Converse and Vans

Sleep Paralysis

TW: memories of SA

Charlie

"So what's step three?" Charlie asked as they sat at the small kitchen table, Charlie drinking his coffee and Nick drinking his tea.
"Police." Nick said quietly.
"Nick, I can't." Charlie whispered.
"You have to Char." Nick said softly, reaching out and gently taking Charlie's hand in his.

Just the thought of talking to the police terrified Charlie. It had been hard enough telling Nick and he hadn't gone into detail. To tell them he'd have to relive it and that was something Charlie couldn't do.

"I'd have to go into detail about what happened." Charlie said quietly.
"But that scum is still out there, possibly doing it to other people." Nick said, his voice still gentle but with an urgency to it.
"That's not my responsibility." Charlie said defensively and pulled his hand away from Nick's.

Charlie was silent for a few seconds before he spoke again, Nick's expression remained soft.
"I'm sorry." He whispered, reaching out for Nick's hand again.
"Don't be sorry." Nick said gently, taking Charlie's hand, "just please don't push me away."
"I don't want to." Charlie said quietly.
"Please just think about going to the police."
"We'll go tomorrow."
"Are you sure?"
"You're right, I need to at least try and stop him doing it again."
"I'm so proud of you Char." Nick said softly, giving his hand a gentle squeeze.
"Will you come with me?"
"Of course I will." Nick said and raised their interlocked hands, kissing Charlie's.
"You're such a sap." Charlie teased, giggling.
"You'd better get used to it." Nick smiled and kissed his hand again which made Charlie giggle.

🍂🍂🍂

Charlie held tightly onto Nick's arm as they stood outside the police station.
"You okay?" Nick asked gently, turning his head to look at Charlie.
"I think so." Charlie said shakily.
"I'll be with you the whole time, I promise."
"But you're going to have to listen to what happened."
"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine." Nick said softly, lifting Charlie's chin with his fingers and pressing a kiss onto his lips.
"I love you." Charlie whispered.
"I love you too." Nick whispered, rubbing the tip of his nose on Charlie's.

They walked into the police station and over to the front desk. A kind faced woman looked up at them and smiled.
"How can I help?" She asked warmly.

Charlie started to shake and his heart was pounding. His mouth was dry and he wasn't even sure he could speak. He squeezed Nick's bicep with his hand, something that was quickly becoming a comfort to him as if it reminded him he was safe with Nick.

"I need to report a sexual assault." Charlie said quickly and he felt Nick's hand over his.
"Take a seat and someone will be with you." She said softly.
"I'm so proud of you." Nick whispered as they walked over to the waiting area.

🍂🍂🍂

They were called into a room with sofas, cheerful painting and a machine that dispensed, coffee, tea and water. A man and a woman were sat on one of the sofas with clipboards and sympathetic expressions.

Charlie sat down opposite them and Nick gave him a cup of water before sitting down beside him. Charlie reached for his hand and squeezed it tight. He needed as much contact as possible if he was going to do this.

"Whenever you're ready." The woman said softly and smiled reassuringly at Charlie.

As Charlie went into detail about what had happened that night and the man and woman wrote notes, he squeezed Nick's hand tighter and tighter. He couldn't look at him, he knew he'd start crying if he did.