Always Okay | (Adopted By Elizabeth Olsen)

Chapter 3

Word Count: 2325

Alexis's POV:

"Why the hell did they let you in here?" I glared at Elizabeth as she stood frozen at my abrupt outburst. Out of all the people in the world, she was by far the last one that I wanted to see.

"I can't believe it's really you," she spoke softly stepping towards my bed as she regained confidence, "h-how are you feeling?"

"hah," I huffed pulling on the handcuff that secured me to the bed, "how do you think I'm feeling?" I shot back motioning around the room with my free hand.

"They, uh told me about your arm, does it feel any better now?" she tried ignoring my question completely.

"You mean does it feel better without a knife shoved in it?" I growled, I was angry now. If she really thinks that after everything that has happened that she can just waltz her way back into my life, then she is way out of line.  "Then yes, it feels a hell of a lot better. But then again, I guess only one of us can truly acknowledge what has really happened," I added as her curious gaze met my anger-filled eyes.

An obvious look of hurt swept across her and I started to grin internally until that same hurtful feeling started to hit me.  It wasn't the same though, it felt more like guilt, like I felt bad for causing that sad expression or something. Why do I feel guilty towards the woman who left me? It wasn't like I could have done anything to stop her. I was just a broken, helpless child. I quickly pushed those thoughts away as I tried to refocus on the slowed conversation at hand. Lizzie was quiet, silent even just standing there watching me glare at her. 

Eventually, I had to look away because I couldn't take it anymore. Staring into the eyes of the person who was once your hero, who had once promised you that they would always protect you, but ended up doing nothing but hurt you. I had to look away. For years I dreamt of being safe but in all honesty, I don't know if that truly exists. Every day there was pain and suffering, some of it was probably deserved, but none of it ever stopped. There was no one there for me in the way that I needed most. I was alone and that was okay, I guess. I learned how to deal with it - I was the one who had to pick myself back up after a nightmare, after a harsh beating, or a long day. And now I don't need anyone, because why try anymore when everyone I get attached to just ends up leaving me behind.

"I'm sorry," her voice croaked out pulling me from my thoughts. She began to take small steps towards me again as she continued, "I'm sorry I wasn't there. I'm sorry I had to send you away. I'm sorry you were taken and forced to live with such a terrible man. I'm sorry that no one found you until now, I'm sorry-"

"NO!" I shouted at her cutting her off. "I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry," I mocked her rolling my eyes, " well that doesn't mean jack shit Elizabeth. I could care less about what you say to me but your sorry's aren't going to change the years that I spent alone, desperately grasping at all your broken promises."

"I-I," she starts to say but I cut her off once again.

"What! You're sorry?" I spat not caring anymore if my words from earlier hurt her, that was nothing compared to what she did to me. "You know what, Elizabeth, as much as I've gone through in my thirteen years of life, as many beatings and broken bones I've had, no one, not even Josh has hurt me more than you did," I yelled at her. I knew those words would hit her hard in the chest. Her whole body seemed to freeze as tears slowly slipped out of her eyes.  I felt a sense of accomplishment watching her hurt as she hurt me, but that pride quickly turned into guilt as I noticed her hands start to shake a bit.

It was a sure sign of her anxiety spiking, just like when I was little, whenever she would be overwhelmed her hands would tremble ever so slightly. Next, she would start counting her breaths then her surroundings, just like when I was little. But she didn't instead she squeezed her hands into tight fists and took a few deep breaths, "Alexis, I know that there's nothing I can do to stop the pain that you're feeling or erase the years of pain you've endured, but I'm here now. I'm here to take you home and to keep you safe."