This is me trying

epiphany

~only twenty minutes to sleep, but you dream of some epiphany~

Grace's version

We have been sitting here for ages before suddenly a thought pops into my head. I instantly pull away from the hug and Taylor looks at me, confused. "Uhm, you can't do anything with this." "What? Grace, we have to tell the police or your social worker." "No you literally can't do anything, you are still not cleared so you can't take me in and he will know I told you and he will kick me out or-" I rant before Taylor cuts me off. "Grace, it's okay, calm down, I will figure something out. I'm not letting you back in that house, I promise."

Taylor pulls me back into the hug and I try to calm down a little. She rocks me back and forth, trying to calm me down as well and a wave of exhaustion hits me. I try to fight it, but eventually fall asleep.

~

Taylor's version

After rocking Grace for a little while, I notice that her breathing has gotten more even and that she has fallen asleep. I carefully place her on the couch and cover her with a blanket. She looks so peaceful when she's sleeping, I can't believe this poor girl had to go through all of this again.

I leave her sleeping on the couch and walk into the kitchen to make some calls. I want to do this while she is asleep so she doesn't worry about it.

I make a little list of everything she told me, do I can stick to the same story and find the phone numbers I need to call, including her social worker, the police and the hospital.

~

After a couple long and dreadful phone calls, they are finally done. I have someone coming to inspect the house today, since after the phone call with the social worker, it's clear to me why that hasn't happened yet. The police are going to come by in a couple of days to get her official statement, after they arrest Jack and Ava and I am going to take Grace to the hospital today to get her checked out and if she's up for it, to get a rape kit done.

Just as I finish all this up, I hear noises coming from the living room and I rush to go check it out. I find Grace moving around on the couch, still asleep, mumbling stuff. It's clear she's having a nightmare, and I know how jumpy she can be, so I sit on the edge of the couch, trying to calm her down by talking to her, but it doesn't seem to work.

"Grace, honey, wake up. You have to wake up honey." She stirs slightly, but doesn't wake up, so I nudge her softly and she wakes up immediately, a terrified look on her face. She tries to breathe, but starts hyperventilating, I know what's happening, she's having a panic attack.

I softly grab Grace's hands, which are shaking. "Grace?" I need you to breathe for me, can you do that?" She shakes her head quickly, the panic in her eyes evident. "Alright can you tell me five things you can see?" "I-, uhm, I can see you, the uh-, the TV, the coffee table,the picture and my phone on the table." She answers with a shaky voice. "Good honey, can you tell me four things you can hear?" "Uhm, I can hear your voice, the uh- the cars outside, the birds and the uh- the wind." She says, still with a shaky voice, but slightly more steady than before. "Good job honey, can you tell me three things you can feel?" "I can feel your hands, the couch and the carpet." "Good, now can you tell me two things you can smell?" "Uhm, I can smell your perfume, and the pasta." "Good job, now last thing, can you tell me one thing you can taste?" "Uhm I- uh, I can taste the pasta you made earlier." "Yes, well done honey, now keep breathing for me." I say, exaggerating my breathing for her to copy.

After a while a breathing slows down to a normal speed and she calms down. "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have done that." "Do not apologize honey, it's not your fault, do you feel okay now?" She nods, looking at the floor. "Hey come here." I open my arms and Grace hesitates for a second before scooting into the hug. "It's okay, you'll be okay," I tell her, and I feel her body untense a little.