Bee to my Barnes

part 25

TW: Violence, abuse, alcoholism and drugs.

Steve and Jade burst through the doorway. ‘Beatrix! Beatrix are you here!’ panting from racing up the stairs they storm through the room to find you curled up, floods of tears hiding by your bed. Unable to speak through the fear, your whole body is shaking.

‘Trix, it’s ok. Your ok. I got you.’ Jade pat’s down your face, arms and legs checking your not hurt as she scans you.

Steve, looking out of the windows checking to see if he can see anyone, a stern look across his face. ‘Do you know who it was? Did you recognise him?’

Shaking your head you bury your head into your hands allowing Jade to wrap herself around you.

After a moment you take a sip from the water Steve hands you, feeling slightly calmer now they are here you apologise for the panic you have caused. ‘I’m not even sure what I saw anymore.’

Jade cups her hands either side of your face, ‘Do not apologise. If you need me I’m here. Always.’

‘Why would Paul be following you? And why now?’ Steve asks softly as he bends down to sit besides you both on the floor at your bed.

Looking over at Jade, she had obviously not shared this story with Steve, it is your fresh start after all.

‘Well,' you chew the corners of your lips anxiously as you run your fingers through your hair as a large knot forms in your throat. ‘He was sweet, kind and gentle. When we first started dating we were seniors in high school, the typical sweethearts, he was quarterback and me and Jade were co-captains of the cheerleaders.’ Smiling up at Jade through the tears at the memories you shared and how everything was so easy and happy back when you were kids.

‘Everything was great until it wasn’t. A few years back his dad got injured at work, we had to care for him and his younger siblings. It was a lot of pressure and things were tight for a long time.’ Your expression now becoming sombre. ‘He struggled to cope and began to drink, ended up mixing with the wrong crowd for support and before I knew it we were mixed up in a huge drug ring.’

Your voice now breaking with the pain of reliving your time towards the end of the relationship. ‘Paul had changed, instead of the loving man I once knew our relationship was tarnished with violence and pain.’ your fingers trace your skin which were once covered in bruises, taking your hand Jade gives a gentle squeeze to reassure you. ‘As soon as I could I left, I took some of the money hidden in the house that he probably owes some drug lord and I ran! I wish I could have brought the kids but I couldn’t...I had to leave them.’ You sobbed as the guilt of abandoning the children consumes your body.

Pulling you in close, both Jade and Steve cradle you. ‘He won’t hurt you ' his voice stern and deep. ‘We won’t let him.’