Cold

Chapter 1: I Love You

Aurora's POV:

TW: Abuse

     I've been taking some time to myself today with Nick out of the house. It's been consistent shouting and throwing things whenever something doesn't go his way or he gets caught fucking another girl. I stand in front of the mirror, inspecting the bruise forming on my cheek from the fight this morning as well as the burn mark on my neck. 

     As I go to inspect my injuries more I hear the front door slam. I guess it's too much to ask for a peaceful night. Before I can even go to leave the bathroom, Nick barges in. Rage filling his red eyes as he pins me to the wall. I already know fear filled mine as they meet his. "N-Nick, let me go!" The nervousness making my voice shake.

    "Who is Liam?" He asks, anger taking full control of him. 

    "Liam? I don't know who you're talking. I swear." I try to back into the wall, but physically can't.

    "Then why the hell did a man named Liam ask me about you today?" His glare fills me more with fear.

    "I-I swear I don't know a Liam. At least not anymore." As I say this he shoots a fireball through the bathroom window.

    "Don't fucking lie to me!" He shouts, his rage filled voice echoing through the bathroom.

    "I'M NOT!" I shout back, shoving him hard off of me. I take this opportunity to run and slam the bedroom door, locking it behind me. I slide down the door, shaking as I hear him stomp down the hall. Only for a knock to echo through the apartment.

    "Get that, Aurora! I'm taking a damn shower." I hear the bathroom door close and I shakingly stand, slowly unlocking and opening the bedroom door. I make my way to the front door and open it slightly, finding a man with dusty blonde hair and grey eyes standing there. 

    "Hello? Can I help you?" I ask, keeping the door barely open. He gives me an encouraging smile and stretches his hand out for me to shake.

    "Hi, I'm Liam. I live right underneath you guys and I just wanted to check out what that noise was. It sounded like a window shattered." I open the door more and shake his hand, giving him a small smile.

    "I'm not sure what you're talking about. I didn't hear anything. I'm Aurora, by the way." I let go of his hand, hoping he doesn't believe me. I need help and with this damn cuff on I have very low chances of helping myself.

    He doesn't say anything for minute, trying to figure out what to say or do. "Here, take my number. Call or text me if you need anything." He hands me a small piece of paper with his number on it. "My apartment number is on there as well if you need to leave. I want to help. Goodbye, Aurora." With that, he takes off. I close the door, tucking the paper into my pocket just as Nick gets out of the bathroom.

    "Who was it?" He asks, a towel draped around his waist as he drips water all over the floor. His ginger hair dripping as he walks into the bedroom. 

    "The landlord asking about the bathroom window. He got a few complaints, but I told him I tripped and a brush flew out of my hand." The lie comes out easily. I don't need him to know that the same neighbor he was so pissed about earlier came to our door.

    "Okay, good. I would hate to burn your pretty skin again." He says in a teasing tone as he slips into some sweats.

     "Right." I say, my back facing away from him as I look out the kitchen window.

     "I love you." He walks up behind me, placing his hands on my hips. I want to throw up and cry. I want to run so far that there would be no way for him to find me. I want to be free. Free to use my powers, free to live, free from him.

     But, instead, I lie. I lie to save myself. I lie to see another day. I lie so he'll be satisfied. "I love you."

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    A/N: Thank you for reading chapter 1 of Cold. Like I've mentioned in the description, this story will contain dark/sensitive themes. If anything makes you uncomfortable please don't read if you can't. Take care of yourselves. If you do continue, I hope you enjoy the rest of the story. :)