Arphax Price! Really?

The minute the door flung open, Gen's body slammed against hers. Merlin stared at her almost lifeless body as she steadied herself. She was a bit heavier.

"Gen! Gen!" She shouted as she pulled her onto the couch. Sprinting into the kitchen and in a few she was back with a bowl and some towels.

"What the fuck happened?"

Tears weld up in her eyes. She wasn't going to lose her friend. Her hands shook in the dimly lit room as she dabbed her wounds. The room was filled with a huge gust of wind. She was glad she could feel it despite the huge tremor that ravaged her body.

Gen layed on her side, coughing up what looked like blood? Merlin wiped her running tears with the back of her now blood stained hand. Deep down she knew a hospital was out of the card. It was too far. Rubbing her back, she continued. Her tremor taking the best if her.

Done she sat on the floor opposite her. Gen had been her only friend and only family. Merlin's eyes remained focussed on the puddle as flashes of her own dark memories clouded her mind. This hadn't been a first. She wasn't stupid. Gen had come home the previous nights bruised and weak. Whatever she was getting into had taken a toll on her body. The result...a battered body.

"What's up?" Gen's voice was a whisper. She struggled to pull herself up.

"Are you ready to tell me what the fuck is going on?" She pressed her temples, staring at her friend. "Gen!"

"I can't say. He..."

"You can't? You almost died!" Gen couldn't face her. They were now engaged in a staring contest and Merlin was winning.

"What happened?"

She repeated. Gen was aware of all the emotions that weighed at the back of her question. All she could do is sigh.

"You see that on the floor! That's what the fuck you threw up. For a guy! So... who is he?" Her breath quivered. She held back the tears but fury could have easily been detected in her voice. Merlin handed her a glass of water.

"You know you are the only person I have in this world and. I don't know what I would do if I lost you." She took a deep breath before continuing, " I would definitely kill you for leaving me behind!"

Finally a laugh escaped her.

"Remember my first time here coming to Los Angeles?"

"Can't forget even if I wanted to." Gen winced.

"Yeah...it was embarrassing. Tried to kill a traffic officer. Doubt he's ever going to give anyone a ticket."

"Especially strange women covered in dirt."

"I don't want to see you like that ever again. You straining your body!" She concluded shaking her head.

"Arphax...Arphax Price!" Merlin could see her watery eyes under her long lashes. Her hazel eyes were glimmering.

"Arphax Price?" Repeating it didn't make it better.Merlin watched as she shut her eyelids again.