Tough Love

Chapter One Hundred Five

Chapter One Hundred Five

Dani

As we walk up the stairs to the floor of my apartment, the first thing I notice is that I don't really consider this my home anymore. I've lived here for about 5 years, almost a year of that was with Eli staying whenever he needed to, and since waking up in the hospital I haven't even thought about this being my home. I suppose that's partly because the house is compromised; they know where it is. It's partly because of what happened in it, and partly because I already consider the new house my home. That is the home Eli and I chose to live in; to start everything anew. And that's not because my poppa found that place all those years ago. It's because I have changed; my life has changed and my outlook on life is different. I know that I have strong feelings for Eli, I probably love him, and I know I'm never going to be able to cope without him. The only logical thing to do is to move in with him.

As I think back on this place being compromised, it sparks a panic within me. Eli must hear or feel it, because he searches the area frantically, and then scans my face for an explanation.

I whisper in a panicked voice, "What if they're here, Eli? What if they're waiting for us to come back? They'll kill us!"

"No one is here, baby."

I expose just how frightened I am when I ask, "How can you know that?"

I shrink back slightly, when I realise what I've just said. When I see the sadness in his eyes I start to apologize, but he cuts me off.

"Don't apologize. I want you to voice what you're thinking. Even if I don't always agree with you, I still want you to voice it. I know no one is here because Arrow has been watching the building, for that specific reason."

I'm shocked and my mouth falls open at his revelation. I don't know whether to be touched or frightened that they think it's a very real possibility these people will come back.

I guess my fear wins, because I whisper, "I think we should go..."

"Baby? If you hadn't thought they might come back, would you still be asking to leave? I won't make you go in there, Dani, but I don't want you to just back away because you're frightened. You've been facing your fears amazingly well recently and I'd hate for you to regret this moment if you were to leave. Arrow is watching our back. He's making sure no one suspicious comes into the building and there aren't many people better than him at telling if something is amiss. He knows what he's doing and he'll get anyone who tries to hurt either of us. I'm right here with you and I will protect you. I know I didn't do a very good job of that the first time, and I still haven't forgiven myself for that. However, because of that, I will do everything within my power to keep you safe for the rest of my life. Can you trust me enough to at least get through this visit?"

I toss his words over in my mind. He couldn't protect me the day I was attacked, because he wasn't here. Arrow wasn't here either, so I really had no one to watch out for me. This time, they're both watching out for me. They're both going to protect me. They've both given up their time, just for me. The least I can do is actually be tough and get through these next few minutes. I need to grow up and get on with it. I won't ever have to come back here again. This is the last time and the sooner I get it over with, the sooner I can get out of here.

I nod and whisper, "Yes, I trust you."

He lets out a deep sigh and takes my hand in his. It's now that I notice my hands are shaking. I guess I had too many other things on my mind to notice that before. As we step onto my floor, I see my front door at the end of the corridor. It's been fixed. I don't know why I thought it wouldn't be. It's not like they could leave the door hanging off the hinges. People would have gone in there and stolen my stuff. Not that I have much to steal; mostly books really.