With my eyes tightly closed and my chest in a state of complete anguish, I murmur while clutching her hand on my face.
“Nana, I'm not sure I could survive without you. You are the only reason I live. I love you so much.”
“Then live right now for both you and me, ????????. Dominate this world by spreading those mighty, beautiful wings I know you have.”
I keep my eyes closed while holding her hand, but when I feel it grow unexpectedly heavier against my face, I look at her and I know instantly that she has gone. I sob as I softly kiss her frigid hand and whisper against it.
“I love you so much, my dear Nana. Thank you for everything. Go now and be with your love.”
Present time
I am startled awake by Lucy's panicked voice and her violent shaking of my shoulders.
“Char? Char?”
I groan and open my heavy eyelids to find her leaning over me, her eyes wide in shock.
“What the hell happened to you?”
My eyes broaden, and I rise on my elbows, peering down at myself.
“Why the hell do you look like that, Charley?”
My thoughts return to last night as I stare down at myself in new clothing, and I start to freak out silently in my head.
“Can you tell me what happened to you last night? You have mud on your face and is that... Blood?”
As I sit up and swing my legs over the edge of the bed, she moves aside to let me stand, but a sharp pain shoots through my thigh, causing my leg to give out. Lucy reacts quickly, catching me before I can fall completely, and I grip her arm tightly as we make our way to the bathroom together.
Once inside, I catch sight of myself in the mirror, noticing the dirt covering my face and a faint streak of Justin’s blood. I look like a fucking mess. Lucy stands beside me, her eyes wide with worry as she stares at my reflection.
“Start explaining yourself. Did that Justin guy hurt you?”
Trying to push the image of Justin's lifeless body out of my mind, along with the terrifying chase through the woods, I squeeze my eyes shut, then lower my head and take a deep breath before finally responding.
“No, we just had sex.”
“Outside?”
“That's right.”
I start to question myself why I am still covering for these psycho bastards while sensing Lucy's scrutinizing gaze on me and despite her silence, I attempt to reassure her, hoping to ease her mind.
“Nothing bad happened, Lucy. We had sex, and he drove me home, but I was drunk. I don't recall putting on these clothes.”
When I open my eyes and lift them to her in the mirror, I can see she is still suspicious, so I give her a warm smile before continuing softly.
“Honestly, I'm fine, but I could use a shower.”
She gives me a nod, and I stop her just as she is about to leave.
“Wait, did you only just get here?”
I shoot her a sidelong glance as she halts by the door, and when she turns to meet my eyes, I do the same.
“Yeah, the cops showed up not long after you left, and the party was over, but some of us were invited to another party, but smaller, and I went along.”
I give her a small smile before she continues.
