#randy-tow

Silence. Sweet beautiful silence.

The screaming had finally stopped and Laurette could take her hands from her ears. She pressed her lips together, straightening out of the slight hunch she had adopted in an attempt to protect herself from the noise. Just in time, too, as the owner of the house came storming into the library, her expression stony, but her eyes sparking with rage.

“Take care of him.” was all she said before leaving the quiet room with a rustle of her skirts. Despite having made little noise, her very presence echoed in the returning silence, and it gave the blonde chills.

She took a deep breath after a moment, gathering herself before she pushed herself to her feet, the soles complaining as she put her weight back on them. She was wearing a pair of short heels, and Laurette hated them. They pinched her toes and at the end of the day, her feet and ankles were swollen and aching. With a tiny wince, she took a clumsy step, and started on her way to the room that the Lady Anonymous had left the poor boy in her care. The door was still open, though you could only see it from the outside, and she closed it behind herself as she entered and left the damned shoes at the door.

She gave a silent sigh of relief as her feet came in contact with the cold floor and finally lifted her gaze to the broken body across from her. It was such a familiar sight at this point that she didn’t wince anymore, but she felt her heart break again. Bruises covered him and one of his arms was bent at an odd angle. She’d have to pull it down to set and heal it.

The door creaked as it was opened, the low light from the hall illuminating the empty room beyond. Ron hovered in the doorway, indecision warring with the need for comfort. He shouldn't come in here. It was rude to go in Randy's room when he was gone. He shouldn't just waltz in like it was nothing. The 'walker took a step back from the door, his grip on the doorknob pulling the door closed a little as he moved and he froze as it squeaked again.

... Maybe a little while. Randy would forgive him... right?

He carefully moved into the room, closing the door behind him as he did, the squeak leaving a phantom echo in the sudden stillness. He didn't turn on the light, and almost ran straight into the bed, his hands instinctively moving to catch him before he froze again. This was a mistake, he was being dumb, he shouldn't be in here... All these and more filtered through his mind, but the only movement he made was to fist his hands in Randy's blanket.

He clenched his teeth, his arms shaking slightly as he stared into the darkness, the pattern on the blanket slowly coming into focus as his eyes adjusted.

He shouldn't be in here.

He lowered himself to the floor, dragging the blanket with him and taking a shudder-y breath.

Randy'd be mad when he came back.

... If he came back.

No. Randy would come back. He'd... He wouldn't just leave. Somebody had to have... somebody took him.

Immediately, guilt racked Ron's frame and he curled in on himself, squeezing his eyes shut and setting his jaw. He shouldn't think that. He was being selfish. It'd be better if Randy had just left, because then he wouldn't be hurt or scared. He'd be fine. Probably better off than he was when he had his dumb little brother dragging him down.

The blanket piled on top of him and he took a shaky breath, his shoulders shaking. Randy was fine. He got out of dodge, is probably living a great life now. Got some friends, got a job he loves, a nice apartment where he plays video games in his time off. He's fine.

A lump formed in Ron's throat as tears filled his eyes. He left... and he's fine.

He choked down a broken sound, trying his best to stay silent.

He left... just like before.

The tears fell, and the blonde wiped them away, not bothering to pull the blanket from his face after.

-both of these are probably crumpled up in the trash-