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"I'll be in the kitchen if you need me."
I sit down and rest my back against the wall. My legs are circled around Aria's. She wipes her mouth and falls onto the floor in between my legs. I wrap my arms around her and draw her into my chest. Her warm body nestles into me, but she's shaking. I can feel her body trembling. I hate it. I hate everything this is doing to her. She needs closure, and she’s never going to get that with that bastard out there on the loose.
"I've got you, honey."
“Was it bad? Did he hurt Sophia?”
I’m glad she isn’t looking at me, because she would see through any lies I’m about to tell.
“It wasn’t pretty, babe. Yes, she had been hurt, but I think considering everything, it wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been.”
I know that makes me sound heartless, but I honestly don’t know what to say for the best. Do I tell her it was horrific? She was raped, abused, tortured, and tied up in her birthday suit? Or, do I leave her to think what she wants? I’m damned no matter what I do.
"This is never going to end. I'm always going to have some reminder of what I’ve been through."
"It will get easier. You'll be surrounded by people you love, who love you back. We'll be able to help you get over every hurdle."
"You always were so positive." She sniffles.
She looks up from my chest and our eyes lock. In that moment, it's like we're transported back to when we were teenagers. Nothing and no one mattered when we were together back then. I just hope that we can have that again one day. I won’t let that bastard take everything from us.
"Trust me, what I'm showing and what I'm feeling are two different things. My heart is breaking for you. I can’t accept what you’ve been through. I just wish I could go back in time and stop this from happening."
“It’s hard, Caleb. I keep seeing Sophia in my head. She was only a child herself. I’m pushing you all away with my moods, and I don’t know how to stop it. I feel like the bitch he repeatedly called me.”
“Hey.” I take her chin in my hand. “You’re not a bitch. That motherfucker is deranged. This is all on him. You’ve got me.” she nods. “And you’re not pushing me or my brothers away, babe. We’re going nowhere.”
“I wish I could see someone chop off his head for everything he’s done to me and Sophia.”
“And when we find him, I’ll make him pay for every bad thing he has done to you. I promise.”
We move closer to one another, but she covers my mouth with her hand. "You can't kiss me. Sick breath isn't a good thing."
I smile. "I don't care, but the day I kiss you is the day we're facing the future with no hurdles in our way."
"Confident much?" She pulls away from me and stands up. She walks over to the faucet and brushes her teeth. I can't take my eyes off her. One minute she shows her strength, one minute she's a mess, and the next minute, she’s in a world of her own. It's like she's living on an emotional rollercoaster, and it's hard to watch someone you love spiraling down a slippery slope.
“Do Sophia’s parents know?”
She leans against the unit and holds on. I can see her knuckles turning white from her grip.
“The police will take care of it.”
“We need to get justice for her, Caleb.”
She passes by me and leaves me sitting on the floor. I run my hands through my hair and pull it hard. I need to feel the pain. I need to feel anything other than the murderous anger coursing through my veins. I sound like a fucking monster myself now.
Why does life need to be such a bitch?
