Twisted Truth

Chapter Eighteen

ADDIE

The room is dark and unfamiliar, not the room I fell asleep in. I look around to try work out where I am, where's Rocco? I'm cold, like freezing. What is going on?

"Hello?" I call out into the darkness.

The laughing catches my attention and my stomach drops. I know that laugh. No it can't be, he's dead isn't he? My fears are confirmed when the owner of the laugh comes out of the shadows.

No no no no no

Please!

John Webster reeks of whisky, his favourite poison when it comes to nights like this. I realise where I am, I want to cry! Scream even, this isn't real it can't be. The impact of a fist to my face only registers when I'm thrown on the ground. I back away trying to create some distance but it's useless.

He grabs my ankle, dragging me back towards him my skin scrapping against the concrete floor. I kick and plead for him to stop but it only urges him to continue. The man loves this part, watching me tremble in fear.

A swift kick to stomach takes the wind right out of me. His wicked cackle fills my ears.

Please someone help me!

No one comes to help, no one ever comes to help me. Just like every other night this has happened. I hear the buckle of his belt drop to the floor along with his trousers.

My heart sinks.

Please, not again.

"PLEASE!" I beg

"PLEASE DAD! DONT."

My screaming brings me out of my nightmare. Wild panicked eyes spot the gun on the table and I aim it at the intruder by the door way. I'm disorientated, the events of the dream clouding my brain. I know its not John at the door but i can't unsee his face. I can't stop the feeling of his hands on my body.

"GET OUT! GET THE FUCK OUT!" I scream waving the gun at whoever is there.

"Spitfire-" Rocco?

"Baby put the gun down. You are safe, your dad isn't here you're safe." Rocco soothes in my ear. Gently wrapping his hand around my wrist aiming the gun away from who I recognise as Bruno.

Bruno stands at the doorway wide eyed and looking panicked. The realisation hits me that I'm not in that horrible place and my dad isn't here. I am covered in sweat, my clothes sticking to my skin.

"Bruno?" My brows furrowed, my mind confused and muddled.

"Its me ginge. You're alright, no one is going to hurt you here." He calls out before nodding to Rocco and leaving the room.

I'm pulled into Rocco's embrace which has me tensing until I remind myself that he can't hurt me anymore. You aren't there anymore Adaline, he is dead, he can't hurt you anymore. I keep chanting over and over hope that my heart rate slows back down.

I turn to face his chest, avoiding eye contact. Burrying my head in the crook of his neck I try take slow deep breaths, trying to calm myself. Rocco tries to comfort me by rubbing a hand up and down my back. I breath in his scent gripping onto him for dear life.

"Addie, will we talk about it?" He murmurs into my ear. All I do is shake my head no in response.

I've never been able to fully talk about it. Daniel has forced me to so many therapy appointments and I sat in silence. I can't physically say the words out loud. I'm scared if I do thats all people will see of me. I won't be looked at like some pitiful girl.