*Warning, this chapter includes physical abuse, violence and a drunk asshole which may or may not make you feel immense amount of pity towards the main character*

When I was eventually returned to my cell, I was just about ready to collapse but that was a norm in this place. Despite this, I took the time to shower and change since I'd been drenched in my own nervous sweat earlier today and felt icky and itching to just let the hot water wash away today's pain and fear.

I collapsed into my bed, snuggling into the lumpy mattress and pulling the duvet over me. There was an unsettling feeling in my chest however I wasn't able to shake it. I shook my head sharply, frowning to myself as I forced the feeling aside. "Emma you're just being stupid." I muttered to myself, settling down into bed. "You're just anxious."

It was no sooner then I was just about to fall asleep that the door slammed open, startling me in my groggy state. I had no chance to even move before I was dragged from my bed and slammed against a wall by the collar of my shirt. Out of defence, I kicked my attacker sharply in the chest. The blow resulted in my attacker stumbling a few drunken steps back and release it the collar of my shirt. My head spinning from crashing into the wall resulted in me collapsing to my knees, moaning in pain as I cradled my aching skull.

A kick sent me to the floor as I screeched in pain, wrapping my arms around my head as several move kicks made their way over my body. Each time I tried to push myself up or away, my arms were kicked out from under me.

When the barrage of attacks stooped, it took a few moments for my to over come the pain enough to push myself up, staring up at Cyrus with a fearful gaze. I pushed myself back until I hit the wall, groaning in pain as I shook my head back and forth. "What-- what are you doing!?" I snarled, pulling further back. Kathrine had long ago promised that my cell wasn't an area that any sort of tests were to be conducted and that I couldn't be hurt in anyway while inside here, since I was always on edge over night during the first week or so of being here.

"Your fault." He muttered, barely audible. The air reeked of alcohol, sending off the little alarm bells of warning ringing through my mind- telling me to hide or defend myself. "All your fault."

I gave him a look of disgust. "You're drunk." Jutting more to myself then Cyrus since I doubt he was able to hear me. I looked around my cell for a form of defence but I didn't find anything as expected since Kathrine didn't leave me with anything I could use as a weapon. I did however notice that the cell door was left open. This area of the base was under heavy lock down twenty four hours a day, meaning that if I ever did get out of my cell, I wouldn't actually be able to get anywhere far but I'll at least get some ones attention by trying to escape.

Biting down on my tongue, I edged around Cyrus, ignoring his inaudible rambles as he stared at me with blood shot grey eyes. I gritted my teeth together, trying to ignore the burning sensation in my chest. Almost in the clear now. Slowly, I made my way to my feet again. The pain in my chest grew as I managed to get firmly on my feet but before I could make my dash for the door, Cyrus had me once more slammed against the wall, teetering on my toes as his hand was wrapped firmly around my throat.

I attempted to kick him again but was far too off balance to get a clear shot. He raised his arm, slamming his fist into the side of my head, resulting in a pained scream from me. Cyrus raised a his fist, delivering a sharp but miscalculated blow that although resulted in pain and a bloody nose, could of been far worse then if he'd used the full strength I knew he possessed. He lifted me off the wall for a moment before slamming down again, proceeding to repeat several times before I was dropped to the floor, this time however, I wasn't able to catch myself and slammed down into the metal floor. At this point I was struggling to breath, having no doubt that several of my ribs had been broken, but I've dealt with that before.

I gritted my teeth in stubbornness as I again pushed myself up. I was completely exhausted after the anti-movement chamber earlier today, still somewhat numb from it and the pain growing in my chest was blooming to be almost unmanageable but I wouldn't let myself be beaten again by the likes of Cyrus. "Is that the best you've got?" I snarled.

He grunted and gave me another sharp kick in the ribs sending me to the floor once more, a sickening crack ran threw the room as yet another rib snapped. I cried out, clutching my broken rib cage. I was finding it hard to breath without sharp pains cutting me off with each breath. I felt a foot push down on my back making me cry out again the pain becoming almost unbearable. Despite the pain, I resisted the urge to struggle, knowing it would only make the pain and the situation that much worse.

"I'd stay down if I were you." Cyrus snickered, pressing down again before removing his foot. His words slurred with his drunken rage, bringing flashbacks raging through my mind.

I bit down the pain as I punched his ankle with as much strength as I could muster before I pushed myself up and away again. "Go... To hell." I panted out, glaring at him with all the strength I had as I spat out a mouthful of blood, hitting Cyrus's shoe in the process.

I snorted, flicking my head in anger, praying that someone would find me soon. Knowing I couldn't hold up much longer and I didn't even what to consider what might happen if I fell unconscious.

"You're such a disappointment." My father slurred.

"Then why do you keep kidnapping me? Cause if I'm such a disappointment the you should both want to thing to do with me." I hissed, struggling to keep my voice straight and even. Despite that fact that half the time Cyrus didn't even realise he was abusing me when he was drunk, I'd found out when I was little there was still somewhat a way to reason with him.

"Believe me Emma, I'd have nothing to do with you but unfortunately for the both of us, you possess the power we need. So, we both have to suffer." Cyrus snickered through his drunken state.

"I don't see anyone beating you up." I snarled meekly, fighting waves of nausea that threatened to make me sick, though at this rate, I'd be sick over Cyrus's shoes... That would serve as excellent karma but most likely also will result in another severe beating on my part. "I'd gladly do the honours."

Cyrus knelt to my hight on the floor, roughly grabbing me by the chin and forcing me to look at him. "Talk back again and see what happens."

"You need a mint."

I felt the stinging pain of a slap against my cheek which once more made me fall to the ground. The impact also caused my lips to cut against my teeth, resulting in a stalled cut the gushed blood. He kicked me with the sharp point of his shoe several times. His kicks ranged from my lower abdomen to the top on my ribs.

It took several minutes of struggling for me to be able to push myself up off the ground again. I wiped away my tears as I glared at him with all the hatred I could muster but was unable to hold up the facade long as I was sent into a coughing fit by the constriction in my lungs which only added to the excruciating pain I felt in my chest. I coughed up several mouthfuls of blood but combined with my bloody nose and busted lip, I barely noticed.

I heard the door slam close, signalling I was alone again and left extremely sore and confused. I crawled over to the bathroom and proceeded to throw up the contents of my stomach into the toilet which at this point, was mostly bile and blood. I spent several minutes doing a mixture of gagging and throwing up before I felt someone kneel by my side and gently pull my hair from my face as I choked out the disgusting stuff. A hand gently rubbed my back and whispered comforting things to me but I couldn't quite make it out.

Once I was done, my arms collapsed, simply unable to hold myself up any longer. The person caught me, gently hugging me to their chest for a moment before gently picking me up. When I opened my eyes, finding a pair of ruby red orbs staring down at me. "Red?" I questioned, my voice barely a whisper as I struggled to identify the person holding me since everything seemed slightly warped and out of focus.

"It's me." He replied quietly, laying me on my bed and pulling the covers over me. I whimpered at the pain in my chest and curled up in a ball on my side, hurting several more muscles in the process.

Red gently rubbed my back, whispering soothing words to me in attempt to calm me down.

"It... It hurts." I whispered hoarsely, my throat raw from what felt like hours of screaming and throwing up. My guard lowered around my boyfriend, allowing me to weaken physically and mentally.

Red continued to gently rub my side. "I know it does, just take deep breaths."

"It.... That hurts... too." I sniffled.

My boyfriend looked unsure of what to do. "Did you get hit in the head at all?"

I half nodded, feeling pain in my neck when I moved.

"Then you should try your best to stay awake, incase of a concussion... I think..." He looked flustered and unsure from lack of medical knowledge. "I think it's four hours... or maybe six..."

Tears ran my cheeks, my whole body in agonising pain. "Don't let... them hurt... me... Please." I begged, knowing that I was like this mostly because of my own stubbornness and refusal to give in to Cyrus. My vision faded out for a few moments before clearing up again.

"I won't let anyone near you, just stay awake for as long as you can." He said, running his fingers through my tangled, blood stained hair.

"I can't." I croaked, tears running over my cheeks. "I-it hurts."

"You have to Emma, I'll be right here okay? But you can't go to sleep if you have a concussion, it's dangerous - I think."

With much effort, I nodded, using the back of my sleeve to wipe my bloody nose. Red stayed close to my side, gently stroking my cheek, frowning at the blood that dribbled from my lip.

"Wait here, stay awake. I'll be right back." He told me softly, rising to his feet and leaving for the bathroom. I heard the tap run before her returned with a bright pink washcloth in his hand.

He lightly dabbed the wash cloth gently over cut in my lip, wiping away the blood and cleaning the wound. "You really are stubborn aren't you." Red said, offering me a small smile as he tried to get the cut to close and stop bleeding.

I gave a tiny smile in agreement, not saying anything at risk of reopening the wound.

When he finished with my lip, Red tenderly wiped my nose which had stopped bleeding on it's own at this point but he still cleaned the mess it had made with love and care, stopping only to rinse out the wash cloth once it had become to damp with blood to continue. I tried my best to keep still but it was impossible not to flinch when he tried cleaning the more tender areas of my cut and bruised skin. Whenever I flinched, Red would stop before trying again with a more tender touch. He spoke to me softly about nothing in particular, about how he and Silver would see Spinerak and Ratata from their cells, his own home and family. Anything that kept my mind off the pain. I didn't say much in return, only a few words here and there to assure him I was still awake.

"I want to check your chest okay? Make sure your ribs aren't badly damaged." Red eventually said, setting down my arm after he'd finished with it. "Is that okay with you?"

After a brief hesitation, I nodded. "Just be gentle." I pleaded, knowing that several bones were broken.

"Promise." Red smiled softly, pulling the blankets down to stomach. He lightly ran his fingers over the broken and bruised bones, frowning or wincing as he did. "They're definitely broken."

I sighed softly, closing my eyes for a few seconds before opening them again. "I know."

The cell slammed open and Kathrinen stormed in, looking completely furious.  "What happened!?"

Wincing, I snuggled in closer to Red, my head spinning painfully.

Red stood up, remaining by my side. "I don't know, Shadow just brought me here and I found Emma throwing up in the bathroom in this condition." He sounded angry but slightly intimidated by Kathrine. "She's hurt bad."

Kathrine's scowl left as she looked down at me, seeing from my expression the pain I was in. "I'm guessing you can't walk?"

I shook my head, burying my face in my blanket as I whimpered meekly. Blood pounded through my hand, causing pain with each beat of my heart. Red sat down on the edge of my bed, gently rubbing my arm. He looked between me and Kathrine several times, concern showed towards me while a look of caution towards my mother.

Sighing deeply, Kathrine regained her composure and straightened. "Bring her this way then, I'll have her Audino nurse tend to her." She told Red firmly, leaving little room for argument.

"I'll be gentle." My boyfriend promised as he picked me up, his arms sliding under my knees and behind my back. Red assured my head was resting against his chest for support. "Don't try to move."

I cried out when pressure was put on my back, struggling to keep myself from bursting into tears. "Owowowowow-" I groaned, gripping Red's vest tightly as I clenched my jaw.

"Shh." Red soothed, trying to relax his grip a little without dropping me. He followed Kathrine down the halls, walking slowly as not to bump me around and risk injuring me further. Doing my best to help Red help me, I relaxed in his arms, closing my eyes so as not to hurt my head with the bright, harsh lights the flooded the halls. Unlike the ones in my cell which were dim and much easier on the eyes, no matter how much my head hurt or tired I was.

The brisk walk to the infirmary was silent, with the exception of Red asking me a question every few minutes to make sure I was still awake despite my eyes being firmly closed. Although my mind failed to make sense of anything he said, I managed to force out some reply. I couldn't be sure if it made sense to him but the thumping in my head prevented me from trying to make sense of anything he said.

~Red~

I sighed deeply with relief when we entered the infirmary. Although Emma was still conscious, she was obviously paying very little attention my questions when I checked she was still awake. Probably somewhat drifting between the realms of awake and asleep. Kathrine directed me on where to place Emma. Doing my best to continue being gentle with her, I let her down gently, kissing her lightly on the forehead to rouse her.

Emma opened her eyes slowly, wincing as she did. I held her hand as a grunt lead in an Audino. The Healer Pokémon didn't need to be told what to do, rather went straight to work tending to Emma. Kathrine left the room without a word while the grunt stayed behind, supervising the three of us in the room.

Audino gently stroked Emma's cheek before going through with her examination, checking off each of her bones, the lump forming on the back on her head and any other injuries she'd sustained. Every now and then she would let out a tutting sound, her frown deepening each time. By the end, Emma was really struggling to keep her eyes open.

~Audino, dino?~ The Healer Pokémon cocked her head at Emma.

Emma squeezed her eyes closed for a moment before opening them again to look Audino in the eyes. "No, I don't think so." She replied.

The Audino stroked Emma's head with a small smile ~Aud-I-noo.~ She almost purred.

Was a small sigh, Emma nodded, looking over at me. "Serenity said it's safe for me to sleep."

I took her hand gently rubbing the top with my thumb. "Then sleep."

Emma looked unsure. "Will you stay with me until I wake up? I don't want Cyrus to come back, I don't want him to hurt me again."

"I'll do my best, okay?" I promised, not wanting to admit that Kathrine intimidated me quite a bit but I was able to put two and two together to figure out that in one way or the other, Cyrus was responsible for Emma's condition and she was terrified of him for it. "I'll be here for as long as I'm able."

After a moment's hesitation, my girlfriend nodded. "Okay..." She shut her eyes and let herself drift off to sleep, holding my hand tightly.

I lightly kissed her forehead, stroking her forehead until she was soundly asleep.

It wasn't a moment sooner that Kathrine came back in the room, not exactly quietly either. I gave an exhausted sigh, I glanced down at Emma. She opened her a little, murmuring something inaudible. I gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, watching as she slipped back out of consciousness.

"So," Kathrine began, glaring between the Audino - Serenity - and I. "What's the damage."

Hanging her head nervously, the Audino glanced over at Emma before leading Kathrine from the room. "Grunt, return the boy to his cell. Leave the subject as she is."

"No!" I argued, gripping my girlfriends hand slightly harder. "Emma needs me."

Kathrine paused, raising an eyebrow at my glare. "Cyrus has been dealt with. She'll be perfectly safe in here for the night."

I shook my head. "But she's scared! She'll have a nightmare and she'll freak out when she wakes up." I bit down on my lower lip. "I don't care if I'm chained to the bed or whatever but Emma needs me now."

"Fine." Kathrine caved, looking over to the grunt. "Handcuff him to the bed, leave the subject as she is, doesn't seem like she's going anywhere for the night."

Letting out a breath of relief, I didn't protest the lengthy chain that connected me to the Emma's bed. Kathrine then left, following Serenity out. The grunt also left, leaving me alone with Emma. I figured that Emma mustn't be to badly damage if the Audino left without to much worry but I didn't doubt Emma would be in a lot of pain when she woke, but at least I would be here when she did so I could do my best to make it better.

~*~*~*🌸*~*~*~
Word count: 3337

First update of the new year. Sorry it took so long, since it was an important chapter and I had to rewrite it a few times. I've decided that I'll finish 'Why us?' leave it up for a week then unpublished the series for major editing. Not completely positive yet but that's the plan. I might leave it up until 'Star struck' is finished being edited or something. As I said, no entirely sure.

Anyway, as usual; vote, comment and keep on reading on!