I'll keep you safe

Chapter 22

Eddie pulled up on the drive, grabbing his bag and getting out of the car. He slid the key into the lock, stepping into the house.

"Rach? It's only me" he called

"Up here!" Rachel shouted weakly from upstairs

Eddie climbed the stairs opening the door to Rachel's bedroom carefully.

He found her lying on the bed, her face pale and tired. The bruising around her face seemed to look worse. It was obvious she was in pain, her body was shaking.

"Are you alright?" He asked gently, kneeling on the bed beside her

Rachel shook her head, her eyes glistening with tears.

Eddie knew the fact she was admitting she was in pain wasn't a good sign. Rachel was the kind of person who would never admit she was in pain unless it was really bad.

Eddie took her hand gently, resting it in his own.

"What do you need?" He asked, desperate to comfort her or help in some way

Rachel shook her head

"Nothing, I'm ok" she whispered

"Rachel, I'm here to help. Tell me what you need" Eddie persisted

Rachel sighed

"Look, I can't stand up and I... need the toilet" she admitted, immediately blushing in embarrassment

"Ok, let me help you up then" he decided, unfazed

Rachel nodded

He walked around to the other side of the bed. Carefully, he wrapped his arm around Rachel's waist, helping her to sit up slowly. The whimper that escaped her lips made him stop.

"Are you ok?" He asked, slightly panicked

Rachel nodded tiredly

"Just help me stand up, please?" she pleaded

Eddie nodded, putting her arms around his neck so she'd be able to lean on him. He slowly began to help her to stand.

Rachel screamed, crying out in pain as she let go of Eddie, sitting back down on the bed. She put her head in her hands, sobbing.

She closed her eyes, wish it would all go away. The pain, Stuart, everything that had led up to this moment.

Once again, she was back at Waterloo Road, back in her office, Stuart kicking and punching her relentlessly, pinning her to the floor. She saw his sickening grin as she begged him to stop.

Eddie sat down beside her

"Rach, its ok" he soothed

He placed his hand on her shoulder

"DON'T TOUCH ME!" Rachel screamed, flinching away from him

Eddie quickly withdrew his hand, tears welling up in his eyes. He hated seeing her like this, especially when there was nothing he could do to comfort or help her.

He stood up from the bed

"I'll leave you for a minute Rach, ok? I'll just be downstairs" he told her

Rachel looked up at him, her eyes filled with guilt.

"No, Eddie, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you" she whimpered

"It's ok" Eddie soothed, sitting back down beside her gently

"No, Eddie it isn't! None of it is! I'll never be ok again!" She cried