Light to Her Darkness

Chapter 10

I felt my heart pounding against my chest so fast I was afraid it would break free. I felt a lump forming in my throat and the nerves building inside me.

Breathe in. Breathe out. 

I tried to console myself, refusing to fall apart. The flashes of what happened kept coming into my mind as my body shook in fear. No. I can't let myself break. Not now. Not when there is Lily to protect.

He's not here. He's gone. 

At least for now. I kept repeating as if it were a mantra keeping me away from demons. Just as I reached the hospital I rushed in to see Lily. I want to see if she's okay. He doesn't make empty threats and I know now that if by any misfortune I lose her guardianship, she's in danger. Though Adrian will keep her away from danger at all costs though even he wouldn't be able to protect her from the anger that is unknown to him.

I reached her room only to find it empty. My breath hitched at the empty room. My eyes widened and I felt my body freezing from fear. He wasn't here, right? 

I tried to calm myself as I rushed towards the reception area. "Where the hell is she?" I screamed not caring if I was making a scene.

"Ma'am calm down. Please tell me what happened?" the woman behind the desk said.

"What happened?" I repeated her words in utter disbelief as I continued "Lily Morrison, my sister. She was admitted here. Now, where is she?"

She checked her computer may be going through the records as my tears were on bay ready to shed at any moment. I felt my body trembling and my breathing escalating but I refuse to let panic take over me until I know the whereabouts of my Lily.

"She's been discharged just half an hour before you arrived." I narrowed my eyes and at the realization, fear crawled through my body. No, no, no... Please don't let this happen. Not with that baby.

He lied. 

He took her. 

He will not give me a week to seek things out. I was a fool to believe him in the first place. He has taken Lily and I don't know how I will get her back.

"Who?" my voice was low and shaky but she got what I meant as she answered. 

"Mr. Cromwell."

I didn't know if I should be relieved or scared. He took her and I just have one week to get her back. Anxiety rose as I felt a heavy weight on my chest. I felt my body start trembling and I closed my palms into a fist for controlling the trembling.

I rushed towards the restroom before anyone can encounter my panic attack. I felt as if my walls began closing as I rushed toward a safe place. Away from so many people to witness my weakness. As soon as I reached the restroom I shut the door and went into the cubicle. I fell onto the ground while throwing up in the seat. The cold marble touched my elbows as I threw up again while tears wetting my cheeks. A sob released from me as I slowly tried to stand up but instead I fell beside the seat as I sobbed harder. I tried to breathe but the walls were too tight and that made it impossible for me to breathe.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

I tried to follow my command as I breathe slowly taking in the air.

Good. Now focus on five things you can see. I breathe deeply as I was looking around.

Door. The white door is attached to the cubicle.

Good. Now, breathe and look.

I did just that. I took one more breath as I looked at the toilet seat I was sitting next to.

Breathe and look.

Again I took a deep breath as I saw toilet paper, a sink.

Great, you're doing great Emma. Just one more. 

I looked around and saw the mirror just above the sink.

I realized my breathing was normal again. I felt my throat sore when I swallowed due to the crying. I stood up and flushed as I walked out to the sink and gargle the clean water to remove the stench of vomit from my mouth. My hands were still trembling and when I looked in the mirror I realized how much of a ghost I look like. 

The dark purplish circles have formed beneath my reddened eyes. The bruise on my head from the accident was almost yellow. My face was wet and my hair looked dry and sticky and probably smelled of vomit.

I washed my face and looked in the mirror again. My eyes. My hazel eyes were my favorite feature of my face because they remind me of my dad. I got it from my dad. The eyes which once were full of dreams and hope. But now they look so empty as if the light has been sucked out of them.

My cheeks reddened as my palm connected to my cheek. 

The stinging pain I felt was nothing in front of the pain I'm yet to get. I slapped myself again and again and again and... again welcoming the sharp pain. Tears were running as I cursed myself for being so weak. I slapped myself punishing myself for being scared of him. And again for letting Adrian take Lily from me. I didn't stop until my face was extremely red and I could see little blood clots on the sides of my cheeks.

I gripped the edges of the sink with both my hands as I sighed. I need a plan. And I need it fast. I closed my eyes thinking about the next step I have to take.

I won't let anything happen to you, Lily. I would do anything to get you, keep you away from Grayson's hideous plans. I promised myself.