Shattered ✓

T W E N T Y - E I G H T

Alexa

I was hugging tightly onto Cameron, tears pouring from my eyes. Cameron wrapped a protective arm around me, which made me feel safe, but I was still so horrified by what I saw. Zach had went to go throw the box away with its contents, and Cameron and I were waiting for his return.

After what felt like hours but was probably only seven minutes max, Zach came back through the front door. I wondered where he threw the box away at, but I didn't think that I wanted to know.

I only told Zach and Cameron about what happened. Justin, Jason, Andrew and Ryder were all still asleep. I was hysterical trying to explain what had happened, but they had quickly realized when I had showed them the box.

I look up at Zach through my teary eyes. He looked mad. Was he mad at me? I swallowed. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything. I could have dealt with it on my own, but I was so scared and so horrified, I didn't know what else to do but to tell my older brothers.

"Alexa, are you going to be okay?" Zach asked. His voice was stern, but not mean.

I nodded and wiped my eyes. "Th-thank you," I said, my voice barely a whisper. I'm a burden to both Zach and Cameron. They shouldn't have to deal with my psycho ex boyfriend. God, I'm so fucking stupid.

Cameron hugged me even tighter and I melted in his embrace. I want to be able to forget about Benny, but how could I when he's leaving dead cats on my bed? He's been in my house.. That thought scares me.

It was only three in the morning, and I was so tired but too scared to sleep. And I had woken up Zach and Cameron like a baby thinking their  monsters under the bed. They're probably tired, too.

"We—we should all go back to bed," I muttered, my eyes drooping just a tad.

Zach's face hardened and Cameron's grip around me tightened.

"You are not sleeping by yourself," Cameron tells me. "That lunatic was in your bedroom probably watching you sleep."

I gulp, my face paling at the thought. "I can sleep out here," I said.

"Alone?" Zach said with furrowed eyebrows. "Not the best idea, Lex." He put a finger to his chin to think.

"She could sleep in my room," Cameron suggested.

In my nightmare Benny had taken Andrew.

What if something like that did happen? What if Benny hurt any of my brothers?

"I—I have a suggestion," I spoke up.

Zach and Cameron look at me, and I swallowed thickly.

"Well," I started, "I—I had a dream that—that Benny took Andy, but—but—what if so thing like that did happen? With any of you? Maybe we can all pair up... maybe... I'll feel better if no one was alone..."

Was that a stupid idea?

Maybe I have no reason to be so scared. But I didn't want to risk it. I wouldn't put it past Benny to try something like that.

Zach nodded. "Yeah, I see where you're coming from," he said. "I do think that's a good idea. You'll be with Cameron, I'll be with Andrew, and I'll have Justin, Jason and Ryder together."

I nodded in agreement, noticing that he put the three younger ones with someone older and more capable if something were to happen.

***

I was cuddled up to Cameron, the room being pitched black. I was too scared to sleep alone and he didn't want me out of his line on sight, so I was sleeping on his bed with him.