Counting Stars

Chapter 14

Juliette's P.O.V.

That night Peter made me sleep in the tree house again, but this time he was with me. I was facing the wall and he got in with me and held me close. He said it was to protect me, but I think it he just wanted to be with me. It was weird sleeping with someone. You should feel safe when someone is in bed with you, but I don;t think I really liked it. I would feel a lot safer if he would just take me home, but I don't see that happening.

The worst of it all is that after last night, I doubt I will ever get away. After trying to run away yesterday and getting caught and almost being kidnapped or killed or whatever by pirates, Peter will probably not take his eyes off of me. I won't to accept defeat, but I don't know what to do. I have to get out of here, but there is noway out.

I feel Peter start to stir indicating that he is waking up.  I was not prepared to start the day. It was something that I dreaded all night. I didn't know what to do if he woke up, so I just stayed still. I was trying to slow down my breathing so he didn't know how nervous I truly was.

Peter put a hand on my head and started to pet my hair lightly. He placed a light kiss on my head and said "Morning." Well, there goes trying to fool him.

I turned my head to look up at him. He is giving me a small smile and sweet eyes. That seems a little different for him. I don't smile back though, I just reply with a simple 'morning'. He doesn't seem very hurt by my lack of affection towards him. It was like he expected me to show no emotion.

He sits himself up on the bed, sits me up a little, and puts an arm around me. I don't want to sit up because I am a little tired, so I just come up half way so my head is by his chest. I do my best to not have to place my head on his chest, but it hurts to strain my neck so I inevitably lay on his chest. I could feel him smirk to himself knowing he got what he wanted.

"Are you okay from last night?" He asked.

"Yeah." I say plainly not looking at him.

"That wasn't very convincing."

"I'm fine." I reply in the same tone.

"Darling, I may not know girls very well, but I'm smart enough to know that when they say 'fine', nothing is actually fine." wow, he's smart. "Was what happened a little much for you?" I truthfully nod my head. "I won't let it happen again. I will protect you with all I have."

"Take me home." I blurt out.

I didn't like the look on his face. "Juliette I-" but I cut him off.

"If you want me safe and you love me, then you will take me back. Think about it, if you take me back, I will be safe from Hook and I will truly understand your love for me. Then maybe one day, I can learn to love you the same way and want to come back." That last part I fibbed a little for effect.

Instead of thinking about it like I had thought, he grabbed a fist full of my hair, yanking it back so I look dead in his eyes. "I can keep you safe right here." He said with a deadly tone. "Hook will not touch you unless I let him. I don't have to take you back to make you understand my love for you." He pulled my head back more and it cause so much pain in my head that I whimpered. "You will learn to love me the way I love you. There is no other option. I told you I will do whatever I have to and I hope you didn't think it was a jest."

"N-no. I didn't th-think that at all." I say under his grip. My eyes were watering. My head hurt.

He let go of my head and made his way to the ladder. "I will come back in a little while to get you. Don't leave." Before he goes down the ladder, he turns around and walks to the end of the bed, gripping the railing. "And if you ever pull something like you did yesterday..." Peter trailed off for a minute and I was holding back my tears. "... I may have to try one of those threats out on you." And he left.

Once I was sure he was gone, I sat on the bed crying my eyes out. I had no idea what he was going to do. What if he went home and hurt my mother? What if he raped me to make me understand his love? What if I couldn't love him? Would he give up and kill me? I won't allow any of that to happen.

But right then and there, I knew I couldn't get away, but I had to get away.