Family means more.

Chapter 7. Not Over Yet.

I didn't leave Liv's bedside until they discharged her and even then I was reluctant to leave her side. She tried to tell me it wasn't my fault but I know it was my fault, she'd have been fine if I never showed up in the first place.

We stay at El's place for awhile just to be safe but I didn't feel safe anywhere. I knew he'd find me. I can never escape him. Not even in the safety of my own mind.

It's 4:30am. and I awaken yet again by another merciless dream. I feel like I'm being haunted by him. He has total control. He dominates my life. But I can't complain. I feel safer here with Liv and El. I know they're sleeping so I just walk around the house. I don't take anything in, it's all just a background to my thoughts. "Arianna!" Liv called me softly. I see her standing in front of me with Noah in her arms.

"Sorry Liv I just couldn't sleep" I said shakily.

"Nightmares?" she asked and I nodded. "Well you don't have to go to school tomorrow so you can stay up and watch TV if you want" she said and I thanked her with a nod. I watched some crime shows for awhile but got kinda bored. I was going to head to bed to try and get some sleep. I heard a smashing sound. I spun round and there he was, I was too afraid to scream.

"Hey beautiful" he whispered pushing me into my bedroom. He pushed me onto the bed and I felt my body stiffen. I could feel his full body weight on top of me, the pain was unbearable as he forced himself inside me. A scream of pain escaped me Liv and El burst in the door. Elliot pulled him away from me while Olivia ran to my side.

"Are you OK?" she asked holding me close. I could feel how fast her heart was beating, she seemed as afraid as I was.

"He-he r-raped me" I sobbed. Elliot continued to fight off my rapist but he didn't go down easy. When Elliot finally floored him he began kicking him, and didn't stop. Olivia had to physically pull him away. As much as we all wanted him dead we needed him alive. Cragen came with the team and they arrested him. Liv took me to the hospital and then we went back to her place, we didn't need to hide anymore they had him. That's when it hit me, they had him. I could go home. My parents would just buy my silence, not this time. I decided it was time I told Olivia.

"Liv?" I asked from the living room, she walked in and sat beside me.

"Is everything OK?" she asked.

"No. I need to tell you something" I said and she nodded wanting me to continue. "My uncle raped me. My parents tried to buy my silence but when I went to the police they blackmailed that guy into getting caught. He was going to go down for murder and  they had evidence so he said he'd rather get time for rape. They put me with you on purpose I don't know why.... they had a reason but obviously I don't know everything. That's why I was so rude when I first came, it was a self-defense mechanism" I said and she nodded understanding.

"I know what it's like to have to pretend your life is OK even when everything is falling apart. Can you promise me something though?" she asked and I nodded. "Promise me that if you ever think about hurting yourself even for a split second you'll tell me? Even if it's 3am. and I'm in Africa and I'm being attacked by lions. You'll still tell me right" she said being serious but not too serious. She is such an easy person to talk to, I wish she really was my mom.

"I promise" I said and we hugged, I felt safe just right there in her embrace. I know she wouldn't let them hurt me but I just wasn't sure if she was a match for my parents fancy lawyers. I know she's got her group of lawyer friends....but so do my parents....

Sorry guys!!! I kept telling you I'd update and I never did. So here it is, I dunno why but I'm really struggling with this one. Thank you for all the suggestions!!! I hope this chapter was OK ...I'll try and have another one up asap.