Dusk’s room was big and reminded me of my own in some ways. She loved the colour blue; her walls were painted a dark blue covered in photos of people from The Knight’s Armour. There was a cream colored sofa that sat in front of a flat screen T.V with a light blue throw rug flung over the back. She had a king sized bed with curtains that she could open and close around the pillars, guessing for privacy. She had a walk in wardrobe where she was at the moment picking out something for me to wear to bed. The only thing the room didn’t have was a bathroom.
I browsed about the pictures what were literally everywhere. I laughed at one picture, it was of Strike and some guy I didn’t recognize the guy I didn’t recognize was wearing a top hat and a black suit with an orange tie. Strike had his hat in his hand, his hair gelled back so it looked wet, and he wore the tie around his head, which matched the other guys. They both were pulling a funny face.
“That was last year.” Dusk leaned against the wall looking at me with a chilled out smile on her face. “That’s Laser, the head of our group, but you would know that. It was my birthday and the guys all threw me a party down by the lake, I told them I didn’t want one but they took me out anyway. They organised it by themselves.” I could see her going back to that night, like it flashed before her eyes. “That was nice of them.” I whispered still staring at the picture. “Yeah it was, look Dove. I know you might hate our group but we aren’t that bad as individuals. Will you please just give them all a chance, trust me Strike won’t let them hurt you. Flame is just being an ass but he really is a nice guy.” She looked at me, eyes wide filled with hope, and for just a second. I didn’t feel like we were from different groups, we were just two girls sharing stories.
I gave her a smile and she handed me a pile of clothes. “Here get changed.” She left the room so I could get changed in privacy. I unfolded the pile to reveal a pair of orange shorts and an orange vest top. I put them on and looked in the mirror. The top was low and shoved off my cleavage and the shorts, well when I turned around I could see the bottom of my butt.
There was a knock at the door; they wouldn’t just walk in would they. “Who is it?” I called and someone chuckled. “It’s Strike and Ghost.” One of them answered. “Shit.” I muttered. “What do you want?” I ran to the door, leaning against it so they couldn’t just barge in. “To talk.”
“Well I’m really tired right now so could you just go and fetch Dusk for me, which would be marvellous.” I told them, praying they wouldn’t walk in and see me like this. “Alright well how bout you let Strike come and talk to you, while I go and find Dusk?” Ghost offered and I shook my head, knowing they couldn’t see me but it was just instinct. “No, no just go find her for me please.” I fake yawned, making sure they heard. “Alright then.” Ghost said and I heard them both walking away.
I let out a sigh of relief and went to the couch to sit. I turned on the T.V and flicked through the channels until Dusk arrived. “You wanted to see me?” She asked, she was wearing pyjamas, dark blue, shorts and a vest top similar to mine. “Yeah I was wondering if there were some covers I could use?”
“Why?” She looked at me confused. “Well I suspect I will be sleeping on the couch.” I wiggled so I could get comfortable on the couch. “Don’t be silly, I have a massive bed we can both share.” She waved her hand in the air, before switching off the T.V. “Now let’s go to bed.” I shook my head. “Honestly I will be fine sleeping on the couch I don’t want to intrude.” She made a snorting noise. “They took you here the least I can do is make you comfortable.” She stated pulling me from the couch.
“Alright.” I climbed into the bed and under the covers. “Now let’s get some sleep.” She wrapped herself in the covers, lying at the edge of the mattress. She clapped her hands and all the lights went off, I closed my eyes and listened, everything was silent. I felt the smile creep across my face and I slowly drifted off into a long sleep.
___________
He chuckled and I felt a chill rise throughout my body. He pushed me against the wall, kissing my cheek. “But we ran away from you.” I whispered, a cold tear sliding down my cheek. “You can never get rid of me Rachel.” He licked the tears away and I was sure I was going to be sick. How did he find me, Raven took me far away so he couldn't “Where’s Raven?” I cried, struggling to get away from our Step-father. “He won’t be bothering us anymore I took care of him.” He pushed a gun into my ribs and I flinched. “Now are you going to be a good little girl and do as I say, I’ve missed your touch.” He licked his lips, more tears fell from my eyes and I let out a scream. “Help!” I called repeatedly but no one came to help me.
___________
“Dove! Wake up!!” Someone was shouting at me to wake up and my eyes fluttered open, it was just a nightmare. I was still screaming though, I felt the tears streaming down my face. The door to Dusk’s room flew open and Strike ran in with a hand held gun pointing it round the room like he was in an action movie. I couldn’t stop crying, the nightmare seemed so real. He took one look at me, dropped the gun and ran to my side. He pulled me into his chest and I cried.
“What’s going on?” L.M ran into the room holding a baseball bat high above his head, followed by Ghost who had a gun just bigger than the one Strike had. “I woke up and she was screaming!” Dusk shrieked and Ghost cuddled her, whispering that it was alright. I was still crying into Strike’s shoulder as he rubbed the back of my head. “Shhh, it’s alright.” He said in a comforting voice, arms wrapped around me. “Take Dusk to get something to drink, we will be down in a minute.” He directed Ghost and L.M who left the room with Dusk. He pulled me from his shoulder, my cheeks were soaked, but I had stopped crying.
I looked at him to notice he was only wearing his boxers. I would have blushed if my face wasn’t red and blotchy from crying. “What happened?” He asked concerned. I shook my head, not wanting to tell him. “Come on tell me.” He nudged me with his arm. “Bad dream.” I hugged my sides; I haven’t had a bad dream in months. “Do you have bad dreams often?” I shook my head looking at my feet. “What was it about?” He rubbed my shoulder. “My step-father.” I answered and he pulled me back into his shoulder, rubbing the back of my head. He smelled amazing and the heat that came from him was comforting. “Let’s go downstairs and get some hot chocolate.” He lifted me from the bed and held me close to his chest. I nodded, curling up into a ball in his arms as he walked down the stairs.
We got into the kitchen and it was massive, at the table sat Dusk and L.M. Ghost was at the kettle making the hot chocolate. Pots and pans hung above the cooker and the counters were made of white marble. Strike sat me down in a seat where I cuddled my legs into my chest. “Make Dove a cup.” He told Ghost who nodded getting out another cup. He took over two cups and sat one in front of Dusk and the other in front of me. “Thanks.” I said weakly, my throat felt raw from waking up screaming, how long was I screaming for? I took a sip of the hot liquid. “
You ok?” Ghost sat across from me and I nodded. “Dove will you be ok staying in my room?” Dusk asked. “It isn’t going to cause you to have more nightmares.” I shrugged my shoulders. “I haven’t had a nightmare in months.” I whispered into my knees, I could feel tears nipping at my eyes. “Well I’m off to bed.” Dusk told everyone heading out the room. “I second that.” L.M said getting off the seat, grabbing a packet of biscuits and leaving. Ghost still sat with me and Strike. “Maybe you should stay somewhere else?” Ghost looked into my eyes, I could see he was tired and I felt guilty for some reason. “Like where?” I rolled my eyes, taking another drink from my cup. “I don’t know.” He muttered leaving the table. “Just don’t wake Dusk up again.” He said sternly before leaving the room. “Take no notice of him.” Strike apologized looking at the door Ghost just went through.
“I’m Sorry for waking you up.” I looked into my cup, swirling the liquid inside it. “It’s alright.” I yawned then finished my drink putting the cup on the table. “Let’s go sit in the sitting room.” He left the table and went through another door into a room with three large black sofas, a fireplace and a large T.V. “This is cool.” I said, growing incredibly tired. “Yeah.” He sat down on one of the couches and I sat at the other end. He laughed to himself. “Why are you only wearing your boxers?” I asked, now feeling a blush run up my cheeks. “Well I was in bed.” He pointed out and I nodded. The clock on the wall stated that it was 3:18am. I curled up into a ball and Strike put the T.V on. My eyes got heavier and I fell back into a dreamless sleep.
