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But I’m scared. I would be stupid to admit that I wasn’t terrified of something like this happening again.
“I want to talk to you about something.” Isaac brings me out of my panicking thoughts.
I turn my attention to him. He’s sitting on the edge of the bed at my feet. “I want to know if you want to come stay with me? I have a ton of room. I can stay hidden if it’ll make you feel better. I just don’t want you to go home alone. Plus, I want to make sure you’re safe, considering everything that has happened.”
I ponder his words as I try to remain calm and not blurt out a million times over, yes. “I would really like that, Isaac. I’m thankful you’re helping me.” Tears fill my eyes, emotional over everything.
His face shows anguish. “Don’t cry.” His voice is almost pleading with me, but I held it all in for so long in that basement. It’s as if I can no longer control them.
He moves closer to me and takes my hand, squeezing gently. “I’m sorry I’m a mess.” I rub my eyes. They burn from all of the crying I have been doing.
“You’re not a mess. You’re the strongest person I have met, Emily,” he says to me and that causes another set of tears for me. I laugh and rub my cheeks dry. “I think I’m going to take a nap.”
I lay back gently on the bed and this time I can’t stop the cry from my lips at the feeling of the pressure on my back.
I sit back up. “Do you think lying on your belly would help?” he asks.
“That may be better.”
He helps me turn around on my stomach, adjusting the bed down so I can lay flat. I take the pillow, stuffing it under my face.
He lifts the blanket and tucks me in. He starts to walk away and I take his hand. “Thank you for this Isaac.”
“I want to be here, Emily. You don’t have to thank me.” He smooths my hair out of my face and turns off the light, settling down in the recliner next to me.
“I’m sorry that you’re having to sleep in the recliner. I can trade you,” I tell him.
He shakes his head smiling at me like he’s in disbelief. “Don’t worry about me. I have slept in way worse places than this, being a SEAL. I slept on a rock before and this is heaven.”
“You were a Navy SEAL?” I ask him, tucking my hand under my chin, looking at him.
He nods, “Yeah, I was. I retired last year. I have a few businesses and now I just take care of my farm.”
I smile. “I always wanted ducks and chickens. What kind of animals do you have?”
He pulls a blanket over his legs, crossing his huge arms across his chest. “I have horses, chickens, ducks, dogs, cats and goats.”
“I can’t wait to see them,” I confess. It sounds amazing and so peaceful. “Do you have any family close by?”
He shakes his head. “I was in foster care until I aged out.”
“I was too.” My heart aches for him because I understand. There is nothing worse than feeling like you will never have a place to actually call home.
We share a look. We both understand.
My eyes start to grow heavy. I yawn and close my eyes. “Goodnight, Isaac.”
I know he is watching me but I feel safe. It only takes a few seconds for me to fall asleep.
Chapter
Three
EMILY
I’ve been in the hospital for a week now. The nurse hands me my papers with discharge orders and instructions on how to care for my wounds.
I When I was assaulted, they wore protection. But it makes me sick to think of what happened to me. I try to push it the back of my mind. They did a rape kit on me and had me tested for any possible STDs. My results came back clean.
