Page 80 of Blaze & Ajax

“Not gonna lie, but it’s hard to say. It depends on how bad his depression is. Regardless, he needs to go to the hospital.”

I was suddenly alert with a racing heart. He needed to go to the hospital? Had I failed Ajax that much? “Oh, god. Should I call 9-1-1?”

Cueball raised his hand. “He’ll be fine. Keep a close eye on him until Alpha gets here. He’ll be more likely to go if he’s got someone he trusts with him.”

“He trusts me!”

“He trusts Alpha more. Alpha’s still youngish, but he’s like a father figure to him and his friends. Go!”

“Thanks.”

I rushed back to Ajax’s apartment and found him back in bed with the covers over his head. His plate was still covered in eggs and toast, but he’d eaten a little bit.

“Hey, Precious,” I said when I crawled into bed with him. “Do you want to watch TV?”

He shook his head.

I leaned against the wall, and he curled into me. I ran my fingers through his hair until he fell asleep again. As he dozed, I scrolled through my socials and waited for help to arrive.

An hour later, there was pounding on the door. I eased out of bed, careful not to disturb Ajax, but the noise woke him up.

I opened the door to Alpha, who stormed into the apartment straight to Ajax, with Cueball close behind.

Alpha sat on the edge of the bed. “What’s going on, Ajax?”

Ajax just shrugged.

“Do you need help?”

He nodded with watering eyes.

Alpha pulled him into a hug. “Are you having… bad thoughts?”

Ajax nodded again.

“Okay, let’s get you dressed. I’m taking you to the ER.”

Ajax suddenly sat up, more alert. “Wait, what? Why?”

“You need immediate help.”

I wrapped my arms around myself, feeling cold as my heart raced again. I tried to push away those fears of losing someone else in my life just when I finally found someone to care about.

Ajax tried to back away. “But…”

Alpha held Ajax’s hand. “It’s going to be okay. It’s scary not just for you, but for all of us. Please know that you’re not alone, and you never will be. Understood? We’ll go with you, and we’ll be there every step of the way. Will you trust me when I tell you that you’ll feel better if you go?”

Ajax nodded again, but the fear was still etched on his face as the tears spilled. He got out of bed willingly and put on some sweats and a T-shirt.

I grabbed his hoodie and handed it to him, which he took and tossed it on.

“Will you come with me?” he asked me.

I nodded. “I’m not leaving you for a second.”

Ajax looked back at Alpha. “I… I can’t afford a hospital and shit. All my money’s gone.”

“You let me worry about that. If they need to help you beyond today, the state will cover most of it, okay? Don’t worry about money.”