Unlock the Past

Chapter 16

Chloe's POV:

I start to laugh uncontrollably as I spin in circles to the music. Life is so awesome! I lose my footing and start to fall but I'm caught by a familiar set of arms, and I feel tingles! Looking up, I see a very distressed Ashton and start to laugh some more.

"You look so funny! Your face looks like you are trying to poop!" I crack myself up, I should become a comedian. Yes! That would be awesome, life is awesome, I'm awesome.

"Okay, Chloe we need to get you home," I start to shake my head back in forth not giving in as he drags me out the way I came in.

"Wowwww! You know my secret passage way! It's like we are in Harry Potter." I look up at him in amazement and I can tell he's trying to remain calm. "I am your father," I say in a serious voice, only to start cracking up again.

"That's Star Wars Chloe, not Harry Potter," He shakes his beautiful head and I pause for a moment to watch the small hairs get in front of his eye. I let him lead the way, and refuse his help, only to tumble over my feet again. "Okay, that's it," I'm suddenly suspended in the air and thrown into his arms.

"Jeepers! That was so fun, can you do that again?" My laughter bubbles up again as I relax in his arms. "Hey Ashton?"

"Yes, Coles?" Ashton replies.

"Why do I feel all tingly when you touch me?" Wow Chloe no filter. 

"Umm. Probably the alcohol Coles." I nod even though he can't see me. 

When we get to the car I see two familiar faces and I jump out of Ashton's grasp and run over to Lilly and Cameron.

"Heyyyy guyszz!! I can't believe you're here too!" Their mouths drop and their eyes widen. I start to laugh again and poke Cameron's cheek. "You guys look like cartoons!"

"You're talking," I look back at Lilly and laugh.

"Of course I am! I just feel so good right now everything is so great and the world is beautiful!" I start to twirl but someone stops me and I pout, "Hey!"

"You're drunk," Cameron states.

"Well, duhh that's what you do when you want to forget. That's what he did!" I reply.

"Who does that Coles?" Ashton's voice resembles un-moisturized skin; cracked and dry.

"Well him of course! He never told me his name, isn't that strange? But he knew me! Oh oh oh he knew me alright. He had my picture everywhere!" I blabber on. Shit I gotta stop.

"Here let's get her in the car," Ashton grabs my hand and opens the passenger seat, guiding me in as Lilly and Cam get in the back. Ashton shuts the door and runs to the drivers side.

"Hey! It's like a double date! Two boys and two girls!" I laugh and Cam and Lilly give me weary smiles. "Lilly! Do you remember when you liked Cam? Gosh you two were so cute! While I was gone I hoped you two would get together, but now I see Cam hasn't made a move yet. Silly, silly Camy!" I wiggle my finger in front of his face and laugh at their blushed faces.

"Ashton!"

"Yes Coles?" He turns to me with a little bit of amusement.

"Did you know that I wanted to have sex with you that same day I was taken!? I was so excited," The amusement in his eyes vanished. 

"Yes, I did know that Cole's. I was excited too." He looks down sadly. "Chloe, can you tell us anything about what happened to you?" My heart drops andI look down sadly.

"Why would you guys want to talk about that?" I sigh, "It's such a taboo subject!" I laugh at my word choice and start to sing it. "Taboo, taboo, tabooo," It's such a funny word!

"Coles we just wanna help you, and maybe if you tell us it'll make you feel better, remember we used to tell each other everything!" Lilly looks as if she's on the verge of tears. Maybe I should tell them one thing. Not everything but only a few things. That could make them leave me alone! I turn around and look back at them.

"Okay," I lift up my shirt so that it's under my breasts, revealing the multiple scars and burn marks painted on my creamy skin. Everyone gasps and I inhale a deep breath. I can feel the alcohol wearing off. "Choose one, and I'll tell you what happened." I nod at them and wait for one of them to choose one.

I take this time to look at all their faces, starting with Cam. His once vibrant eyes are clouded over and his lips are pressed into a thin line, he's looking at all the scars like they will shoot him. I quickly turn to Lilly to see the undeniable pity in her eyes, god I hate pity. Moving back to Ashton I see...guilt? Why would he be guilty of something he didn't do?

I take another breath and point to the burn mark that sits on my left ribcage. "This one I got for asking for water, he thought it would make me realize how lucky I was to be living with a wonderful person like himself. It happened my second week I was with him. After that he didn't bring me food or water for five days," I wait a little longer for them to answer. But no one says a word or moves an inch. I point to the long scar that's edges are hidden under my jeans and t-shirt. "I got this my first night there. I was trying to get away and he beat me" I take a shaky breath; pushing the memories away and continue, "I snapped and started to cuss him out and then He took a knife and left a line all the way from my collar bone to my hip bone." I let go of the shirt and let it fall back down, I start to feel really tired. Without looking at any of them I settle into my seat and fall asleep.

Ashton's POV:

We all sit there speechless. I can't even comprehend what just happened; she just gave us a small glance at her past and I think I've heard enough to last a life time. I can't believe that fucking asshole did that to her, my sweet, innocent, Chloe has been corrupted by a complete psycho and I can't do anything about it. I doubt she's going to let us get close again, and I don't blame her. But I have to try. I have to get my Chloe back, but how?

"Let's get her back Ashton. We should tell the police what she said," Lilly's face has a slight green tint. I nod and we make our way back to the Martinez Household.
****

Chloe's POV:

It feels like someone is hitting a drum as hard as they can in my head. I groan and sit up, oh god. What happened last nigh? My hand rubs the side of my head as I try to recall yesterdays events. When I turn to my bedside table I see a glass of water and two Advil. I gulp it all down and start to head downstairs.

"Mrs. Martinez, we don't know exactly what to do. We could set up a bodyguard or someone to watch the school, but we have no idea who this guy is. Unless your daughter is willing to speak to us this time then there is nothing we can do," I peak my head around the corner to the living room and see three police officers sitting on our brown leather couch. They all have an apologetic look on their face, but they snap their heads to me when a floor board creeks.

"Ah, sweetie, please come here." I shyly make my way to my mom who sits in the chair across from the officers. When I look around more I see Lilly, Cameron, and Ashton all with bags under their eyes. Why are they here? "Honey, your friends here have informed us of some information that you told them last night. Now the nice officers here are going to let your drinking slide because so many more underaged kids were doing the same thing last night. But they need you to cooperate, all we want to do is protect you," The wrinkles around her eyes seem even more deep, and the blue depth of her eyes seems so much darker.

I ponder this for a moment before all the memories from the previous night flood me. Oh my god, he's back. His voice fills my head, and the warnings he once told me about what would happen if I escaped echo in my mind. The last thing I can remember before falling into oblivion are his cold grey eyes.