Saved by the stars

Chapter two - flashback x

Major tw for flashbacks and references to abuse and panic attacks.

Italics represent flashbacks

Sam's pov
I can feel the hands of my dad as he hit me again, but all i did was ask what time tea was going to be ready, at first this was a once a month thing but now it's become more and more common and it's getting hard to hide the marks. I see the way the teachers look at me when my sleeves roll up and I'm wondering if it's time to ask for help. But before my train of thought continues I am snatched up by my dad and thrown outside, no doubt where I'll be for the night.

Leah's pov
I can see her spiralling as she starts to pick at her nails and become more distant so I do the only thing I know what to do and call my arsenal teammate viv, she has been very open about her mental health struggles and seems to be one of the only people who can get through to sammy, which breaks me to an extent I'm not ready to admit.

Viv's PoV
I get a text from Leah with three simple words that I know all too well.
'It's happening again'
I immediately grab myle and tell Beth I'll be back in a bit.
As I reach the house I can hear the dismantled screams, this one is worse than the other that I witnessed.
As I entered the house with my key coping mechanisms that I had packed in a bag just in case I needed them. I soon reached the distressed young girl and Leah left, as I'm sure this sight is very upsetting and despite not wanting to admit it she definitely needed a cup of tea and time to process. I soon got to work with helping Sam I could clearly tell this was a flashback from similar experiences I've had in the past, I didn't want to trigger her into a complex flashback and although she couldn't respond I was sure she could hear parts of what I was about to say.
'Sam I'm not going to hurt you, you are safe here, it's you're sisters friend Viv and I'm going to give you a weighted blanket to try and ground you'
I know that this is going to shock her despite what I said but slowly hand her a weighted blanket which she takes and I soon witness her seem to break through the flashback. She does however start seemingly punching her arms to which I soon intervene and hold her hands. She then breaks down crying and gasping for air so I talk her through my usual coping mechanism

Sam's PoV
I still feel the quick hits my dad takes between the bottles of beer but I soon hear a fragmented voice telling me I'm safe and before I know it I am in a room with viv. I feel so angry that he got away with doing that but also that I didn't stop him and before I know it viv has my hands in hers stopping me from subconsciously punching myself, a habit I have, although often don't notice. I feel the room start to cloud and before I know it I can't breath or think straight, Viv asked me 'what's something you can see beginning with s?'
It takes me a moment before responding 'seashells' which I had collected in a jar from the second day after I had moved in with Leah and when I finally felt at peace.
She responds with 'how about beginning with a?'
I take a moment before saying 'Arsenal shirts'
You can't be in a Williamson household without owning something arsenal, we breath, eat and sleep arsenal, that thought makes me slightly laugh.
Viv gently questions 'anything beginning with m?'
And before I know it myle jumps to me and I pull her into a hug, I find comfort in animals as they don't judge, I sometimes think viv feels the same. She really seems to understand.