WHEN THE RAIN STOPS- Scrutinized [TANNER x LUNA] 2 IN 1

SIDE STORY PT. FIFTY THREE

|LUNA|

The woman then held up a little revolver. Threatening the men in an instant. "I think you better get moving before I change my mind." The men looked scared shitless. To the point where the ran like babies to their car. I exhaled with relief and waited for them to drive away to step away from the red head. "Thank you." I said out of breath. They nodded and I was on my way out. "Where do you think you're going?" The woman asked. "I'm going home?.." she shook her head with tongue clicks. "We have to clean you up first." The red head said with softness on her voice. "Excuse me?" "You're covered in booze.. and you seem really tired. Let us take you a bath." I awkwardly giggled. "No ones ever offered me that before, well besides my fiancé." "Aww you have fiancé?" She asked excited to learn more. I nodded as the other woman closed the door. Leading me to the bathroom.

Sooner or later I found I was in the bath tub. 'How did I get here?' I asked myself while staring blankly at the wall. The women helped me wash my hair but for some reason I felt like a dog. Hell I was just playing with the bubbles not too long ago. Maybe this is just stress and maybe all the symptoms are just in my head. I need to push myself harder.

"Hun? You ok in there?" The red head asked who I found out was named Mary. "Uh-Yes! Thank you!" She giggled. "No problem!" It went silent again as I sighed one last time. Getting out of the shower before changing into my now clean clothes. I quickly dried my hair before walking out to the living room. Where I found Mary and Cecilia cuddling on the couch. I took an inhale with a smile. "Ok! I'm off!" They shot up and walked over. "Are you sure you don't wanna spend the night hun? It's quite dangerous at night for a woman like yourself to be walking alone." "I know, I know .. but I have to get home to my boyfriend. I'm sure you understand." They glanced to each other before squeezing one another's hand. "Yeah.. we do." They sighed before Cecilia spoke. "Well, you're welcome back anytime. You have our numbers right?" "Yep, put them in my phone." We huffed a smile before I was on my way. Halfway through the walk I get a call. And of course it's my fiancé. "Hello-?" "Why were you at the Washington's?" ".. I wanted some girl time-?" "You've never talked to them before." ".. better late than never right?" I awkwardly laughed. "Just get home." He hung up and once again I was getting scared of Tanner. He could easily over power me when I got home, kill me and take me somewhere I would never be seen again.. I struggled walking. 'Fuckkk I need to exercise more. -or go to a doctor - Im fine. It's just fatigue. - Tanner will be suspicious.' I tried my best to keep the panting down but next thing I know I'm practically sweating bullets to the door. I whimpered from exhaustion before opening the door. Hoping Tanner wasn't there. But just my luck he yanked the door open to see me. "My god Luna, did you run here?" He asked with an all knowing smile. 'Prick.' "Half way!" I lied. "Mhm. Sure." He responded before yanking me by my arm inside. "You need to lighten up Tanner, I already told you I'm fine." "You're leaning on the wall Luna." "So?!" I threw my wrist off of his grasp. "Im just hungry. I'll be better after I eat." I turned to the kitchen and stumbled to the fridge. Taking out the left over rice and chicken I saved. I heated it up before sitting down at the table. Tanner sat on the couch and watched TV, with his arms resting on the head rest, his legs crossed, his shoe bouncing up and down and his hands violently stimming on the couch head. I ate while looking at emails. After I finished I washed my plate and walked to the hallway. "Luna." I looked back as he patted the seat next to him. "Wanna see this movie with me?" I thought about it. "Sorry hun, I gotta take a shower. I ran a lot." He hummed a snicker. "Mind if I join you?" Silence passed at I thought of an excuse. 'I'll fall asleep if we do it right now. He has to know I'm exhausted right? This is some test to see if -.' "Oh! And don't worry Luna, I won't try anything vile tonight." He tilted his head. "I'm just interested on seeing how you bathe yourself after a long day, wouldn't want you to be uncomfortable now would we?" I fake smiled. "No." He hopped up and came towards me. Holding me by my waist and leading me to my room to get clothes. Once in the bathroom I slowly took off my shirt leaving on my bra as I turned on the shower. Tanner took off his shirt and was now on his pants. "I'm taking you to see a doctor tomorrow." "Wait-what?! Why?!" "Cause I know you weren't running." "How?" "I have my ways. The point is-." "No! Tanner! Hand over all your creepy stalker shit! I'm done!"

Tanner looked surprised I snapped at him. But instead of handing it over he chose to stay quiet. "Tanner!" I demanded while opening my hand. He shook his head as I groaned in annoyance. I put on a shirt. "Fine. You can see me through your phone then. I'm going to a hotel." I reached for the door knob when he grabbed my wrist. "You're not going anywhere." He said with his usual smile coming back. Only with a hint of devilish intent this time. "Tanner.. let me go.." he chuckled and before I knew it I was stabbed with a needle. But oddly enough I was still conscious. Just numb.. Tanner picked me up and sat me down on the couch. "What did you do to me?.." "don't worry about it. It'll go away soon enough." "You asshole. I'm gonna fucking kick you out if you don-." "Don't what? Remember Luna, you can't move right now. So I suggest you just sit still and look pretty, that should come natural to you." I clenched my teeth as he laid down on my lap. "You're cold to the touch my dear." "Don't be getting handsy on me Jack ass." I demanded with a hint of tears on my tongue. The frustration was really getting to me. "Such vulgar language Luna.. are you sure you're doing well?" "I will be when you Let Me Go." I inhaled steadily as to calm down. "Getting frustrated honey?" I tried to nod but realized I had to say yes. "Yes." "And why's that?" "Because I can't mov-." "No." He sat up and kneeled in front of me. I was really struggling but he talked me through it. Cupping my hands before asking again. "Whats bothering you?" "Not being able to fucking move for starters." Tanner put an annoyed face. "Beside from that My love. What do you want? What do you need right now?" I sighed. "I just wanna move. I want to-." "I already told you Luna. I'm jot gonna let you go out there by yourself again." "TANNER." I said in a strict, demanding tone. I inhaled through clenched teeth. "Just. Let. Me. Go. I promise I'll come back." He clicked his tongue while shaking his head. "It's not that beautiful. It's the part where I don't know if you'll be ok out there on your own. Believe me when I say this Luna, I'm doing this for your benefit." I groaned. "Fine! You wanna know?!.. I'm sick! I don't feel good!" "Ok, why don't you feel good?" "Cause I can't breathe when I move a lot when I should be fine! For gods sake I run 2 miles every weekend! I'm also cold all the time! and I-.. I wanna sleep all day!.." "how have you been eating?" "I eat when I can." "Which is?" ".. once a day.. with maybe a snack in between." Tanner sighed as he laid his head in my hands. I just stared at the ceiling. Trying to keep the tears in. I was angry, frustrated, and with no control. Pretty soon I felt bad.

Growing up, I was taught to never depend on anyone. "They'll just leave you." My dad used to say after my mom died. I never knew I internalized it.. but looking back, maybe that's why I didn't call anyone about the two men in my yard. Or why I didn't reach out for help when I was ready to jump. Sarah was the only I trusted growing up.. but at last, she left. The water spilled out. "Don't leave me Tanner.." I told him while trying my best to keep a tough front. "I know I messed up this time, but please don't leave me.." Tanner looked up at me confused before swooping in to hold my face. "Oh no! no no no... enigma, I could never leave you..." I sniffled. "promise?" He nodded. "Of course!" He stood up to hold my head close in a sort of hug. "You're mine and I'm yours..." he kneeled again. "And tomorrow I'm going to take you to see the best doctor in the state. Together we're gonna figure out what's wrong and help you feel better. Ok?" "Ok..."