Saving Calen

25.

Calen's POV

I stare at her and will myself to sleep.

I close my eyes, but my mind plagues me with twisted nightmares.

I stand in the living room of my house. My mom stands in front of me with a concerned look on her face.

"My, my, look at you, son."

She gently strokes my face and I wince as she grazes a thumb over the bruises that line my face. I stare down at her as she smiles kindly up at me.

"Come, sit. I'll fix you up."

My heart swells at the affection and I move to follow her. Except my feet don't move.

"Mom?" I say. She continues into the next room. I try again but my feet stay planted to the spot they're in.

"Mom!" I yell again.

I watch the floor around me turn grey and cold. My heart races as I dare to lift my eyes up and scan the room.

My heart stops as I'm thrown back into the cell. My hands are covered in blood and a heavy cough wracks through my body. Blood splatters at my feet.

A scoff sounds from behind me and I whip my head around.

My dad stands in the corner, crimson liquid dripping from his fists.

"So weak. Always so fucking weak."

He cocks back his fist and let's it fly. Pain floods my senses as I drop to my knees.

"Stop." I croak. He chuckles and hits me again.

"Be a fucking man."

I try to stand to my feet but he punches my gut, knocking the wind out of me. I fall to my knees as he lets out yet another cold laugh.

Fear has always been the main feeling that floods through me during these times, but rage quickly replaces it this time.

Before I know it, I'm on my feet and launching my body at him. We collide and I land on top. I straddle him and start landing punch after punch after punch.

A guttural scream rips from my throat as I slam my fists into his face. A hand gets placed on my shoulder.

"Look."

A voice I can't quite place pulls me out of my trance. I look back at my dad, but it's not him.

Aylah lays limp, covered in her own blood at my feet. I throw myself back as I start to wretch. My eyes stay glued to her as she opens her eyes and looks at me.

"Look at what you're capable of now. They've completely ruined you, Calen."

She starts moving forward as apologies start spewing from my mouth.

"Look at yourself."

A mirror materializes in her hands and she thrusts it in my face.

I force myself to stare at my reflection.

My stomach sinks as my dad stares back at me.

I slam my eyes open as my heart beats out of my chest and my breathing comes out in bursts. I detangle my limbs from hers as I stand on shaky legs and walk to the bathroom.

I throw the bathroom door open and look in the mirror. My beaten face looks back at me and I sigh in relief.

Well my sleep is shot.

I carefully and quietly walk out to the living room.

I reach the kitchen and decide to grab a glass of water. Quiet anger lingers just below the surface as I start to fill the glass. My mind brings me back to the cell. To the men. To the beatings.

I squeeze the glass and it shatters in my palm. I throw the shards in the sink and lean on my hands as I try to catch my breath.

The memories keep slamming into me. I desperately try to push them away, but they're relentless. I grab a shard of glass and bring it to my arm.

"Still doing that, huh?"

My blood runs cold as the all too familiar voice sounds from behind me.

"What are you doing here?" I spit out.

"You think my son is saved and I won't come to see him?"

A laugh bubbles up in my chest. It's not long before I'm full on laughing.

I hear a door open and a sleepy Archer makes his way down the hall.

"Get the fuck out." I snap as I calm down. I turn my back to him and start towards Archer.

I feel him place his hand on my shoulder, his grip tight.

"Don't you dare turn away from me."

I freeze in my spot and look dead ahead at Archer. His eyes grow wide.

"Fuck. Shit, Caden!" He yells down the hall.

I whip around and punch him square in the jaw.

He lands flat on his back and I'm on him before he can gain his senses. Just like in my dream, I slam my fists relentlessly into his face. I revel at the crack of his bones under his skin. I get down right giddy as the blood starts to pour.

"Get. The. Fuck. Out." I scream.

Hands grab my arms as I'm yanked off of him.

"Stop! You'll kill him." Cole yells.

"Good!" I grit, fighting against their hold.

"Not now, Calen." Caden says in a hushed voice. He grabs my face in his hands.

"Do not let her see you kill a man with your bare fucking hands. Do not make her have to live with that."

I blink a few times and see Aylah standing in the corner.

"Don't worry about me, baby." She walks towards my dad and kicks him in the ribs. "As far as I'm concerned, he has this coming."

I smirk at her as my mind calms.

"Jesus fucking Christ. A damn match made in hell." Caden says,"how about you two go for a walk. Breathe a little bit."

Aylah trots up to me and grabs my hand.

"Come on, handsome. Let's go plot."

She leads the way and I follow her. In that moment, I realize I'd follow her off a damn cliff if she asked me too.