chapter 4

The sun shone down through the curtains temporarily blinding me as I tried to get a grasp on my surroundings. Groggily wiping the sleep from my eyes I groaned as I trudged into the bathroom.

"God I hate mornings" I whispered to myself getting ready to brush my teeth. Just then, mid-swish of my brush the memory of last night hit me full force, knocking the breath from my lungs.

He was here, he had been in my room, forgetting all about the hygiene routine I rushed into my room, looking for a sign to prove it wasn't a dream.

I could have continued brushing my teeth, spent a little longer convincing myself it was a dream but no, somewhere in that demented mind of mine I just had to let my eye catch the sight of the scrapbook. Lying face down from when he slammed it in anger, at the foot of my bed.

Sighing, I let myself be submerged in a new found numbness. "Crap, what the hell do I do now" picking up the book, I threw it onto my desk, suddenly sick of the sight of my room.

"Morning" I weakly smiled, pushing any thoughts of last night from my mind. And to think I had spent more than a healthy amount of time imagining what I would do when he ever came back, yet all I did was freeze and bend to his every whim.

"Morning sweetie, I'm making eggs, they should be ready in a couple minutes" my mom hummed, bustling her way around the kitchen. "Where's dad?" I questioned, picking at my nails. "He ran out to get milk and orange juice" she smiled refocusing her attention on the food.

Impulsively I stood up and wrapped my arms around her. The warmth was nice and I knew I needed this after last night. I was scared, not so much for myself but for my parents. "Awh thanks sweetie, is everything okay?" she reciprocated the hug, pulling me in close as I basked in her motherly aura.

"Yeah, I just really love you is all" I mumbled hiding my face in her arm as she awed at my sudden display of affection. Stepping back, I deflected her curious eyes as I plopped myself onto the kitchen stool.

"Are you going to be okay for school tomorrow?" she enquired, stirring something. "Yeah, of course, I'm better now mom, I promise" I reassuringly nodded, she didn't need me adding to her stresses of life.

"What do you mean? We should have been notified, I swear to god, you better stop making excuses and actually do your job for once" the booming voice of my dad could be heard from outside the house.

Exchanging worried glances with my mom we rushed towards the door, a furlong expression evident on my dad's face as he entered the house.

"Hey darling, is everything okay? Who was that?" taking the cartons from my dad I headed for the fridge. "That idiot of an attorney we hired" he sighed, dropping into a kitchen stool as he rubbed the top of his head in frustration.

"Noah was released yesterday morning, and no one thought to tell us, I mean we only found out about the parole offer yesterday evening, what kind of idiots do they let into the law sector these days" he spit out, clearly riled up.

I tensed at his information, I already knew this of course, but with my parents knowing, it would make things so much more dangerous. "What, are you serious, that's outrageous, we should have been told the moment any decisions were made" my mom flung the cloth as I grimaced at the tension in the room.

I had to play dumb, convince them this was my first time with any knowledge, "but I thought they only put in for parole yesterday?" I asked, cursing my tone for seeming so relaxed.

"They did, or at least that's what we have been told, money works fast in the world" he sighed, his face contorted with stress. "It's, its okay, he isn't stupid enough to come near me after a year in prison" I tensed at the look they exchanged.

I guess even they weren't gullible enough to believe it. "We just need you to be extra careful, straight to and from school, phone on you at all times and do not go out unless we've told you it was okay" he explained.

"So basically, what I've been doing for the last year" I laughed, clearly being the only one who found humour in it as a stern look was sent my way.

"I'll be careful, I promise" I assured sighing in defeat, it was always stress central and of course I understood why better than anyone else but it got so tiring.

"I need to go meet the attorney, but I should be back before dinner" my dad stoically announced, "but I have to work today" my mom replied alarmed.

Trying to hide my internal panic at what was about to happen I butted in, "I'll be okay home alone, I promise, I'll lock all the doors and windows and even arm myself with a knife."

It was by no means my smartest idea but the look of gratitude on my dad's face was enough to have me smiling proudly. "Are you sure, I'm sorry about this sweetie", "I'm certain" I buried my fears and smiled.

"I should be back by four, please stay safe and I love you" my mom kissed my forehead, sending shivers down my spine at the memory of Noah doing that last as she scurried out of the house.

I hadn't even noticed her in her work clothes, maybe I was a little more preoccupied with my thoughts than I originally assumed. Soon enough, I was left alone, defenseless with nothing but a plate of eggs and my racing heart.

The numbness had been lifted and in its place was adrenaline from every little noise I heard. Trying to focus on the movie, I snuggled into my blanket. I jumped out of my skin at the massive bang that rang throughout the house.

Clutching the handle of the knife I had equipped myself with, I did what any sane person would and locked myself in the downstairs bathroom,

holding my breath as footsteps sounded from the upstairs hallway.

Oh god, this was a bad idea, a very bad idea. I didn't expect him to act so soon or to be so accurate in his timing. "You're okay" I quietly chanted over and over again while squeezing my eyes shut.

My grip on the knife handle had become painful but I wasn't about to loosen it anytime soon. The footsteps increased in volume, convincing me I wasn't just being paranoid.

Rummaging through my pockets I felt my hands shake at the realisation my phone was still out there on the couch. "Crap, crap, crap" tears stung my eyes painfully as my erratic heartbeat just seemed to get faster.

"Nothing's gonna hurt you, baby

As long as you're with me, you'll be just fine

Nothing's gonna hurt you, baby

Nothing's gonna take you from my side"

My skin felt like ice when I heard it. He was gently singing, not just any song, it was the song we played on our first official date. The lump lodged in my throat made it painful to swallow just like how the pit in my stomach made it hard to stand up straight.

Focusing on my unsteady breath I tried to drone out the approaching sound, I needed a distraction, anything, I'd even use the feeling of the knife in my hands albeit the death grip was causing my hands to cramp.

A high pitched scream left my lips as my body jumped into the air at the loud bang of the bathroom door I was seeking refuge in. "Ah found you little bug" he chuckled, twisting the door knob back and forward.

Pressing into the sink, the furthest point from the door, I readied myself, bringing the knife up in front of me which shook in the air from my lack of composure in such a situation.

"Embry, darling, open the door" his voice pleaded, it sounded dangerous, the tone was enough to have my stomach feel like it's insides were being ripped apart.

"Open the GODDAMN DOOR EMBRY" his voice suddenly became violent and sobs racked through my body.

It was easy to assume he was throwing his body against the door as the wood began to splinter, sending my hysterics to another level. "No, no, no please" I begged, scrunching my eyes closed tight hoping to disappear.

My cries were desperate as the door came crashing down, my heart painfully throbbing in my chest at the crazed eyes that met mine. Bracing myself, I charged at him with the knife, praying I didn't kill anybody because I wouldn't be able to live with the guilt.

I screamed out as my wrist was grabbed and bended unnaturally, "drop the knife and I won't break your wrist" he seethed, his long fingers encasing my small wrist. Dropping the knife with a pained breath, I clutched my hand to my chest as he released my bruised bone.

Taking one look at his sadistic smirk, I knew I had no choice but to fight, it wouldn't play out like last night did. Running for the door, I fumbled with the handle, it was locked and the key had been taken.

"No, no, no, god please no" I whimpered as his slow taunting footsteps got closer. Making a go for the back door, I let the tears blur my vision when I came to the same result as I did with the front door.

"Why are you being so difficult, princess, huh?" he breathed out, merely cm's behind me as I pushed the front of my body into the door, trying to create as much space between us as I could.

Grabbing my waist he forcefully turned me to face him, "you should know better than anyone, there's no point in trying to avoid the inevitable" his smile was mocking. I couldn't do anything but ferociously shake my head no as my sobs rang out throughout the house.

"Eh eh eh, no more fighting me" he harshly shoved me against the door, restraining my flailing arms in his hands. I knew I was running out of time, and I was too panic stricken to think of anything rationally so I let my instincts take over and kneed him between the legs.

With a grunt he stumbled backwards, giving me space to run, and so that's what I did, I sprinted to the couch to get my phone. Flipping through cushions my chest became restricted as I realised it wasn't here anymore.

I jumped in panic as he stood in the doorway, his face full of anger as he snarled at me. Backing up slowly I looked around for a weapon, too distracted I didn't notice as he lunged at me.

Struggling under his body weight on the floor, I froze at the sight of the needle. "No, no, Noah, please I don't like needles, please don't" I screamed out, desperate to be away from that object. Finally overpowering me, I laid limply underneath him, my eyes wide with fear.

"Shh, I know, I know, but I don't have a choice so stay still" he soothed, patting down my hair as he prepped my arm to be stabbed. "Please, stop, stop" I begged, trying to wiggle my hips out from underneath him. My face drowning with my fearful tears.

"I'm sorry baby."

And with those three words everything went dark.