VOLKO

Chapter Sixteen

Right on schedule Dean ran his usual routine at his usual time, like nothing had happened the night before. Hidden behind the curtains I watched him stop briefly to look up into my room. From where I stood there was no way he'd see me, but I still felt his eyes. Those grey depths saw further than just sight.

Having had no sleep I'd wandered my room too many times to count, my body ached. The back of my head radiated a throbbing pain which made it hard to focus, the side of my jaw hurt to move from the force of Dimitri's slap.

After the shower I'd stood naked in front of the mirror, staring at the evidence Dimitri had left. Numbly running my hands over the bruises, some probably hurt, I just couldn't feel it.

I avoided the mirrors at all costs afterwards, they relieved the true extent of what happened last night. When the cuts and bruises stared you right in the face it was harder to pretend everything was fine. I definitely didn't feel fine.

I'd spent the rest of the night by the window, looking out at how everything appeared the same. Even as Dean stared up, everything was the same.

Why'd he have to stop? He never stopped.

Eventually he started his run again, the day went on whilst I stayed sat looking out. When I saw Jake and Robert I sat up a little straighter, yet again nothing was different. They sat outside in their regular spot as though everything was in fact normal. Perhaps it was to them?

My whole world felt like it was falling apart and everyone else was carrying on like it was okay.

Staring at Jake and Robert, silent tears rolled down my face. Jake said he believed me, but he hadn't come back since leaving to check I was okay. Instead I'd be banished to my room like a dishonoured maiden, shunned from society.

Anger helped, it's strong arms feeding me the fuel to survive, the only problem being it didn't stay around for long. Sadness would soon surround me offering little in kind words or comfort.

Grabbing the phone on my bedside table my fingers began to dial. Before I knew it Chase's voice came down the line. "Hey what's up Megster?" His upbeat tone took me back to a better time and place. One where I felt safe and happy.

Had I ever truly felt safe here?

"Chase, I need your help. Can you buy me a train ticket home for tonight? The last one. It's at half twelve." The words came out in a rushed panic.

My heart beating fast in my chest, if anyone over heard the conversation they'd report it back to Robert or worse, Dean. I couldn't risk that, they'd try to convince me out of it, or stop me completely. Making something up about safety. Kind of a sick joke now.

Safety, I huffed to myself. Where had the concern been for my safety last night? How Robert planned to 'deal' with me, I was still waiting on.

"Is everything okay?"

No, I wanted to cry down the phone. On the tip on my tongue was all the shit that had happened in the last twenty four hours. Telling myself that once I was safe at home I could tell them everything, I pushed down my feelings. Now wasn't the time.

"I'll give you the money when I have it." I mentally patted myself on the back for holding everything together when all I wanted to do was crawl into bed and hide.

"I don't care about the money, what's wrong? Something has happened, what?" Chased sounded angry, the illusion of my perfect family slipped through my fingers with each passing moment.

"I can't talk about it right now." My voice wobbled, only slightly at the end but Chase picked up on it straight away.

"Send me the address, I'll come get you." The idea had occurred to me, Chase being my knight in shining armour and saving me from my own family, once again. Robert wouldn't allow it. No, I needed to be far away from here before they knew I had left.