Shattered Asylum

Chapter 44

TRIGGER WARNING:

mentions of abuse and miscarriage

I slowly start to come to, like I'm waking up from a really long, deep sleep. My head is pounding, like I've been dragged through something I can't quite remember.

I blink a few times, and things start to come into focus, but it's all blurry at first.

As my vision clears, I see a few faces looking down at me, people who seem both worried and relieved. It's like they're hovering over me, making sure I'm okay.

I can't process much yet, but there's one thing I feel clearly, this intense weight, like a mix of dread and just... the sock of being alive right now.

~

I walk to lunch with Kristina and Nora. As we make our way to the cafeteria, my eyes immediately land on Ashley and Daniel sitting at a table, making out.

Her light brown hair is tangled, and Daniel is pulling at it. The image makes my stomach turn, and I can't help but remember what he said earlier. My throat tightens, and I feel the nausea creeping up.

Nora's voice pulls me back to reality. "So I was thinking you guys come to help set up for the party around 5 and we'll still have enough time to get ready." She says. I nod absentmindedly, not really hearing what she's saying.

Kristina nudges my arm gently, her face filled with concern. I give her a small, forced smile, then rub my eyes. At this point, I'm thinking being homeschooled might be the only way to feel safe.

We grab our food and sit down at a table. I barely touch my food, pushing it around on my plate, my elbow resting on the table while I hold my head in my hand.

"Are you okay?" Kristina asks quietly, watching me.

I shake my head, and then the tears start. I cover my face with my hands, trying to hold it together, but they keep coming.

Kristina doesn't say anything at first. She just grabs my arm and gently pulls me up, guiding me out of the cafeteria. We walk toward the soccer field, where no one's around.

Once we're there, I finally break down, collapsing into her arms. The sobs come fast, shaking my whole body. She holds me tight, offering quiet comfort.

She doesn't try to say the right words or tell me everything will be fine. She just lets me cry. I bury my face in her shoulder, letting all the grief and fear spill out. For a long time, it feels like I'll never stop.

She doesn't pull away, doesn't look at me like I'm broken. She just holds me, letting me fall apart.

I feel her arms around me, steady and warm, like she's holding me together when I feel like I'm falling apart.

I know she's not going anywhere. She's here, and that's enough. That's when I know I can finally tell her everything.

She won't leave me.

"D-Daniel raped me." I gasp, the words barely escaping between sobs.

She pulls me away from her, her hands gripping my face. "What?" She asks, searching my eyes for confirmation that she heard me right.

"He wants to try for another baby." I blurt out, my hands trembling as I hold onto her wrists.

"Y-You have a kid?" Her eyes widen, a mix of shock and disbelief flickering across her face.

I take a shaky breath, trying to steady myself before speaking. "He got me pregnant at 14," I finally manage. "He told my step father, Joe, that we were expecting, and he lost it. Said I ruined his business. He beat me so bad... I lost the baby."

She gasps sharply, her hand flying to cover her mouth. Her eyes fill with tears, and her face turns pale. "I'm so sorry," she whispers, her voice barely audible.

"The scars that you saw on my back are from Joe and Daniel torturing me. One of Joe's customers requested..." I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to block out the flashbacks breaking free from the box I had locked them in.

Her lower lip trembles, her struggle to hold back the flood of emotions written all over her face. I pause, overwhelmed by the sight of her tears and the raw empathy shining in her eyes.

She reaches out, her hand trembling as it lightly brushes against mine, a silent gesture of comfort and solidarity. Her tears mix with mine as we cling to each other, united in share pain.

"D-Did Joe ever..."She stops mid-sentence, too afraid to finish the thought.

"No, he would just-" I stop myself, unable to say it again. Letting out a shaky breath, I finally look up at her. "No, he didn't."

Her eyes lock onto mine, intense and unwavering, leaving me feeling exposed under her gaze. There's no need for words, the understanding in her expression says it all.

A quiet acknowledgment of the pain I carry.

~

"Where did you and Kristina go during lunch?" Nora asks as we make our way to History. Kristina and I skipped study hall and math, choosing instead to sit on the soccer field and pour our hearts out to each other.

"We just needed to talk about something," I say, scratching the back of my head, hoping she doesn't press for more details.

Nora doesn't seem to mind though, her eyes brighten as she glances at me. "How're you and Grayson? Everything still good?" She asks, her voice light but curious.

I change the subject, hoping to keep my own feelings under wraps. "Everything's fine. How about you? What's going on with you and Vinnie?"

She sighs, her gaze drifting off into the distance, a soft smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "It's perfect," she says dreamily, her voice quiet but filled with emotion. "I'm falling in love."

I freeze for a second, then I can't help myself, I squeal, grabbing her shoulders and shaking her with excitement. "I can't believe you just said the L word!!! I'm so happy for you Nora!" I say, my grin so wide it almost hurts.

Nora giggles at my reaction, her laughter filling the air as I wave my arms around like an overexcited puppy. I never thought I'd see the day when my best friend would admit she was in love, but here we are.

She was always the one who like to keep things light, to toy with guys' feelings without caring if it hurt them.

She never seemed the type to be serious about anyone, until now. Seeing her like this, so vulnerable and open, makes me feel this overwhelming sense of happiness for her.

She's found someone who makes her believe in love, someone who can hold the key to her heart without playing games.

Word Count:1144