Tangled Love

Tobias' POV -

The front door opens and I hear a groan followed by a loud thump. I frown and grab the knife I keep under my bed before heading for the stairs. I walk across the landing, carefully making sure I don't expose myself to whoever it is downstairs.

The sight that greets me is a living nightmare.

What looked so little like Jake lay by the door, his clothes ripped in several places. Blood pours from his mouth and his face is black and bruised, one eye completely swollen and shut closed. He leans against the wall, using one arm to prop himself up before groaning loudly, hissing in pain.

I shoot down the stairs, taking them two at a time and jump down the last few.

"Jake!" I yell, kneeling down beside him. I gently lift his face and examine his cuts. He groans from the movement and I clench my jaw tightly, reaching for his hands. They're completely fine, no bruises or cuts. That meant Jake never fought back.

He always fought back unless it was Amil.

punch the floor next to me letting some anger out, my eyes

ask uneasily, knowing if he did, he wouldn't be able to explain this to them.

down his chin. He's a bloody mess. . .

"She's okay, don't speak."

help. I don't want her to see this but I can't do it alone. She appears at the top of the stairs within seconds, rubbing sleep from her eyes. Once she

quickly trots down the stairs and kneels in front of Jake, tears forming in her

He's barely alive right

cheek and I bite the inside of my cheek forcing myself to stay calm.

"Ivory, grab his other arm. On the count

up his left arm, throwing it over my shoulders and Ivory does the same on his other side. My

up off the floor. He groans loudly, his knees buckling underneath his weight. I grit my teeth tighter as I struggle to carry most of

and I hear her mumbling in agreement, her voice

I instruct and we both shuffle him forwards slowly towards