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I don’t hear her any more and cry harder. I never should have let her lock me in here. How am I supposed to help her from here?
“Let me out! Mom! Are you okay?!”
The flickers of ember start to hit me from underneath the door and I scream as it burns my skin. I try to kick at the door but the smoke in my lungs makes my body feel heavy. My eyes water as I continue trying to breathe.
“Someone! Please! Help me! Help my mom! Mom!”
Fire grips my shoulders and I scream out as it burns me. Only… it’s not fire.
It’s hands.
Shaking me.
I gasp as I sit up and try to catch my breath. I feel around me and feel my bedspread under my hands rather than the carpet of thatcloset. Hands grip my face and I realize Asher is kneeling on my bed in front of me.
“In and out,” he says, mimicking slow breaths of his own. “In and out.”
I cough and gasp as I try to fill my lungs but he patiently continues the mantra. Minutes go by and I can finally take a breath without my chest burning. I grab his wrists with the intention of pushing him off of me but my body has other plans. I hold his hands to my face as I drop my forehead to his chest.
“You’re okay, you're okay,” he tells me quietly and one hand moves to stroke my back. “I’ve got you, babe. Remember? I’ve always got you.”
I fall back asleep cradled to Asher’s chest and by the time I wake we have somehow laid back down on the bed with me practically on top of him. My head is still on his chest with his arms locked around me even while we sleep.
This should scare me, I remind myself. I should demand he doesn’t touch me. But I don’t. I close my eyes and listen to his slow breathing and when I move my head to glance up at him, his grip tightens. His eyes flutter and he nervously looks around, locking eyes with me.
“You’re okay,” he reminds me, still half awake.
I nod my head agreeing with him. I’m okay.
When I wake again, it’s still in Asher’s arms but his hands are running through my hair. I groan, not wanting to face the day yet. I keep my eyes closed when I realize he is talking to someone. I’m still half awake and it takes a few minutes to realize that the other voice belongs to Eli.
“Her doctor will be here soon,” Eli whispers.
“I’ll wake her, get out,” Asher snaps at him.
I hear Eli sigh but the door closes as his footsteps retreat. Asher continues stroking my hair and I feel his fingers brush my face.
“Hey, rise and shine, beautiful.”
I groan again and he chuckles.
“I know you’re awake,” he teases.
“I don’t want to get up. I want to stay asleep. When I wake up, I have to remember I’m mad at you. All of you.”
“I know,” he sighs and his hand still gently trails up and down my spine. “But mad at me or not, I’m not going anywhere.”
I sit up, pushing my messy hair out of my face and glance at him as he lays on my pillow.
“I can already see your mind racing, baby doll,” he sighs with a sad smile. “Why don’t you go shower and eat something before your doctor gets here.”
I’m too drained to argue. I’m not ready to even think about the events last night. I drag out my hot shower and pull on a pair of leggings with an oversized t-shirt. When I open my door, I hear voices drifting from the foyer and I recognize Doctor Wilson’s voice. I find her talking to Ax by the doorway and she smiles at me.
“Sorry if I woke you, Katelyn. Is it okay if we talk?”
I nod my head and Ax leads us to the empty study. Instead of leaving, he stays in the door frame. Doctor Wilson clears herthroat. “I think we are good here…” she says, eyeing me and then Ax.
“He’s my new proxy,” I say sighing. “Good luck making him leave.”
