The Wretched and Divine

I awoke in Ma's arms.
"I did say he slept a lot."
My chest ached.
"Why is he so bruised?"
"He had a fight at school yesterday."
I looked at who she was talking to. It was a blonde woman with a balding man. There was a boy about Danny's age with them.
"Well, I see no problem. Of course we will take him."
The man stood up, gave Pa money and then he picked me up. I whimpered as he pushed against my wound.
"What's wrong, little one?"
"Dad, for God's sake."
The boy took me and cradled me as Pa and Ma loaded my things into a carriage outside. I looked at the boy, terrified.
"Shush, it's ok." He smiled at me and I pushed my body closer to his.
"Ronnie, time to go."
The boy, Ronnie, gently stood up and went to the carriage, all the time humming to me. I closed my eyes and heard the couple climb in. The clack of horse hooves started and then I heard Danny.
"JAKE, NO!"
I opened my eyes. Ronnie was looking down at me.
"Is Jake your name?"
I nodded and looked away. I wasn't feeling well. The gentle clack of hooves sent me to sleep.

The pain in my chest woke me up. I was in Ronnie's arms and he was climbing out of the carriage. I started coughing. Ronnie rubbed my back.
"We're here."
I turned my head and looked at the house. It had three floors, a front garden and the carriage was parked in a driveway. It looked posh. Ronnie walked over to the door and I saw a group of four boys, all with long, black hair. They all stared at me. One of them was wearing a Batman top. He smiled and I smiled back. Ronnie took me inside and lay me on the couch. I soon fell asleep.

Ronnie woke me up.
"Dinner."
I smiled weakly and he helped me walk to the dining room. He sat down and I sat next to him. My chest felt like it was on fire but I said nothing.
"Call me watch you like, sweetheart."
I looked up at Ronnie's mother and nodded.
"Mom, leave him."
"Shush you."
Ronnie laughed and set the table. As Mom started dishing dinner out, I collapsed, landing on the floor.
"Jake!"
Ronnie knelt next to me and looked at the now obvious blood stain on my top. He pulled my shirt up.
"Mom, we need to get him to Dr. Ferguson. He's been stabbed!"
"Oh God, Chris!"
Dad ran in and saw me. "I'll run ahead. Ronnie get him there as soon as possible."
Ronnie picked me up as Dad ran out. I leant against him, sweating heavily. Ronnie walked quickly with me in his arms.
"You're going to be alright, Jake, I promise."
Tears fell down my face. The pain was horrible. I could barely breathe.
"Stay awake, Jake, please."
My eyelids were so heavy, I couldn't keep them open.
"Jake, please!"
Ronnie's eyes were the last thing I saw before black.