When the Clock Strikes Midnight

5:00 pm

A/N: I am so sorry that I haven't been writing. This story is incredibly hard for me to write. But it's Thanksgiving break! So I plan to be publishing parts much more quickly. Also, we are officially 210 pages into this! Longest book I've ever written. Anyways, thank you so much for reading. I really appreciate all of you. 

I wake up, groaning as I start to roll over. I feel my head hit something warm but firm and I tense, slowly opening my eyes. I see Micheal's chest, which is still rising and falling in a steady rhythm. I slowly look up at his eyes, to see them still closed. I sigh, my body instantly relaxing more. He stirs and I hold my breath, scared that I woke him up. He sighs again, this time rolling away from me. I take the opportunity to sit up, waiting for my vision to reset as the room spins around me. Once my vision is normal again my eyes fall on some of the plastic water bottles he brought up earlier. I slowly move towards them, not wanting to wake him up. I grab one and drain it instantly, my throat still sore but feeling better. I hear soft footsteps in the hall and my pulse quickens as the door opens. It's Elizabeth, who is looking into the room in fear. Her eyes find mine and she quickly runs into the room, kneeling down in front of me. I smile weakly at her, looking her over for injuries that I know aren't there. She grabs my hand gently and I squeeze hers, letting her know that I am alright.

"Peach, Hailey is awake. She has been for a little bit. But I was too scared to come up here. And I didn't know if Daddy was still asleep. But he is. Can you come downstairs? Hailey has been asking for you." I look over at Micheal, who is still sleeping. I take a deep breath, turning back towards Elizabeth.

"Of course I will. You can head back downstairs now. I will be down in just a minute." She nods, getting up and walking out of the room. I turn towards Micheal, not wanting him to go downstairs with the others, but also not wanting to get punished for not telling him I was leaving. I decide that Hailey shouldn't have to see him and I force myself up, whimpering at the movement. I manage to get up and stumble towards the door, trying my best to keep the tears at bay. I look towards Micheal one last time before leaving the room, hoping that he stays asleep. I stumble down the hall, using the wall as support to keep me standing. I finally make it to the basement door and I grip onto the door handle, using it as leverage to get myself to the stair railing. My hand makes contact with the stair railing and I slowly start to move down the stairs, taking deep breaths while doing so. I finally reach the bottom and let out a breath I didn't know I had been holding. I look around the room, my eyes instantly landing on Hailey. I rush over to her, my brain forgetting all of the pain I have been in. I kneel beside her, looking her over and checking all of her injuries. She reaches out and grabs my hand, making me look at her eyes. She chuckles softly, a tear rolling down her face.

"Peach? I am so glad that you're here. Are you okay?" I laugh, tears starting to roll down my face. I envelope her in a hug, being careful not to hurt her but needing to feel her underneath me. I gently lift her up while in the hug so that she is sitting, but still able to lean against me. I look at Jack, who had been holding her. He also has tears running down his face, but is just watching the two of us. I finally pull back and look at Hailey, who has stopped crying and is scanning me for injuries.

"Did he hurt you anymore Peach? After he beat me?" I shake my head, not caring that I am lying to her.

"No. He didn't hurt me anymore. But you didn't have to take that beating. You really didn't have to. I would have been okay. I promise you." She shakes her head, looking down at my thighs, which are covered in whip marks, before meeting my eyes again.

"Yes I did Peach. He's obsessed with you. He wouldn't have stopped. Probably until you weren't breathing anymore. And I promise you that I am okay. I would rather take beating after beating from him than have you spend any more time with him." I laugh, tears glistening in my eyes again. Suddenly I hear footsteps in the stairs and I push Hailey gently but quickly towards Jack, turning to face whoever is at the stairs. It's Micheal, who is still rubbing sleep from his eyes. He looks around the room before his eyes meet mine, and he starts to walk towards me. He kneels in front of me, putting one hand around my throat, not squeezing, but using it as a tool to threaten me.