I'm a Loaded Gun

Everyone's eyes were on the darkening bruises. I pulled the fabric over the marks. Sammi instantly rushed forward and kneeled down, pulling the shirt away. Her face instantly lost color and her eyes widened.

"Oh, Reya..." she murmered. "They're...so...so dark."

Andy was staring right at the marks, face lost in concentrated thought. He seemed frozen, until he finally stood up and walked over to me. Standing extremely close, he so gently lifted the cloth, exposing the first outline of fingerprints on my side and another matching print on my hip bone. He didn't look at me as he moved his hand to my shoulder, pulling back the sleeve. His face hardened as he revealed even more bruises, even darker on my collar bone. His face was a mix of anger, sickness, and worry.

"Reya..." he whispered.

Sammi stood up and placed her hand tenderly on the top of my back. "Come with me Hun."

"Sammi I-" he started.

"Quiet Andy, I'll take care of her. You guys just...chill in here." she interjected. She grabbed my hand and led me back to the bunks. "Reya, you need to show me those bruises. It's not right that he did this. Those marks are only a few hours old and they will darken even more. If this ever...goes anywhere...you need to document this."

"They are just bruises Sammi. I'm sure tha-"

"NO, Reya, they aren't just bruises, that is abuse. Sweetie, I promise that I won't say anything if you don't want me to. I won't even tell Jinxx. But, you need to know, we are all worried about you," she said as she reached into a hidden cabinet. "Here, Rey, put these on." I took the pair of black shorts she passed me. She turned her back so I could change. I never looked down, already aware of a dull aching on my legs. I removed my shirt, standing in only my padded sports bra and the short shorts Sammi provided.

"You can look now," I sighed. I already knew her reaction. She gasped and covered her mouth. I dared myself to look in the full length mirror on the wall, instantly horrified. I didn't react though. I stared at my blank expression. I wander to my neck, light marks on the left side. I continued and froze when I saw the plague of bruises that streamed down my sides, but most predominant on the right side. Angry blue, green, brown marks spotted my body. There was almost no surface unbruised. My shoulders, my ribs, my sides, hips, and the back of my right thigh. I turned exposing the worst of it on my back. It looked like a mountain range on a map. Sammi looked as if she would cry.

"Reya...I'm...so-sorry. My God.." she backed up to the door. She reached for the handle. I glanced at her through the reflection in the mirror. "I'll get you some ice and the-" Sammi stepped backward and tripped. She fell into the door, pushing it wide open. She fell on her butt into the front area of the bus. Both guys jumped up to help her, but Andy froze when he stood up. His eyes locked onto the trail of brown and green bruises on my back. Jinxx had already helped up Sammi, he too went blank faced when he saw me.

Andy pushed past Sammi and Jinxx, eyes locked on me, he closed the door. He turned around after closing the doorway off, me still watching through the mirror. He slowly struggled toward me. His hand raised and he placed it on my forearm. "Holy hell..." I took a step backward, Andy's chest resting against the top of my back. He leaned down and I turned to face him. We were standing incredibly close in the small space. I couldn't look him in the eyes, shame clouding over me. It was hideous. His eyes were burning in the top of my head. His touch feather light, as he gently guided my body closer to his, wrapping me in a very loose hug. "If I ever...ever see that bastard again I'm going to break his hands." I began to tremble, the shock finally working through my brain. "It's ok, he will never touch you again if I had any say in it. That fucker ever touches you I will make this an issue of personal justice." I didn't feel safe. Andy's band was only here for a week for promotional reasons. Once he left, there was no one to protect me from Seth. The anxiety finally hit my system, completely hitting me like a brick wall of fatigue. My knees buckled and Andy instantly braced me. My energy was gone. He picked me up like a child and carried me to his joint room with Ashley which was empty and much more private. He set me down in his bed with the care of placing a glass vase on a ledge. He set me down and I sat for a moment. He sat next to me.

"You must be exhausted Reya, close your eyes and get some rest." I did just that. I curled myself up on the bed. He stood to leave and I couldn't help but grab his hand.

"Andy..." I whispered. He turned around instantly and kneeled by where my head was.

"What?" he replied.

"Please...ple-please don't leave me alone tonight...I'm...I don't want to be alone right now." I whimpered.

A smile played on the edges of his lips. He stood up and walked to the foot of the bed.

"I'll be back, just let me change out of this so I can sleep." He stepped out of the room. A moment later I heard some light talk in the bus and a few doors opening and closing. He returned a minute later, wearing only a pair of black basketball shorts, shirtless. My god his body was beautiful, his tattoos barely visible when he turned the light in the room down with the dimmer switch. The room was barely lit with a soft recessed light in the other side. He got onto the bed and layed on the side by the wall. "Goodnight Reya, get some sleep."

"Goodnight, Andy." I whispered back. I closed my eyes, staying awake for a few minutes. He must have sensed I was still very much awake. He began lightly humming "The Morticians Daughter". I don't know if it was his voice or the soft vibrations it gave to the bed, but I felt my closed lids feeling weighted. My breathing finally slowed and I drifted off into a peaceful, quiet sleep.

Notes

A lot of intensity in this one. Thanks guys (: this is all I have for tonight since I myself am exhausted! I'll post more tomorrow :) thanks for making this fanfic so popular guys!!!