Lover/Leaver (Jake Kiszka)

Chapter 19: Run like the Wind

The room was dark, the only light coming from the faint glow of the city outside the window. Amelia lay in bed, her mind drifting into a restless sleep.

Suddenly, she found herself in a familiar place, her old apartment with Derek. The memory played out like a scene from a nightmare, vivid and inescapable. Derek was yelling, his face twisted with rage.

"Why do you always have to be so difficult?" he shouted, his voice echoing through the small space.

Amelia felt herself shrinking back, her heart pounding. "I'm not trying to be difficult, Derek. I just want to understand—"

Before she could finish her sentence, Derek's hand flew out, striking her across the face. The shock and pain were overwhelming, her vision blurring as tears filled her eyes.

"You don't need to understand anything!" he spat, his voice full of venom. "Just do as I say!"

Amelia gasped for air, her heart racing. The dream shifted, the room spinning around her as Derek's anger and violence replayed in a loop. She felt trapped, suffocated by the memory.

With a start, Amelia jolted awake, gasping for a breath. The room was still dark, and she was drenched in sweat. Her eyes darted around, taking in her surroundings. She was in the hotel room, not her old apartment. Derek was not here.

She turned her head and saw Jake asleep in the chair next to her bed, his hand still holding hers. His presence should have been comforting, but the fear and anxiety from the dream clung to her, making her feel panicked and trapped.

"Jake," she whispered, trying to steady her breathing. "Jake, wake up."

Jake stirred, blinking his eyes open. "Amelia? What's wrong?"

She pulled her hand away from his, her voice trembling. "I... I need you to leave."

Jake sat up, concern etched on his face. "What? Why? What happened?"

Amelia shook her head, her heart racing. "I just need to be alone. Please, Jake, just go."

Jake hesitated, his eyes searching her face for answers. "Amelia, talk to me. What's going on? Did you have a nightmare?"

Her breath quickened, her voice rising in desperation. "I said get out, Jake! I don't want to talk about it. Just leave me alone!"

Jake's expression turned to one of shock and hurt. "Amelia, please, let me help. You don't have to go through this alone."

She stood up, her entire body trembling with fear and frustration. "You don't get it, Jake! I can't talk about it. Not with you, not with anyone. Please, just go!"

Jake stood his ground, his voice firm but gentle. "I'm not leaving you like this, Amelia. I care about you. Let me be here for you."

Amelia's eyes blazed with a mix of fear and anger. "You can't help me, Jake! You don't understand what I've been through. Just leave!"

Jake took a step closer, his voice steady and calm. "Then help me understand. Let me in, Amelia. I'm not going to let you push me away."

The tears she'd been holding back finally broke free, streaming down her face. "You don't know what it's like," she sobbed. "You don't know what he's capable of."

Jake's expression softened, his heart breaking for her. "You're right, I don't. But I want to. I want to understand what you're going through so I can help you."

Amelia shook her head, her voice a desperate whisper. "I can't, Jake. It's too much. I can't relive it."

Jake moved closer, gently taking her hands in his. "You don't have to relive it alone. I'm here, Amelia. I'm right here."