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.

stiffens as I realise he'd been beaten up for what happened earlier tonight. I punch

uneasily, knowing if he did, he wouldn't be able to explain this to them. He gingerly shakes his

from his mouth and down

okay, don't speak."

her to see this but I can't do it alone. She appears at the top of

help." I tell her firmly, motioning for her to come downstairs and help me. She quickly trots down the stairs and kneels in front of Jake, tears forming in her eyes. She's seen Jake messed up before but not this badly.

barely alive right

a hand on Jake's cheek and I bite the inside of my cheek forcing myself to stay

grab his other arm. On the count

arm, throwing it over my shoulders and Ivory does the same

three" I say before heaving him 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 his weight. He's

Ivory?" I ask and I hear her mumbling

I instruct and we both shuffle him forwards slowly towards the staircase, leaving a trail of blood behind us.