Live A Little

Ch 17 : Panic attack

Warning- Mentions of Sexual assault, please be careful while reading. Love you all, stay safe :)

Alora's P.O.V

Accusations reverberated in my ears, raw and potent. His lingering touch was a ghost on my skin, the echo of his belt striking my back a chilling reminder. All the hidden fragments of my past were resurfacing, parts I had concealed because no one believed, no one cared.

"Alora", a distant voice called, making me recoil. They had stripped me of my identity, robbed me of everything.

"Alora", the voice drew nearer, accompanied by the sound of approaching footsteps." Oh God, are you okay?" The concern in the voice was louder than all the others. I slowly opened my eyes to meet his icy blue gaze, a stare that could freeze the sun. Elias extended his hand, but I recoiled. "Okay, okay", he reassured, stepping back slightly. "You're okay, you're safe", he affirmed, addressing the cacophony in my mind, responding to the phantom touches. "Should I get your brothers?" he asked, but I shook my head. Solitude was my only desire.

"Do you need a hug? My mom says hugs always make things better", he offered gently, his frosty eyes softening. I didn't need his pity or his comfort, but deep down, I knew I needed someone. So, I nodded, and he moved closer, giving me time to change my mind. "I still hate you", I mumbled, watching him sit beside me.

"I know", he whispered, his voice as delicate as a flower petal. I turned and leaned into his warm embrace. Resting my head on his shoulder, I closed my eyes, the voices fading slowly, though some persisted. I nestled closer as Elias returned the embrace, one hand cradling the back of my head, the other gently stroking my back. "You're okay, you're safe. No one can hurt you now", he continued to whisper, lulling me into darkness.

"Why are you holding my sister like that?" A distant voice yelled, but I couldn't open my eyes; they felt as if they were glued shut. "One minute you hate each other, and the next you're hugging. What kind of enemies are you two?" Another voice chimed in, but I found myself drifting away from them, sinking into an unfamiliar darkness.

(A/N - Flashbacks)

"How can someone be so pathetic?" Father spat, glaring at me.

"P-Pat- Pwathetic? What was that?"

"P-Pwathetic, whats that, Dad?" I asked, only to receive a sharp sting on my cheek that brought tears to my eyes.

"Ugh, you're five. Grow up. Its pathetic, and I am not your dad. Understand"? Father said in a terrifying tone. Why did he say he wasn't my dad? I looked down, maybe he was angry, or perhaps I was a disappointment, but I didn't understand what that meant.

-----

"Why are you such a disappointment?" Mother yelled at me, discarding all the food I had spent hours preparing. I thought maybe if I made her favourite dish, she would be proud, but as always, I disappointed her.

"I-I made y-your favourite, t-to make y-you happy", I stuttered, causing her face to contort in disgust.

"You're twelve for Gods sake, LEARN HOW TO TALK!" She screamed, making me flinch as tears welled up in my eyes. Would she leave me with those men again? I didn't want to go there.

Mother seized my arm, her nails digging into my skin as I suppressed a scream. She dragged me up to the attic and shoved me inside. It was freezing.

"Tonight, you're staying here", she declared, locking the door behind her. I pounded on the door, pleading, "Please, I-I am sorry. P-Please." But no one heard, no one responded. I looked back as the darkness engulfed the room. I kept knocking on the door, hoping someone, anyone, would hear. Mother often left me here for more than a day, forgetting she had locked me in. Tears streamed down my face as my body yearned for warmth, but I kept knocking on the door. Someone had to hear. They just had to.