Beyond The Fury

Chapter Twenty-Two

(Song- Bruises by Lewis Capaldi)
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Ivory's POV
(Almost 3 weeks after the rescue)

I have spent days metaphorically tied to this bed. My body has moulded itself into the airy mattress and quite frankly I don't even feel bad about it.

My limbs still ache from the bruises that have been punched and kicked into my soft skin. They have faded from a lagoon blue to a yellowish-green but are still so sensitive to the touch. Red rings have formed around my wrists from being secured so tightly to that metal bed frame.. the memory makes my heart bleed. My rent is late this month like it usually is and I don't have any money saved to pay it. I can't go back to the bar.. I can't face Hardin.

'You and I are it, Ivory. It's me and you.. you know that! Stop lying to yourself.'

His words over in my mind like a broken record spinning endlessly on a vinyl player. Everything is a blur from that day. All I really remember is the rain, how it washed away the blood from my face and how it cooled down the growing fire that had been mercilessly sparked- or should I say 'injected' into my veins. I wish I could connect the dots.. I wish I could continue to blame Hardin for what happened to me but I cannot.

I have been trapped alone in this apartment for so long that I have finally been able to admit to myself that what Hardin and I have is so much more than what I had hoped for. I never knew this type of love existed before I met him. I never had the chance to fall hopelessly in love with someone that I barely knew until Hardin.

The couple of weeks that I have strayed further and further away from him have only made me realise that I don't want someone with a perfect past. I don't want a problem free relationship. Hardin causes volcano eruptions in my chest, he makes my stomach float and my mind incoherent. He is so messy.. but so am I.

I just can't let go of the memories. I can't break free from the bonds that day has hooked on me. I wish I could. Maybe one day I can let it all go and finally be able to come face to face with the truth that I do indeed have some sort of feelings towards Hardin Scott. But today is not that day and I don't think tomorrow will be either..

But one day.. one day I'll get it right.

I am rudely stirred from my thoughts by a loud knock on my front door. Memories of my abduction seep into my brain and I crumple to the floor and bring my knees to my chest. My heart rate quickens and my palms begin to sweat excessively. I'm breathing so harshly and my eyes screw shut as worry and panic creep its way into my chest.

What the hell is happening to me? I can't control myself. My chest is excruciatingly tight and my mind is fuzzy with worry.

I rock softly back and forth, my spine scraping against the wall behind me. Please don't let this happen to me again.. please.

"Ivory? Miss Carr? It's Elijah Park, your landlord." His voice is dull as he shouts through my letterbox.

Shit!

"Oh! Uh.. one second!" I scurry to my feet, the discomfort and fear I felt moments ago has vanished. I rush to the living room and click open the multiple locks I have had installed over the last couple of weeks.

I rest a smile on my face as I swing the door open to greet him, "Hi. Please, come in." I step aside and watch as Elijah slithers his way into my apartment.. like a snake.

He allows his eyes to scan over the space, looking and searching for anything that may be out of place or broken. His eyes fixate on the pile of dirty dishes that rest in the sink and I flash him an awkward smile. He moves to stand beside the sofa before eventually speaking,

"Your rent is outstandingly late. Much later than the previous payments.. where is it?" I was hoping it wouldn't come to this.. I expected to go back to work quickly and have Elijah's money set aside for him but unfortunately I do not.

"I just need a little more time. I've not been working recently and I just.. I just need some more time. Please.." He takes two long strides towards me and my nostrils fill with the fresh and expensive stench of his cologne. I can't help but compare his scent to Hardin's. I can tell that Hardin's is cheaper but it smells much nicer than Elijah's.

"Hmm.. don't worry about it. Maybe we can come to some sort of agreement?" I feel my face uplift with happiness, thank god I am not getting kicked out.

"That's perfect.. how about two weeks from now?" I basically squeal however my breathing hitches as Elijah unexpectedly twirls a piece of my blonde hair in between his fingers.

"I was actually thinking about something else.. something you could give me now." His eyes darken and I feel myself shake. No. No, this isn't happening to me again. I have let men push me around for far too long. I can't do it anymore.

Just as Elijah goes to place his chapped lips on my neck I shove against him, my hand coming to slap against his face. That should teach him to not touch me again..

"No." I say simply, hoping that he will be decent enough to listen to me. He doesn't. He roughly shoves me to the nearest wall and his forearm pushes tightly against my chest to keep me there.

"If you don't have the money by tomorrow you're out. Understood?" He fires his words at me so cooly that it makes my head spin with confusion. Just seconds ago he was trying to get me to do intimate things with him and now- after I have slapped him, he is back to being cold and somewhat professional... besides the fact that I am basically stuck to my living room wall. I nod slowly, hoping that he will leave me alone and thankfully he does.

As soon as Elijah leaves I break down into hysterically sobs. I find myself shaking and I am unable to stop. I gasp for air and my head begins to pound. My fridge is bare and so are my cabinets, laundry has piled up into a mountain in my hamper and I want to cry and just never stop crying. I don't have any money. Not for him.. not even for myself.

Breathe, Ivory. Just breathe.

There is only one person I can see myself asking for help, however my wounds are still fresh and seeing his face would be like rubbing salt into those wounds. I just don't have a choice..

I am forever bleeding out for those that don't give the tiniest shit about me.. but I guess that's just who I am.

A push over.