hurt people, hurt people.

six

Siobhan felt a pang of guilt for what had happened between Roger and Reece. When Marjorie and her boyfriend had finally come back downstairs she had noticed that his demeanour had change completely. His usual cocky, confident self seemed to had disappeared and all that stood before them was a frightened little boy.

"Reece are you okay?" the blonde hesitated to ask but it felt necessary.

"I'm fine. My father shouldn't be an issue for you anymore" everyone could see him fighting to put his guard back up and it was beginning to work, but they all knew how he really felt.

Autumn and her brother exchanged a swift look in which told her exactly how he was feeling. She wanted to comfort him how he had comforted her when they were children but there was something that fought her from going over there.

Marjorie gestured for him to sit down alongside his sister and without hesitation he walked straight over. He didn't dare look the other blonde in the eye, it hurt to look at her after everything his father had done. If he had just sorted him out when he lived at home he wouldn't have been able to hurt any more women.

"You know you're not going to turn to stone if you look at me Reece" it hurt her to see that Reece's eyes were darting everywhere except for her eyes. She wanted him to look at her. She didn't want his pity.

He uncomfortably laughed, his eyes still resting on the counter in front of him. She let out a small sigh, disappointed that he wouldn't look in her direction. Was she that difficult to look at?

"I'm going to the bathroom" swiftly she launched up from her seat, walking as quickly as she could to the bathroom. All eyes were on her. She didn't want to make a scene but everything was getting too overwhelming.

As Siobhan exited the room, Marjorie waited until she was out of her line of sight before smacking Reece over the head. He flinched out of the way whilst she mouthed "what the fuck" and rolled her eyes. They had finally gotten her to open up and she head run straight back into her shell.

Siobhan ran into the bathroom shutting the door behind her. She knew she was embarrassing herself. She knew she should just leave. She knew she shouldn't cry and that she was a coward. Slowly she slid her back down the door, her head in her hands. Her sobs were muffled by the hands firmly placed against her face. Desperately trying to stifle her tears, she reached out towards the sink and pulled herself back up. She stared into the mirror before her. Her makeup had started to rub off, revealing the purple bruises adorning her skin. How could she go back out there like this? She couldn't bare the pity any longer. At first it was sweet but now it made her feel weak and idiotic.

Her hands firmly placed on the basin of the sink she dropped her head taking in everything that had happened. She reached towards the back of her head and stroked her hair. Part of it was still growing back from when Roger had pulled her so hard it ripped out of her head. That particular spot was extremely sensitive and any contact made it throb in pain. Her hair was everything to her, she put so much time and effort into it so when Roger ruined it she felt as if she was beginning to lose herself. Tears slowly escaped her eyes. She had to sort herself out. Wiping her eyes and combing her hair with her fingers she smiled directly into the mirror, her eyes still red from the tears. All of a sudden she heard a faint knock come from the other side of the door.

"One moment" she quickly pulled herself together dabbing away the remainder of her tears and taking a deep breath in. Slowly she unlocked the door and looked up to who was waiting for her outside. There stood Reece.

"Siobhan I'm sorry. There's absolutely nothing wrong with you I just- I can't look at you knowing I could have prevented what he did to you" he seemed as if he too was about to cry but he never did. It seems Roger was embedded in everyone's mind. He felt terrible for how he had made her feel, the entire time that he spoke his eyes remained on the floor. That was until he finished his sentence. He looked up and saw the deep purple bruises that littered her face and his heart dropped again.

She turned her head in embarrassment.

"No it's fine I was being dramatic. I apologise. You have been far too generous that was rude of me. Thank you for everything you have done." she genuinely meant it she was so grateful for everything they had done for her.

"I'm sorry for what you've been through" his eyes could not stop darting in every direction.

"I could say the same for you" they both stood in utter silence for a moment, appreciating the support.

Reece motioned his head back towards the kitchen, indicating for them to return back to the other two women waiting patiently in the other room. She nodded back as they walked back over.

"Hello you two" Siobhan never understood how Marjorie was always so positive it honestly baffled her. "Fancy a drink. I know I need one"

For the next few hours they all sat drinking and talking about anything and everything that came to mind. It was nice to have a conversation where she didn't have to feel in edge or as if she would say something wrong and face the consequences.

She spent a few nights with Marjorie and Reece, and she was slowly beginning to feel safer. They never forced her to do anything she didn't want to, she was allowed her own free time, her privacy and most importantly a choice. She was allowed to choose what she wanted to do. It felt strange and unfamiliar but god did it feel good.

There had been complete and utter radio silence from Roger ever since Reece had attacked him and although this seemed as if it was a good sign it did worry them. They all knew what he was capable of but they set it aside in order to help Siobhan to heal. After her collapse she had taken a few days off of work to recover but she was returning very soon. She was so happy to be returning to work again, although she loved the peace and time to herself, she was so incredibly bored and she needed something to do with herself before she lost her mind.

She was going to be okay. Roger wasn't going to break her. She was going to get through this. One step at a time.