End the Storm

Chapter Twelve

"Ayden," I called. "Where are you?"

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Don't find anything bad, please. Don't find-

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"I'm... I'm in here," his voice shook from the living room. I went to him and asked if he was okay and he pointed to the bathroom.

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I forgot. This house was technically a crime scene... oops...

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"I-I don't have the money to hire a crime scene cleaner. Believe it or not, they don't just do it for you. You'd think it was like provided or something," I sat down Indian style in my recliner and fiddled with my hands.

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"I can help you clean it if you want me to," Ayden suggested.

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"No, you want to shower and stuff. Just do me a favor," I started. "There's a basket on the kitchen table filled with towels. Do you mind grabbing that for me?"

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He went and grabbed it without hesitation. I told him to get one for his shower and he did. Then, I pointed him in the direction to the bathroom and off he went.

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I started to clean up all the dried up blood, which wasn't easy, but soon stopped when I realized I was wearing his clothes. I stripped to my underwear and tied a towel around my body and continued cleaning. Every couple of minutes or so, I used the sink water to wet the towels. He probably enjoyed that. I laughed to myself.

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Realizing I should sanitize the area after I got all the blood up about ten minutes later, I stood to go raid the kitchen for any cleaner I could find.

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I turned around only to be met by a really naked Ayden. Of course he had a towel on his waist but... that's it.

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I yelped "Oh shit! I'm sorry," and I covered my eyes.

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"It's fine. You're in a towel too. Why, might I ask?"

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"I didn't wanna ruin your clothes," I responded, lowering my arms. "And now I need cleaner. So if you'll excuse me," I started to pass him when he grabbed my wrist.

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"What the hell do you think-"

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"Breathe, Charley," he said calmly. "I know you're upset, and for a valid reason, but it's doing you no good."

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I started to tear up. Why me? Why now? All my life I have prevented this... why now? I started to pull away but he wouldn't let go. Ayden slid his hand into mine gently.

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"Let me finish up. Go take a shower, and put on some fresh clothes. It'll be done when you're finished."

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"But-" I fought.

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"Charley!" He snapped slightly, making me jump. He soon regained stability and softness. "For once, let someone take care of you for a change. You've done so much for everybody else. It's not fair," he paused, "Now go take a nice shower. I'll be finished when you get out."

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I hesitated, and he let go.

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"Now, Charley."

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I turned to go take my shower and you could say I was "salty", but let's just not and say we did.

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I grabbed a pair of short black athletic shorts with the white seam stripe things? Y'all know what I'm talking about. For a top, I got my gray oversized off the shoulder shirt.
My shower was nice. I almost couldn't relax, but eventually I started to fall asleep. It was warm and cozy. I just wish it was always this feeling, you know? The feeling of tranquility. The feeling of a worry free life. But it's not. And I don't think it ever will be.

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I washed up and got out of the shower in about 10 or 12 minutes, I would say. I put on my clothes, deodorant and a perfume, then went to get Ayden some of my dad's old clothes from a box I kept in my room. I grabbed him some of my dad's old plaid lounge pants and a black v-neck top. I went downstairs, and, as promised, he was finished. It smelled highly of bleach and Clorox but, hey, it was clean. That's all I could have asked for.

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"Hey, man. Here are some clothes for you. I'm sure they will fit," I said handing them to him. He took them happily, reminded me to breathe, and went upstairs to put the clothes on.

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Was it going to be weird seeing him in my father's clothes? Yes. Was it going to be awkward now that he has seen a part of me only Tris has witnessed? That's his choice.

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