ENTANGLED STRINGS OF PAST

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Hazel Grey

**NIGHTMARE**

"You are not going to get rid of me Angel" I could hear Aiden's words ringing through my head. My heart wants to trust him. No one ever cared about me but he did. I'm afraid this is all a sweet dream and I will wake up in the same hell.

"I'm going to find you Grey" suddenly he called. The one I resented the most. The one who took everything from me. The one that doesn't deserve to live. The one I'm afraid of. I don't know why, everyone is afraid of me, I'm so capable that I can kill him barehanded but didn't. He is my worst nightmare. He broke me so much that I could not stand before him.

He is coming my senses altered me then he grabbed my hair. "Did you Miss me, sweetheart?" His horrible smile and his words made me disgusted.

He took my knife and started scratching my clothes and then my skin.

"Please leave me" I begged him.

"You have to take this punishment, sweetheart. I do this all to teach you some manners" he grabbed my hair again and forced me to look into his eyes, "this all is done to make you remember your place" he laughed.

He touched me and took away my sanity. Piece by piece tearing me apart, every day every night. My tears dried in my eyes, my words died in my throat. No one ever heard my cries.

"THEY WILL COME AND KILL YOU GREY"

"THEY WILL COME" "THEY WILL COME" "HE WILL FIND YOU "YOU ARE NOT GOING TO HIDE HIM FROM" "HE WILL FIND" "HE WILL PUNISH YOU"

STOP! STOP! STOP! I shouted

"Please don't hurt me PLEASE!!"

Suddenly my eyes opened. He was standing in front of me. No! Nononono

I fell from my bed. I ran towards the corner.

"Please don't hurt me. I'll never disobey you. Please" I begged him. I started coming towards me.

"Please" I cried. He was coming towards me I couldn't do anything. "STOP! I shouted

Then, he kneeled in front of me. His face came to light.

"I am not going to hurt you Angel. Please don't be afraid of me" I heard him saying. "Please don't run away from me Angel." He pleaded.

He is not him. He is Aiden my heart said.

"Please come to me" I extended his hand towards me. My heart wants to trust him. I want to trust him.

I grabbed his hand and curled my arms around him. I don't want to leave him. I hugged him tightly. I want to wrap myself in his warmth. I want him to take care of me.

My eyes started becoming heavy, and I didn't realize when sleep took over me again.

I opened my eyes and I was curled up in Aiden's arms, holding me protectively. His eyes were closed peacefully. I didn't know when he carried me to the bed but I was grateful that he stayed. Last night felt so real, all my nightmares and panic attacks were trying to control me. I don't want to be enslaved by my fears, I have to do something.

As I was thinking about this all, he opened his eyes too looking straight at me. For the first few moments, he didn't say anything so I also stayed silent.

"Are you okay?" his words were soft and calming, eyes filled with concern.

"Yes," I said. I wanted him to stay, with me just like now, but I know it's never going to happen. I am never letting it happen again. It's dangerous to have someone as a weakness. I am not making that mistake again. "You should go," I said freeing myself from his arms. I can feel confusion on his face but this is best for him.

"Freshen up and I'll see you at breakfast," he said and I nodded.

I went into the bathroom and took a burning shower. I opened the bandages layer by layer remembering everything. It was burning but I deserve this.

After the shower, I quickly got ready today I have to work on the plans. I have already wasted a lot of time.

I attached the knife to my thigh with a strap and walked downstairs.

"Hey are you okay?" someone asked me from behind whom I assumed was Mary.

"That's what I should ask you," I asked her, she was the one who didn't care about the gunshots last night.

"Oh I'm totally fine thanks to you" she smiled. I still remember what happened between us. I am not sure to trust her but if she wants to help me then I can use her.

"Let's go! I'm starving" she begged.

Aiden and Terry were already there fully dressed up while Anna was serving them food, "Good morning!" Mary exclaimed beside me. "Good morning my sweet girls," Anna said warmly. We both took our seats. I was sitting in front of Aiden.

"Can I have a cup of coffee?" I asked quietly. Anna was at first surprised but she eventually smiled, "Yes of course dear. Let me make a special cup for you"

"What are you doing about Dmitry?" I asked Aiden while taking a sip of coffee. Everyone's eyes widened at my single statement. "How do you know this all was done by Dmitry?" Terry asked before Aiden. "One of the men told me about him before dying" I lied. I know they will ask me questions so I am already prepared.

"Okay," he went back to silent. "Do you know about Dmitry?" Aiden asked. "I have heard of him" I lied again but I think this wasn't enough to make him believe, "when are you going to start working on your plan?" I tried to change the topic to a more intense one. He knew what I was doing but let it go. "Today" he stated. "Will it be able to work today?" he asked me. "Yes, I am ready" I declared. It's enough playing hide and seek with my past, now it's time to face it.

"Come on let's go," Aiden said after finishing the breakfast.

"Where are we going?" I asked him while following him to his car. No answers. He turned on the engine and told me to sit in the car. I sat silently with my eyes on the road.