Eye of the Hurricane

Chapter 25 - Sage

Chase and I had a weekend of full bliss. We never left the apartment, closing ourselves off to the outside world and enjoying each other. I've never been so happy in my life but it makes me wonder when it will all come crashing down. It has before and nothing stays perfect forever.

I go home, or back to Kelsey's and then my apartment, Sunday evening. I wanted some alone time to prep for my piercing class tomorrow. I've been watching training videos and I'm ready to put some of my knowledge to use.

I enter my apartment and look around at how empty it is. It seems so sad and empty to come back here now after being at Chase's. I know that I'm being stubborn and I should just go back with him but I don't want to rush things and I need a backup plan if things go south. 

I sit my bag down on the counter and get a glass from my cabinet. I've slowly been stocking things back up in here. So far, I don't have any more furniture but I do have some things in my kitchen and bathroom back. 

I fill my glass of water up and drink while I go to the shower. Letting the hot steam roll over me, I take the chance to do an everything shower. I need it after this weekend. Any time we made it to the shower, there wasn't much washing involved. 

Once I finish up, I grab a towel and wrap around me and go towards my bedroom. When I push the door open, all of the air is sucked out of my lungs when I see a figure in front of me.

I try to turn but they're on me before I can get my legs to move. I try to scream, but my mouth is covered. In the moon light, I can make out who has me. I've been so worried at night when I stay here that I don't sleep. With Chase, I can with an occasional nightmares. Right now, my nightmare is standing right in front of me. 

It's him. Christian.

"Go ahead and scream, Sage. No one will be able to hear you." His grip tightens around my arm and mouth and I can feel it bruising me. I shake my head to try to get him off of me but he's too strong. 

"I told you that if you ever ran, I would find you. Did you not think that I would?" He throws me down on my mattress and is straddling me, crushing my lungs until I can barely breath. "I've been looking for you. I finally found you but you weren't here. I tore this place apart to try to find you"

I try to control my breathing but they're short and my whole body is shaking knowing what's about to come. I could fight it but it just leaves me more hurt. If I just lay still and take it, it'll be over faster. I close my eyes so I don't have to watch this monster hurt me.

He slaps be across my face just once. It's not enough to leave a mark. He never leaves them on what's visible. The only time he did, his dad questioned him. Christian made up a story that I had hit myself installing shelves in the closet. He believed him. Everyone always believed him. 

"Open your eyes when I'm speaking to you." He grits out. His jaw tense as he grabs my arms again.

"Please, Christian. Leave me alone." I plead but it's no use. I see the hate in his eyes as he swings back and hits me in the chest. I let out a loud scream but his hand covers my mouth and it feels like I'm suffocating, unable to take a breath.

"Where have you been, Sage. You will not hide from me. Where have you been staying?"

He lets go of my mouth and I gasp for breath but he only does it so he can hit me again.

"Answer me, damn it!"

I never show any emotion when he gets this way. It only ever makes it worse but thinking that you're free from this and never have to go back, makes it harder to hide how I feel. Tears start to run down my cheeks as I cry uncontrollably. He starts shaking me begging that I answer where I've been but I just shake my head back and forth.