Southern Belle |M.C|

Chapter 21: Demons

**Trigger Warning: Abuse & Self Harm.** If you guys ever need to tell me something, I'm always here for you. Read on, and I'll update soon. ~xoxo Zar :)

I started running into the barely visible trail that lead into the forest. In my haste, I had forgotten my jacket, and all I had on was a thin sweatshirt. It was getting chillier as the sun went down, but if everything was still in order, I'd be okay. I passed the twisted tree that Belle and I used to paint every summer. Past the little pond where we'd play in the mud. Past the weeping willow where Jack had been my first kiss. Just a few more yards; I could see it. The treehouse Mr. Crawford helped Belle and I build when we were 11 years old. We both wanted an escape. She was dealing with the loss of AJ and I was dealing with my own set of problems. I hadn't been back this way in two years, but the tree house still stood, high above the ground in perfect shape.

I threw myself into the ladder and climbed it, feeling a familiar lump start to form in my throat. I hoisted myself up through the floor and into a small 6x10 enclosed room. There were blankets covering the carpeted ground and the windows were closed. The roof was in perfect shape, shielding my from the elements. I dug around through one of the toy chests until I found a large plush blanket. I collapsed into a worn out bean bag, wrapped myself in the blanket, and let myself cry uncontrollably.

I cried for hours. Years of refusing to do it can build up enough tears to drown the whole town. My breathing was shaky and my eyes itched. But my face was wet, like I'd just ran through a sprinkler. I'm sure my makeup was smeared beyond saving. I never wanted to leave this treehouse. I didn't want to relive the memories of my past. They were supposed to stay in the past, not haunt my future.

My only distraction from the memories was the thought that Luke had noticed. he had noticed everything. No matter how hard I trained myself not to flinch, he saw it. How casual I seemed while scouting out exits, he saw it. My poker face that was the result of years of practice, he saw right through it. I was surprised he couldn't read my mind, he had seen so much. He knew there was something I was hiding, a secret as old as I was. A secret Belle didn't even fully know. A secret I had no intentions of sharing with anyone.

"Savannah!" Someone calling me tore me away from the gloomy sphere I had created. I sat up, blanket still wrapped tightly around my shoulders. They called gain, multiple voices this time.

"There it is. She's gotta be in there. If you asked about that, she wouldnt go home." Belle explained.

"Will you at least tell us what's going on?" Michael complained.

"It's not my place to tell you." Belle snapped. "Sorry, this is just a very delicate thing. She doesn't tell anyone about this, ever."

They were close now, right under the ladder. Muffled voiced deliberated as to who would climb up the ladder first. I didn't hear who won, but someone started to climb up all the same. I saw a blonde quiff before I saw anyone's face. Luke had been the first to come up.

"Savv?" He asked quietly. His eyes fell on me, and I could see how red they were.

"Here." I squeaked, refusing to move from my bean bag. Luke signaled to the others down below, and nobody came up after him. He pulled himself into the tree house and crawled over to me. He rested his head on my knees and looked at me like a sad little puppy. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be." I wiped my eyes, probably smearing my makeup worse than before. "There's just a lot of stuff going on up here. I don't like it."

"You don't have to tell me, but can I guess?" Luke asked. It sounded like a fair deal. Maybe he'd guess wrong, and I wouldn't have to tell him. But secretly, I was dying to let it all out. 18 years of guarding myself had worn me down. I had little resolve left.