Broken Away

Scared

Eric's point of view was interesting, wasn't it? Even though the handsome prince was entertaining, we shall go back to Chase and her point of view now. I do apologize for the intensity of the following words. Even though it's upsetting, it's still necessary for you to realize what happened.

"I hate you."

"You disgust me."

"I wish you were never born."

"Why couldn't you shut up?"

"Why are you so annoying?"

"No one cares about you."

"I never loved you."

Gasping, Chase woke up. When her eyes landed on the faint figure in front of her, she started screaming. Her throat was hoarse and it hurt so bad but she couldn't help but scream. He was going to hurt her again. He was going to plunge the knife deep through her heart and leave a hole.

"Please," Chase said, images flashing through her head, "don't hurt me."

"Chase, I—"never loved you. And I never will.

Chase slammed her hands on her ears and curled into a ball, falling against the wall. As if on cue, the whole room went dark. The images became clearer.

"No," Chase said, shaking her head excessively, "no, no, no, no, no." Chase's body rocked back and forth as she whispered the same words over and over again: "you said you loved me."

The only person he loves is Lexi.

Chase whimpered as new images flashed through her head.

I never liked you in the first place.

Then she fell.

* * *

"Chase, you have got to get up."

The voice triggered the images again. This time, the voices behind them were faint, but Chase knew that they would become clearer if she removed her hands from her ears. That's what happened last time.

"Please, please, you can't take me again."

"Chase, I promise I won't hurt you."

"He's lying, he's lying, he's lying," Chase muttered to herself, rocking back and forth, her hands still covering her ears as tight as possible.

"I'm not, Chase," Eric whispered as he crouched beside her and hesitantly reached out to smooth her hair. The moment his hand contacted with her body, she flinched to the point where her hands flew from her ears and to her sides before going back to the position they were in. A few moments later, she was sobbing, her heaves and hiccups echoing across the dungeon. Eric cursed under his breath and pulled Chase into his arms, causing her sobs to be muffled as her face was buried into his chest.

Even though Eric had embraced Chase to quiet her, it still affected him more than he thought it would. Usually, he felt safe in Chase's presence. This time, he felt broken as Chase weakly pounded her fists against him, trying to break free.

"I am so sorry," Eric said, his eyes now shedding slow tears as he hugged Chase tighter.

"Please, I'm sorry for what I did to you just let me go. Let me go," Chase said, her voice soft ad her arm fell weakly by her side.

"I don't think I'll be able to let you go again, Chase," Eric said, "I promise I won't. I'll stay with you forever, even if it means I get killed for being with you. Because I love you."

"The only person he loves is Lexi."

Eric removed his arms from around Chase and cupped her face in his hands, making sure her shaky eyes were looking at his.

"If I loved Lexi, I wouldn't go against her orders to try and help you. The only person I love is you."

More tears pooled out of Chase's eyes, the drops collecting on Eric's thumbs. "He was never yours. He will always be mine," she whispered.

Eric rested his forehead against Chase's. "I'll always be yours. Not Lexi's. Chase Never's."

"No, no, no you're lying. You're just going to—"

"I am so sorry. I was a coward. I should have fought against her. By trying to protect you from her knife, I only hurt you with my own. But I swear, I will never hurt you ever again. Let me help you now, please. You can't survive like this."

"You left me," Chase said, her voice quivering.

Eric took Chase's hand and entwined his fingers into hers. "I promise you I won't let go the entire way. I will always be with you until you are safe, okay?"

Chase nodded slowly, looking down. Eric got up slowly, Chase following him. Almost instantly, Chase's knees collapsed due to not using her legs for so long. Eric caught her by the waist, remembering how he had supported her weight when they had first met. He swung her arm around his neck, still clutching her hand with his. Slowly taking steps, they managed to make it all the way to the entrance, where the guard was waiting for them.

"What took you so long?" She hissed, "Lexi's probably going to start her daily check-up in two minutes!"

"I faced some difficul—"

As if her name summoned her, Lexi's distinct heels could be heard walking down the stairs, causing everyone to stop moving.