Chapter Thirty One

"From every wound there is a scar, and every scar tells a story. A story that says, I survived." ~ Unknown

Lyla's Point Of View

Deep, long, terrifying lines indented Nick's back. Some even reached his stomach and chest. They were a familiar shade of pink, some showing signs of a dark red.

How long ago did this all happen?

"Nick, what, what happened?" My voice trembled with each syllable.

Nick took in a shaky breath and kept his head down as he faced me.

"It was about two years ago, the year before you adopted me." Nick smiled slightly at the word 'adopted'

I smiled sadly as well.

I remember it as if it was yesterday.

Nick was so shy at first. It didn't take long for him to reveal his playful and sweet side. I remember he would always lay across my lap, snuggling into my stomach. He's a little kid at heart.

"His name was Jim." Nick spat out the name. "He bought Ben and I, as show animals. He treated us as if we were circus things, not pets, not even as dogs. But as machines to be programmed as perfect trick masters." Nick clenched his fist, still not lifting his head so our eyes could meet.

"Jim liked making us jump through fire. I did what he said, I was just worried about when my next meal would be. But Ben was afraid. The fire was hot and painful, Ben hated it. So when Ben didn't listen, Jim punished him with a metal whip." Nick paused, finally meeting my eyes. I saw pain swarming inside. "Except he didn't. I jumped in front of Ben, and I, got hit." Nick's voice broke slightly. "I couldn't just watch my best friend get whipped! I had to do something!" Nick raised his voice slightly, defending himself.

"I understand Nick." I nodded, wiping away a few of my tears.

"After a month of that hell hole." Nick growled. "I was left like this." Nick said in a disgusted tone. "He left me as a piece of garbage. I used to have smooth skin, but that bastard ruined it!" Nick shouted angrily, turning to punch the brick wall beside him.

I jumped slightly at his outburst. I've never seen him angry before. But I don't blame him.

Nick dropped his arm, his bangs shielding his eyes from mine.

He took a deep breath.

"We escaped from him and got back to the pet store. I was in the pet hospital, or whatever it's called, for many months. Ben was in there for a few weeks as well, getting back his nutrients and gaining back his weight. We were starved there. I was in rehab for almost all of my time there." Nick smiled lightly. "The people who worked there knew that Ben and I were close or something, so I got to see him a few times a week." Jimin paused. "I looked forward to those days."

My lip trembled, overwhelmed with emotions.

My little puppy, he's been through so much. And here I thought he was a perfect little angel who's never seen a dark time in his life. In reality, he's faced the devil himself.

We stood there for a few minutes, both of us had no words to say. I saw Nick tremble in the cold, but my feet were frozen in place, still in shock from his story.

Finally, my lips formed the words, "Nick, are you alright?"

Stupid.

"No." Nick looked up at me with a broken smile. "But I'm better."

I started crying. I don't know why I'm the one. It should be Nick, he should be crying. But I guess I'm crying for him.

I heard Nick immediately walked towards me and wrap his arms around me.

I leaned against his cold body, hoping mine would warm him.

Nick stroked my hair for a couple of moments before I finally calmed down.

I can't believe he hasn't cracked a single tear. I know I don't want him to cry, but, I don't understand how he isn't.

Maybe he's, afraid?

"It's okay to cry Sweetie." I said, looking up to Nick, and cupped my hand around his cheek, me still in his arms.

"But, I'm too scared." Nick whimpered, staring into my eyes.

"Scared of what?" I sniffed and frowned slightly, not quite understanding his response.

"I'm scared of being weak. What if the same thing happens again?" With every word Nick became closer and closer to tears. I could see it in his face.

"Nicky, you don't have to worry about anything. You don't have to be scared either. I'm here now, okay? Everything is okay." I stroked his cheek, smiling reassuringly.

And that's when it fell.

The first tear. Nick's face broke down and he started to sob.

It was now my turn to hold Nick. We both slowly made our way to the ground, Nick no longer having the strength to hold himself up.

"I'm so weak. I'm sorry." Nick sobbed.

"No, you're not weak. You're a survivor, it's written all over your body." I stroked his hair, him with his head buried in my good shoulder.

That made Nick cry even more.

"I was so scared." Nick cried, letting all of his emotions out.

I'm glad he is. He's probably held it all in for too long.

"I know Baby, I know." I soothed, a few tears fell from me as well. "I won't let anyone hurt you ever again, I promise." I told Jimin, making sure our eyes were connected as I made my promise.

"Thank you." Nick sniffed and snuggled closer to me.

I felt Nick shivering as he hugged me tightly.

"Oh Sweetie, you're shaking like a leaf." I commented, letting go of our hug so I could wrap my blanket around him, leaving myself to the mercy of the weather.

Not missing a beat, Nick immediately hugged me, surrounding me in the blanket as well as his arms.

I smiled as I hugged Nick.

The lullaby I always sing popped into my head.

"I remember tears streaming down your face when I said I'll never let you go. When all those shadows almost killed your light." When I took a breath to continue, Nick beat me to it.

"I remember you said don't leave me here alone. But all that's dead and passed tonight." Nick sang perfectly, like an angel. He hit every note perfectly.

I joined in.

"Just close your eyes, the sun is going down. you'll be alright, no one can hurt you now. Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound." We sang together perfectly.

I broke through the lullaby.

"How do you know the lyrics?" I laughed slightly.

A smile creeped onto Nick's lips.

"You sang that lullaby almost everyday to us. I had it memorized in a week." Nick smiled and hugged me.

I laughed and hugged him back.

"We should probably get back to the boys." Nick sighed, resting his chin on my head.

"Yeah," I agreed. "They're probably arguing over something right now."

Nick laughed.

Thank you.

"They probably are."

—————

"Why do you two look like you've been crying?" Nalla made our way towards Nick and I huddled in the blanket, Nick clinging to me.

I glanced over at Nick slightly.

"Cause we have." Nick replied, holding Nalla's stare.

"Did you tell her?" Peter asked, standing up.

Nick nodded once.

Everyone but Jameson and Elisa nodded, understanding.

"Tell her what?" Elisa exclaimed, shooting up to her feet.

"Nothing." Sammi pushed Elisa down again, Elisa hissing.

"I wanna know." Jameson whined slightly.

"Maybe later." Ben stretched and yawned.

It was 11 pm.

"We need to get to bed." I announced, peeling myself away from Nick.

I started to walk towards the stairs.

"Uh, Lyla." Nick called out.

I stopped and turned around to see all of the boys standing up and staring at me.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"Where do we sleep?"