

The phone rang several times, each moment rushing blood through me, my eyes unable to look at the kid and yet unable to look away. I finally heard the click as the phone was answered, "This is Liekar Pritcher Arcwyrght."

"Pritcher, it's Cian," I finally turned away from Ashe. "I need you to come quick with a medical team to the club."

"We'll be there," Lieker Pritcher replied, not bothering to ask any questions. He knew I would have been specific on what to bring or what was going on if I could. I glance back as the phone went silent... But I couldn't even describe it to myself. I just... Made no sense.