Chapter 2: Set Up
Ombre quietly opened the front door.
The faint scent of rain filled the room as he stepped inside the house. He sighed, weakly standing.
He got attack by someone while he was out.
A man with a freaking gun.
Ombre huffed, weakly holding his side. He got shot. And he can't let anyone find out.
Not yet.
"Ombre?" Merak's voice cut through the silence, sharp and concerned. He was already halfway across the room, his eyes scanning Ombre's body for any signs of injury. "What happened?"
Ombre tried to wave him off, but his hand was trembling. "It's nothing, Mer. I fell." He attempted a laugh, but it came out as a weak cough.
Merak's eyes narrowed, and he stepped closer, his voice firm. "Ombre, you're bleeding. And you're pale as a ghost. Don't lie to me."
Ombre's shoulders slumped, and he leaned against the doorframe for support. "S nothing... I..." He huffed, "I'm going to my room." He tried to walk away, but Merak grabbed his arm, stopping him.
"Ombre, look at me," Merak commanded, his voice steady and firm. Ombre reluctantly turned to face him, his silver eyes meeting Merak's brown ones. "You're hurt. I can see it. Now, tell me what happened."
Ombre hesitated, his gaze flicking to the floor. I can't, Merak. I can't." He tried to pull away, but Merak held on tight.
"Ombre, you're scaring me," Merak admitted, his voice softening. "Please, just tell me what happened."
Ombre sighed, his shoulders slumping. "Nothing... nothing..."
Merak grumbled, before calling out to Akauri. "Akauri! Ombre needs a check up. Now."
Ombre gasped, "W-wha- No! No, I don't!!!" Ombre protested, but Merak was already leading him to the couch, his grip firm yet gentle. Akauri appeared in the doorway, his black eyes wide with concern.
"What's going on?" he asked, his voice sharp.
"Ombre's hurt," Merak replied, his voice steady. "He needs a check-up." "Alright, let's get him to the couch." He helped Merak guide Ombre to the couch, Ombre's protests growing weaker with each step.
"Guys, I'm fine. Really," Ombre insisted, but his voice was weak, and his face was pale.
He tried to sit up, but Merak pushed him back down gently.
"Stay still, Ombre," Merak said, his voice firm but gentle. "You're in shock. You need to rest."
Ombre sighed, his eyes fluttering closed as he leaned back against the couch. Akauri sat down next to him, his black eyes scanning Ombre's body for any signs of injury.
"Alright, let's see what we're dealing with here," Akauri said, his voice calm and professional. He carefully lifted Ombre's shirt, revealing a severely deep wound... caused by a bullet!?
Akauri's eyes widened in shock, his voice barely a whisper. "Ombre, you've been shot." He looked up at Merak, his expression grave. "We need to get him to the hospital. "I'll call an ambulance. You stay with him, Akauri." He turned and rushed to the phone, his fingers dialing quickly.
Ombre's eyes fluttered open, his silver gaze meeting Akauri's. "No... no hospital," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "Please... don't tell anyone."
Akauri's expression softened, but his voice was firm. "Ombre, you can't hide this."
Ombre turned over, weakly trying to get out of bed. "No... don't... I don't need help..." Ombre's voice was barely above a whisper, his body trembling with the effort to move.
Akauri's grip on Ombre's shoulder tightened, holding him in place. "Ombre, you need help. You've been shot. You could die if we don't get you to a hospital."
Ombre shook his head weakly, his silver eyes filled with fear. "No... no hospital... they can't find out... they'll kill me..."
Merak returned, his face pale but composed. "The ambulance is on its way. It should be here in five minutes." He looked at Ombre, his brown eyes filled with concern. "Ombre, what happened?
Who did this to you?" Merak asked, his voice barely above a whisper. He was trying to keep his emotions in check, but the sight of his brother's wound was making it difficult.
Ombre looked at Merak, his silver eyes filled with fear and desperation. I can't tell you, Mer. It's too dangerous. For all of us."
Akauri's grip on Ombre's shoulder tightened, his black eyes filled with concern. "Ombre, you need to tell us. We can't help you if we don't know what's going on."
Ombre shook his head weakly, his body trembling. "No... no, you can't help me." He managed to squirm out of bed, but Ankoku came rushing over.
"Guys, guess what I-" Ankoku started, but stopped short when he saw Ombre. "Ombre! What happened?" he asked, his voice filled with concern.
Ombre tried to stand straight, but his legs were wobbly. "I'm fine, Ankoku. Just... just a little accident," he said, his voice weak.
Ankoku's eyes narrowed as he took in Ombre's appearance. "Ombre, you're pale as a ghost and you're bleeding. You're not fine." He turned to Merak and Akauri.
Merak sighed, running a hand through his black hair. He sighed, "He got shot."
Ankoku's eyes widened in shock, his voice barely a whisper. "What? Who shot him?" He looked at Ombre, his expression grave. "Ombre, who did this to you?"
Ombre's eyes fluttered closed, his body trembling. I can't tell you," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "It's too dangerous.
Merak's grip on Ombre's shoulder tightened, his voice firm. "Ombre, you have to tell us.
Ombre's eyes fluttered open, his silver gaze meeting Merak's brown ones. "I can't, Merak. Can't... or else..." He huffed, his body getting weaker as he lost more blood.
Akauri sighed, "Screw the hospital. I studied medial practice for years and I am a scientist. I'm healing him myself. Get me a first aid, now!" Akauri barked at Ankoku, who nodded and rushed off to fetch the supplies. Merak helped Ombre lie down on the couch, his face pale and eyes filled with worry.
"Ombre, you're scaring me," Merak admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "Please, just tell us what's going on."
Ombre's silver eyes met Merak's brown ones, and for a moment, he seemed to consider opening up. But then he shook his head weakly. I won't put you guys in danger."
Ankoku returned with the first aid kit, and Akauri quickly set to work cleaning Ombre's wound.
Ombre winced as he kept on trying to push Akauri off. "No... don't need help..." Ombre's voice was barely above a whisper, his body trembling with each movement.
Akauri held Ombre down firmly yet gently, his voice calm and steady. "Ombre, you're in no state to argue. You need medical attention, and I'm going to give it to you." He looked up at Merak and Ankoku. "I need boiling water, clean towels, and some scissors.
Merak and Ankoku exchanged a glance before nodding and rushing off to gather the supplies. Ombre lay back against the couch, his eyes fluttering closed as he tried to conserve his energy.
"Oh, and get me restraints. I'm not letting Ombre die because he didn't want help." Akauri said firmly, his eyes never leaving Ombre's wound. Merak and Ankoku returned with the supplies, their faces etched with worry. Merak handed Akauri the scissors, and Ankoku helped him restrain Ombre's flailing arms.
"Ombre, you need to stay still," Merak said, his voice steady despite the fear in his eyes. "Akauri knows what he's doing. He'll take care of you."
Ombre's eyes fluttered open, meeting Merak's gaze. "Mer... I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
Merak's heart ached at the sight of his brother, so vulnerable and in pain. Ombre cried out when Akauri began trying to take the bullet out.
"No..." He cried, trying to squirm away. "Stop... don't... need it..."
Akauri hushed him, softly petting his head. "Merak, I need you to check if he has anymore wounds." Akauri instructed, his voice calm and professional despite the gravity of the situation. Merak nodded, his eyes scanning Ombre's body for any signs of additional injuries. He gently turned Ombre over, his heart pounding in his chest as he examined his back. Ankoku stood by, his black eyes filled with concern as he watched Merak work.
"Anything?" Akauri asked, his voice tight as he continued to work on Ombre's wound.
Merak shook his head, his voice barely above a whisper. "Yeah, his leg is... broken." He looked up at Akauri, his expression grave. "It's twisted, I'm surprised he even managed to walk back home." Merak's heart sank as he took in the sight of Ombre's broken leg. He turned to Ankoku, his voice steady despite the fear gripping his insides. "Ankoku, we need ice for his leg. And some painkillers, if we have any."
Ankoku nodded, his black eyes filled with determination. "On it," he said, before rushing off to the kitchen.
Merak turned back to Ombre, his brown eyes filled with concern. "Ombre, we're going to take care of you. You're going to be okay," he said, his voice firm yet gentle.
Ombre's silver eyes fluttered open, meeting Merak's gaze.
"Stop... don't... need it..." Ombre's voice was barely above a whisper, his body trembling with each movement.
Akauri hushed him, softly petting his head.
"I know it hurts, Ombre, but we need to get this bullet out. You're losing too much blood." "I need some tweezers and a pair of pliers. And bring me some alcohol to sterilize the tools."
Merak nodded, his face pale but determined. "I'll get them." He rushed off to the garage, where they kept their tools. Ankoku returned with a bag of ice and some painkillers, placing them gently on the coffee table.
"Here, Ombre," he said softly, helping Ombre sit up enough to take the pills with a sip of water.
"These will help with the pain."
Ombre took the pills, his silver eyes meeting Merak's brown ones. He whimpered, leaning his head against Merak's chest. "m sorry..." It didn't seem like he could talk properly, given the amount of blood he's losing.
Merak held him close, his heart pounding in his chest. "It's okay, Ombre. We've got you," he whispered, his voice steady despite the fear gripping him.
"You're going to be okay."
Ombre's body trembled, and he let out a soft whimper, his eyes fluttering closed. I'm scared," he admitted, his voice barely audible.
Merak's grip on Ombre tightened, and he leaned down, his forehead resting against Ombre's. "I know, Ombre. I'm scared too. But we're in this together. You're not alone."
Ankoku returned with the ice pack and painkillers, his black eyes filled with determination. "Here, Ombre. This will help with the pain," he said, gently placing the ice pack on Ombre's broken leg.
Ombre hissed, trying to pull away, but Merak held him firmly in place.
"Easy, Ombre. It's just ice," Merak said, his voice soothing. "It'll help with the swelling." "You don't have anything to be sorry for, Ombre. You're the strongest person I know."
Akauri looked up from his work, his black eyes filled with concern. "Merak, I need you to hold Ombre down."
Merak raised an eyebrow, "Why?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Because I'm going to twist his broken leg back to normal." Akauri's voice was calm, but there was a hint of urgency in his eyes. "And I can't do that if he's thrashing around."
Merak's eyes widened in shock, but he quickly nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. He positioned himself on either side of Ombre, holding him down firmly but gently. "Ombre, you know we care about you, right?" Merak asked, smiling when Ombre nodded. "Okay, just... just stay close to my chest, yeah? Everything is going to be okay..."
"Why... why do you say that, Mer...? What's going to..." Before Ombre could finish, Akauri snapped his leg back into place.
The sound of bone crunching echoed through the room, and Ombre let out a blood-curdling scream, his body convulsing in pain. Merak held on tight, his heart pounding in his chest as he watched his brother suffer.
"Shh, it's over now," Merak whispered, his voice soothing as he stroked Ombre's hair. "You're okay, Ombre. You're going to be okay."
Ombre's screams subsided into whimpers, his body going limp in Merak's arms. Akauri sat back, wiping the sweat from his brow. "That should do it," he said, his voice tired. "But he needs to rest.
He's lost a lot of blood," Akauri said, his voice filled with concern as he looked at Ombre's pale face. "We should get him to bed."
Merak nodded, gently lifting Ombre into his arms. "I'll take him to his room," he said, his voice soft. Ankoku followed, his black eyes filled with worry.
"Merak, be careful," Ankoku said, his voice barely above a whisper. "He's in a lot of pain."
Merak nodded, his grip on Ombre tightening slightly. "I know," he replied, his voice steady. "I've got him."
They reached Ombre's room, and Merak carefully laid him down on the bed.
Ombre was sobbing, his body trembling in pain and agony. "No more... please... no more..." Ombre whimpered, his body trembling as Merak gently pulled the covers over him. Merak sat down on the edge of the bed, his brown eyes filled with concern as he watched Ombre struggle to find comfort.
"It's okay, Ombre," Merak said softly, his voice soothing. "You're safe now. You're home." I'm scared," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. He reached out, gently taking Ombre's hand in his own. "I know you are, Ombre.
But you're safe now. We're here with you," Merak replied, giving Ombre's hand a gentle squeeze. Ankoku stood by the door, his black eyes filled with worry as he watched his brothers.
Akauri entered the room, carrying a tray with a glass of water and some pills. These will help with the pain," he said softly, placing the tray on the bedside table.
Ombre sniffled, letting Merak help him swallow them. "Hurts... h-hurts..."