Twisted Truth

Chapter Thirty Five

ADDIE

Panic hits me like a bolt of lightning, my eyes fly open, and I don't recognize where I am. Stark white walls fill my vision, is this real? I try to move but I can't, my hand is trapped by another. I crank my head to the side to find a sleeping Rocco.

The erratic beep of the machine behind me is a clear indication I am going into full blown panic mode. The persistent beeping alerts the sleeping body that has my hand grasped in a tight clutch.

Rocco is forced from his slumber and his sleepy eyes meet my panicked ones. He shoots up straight in his chair and stares at me with wide eyes. It's as if he can't believe I'm awake.

Well, that makes two of us.

"Baby, you're awake! Oh god I am so sorry!" He whispers, bringing me into his arms.

The action has me flinching, but I let him do it anyway. The look in his eyes tell me he needs this. I need it as well; I just have to keep telling myself that I'm no longer in that place. It's just Rocco that is touching me, no one else. But as I close my eyes all I can see is John.

I push him away, no longer able to stand the touch. The action has Rocco releasing me almost instantly. Hurt flashes through him bit it disappears quickly.

"I'm sorry." I croak out, unable to look at him. Guilt consuming me but I just can't stop the feeling of that man touching me.

"Hey, you have nothing to be sorry for. It's okay." Rocco reassures me.

Before I can say anything in return a flurry of nurses and doctors enter the room. The notion has me tensing, curling up as small as possible. I don't want to be around anyone right not. If they aren't Rocco, I don't want them near me.

It's all just too much.

"Could you give her a minute. It's getting a bit too much." Rocco speaks up, sensing that it's too soon for all of this.

I don't want to talk to anyone right now. My whole body feels like it's on fire and my head feels like it's about to explode. Looking down I notice the track marks and all the memories come rushing back. I clamp my eyes shut to try and keep them at bay.

"Just breath Addie, they are gone. It's just you and me. You have to breath. In and out baby in and out."

I focus on Rocco's calming voice and do what he is instructing. I had long slow breaths to try and calm down. I notice my heart rate begins to normalize and my body begins to feel fatigued.

It's not long before I am drifting back into a dreamless sleep with the comfort of knowing I'm safe with Rocco.

"Is she okay!? When did she wake up?"

The sound of my brother barging into the room has me jolting up right. My heart hammering in my chest as the sudden entrance.

"She was sleeping." Rocco deadpans sending a glare Daniel's way.

Daniel goes to step forward, but I shake my head. I really don't want to have to speak to him right now. I can't.

"Leave." The word comes out timid but it's still loud enough for Daniel to hear.

"What? Addie, it's me."

"I need you to get out." I say with a bit more conviction. When he doesn't leave, doesn't even move an inch I scream.

"GET OUT!"

I can't explain it but looking at him is like looking that monster in the eyes. I know it's not Daniel's fault and I'm not blaming him, but I can't be in the same room as him right now.