Cut from Gold

12 - Meeting Elliot

The burning had never stopped. I had momentary reprieves in the day following the injections. But overnight it had increased in intensity until not even constant contact with Reuben could fix it; we tried all the old tactics but nothing worked and had to wander around holding hands. He, to his credit had attempted to help in as many ways as possible.

When my clothes scratched and irritated my skin, he found some supersoft shirts in his drawers for me to wear. When the heat in the kitchen caused my body to flare, he refused to cook, offering up ice cream and placing bags of frozen veg in sheets for me to hold. Not the best solution but it did work.

The nights were the hardest. I had hot and cold flushes like someone flipped a switch. Hot. Cold. Hot. Cold. Reuben had found a camp bed and set it up in my room. Just before bed, he would suck? all of the pain out and lay down. It helped because it meant we didn't have to awkwardly share a bed or hold hands. It also meant we could shower separately.

The morning of my meeting with Elliot I nearly blacked out when I tried to step out of the door. I had scratched that idea and Reuben became my aid.

I clung fiercely to Reuben's arm, my nails dug into his skin as waves of fire raged within me. Are you okay? I glared at him.

What do you think?

Alright, calm down. You're kind of embedding yourself into my arm though. Do you want to head back?

No. I need to see him. He shot me a knowing look but continued walking.

We cleared the courtyard and headed to the agreed spot at the park entrance.

As we approached, two figures emerged from the shadows of the trees. I recognised Elliot immediately but the daggers within warned me off running to him. The other figure was feminine but I couldn't really pay attention to her. I started bouncing lightly on my feet, needing some output for the nervous energy. Reuben chuckled lightly at my antics.

Elliot waited until we were under the trees before he ran towards me, arms outstretched. I braced myself but no matter what, my insides were burning at the contact. It felt like acid was eating away at my skin. I couldn't stop myself from crying out and Elliot released me in shock. Reuben pulled me back against him, taking most of the pain for me. He winced a little but otherwise kept a stoic expression.

"What the fuck Rebeka!?" Elliot looked more afraid than angry. I was panting from the aftermath. My insides were now just uncomfortably twisting. Thankfully.

Elliot looked down at Reuben's arm which was wrapped around me protectively. His face hardened as he followed it up to Reuben's face. He gently pushed the girl he was with behind him and stepped forward. Reuben did the same to me but kept ahold of my hand.

"Who do you think you are! How dare you make out like you're trying to protect Rebeka! You did this to her!" Elliot lunged for Reuben who merely stood by. Elliot raised his arm, threateningly before following through with the swing. He continued to take his aggression out on Reuben, all while he just remained where he was.

When one punch made a terrible cracking sound, Reuben's head snapped to the side and I could see the waterfall of crimson pouring from his nose. I gasped and the taste of iron filled my mouth. I raised a shaking hand to my lip and pulled it away to reveal liquid rose.

"Shit, " I breathed. Reuben turned his head towards me, eyes widening. Your nose.

It's fine.

No its not.

When Elliot went to throw another blow, Reuben caught his fist and held it.