*Ivy*
There is a knock on my door, and I call out, my voice sounding like I have smoked 40 cigarettes a day my whole life. "Fuck of Sadie, I don't want to talk about it".

"Sorry darling, it's me". I hear Tom's voice and look up to see him come in. He looks a bit frantic. "Sorry to barge in like this, but we need you. Zac needs
you".

I shake my head, fighting the tears and sobs. "No Tom, I can't. I can't handle it. One of his whores can help him".

"Ivy I know you are hurt and I know he has fucked up. But this is life and dead, I got Zac holding a fucking razor blade to his throat, threatening to slice it if we get near him. You are probably the only one who can get through to him, he needs you". Tom says softly.

I jump from my bed. "He is doing what? Oh fuck, why didn't you say that right away Tom? Why haven't you called someone professional ?"

"Because if we call in someone professional, he will be locked up for the foreseeable future. I don't think he could handle that" Tom is on his way out the door and I walk briskly behind him. I know he is right, getting locked up somewhere, losing this role would break him more than he is already.

We get in the car, a sleek dark blue jaguar. Tom turn towards me, flashing me a smile. "You better buckle up dear".

I hurriedly do, and Tom starts the engine with a roar, pulling out in traffic. Seconds later I am white knuckling the seat, holding on for dear life, as Tom speed through town, weaving through traffic and snow, going about double the speed limit. "Shit Tom I know we are in a hurry, but I would like to get there in one piece".

"Don't worry darling, I got it totally under control, no need to worry". He says, changing the gear. "By the way, you should know the reason for Zac's problems. I am not saying that erases what he did, but maybe it will help you understand. He.. well he had a tough upbringing. His mother abused him psychologically, drilled into his head that he is worthless and ugly, he still believes that and that is what he tries to drown out".

"Oh.. I had no idea.. I mean I have seen that he harbour a lot more pain than
he let of, but I never thought it was that bad. He must feel so bad". How could
he believe that? Yeah he did something really bad, but to me he is still the most beautiful person not just physically.

Tom hits the brakes, and the car slides sideways, giving a small bump as it ends in a perfect parallel parking by the curb, between Eric and Zac's cars. "Shit Tom, are you insane".

"Nope, not as far as I know. And why are you complaining, it drifted in perfectly" He says, getting out of the car and I follow him inside.

I see Eric sit in the door to the bedroom, he sends us a strained smile, telling us things haven't changed. Tom grabs my arm. "Before you go in there, there is quite a lot of blood, but it looks worse than it is. He will be okay if we can get through to him"

I nod and step past Eric, almost screaming when I see him, even though I had steeled myself. Shit did I make him do this? I just want to get to him, to take him in my arms and comfort him. "Hi Zac".

"Ivy?! Are you here ? Really here?" He look at me, and the wild light in his eyes instantly softens, making him look like a lost kid. I smile at him, ignoring the blood. I really hate blood to be honest. "Yeah I am here Zac. Tom told me that you needed me".

"I.. I needed to stop the demons, I didn't want to do those things, I had to expel them, the pain keeps them at bay. I know I've lost you. But I just couldn't do those things". He says, sounding like he has been screaming and crying for days.

Slowly moving closer, I take a deep breath. I am scared out of my mind, that one wrong move can send it all south. He still has the razor pressed to his throat. "Even if this isn't the answer, I am proud of you for fighting it".

"So will you promise you'll always remember me, even if I did break you". He suddenly say softly.

I look at him, I can't let him hurt himself anymore. "Don't make me promise that". He looks up, hurt. "People only ask you to remember them if they're planning to leave". I tell him. "And if you're planning to leave please don't ask me to remember it".

His hand slowly falls down beside him his voice uncertain. "You don't want me to leave? You don't hate me for what I did ?"

"Of course I don't hate you Zac, I am hurt yes and disappointed, but I could never hate you and I would definitely never wish for you to leave. Now, please hand me the razor, okay?" I hold out my hand to him and he slowly places it on his palm.

I throw it away and hold out my arms to him. He instantly falls into my embrace and I just hold him, not caring that I get blood all over me. He is sobbing. "I'm so sorry baby, so sorry".

"I know Zac, I know. Right now we need to get you some help okay?" I say, gently stroking his hair, feeling his tears soak my shoulder.

"There is a doctor on his way. Someone who knows to keep quiet" Tom say from the door, as he steps inside, picking up the razer with a handkerchief, pocketing it.

Tom strips down the bed, then he disappears and comes back with a plastic sheet, putting it on the bed and a normal sheet on top of it. "Let me give you a hand Zac". He say, coming over.

Together we get Zac up, laying him down on the bed, and I sit down beside him, holding his hand in mine. "Just relax Zac, I'll be right here for you".

"I'll go let in the doctor". Tom says, and disappear. Eric coming into the bedroom, sitting down on the other side, padding Zac's hand
.
Eric looks at the door, like he is making sure Tom is gone. "Okay we need to talk about Tom, there is something of here. He opens doors like a pro, recognices the smell of blood, knows doctors who know how to keep quiet and he has plastic sheets in his car ?"

"And he can drive twice the speed limit and slide the car into a parallel parking". I say. Eric is right. I mean Tom is an actor for God's sake, those things doesn't fit the job.

Zac squeezes my hand and I look at him. "Don't.. Don't question him about it okay ? Leave it. Tom is.. Tom is good enough".

"Tom is good enough?! You do know how.. Ambiguous that sounds right?" Eric says, looking at Zac, who just smiles and shrug.

We hear voices and none of us say anything else. Tom walks in with a doctor who says absolutely nothing as he cleans Zac's wounds and bandages them. Me and Eric are casting glances at each other. Feeling part of a weird movie.

Then the doctor pulls out a big syringe, filling it with something. I lookdesperately at Tom. "What is that ?"

"Don't worry Ivy, that is just antibiotics so the cuts won't get infected". Tom answers, as the doctor gives Zac the injection.

The doctor packs his bag, looking at Tom. "He needs to rest a couple of days, but all the cuts was shallow, so they should heal up soon with only minor scarring".

"Thanks doc, and thank you for coming this fast. It's appreciated". Tom say, shaking the man's hand, clearly handing over some folded bills at the same time.

"No problem Viper, you can always call". Me and Eric looks at each other, mouthing the word 'Viper?' Then looks at Zac who just shrugs.

As Tom walks the doctor out, Eric looks at Zac. "Sorry man, but I can't just ignore that, so are you going to tell on him or should I ask Tom or Viper or what ever his name is?"

"I am not saying anything". Zac says, shaking his head. "And I wouldn't start asking questions.. It can be dangerous".

"Sorry but I don't care". Eric says, leaning back in the chair. "I think we deserve to know".

"Deserve to know what Eric ?" Tom is leaning on the doorframe, looking at us.

I take a deep breath. "We are just confused here Tom.. opening doors knowing weird doctors, having plastic sheets at hand.. Viper?! What is happening here ?"

"Better not ask darling". Tom say, his tongue darting out to lick his lips. "It's on a strictly need to know basis, and you don't need to know".