Thoughtless Bet - Chenford

Breaking Shackles

Tim helped Lucy to the shop after she was cleared with the EMS, shut the door, and made way to the driver's seat.

He looked over once, and saw the exhausted, drained, little girl sitting as close as possible to the window.

"Lucy?" Tim's voice was soft.

"Hm?" Lucy hummed, eyes fluttering. She fixed at her robe, flicking her hair off her shoulder.

"What..." Timothy choked, gripping tightly onto the steering wheel. The drive wasn't far, only a few buildings down from Lucy's apartment complex.

"I- What did he do to you?" Bradford's voice cracked, his eyes large and tone small.

"He has a camera," Lucy mumbled, immediately turning her head to the window.

Please, no more yelling..

Timothy curved onto the parking lot, nodding calmly and keeping his focus on the apartment building.

After parking, Tim helped Lucy out of the shop, letting her arm hook around his torso. They slowly stepped up to the apartment complex, earning a few looks from some of the tenants.

"No, a camera. She said he grabbed it before he left her." Tim growled into the speaker.

Jackson ended the phone call, and Tim shoved his phone into his pocket, shaking his head with an angry huff.

He suddenly swooped Lucy with his arms, holding her in bridal style. She rested her head against his chest, gnawing at her cheek as her fiddled with the collar of Tim's uniform.

He walked up the stairs, making it look as though it was the easiest thing. Lucy smiled, a small one, impressed with how he hadn't grunted once.

Lucy always kept a spare in the small lamp beside her door, and she reached for it as Tim approached her apartment.

"There's a compartment, under the light." Lucy spoke, pointing to it with a shaky finger.

Tim nodded, reaching for it. He grabbed the small piece of metal, shoved it in the door and turned to open. For a moment, Lucy was hesitant to open her eyes.

This is my space, not Anderson's.

She opened her eyes, and let herself down from Tim's arms. She gripped onto the kitchen's island, and slowly made way to the sofa. He followed behind her, only a few steps behind.

"Don't, please?" Lucy croaked, her eyes large as she looked up at him. His mouth has been slightly opened, ready to repeat his question.

"Later?" He sat beside her, hands on his knees as he patiently waited for an answer. She gave a nod with a promising smile, and curled herself up to the edge of the couch, waiting for Tim to come closer.

She looked up, lifting her head slightly to look over. A small pout grew on her face when she noticed he had awkwardly been sitting there, staring at the window.

"Do you have to go back?" Lucy asked, propping herself on her elbow so she could see him clearly.

"No, Grey knows I'll be here. Jackson is gonna stay with Sterling but if you want I can call him to be here instead." Bradford suggested, waving his hands.

Lucy shook her head, and scooted over to Tim. She brought her blanket with her, placed a pillow on Tim's lap, then laid on it, placing the cozy blanket over herself. Tim looked down at her, a longing smile on his face. He placed his hand on her head, and ran it through her hair. She turned her body, looking up at him with glossed eyes.

"I'm so sorry I wasn't here. If I had convinced you to stay, this wouldn't have happened." Tim rested his palm on her stomach. Her eyes fluttered, trying to rid of the tears escaping the corners of her eyes.