From Foes to Flames

From Foes to Flames-part 6

Chapter 6

Adeline

I opened the door to see Matao standing in the middle of the room without a shirt, I knew he worked out but damn how does he have that many muscles. He turned around when he realised, I was there and quickly grabbed a shirt.

"Adeline what are you doing" he said with his voice raised louder than usual.

"You said that you would be in here" I replied quietly.

"You didn't want to give me a chance to get changed first?" He snapped back. I could feel more tears forming in my eyes. I really thought he would never raise his voice at me yet here we are.

"I'm sorry" I spluttered out before turning to walk out with tears ready to roll down my face. I raced down the stairs heading to the front door. My vision was still blurry and now the tears were making it even harder to see. I get about halfway down the stairs before my foot slips on the edge of a step and my body falls forwards. Everything slows down and I know I can't catch myself; this will be it; I'm going to die in Matao Brown's house. What a way to go. Suddenly I feel a hard arm wrap around my waist and pull me back onto my feet. I am still frozen in shock when he spins me around and walks me up the stairs. He brings me back into the room and sits me down on his bed.

"Adeline whats wrong" he asked me sincerely. I open my mouth to say something, but nothing comes out. "Please Adeline I want to help you".

"I- "he looks surprised when I start to say something but his expression changes when I stop.

He sighs loudly before leaking his way over to the bed and laying down. He pulls me down into a laying position and pulls my body towards him. I feel safe, I've never felt safe before, so this is so new, and I love it.

"you're not leaving until you talk so unless you want to rot here you better start talking" he warns.

" that's ok with me" I mutter into his pillow without thinking, my brain is shutting down and I'm not thinking straight. My blurry vision begins to darken quicker than normal, and it feels nice.

I try to roll over when my sleep is disturbed but I can't move. My heart beats quicker as I begin to panic. I can feel something locked around my waist, but the room is too dark to see what it is. I wriggle one arm out and begin trying to push it off me. I feel something moving against my back and I begin pushing harder, scared and panicking. My breath begins to disappear slowly, and my throat tightens.

"You're ok Adeline" Matao reassures me as he wraps another arm around me. My breathing slows and I'm able to breathe again. I feel butterflies in my stomach hearing him say my name.

"I was going to take you to the hospital for your head, but you fell asleep" he said into my ear.

"No, no" I snapped back "whats the time?"

"Eight pm" he replied slowly letting out a quiet sigh.

"That's means I've slept through- "I feel him nod against my back "have you been awake the whole time?" Again, he nods against me. I let out a sigh before rolling over to face him and he lets me this time.

"Adeline" he said in a breathy voice "we really need to talk".

"What about?" I sighed.

"What's going on?" He asked.

"With what?" I asked knowing what he meant.

"You. Why are you acting so different?"he questioned me "when I grabbed your arm yesterday you started crying and I know that I wasn't holding you hard enough to make you upset, I know you're stronger than that. Then when I... in the cafeteria you cried".

I sighed and closed my eyes not wanting to answer his question.

"Adeline please" he begged. "I saw the bruises in the shower".

I froze in fear before letting out a sigh. He isn't letting me go until I tell him, and I can't stay here forever even though I want to "I fell over at home that's all" I have a list of excuses ready in my head in case this was ever brought up.

"I'm not stupid" he replied. I don't want to tell him, but I need to tell someone, and he seems like the kind of person who's not going to the police about it.

"We aren't even close why would I tell you?"I asked. He picked me up and locked my legs around his waist.

"Is this close enough" he asked. Yeah, this was making me very nervous.

I sighed before finally telling him "The bruises are from mum".

"And why are you so tired all the time?" He asked careful not to upset me.

"They kicked me out, I've been sleeping in my car, and I don't get the most rest in there" I finally told him. And I feel a weight lifted from my chest, a weight so heavy I feel like I could float through tho roof at any moment.

"But your car doesn't lock" he commented. I nodded and he let out a loud sigh "Where is your car?"

"Parked down the alley next to my house" I replied hastily. He unwrapped his arms from around me and turned on the light.

"My mum and brother are out of town you are staying here. I'm getting your car and bringing it back here, make yourself at home and help yourself to the food and drinks in the fridge" I didn't reply, he kissed me on the forehead got out of bed and walked towards the door "I'm taking your bag your keys should be in there, get some rest please".

"But- "he walked out and closed the door before I could finish my sentence. I laid in his bed for another 20 minutes before I fell asleep again.