𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐙𝐄𝐍 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄 (𝐄𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐚𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝)

CHAPTER 33 - REALITY -

TW

CHAPTER 33 -

ROSELYN.

"Hm?" He turned his head to his left, looking at me.
I swallowed down the lump in my throat.
"I-I..."
I took a deep breath.
My palms were sweaty, my voice was shaky and thin.
"I wasn't completely honest."

Erling's face changed. "What do you mean?"
He looked confused and concerned at the same time.
I didn't manage to look into his eyes.
Instead, I bent my legs and hugged them with my arms tightly.
My gaze was on my lap.

"T-this wasn't his first attack."
My voice became shakier and shakier.
"He has been beating me for months."

I didn't look at Erling, but I knew by the way how his breathing changed, that rage flooded his body.
"B-but not only that-"
I swallowed.
I didn't know how to put in words what Brody had done to me.
Tears rolled down my cheeks.
Suddenly, I felt Erling's hand gently grabbing mine.
Immediately, I turned my head to look at him and then down to our hands.
He gently caressed the back of my hand, trying to calm me down.
His warm hand touching mine, made me feel some type of way.
A good way.
"H-he's been coming into my r-room for a few months, now."
My breathing got heavier.
"He's...-he raped me...multiple times."
I couldn't help it, but break down in tears.
I withdrew my hand from Erling to use both of my hands to hide my face.

Saying those words out loud made me realize even more how fucked up it was.
This wasn't a bad dream or anything, this was my reality.
My dark and painful reality.

I didn't here Erling say anything.
At this point, I wasn't even sure, if he still was with me.
But then, suddenly, I felt him move closer to me and carefully put one arm around my shoulder.
I didn't look up, or say anything.
All I wanted, was to be held by Erling.
He was the only one who could give me comfort in a moment like this.

When he was sure, that I didn't mind his touch, he gently pulled me into his arm by, also, wrapping his other arm around me.
I rested my head on his shoulder, while being exhausted from crying.
Erling carefully ran his fingers over my upper arm, trying to calm me down and give me the comfort, I needed so desperately.

I had no idea how long i just stayed in his arms, tears dripping down my face, and my sobbing being the only sound in this room.
He didn't let go of me for one second.
He was just there.
He was all I needed right now.

All of that crying made me tired.
Therefore, it didn't take me long to fall asleep while sitting on his bed, leaning against the wall while being held by him.

The next time, I opened my eyes, I was still in Erling's bed.
But, it wasn't sitting anymore.
I laid on his bed, flat.
To my right, Erling was sleeping next to me.
One of his arms was still around me, holding me tight, even though, he was asleep.
A blanket was spread out on top of us.

I remembered what I told him.
That I told him about Brody.
I didn't regret it, but the thought of him knowing, made me feel miserable.

I tried not to think about it, but just close my eyes again and fall back to sleep again.

After, what felt like an eternity, I opened my eyes again and immediately felt sunbeams shining through the window.
I turned my head away from the window to my right, where I thought I'd find Erling.
But he wasn't here, anymore.