After I had had left Asher and Ethan, I headed back to the food court where my sister was waiting for me. She was eating a corn dog while leisurely scrolling on her phone, not paying attention to everything else around her. I should scare her. At the thought of this, I grinned and started to sneak up behind her.
As I got closer and closer, the smell of her perfume got stronger. So strong, that it was mainly it hard to breathe. I forced a gag down and continued to creep up on her. When I finally reached her table, about one get the jump on her, I spotted something. Two people.
They are both on the ground, one completely collapsed and the other trying to help him. The lime bushel of hair on the boy who was trying to help the other was too familiar. Before Marissa could even turn around, I was dashing towards the two boys on the court floor.
When I reached them, it was Ethan who peered up at me, hope glinting in his eyes.
"I-I do t know what happened; h-he just suddenly collapsed," he stammered. I could hear him mumbling something about how today was supposed to get his mind off things and this wasn't what he intended.
I could hear the other boy gasping for air as he lay crumpled on the ground. His back heaving up and own, trying g to get the slightest bit of relief. I suddenly realized who he was. Asher. Again. A jolt of worry filled my heart and mind. Why does he always meme me feel like this? My mind reels, trying to figure out how and why this all happened.
"Does he-Asher have any medical problems?" I frantically asked. Ethan shook his head responding, "No, not that I know of."
Something shifted beneath my gaze. Asher started trembling, straining to get up. I crouched down to help him, but as soon as I did so, he collapsed again. Thankfully, I caught him just in time so he didn't hit the floor. He was panting, looking up at me with pleading eyes.
He mouthed a few words and I instantly understood. I'm not sure if this is the right thing to do or not, but it's worth a shot. I carefully took Asher in my arms, attempting to calm him down. I tried all sorts of ways to soothe him, stroking his hair, patting his back, repeatedly telling him that it's going to be okay, and so on. Eventually, his rapid breathing settled.
When I exited the hugging position we were in, I was surprised to find that he didn't let go. I looked down, only to find that he was asleep, arms wrapped around me. I struggled not to puff out a laugh. He looked so peaceful. It was cute.
Maybe, just this once, I can enjoy, and take in the sight before me.
With all the chaos going on, I hadn't realized that we had drawn a crowd, including my sister. I looked at her and she looked at me, her gaze confused. I gestured for her to come over, smiling. She did, and when she stopped, I told her to go home without me.
"I'm gonna drive him home tonight, so I'll see you later." I told her.
After the crowd dispersed, I scooped up the sleeping Asher and stood. Ethan gave me a look, but I didn't quite know what it meant. I only took a guess saying, "Don't worry, I'll get him home safe and sound." Ethan hesitated for a moment t, but then nodded and left.
I admired the cute sleeping boy in my arms, and wondered if the other night traumatized him so much as to have a panic attack. As we approached my truck, I saw a dark figure out of the corner of my eye. I quickly turned around, only to find that nothing was there.
I won't put him in danger.
I ignored my instincts, steadily walking towards the passenger door and placing him in the seat. I shut the door behind me and grabbed a blanket from the back, placing it on him when in my seat.
Again. A black figure, but this time, they weee facing me head on in front of the truck. No one else was in the parking lot. My bright headlights turned on, and in a flash, they were gone.
We need to leave, now!