A story about love

10.

!TW - Panic Attack, PTSD, Anxiety!

Nick's pov-
I quickly sit up in bed, not knowing what to do. Should I answer? Shall I wake up Charlie? Should I hang up the phone?

My hand is placed on Charlies arm, he is still sleeping. His face looks so calm and peaceful first, but when he wakes up he shows a sense of thoughtfulness. When he hears the sound of the phone ringing in my hand, he quickly opens his eyes and looks at me.
"Char, it's your mother" I say softly. His body language turns to fear and terror, his whole body begins to shake as he lies next to me.
"I... I can't talk to her... I-I don't want to go home" Charlie mumbles quickly. I jump closer to him so he can rest his head on my chest.
"It is okay. We can ignore the call"

I watch on the phone as Jane stops calling after a few seconds. I'm about to tell Charlie that he came back to sleep, but am interrupted by his words before.
"I... I don't know.. what to do, Nick. I'm afraid. I don't know what she will do if I don't come home" he cries and covers his face with his hands. I run my fingers through his hair, which I know will calm him down a bit.
"I won't let her hurt you" I whisper in his ear and after a while Charlie has fallen back asleep in my arms.

—

Charlie's POV -
After only a few minutes we wake up again, but this time not by a ringing tone, but by a knock. A knock on the front door. My heart almost stops, I can almost immediately tell who it is. I look up at Nick in horror, who is looking at me questioningly with his tired eyes. Panic grows inside me and I freeze - unable to move or speak.

I hear the front door open, and Sarah greets the person on the other side. It's almost like I can smell her alcohol all the way up to Nick's room.
"Charlie! Where are you your ungrateful kid? You're going home now!" She screams and I feel my lungs tighten, I can hardly breathe.
"Charlie, come here now!" She screams and I fear every word. Nick embraces me but I still feel incredibly scared, unsafe. I hear the anger in her voice and I thinking about consider doing as she says, isn't that better for everyone?
"Mrs. Spring, Charlie's not feeling well and needs to get away from home for a bit" Sarah says to my mother and I can hear her trying to stay calm in this panicked situation. But my mother doesn't listen, in fact what Sarah said just makes her angrier.
"Move, Charlie is coming home with me!"
I look up at Nick who is still holding me. I feel the panic start to take over my body, really. My breathing quickens and I can feel my heart beating harder and faster. Resolutely, I pull myself out of Nick's hug and get off the bed, sitting on the floor with my back against the wall instead. I pull my knees to my chest while trying to gain control - even if I know I can't. Nick sits down on the floor with me, but doesn't hold me. He is just being there.

The tears start to flow again and my whole body shakes uncontrollably. All that is in my head are images of my mother's past violence against me. I don't want it to happen again, can't - but I can't stay here either.
"I.. I- maybe I sho.. should do as- as she says" I mumble quietly between sobs, and Nick quickly grabs my hand.
"No, don't even think that thought. You stay here. I promised to keep safe and secure" he replies and looks into my eyes with love and determination. Even if I can't really trust him fully, I nod.

But in reality I'm afraid.
Im terrified.