My thanks

I tried to get to my feet, but my body ached as I moved. I managed to drag myself up into a sitting position, and looking down told me immediately why I was in such pain.

While there were no new cuts on my skin, my arms were covered in bruises. Judging by the pain when I moved, it seemed my legs were the same. I couldn’t even begin to guess how I attained them, but it was clear that Rachel was once again not taking care of my body.

I looked at my surroundings, but it was difficult to see much of anything. The sun has yet to peak over the horizon, so I assumed it to be some time in the small hours of the morning. By the floor and my immediate surroundings, however, I vaguely recognised it as a tucked away corner of the local shopping district. By the fact that I was in the middle of the path, it was fair to assume that Rachel had collapsed due to exhaustion at some point. My body likely hadn’t been asleep long, as I still felt that exhaustion upon waking up.

I checked my pockets, but found neither my phone nor my keys. Just getting back home was likely gonna be a pain. I couldn’t call for a ride, and even when I got home I wouldn’t have a key to get in. I’d have to remember to leave my spare under the doormat in case this happens again.

Groaning both in pain and irritation, I slowly got to my feet. Now that the initial shock of the pain had passed, it wasn’t unbearable, but walking several kilometres home was not set to be a fun task.

After a few steps, I realised I was being forced to limp due to an agony in my left leg. Pulling up the leg of my trousers, I noticed a new cut that I had just aggravated. Unlike the fine and deliberate cuts covering my body, this one looked like the result of negligence. Luckily, it was no longer bleeding.

I knew I had no choice but to bite the bullet and limp my way home. I didn’t even have a wallet on me to pay for a bus.

With every step I took towards home, my irritation slowly changed to anger. That bitch… I’d done everything I could to make the best of a bad situation. Hell, I tried to help her after she fucked something up in her own life. And this is my thanks?

My patience was running thin.