In this together

Chapter 1: Panic attacks and comfort

Lucia's POV:

I jolt out of bed to the sound of glass shattering followed by screaming. Not bothering to put my pants on over my boxers, I sprint to Luz's room. Whenever they fight, she gets anxious and normally has panic attacks, so I try to be there, so she doesn't get too bad. I reach her door and turn the handle only to be met by stiffness. I hear shuffling in the room and then it goes quiet. I give the door three short, soft knocks to let her know its me and not one of our parents. The shuffling is quick to come back, and the knob gives a little click.

I open the door as quietly as I can and step into the room. All I can see is black and somehow it gets darker as I shut the door. Before I can speak calming words, I feel a pair of arms around my waist. I embrace my little sister as sobs rack her body. I can only imagine what is racing through her mind.

"It's ok Luz. Everything is going to be ok." My hands rub small circles on her back as we sit in the middle of her room. I can feel her tighten her grip around my waist as she moves her head to look up at me.

"But what if this time it won't? what if he-" I cut her off and shake my head.

"You need to trust me Luz, I won't let anything happen to you." She gives me a sad look that I know too well. "I won't let him touch you ever again. I promised you after last time that you won't go through this alone and I'm going to keep that promise ok?" She gives a small sigh and looks out her window. I take my hand off her back and stick my little finger out to her, just like I did when she was small. "Hey, you know I don't do this often but," I wiggle my hand in a joking way to ease her nerves. "I pinky promise." She gives a small giggle and takes my finger in hers. She looks at me with red, puffy eyes. She has been up crying for a bit. She speaks quietly as she shakes my hand up and down, "pinky promise."

We stay sitting on the floor for a while, every now and then Luz asking me a question about work or school. I tell her that its going ok and that it's just Law school. "How is art class going?" I ask her. Luz is a very artistic person in many ways than one. Her room is filled with sketchbooks and drawings of the most random things. She shrugs and lets out a sigh. "Its going ok. Mrs. Clawthorne gave us an assignment due on Monday next week and I don't even know what I'm going to do. We have to create a drawing or painting of something that is an inspiration to us."

I turn my head to look at her and offer a small smile. "Well knowing you kiddo, you will find something and turn it into a beautiful picture." I ruffle her hair which earns me a weak punch in the arm. She stifles a yawn and leans her head against my chest. I take a look at the clock and note that its almost two in the morning. I look back down at Luz and see that she is fighting the urge to let sleep overcome her aching body. "c'mon Luz, you need to sleep."

I go to stand but my own body protests against the thought of getting up, being that we sat in the same position for almost two hours. Even so, I stand, and Luz lets out a small whine. "I don't want to sleep. I know that if I do, he will come and hurt me again." She holds onto my torso as we make our way to her bed. "Luz, I promise you he won't." She lets go of me and gives me a scared look, sitting on her bed. "But how can you be sure? You will be in your room and I-" I cut her off and kneel down In front of her, "Who said anything about me sleeping in my room? I never said I was going back to my room. I just need to get my pillow and my phone, but I'm not leaving you alone. I promised you, remember?"

She slowly nods and I rest a hand on her shoulder. "listen to me kiddo, I-" I pause for a moment then take a deep breath."I messed up. I did a lot of bad things and quite frankly, I still do. But I am working on being better. Leaving was a big mistake on my part. I didn't think about you or Luca." I suck in a breath and look her in the eyes, "I regret leaving you two to fend for yourselves. I thought I was the problem, and I thought that if I left, he would lighten up on you two. But when Luca told me what was going on and how things only got worse, I packed everything up and got on the earliest flight home. I couldn't bear the thought of him doing those things to you. But I promise you Luz, I will never leave you or Luca ever again. That's a promise that I will fight to keep." Despite her room being dark, I can see the tears fall down her cheek. I reach up and wipe the tears and I continue, "Luz, you are my little sister, and I will do everything in my power to protect you, no matter what. If anyone hurts you, I will hurt them ten times worse. I love you kiddo and don't you ever forget that. Ok?" I can feel tears threatening to fall sting in my eyes. Luz shakes her head as the tears stream down her face. She throws herself into my arms and sobs into my neck. I hold her for a minute or two.