STUTTER

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Skylar

Octavian left right after dinner. I stood up in an attempt to help clear up and mom shook her head. You guys can go and rest the maids will take care of everything. I shrugged and nodded going up with Jackson. Our rooms were right across the hallway. I walked into his room and into his closet. He stared quietly at me. Just borrowing a hoodie I said walking out. Hey! That's m-m-mine he exclaimed and I rolled my eyes. I know I said walking past him. Y-you can't h-ha-have it he said and I rolled my eyes. Watch me I said narrowing my eyes. No w-won-wonder you can't b-b-bre-breathe he said and I gasped dramatically before shrugging. I smiled and he shook his head don't you d-d-dare. I can talk I smiled and he rolled his eyes just as he tugged on the hoodie leave it he said and I shook my head. Give... he started and I dashed out punching his stomach on the way.
He groaned but still chased me. I squealed as I sprinted down the stairs with Jackson right behind me. Stellina it's not advisable for you to run... dad started but I run past him not hearing the rest of what he had to say. I run into the yard and Jackson followed.  Ju-just re-r-return it he said and I run faster. We run around for almost thirty minutes and I could feel the tightness in my chest and the gradual difficulty in breathing but no way I was going to give him that hoodie.  I  run back inside and tried to get to my room when papa caught me. I panted trying to catch my breath and unable to form words. Jackson followed right after but wasn't panting for breath like I was well cos he has a stronger respiratory system. Get her inhaler papa said to Jackson and he hurried upstairs. Come on mom muttered rubbing my back. I coughed trying to get in as much air as possible.I am so killing Jackson after this. He came back with my inhaler handed it to mom who helped me take a few puffs of it. I was still a little breathless but I was better. To-tol-d you Yo-you can't b-b-bre-breathe Jackson said smugly and I glared at him. Seriously? Mom and papa muttered. I can talk I shrugged innocently and he rolled his eyes. I stuck my tongue out at him and he chuckled lightly. Goodnight you two they muttered going upstairs and please,no more running. I laughed and nodded my head. Come-come on let's go u-u-upst-airs Jackson said and I stood up a tad bit too fast. I  almost fell but for Jackson okay l-l-l-lets get you t-to b-b-bed he said going down. I climbed his back and he carried me all the way to my room. He placed me on the bed ,covered me with the blankets and walked to the door. I was almost asleep when I heard him say softly from the door tr-try to b-b-bre-breathe yeah?? I lazily threw him a middle finger and fell asleep to him chuckling. I woke up back in my old "room" and panicked. Lawrence was smiling coldly infront of me. He advanced towards me and I tried to shuffle off of the bed but something held me down. I thrashed around panicking as he got closer to me. I  screamed as he held onto my throat. His grip tightened and I gasped fighting for air. He held my arms tightly shaking me. I fought to get out of his grip but to no avail.

Jackson
I woke up in the middle of the night to drink water and heard Skylar's screams. I rushed into her room and saw her thrashing around on her bed. Nightmare I thought to myself and rushed to her bed. Mom and dad would have been here by now if they had heard her but they were not here probably because they were in a whole different wing. I went out and met two guards waiting outside the door. G-g-g-g-g I hated my stutter at times like this. I looked back into the room and saw that Skylar was clawing at her throat. She would hurt herself if I didn't get her to stop. On the other hand I needed mom and dad here but I just couldn't get the damn words out. I tried to wake her up  but she seemed stuck in her nightmare. The guards stared at us worriedly and I  looked back at them get my parents I signed and they looked confused. For fucks sake they didn't even understand sign. They must be new I thought to myself. See sign language was something all my parents' workers were required to learn. Not for me alone but also incase they met a deaf or mute person but it worked in my favour so...  I turned my focus back to Skylar and tried to shake her awake. Come on I muttered softly and she finally shot up. I sighed in relief but noticed she was hyperventilating. C-come-come on. I said putting her head on my chest. Hoping the sound of my heartbeat will help calm her down. It did not. I really needed mom and dad right now. C-co-c-c one of them gave me an impatient look and I tried to ignore him focusing instead on getting my words out. G-g-g-g look here kid one of them said cutting me off and I stiffened. I know you are the boss's son and shit but you have to calm down and spit it the fuck out he said and I willed myself to stay calm. Not right now I thought to myself  Skylar needs me. I however still glared at him and he rolled his eyes. Stop that the other one muttered to him. B-br-bring my p-p-pare-nts I said to the other one  and he nodded rushing off. The other guy stayed there just staring at me and I ignored him trying to get Sky to calm down. The other guy walked closer and she froze in terror staring at him. I can probably get her to calm down better since you know he chuckled I can talk better. Skylar who was just calming down shook fearfully and I hugged her tightly. L-li-listen b-b-bre-breathe i-in out. She followed suit and I glared at the guy. G-g-g-g-et b-b-b-b you can't even tell me to go back he rolled his eyes and I clenched my fists. She could pass out if he came any closer. Mom and dad burst into the room and the guy went back. Sky listen to me mom said slowly. You are safe. No one can get you here okay? Listen to me breathe in,out. She followed obediently and I sighed in relief. She fell back asleep a few minutes later and I smiled softly. I went back out and smiled at the other guard. Th-t-th-anks I smiled and he nodded. Just doing my job he said walking away. The other one scoffed and I turned to him. C-c-an I t-t just spit it out bitch he said and I balled my fists. I was trying really hard to stay calm but this idiot was making it very hard. J-just l-l-list-en. To you? He scoffed and I punched him he staggered and pushed a vase down. Dad came out to see what was going on. I pushed him down the stairs with dad hot on my heel. Jackson Woods you better stop what you are doing right this instance he said and I ignored him. He almost hurt Skylar and he's so rude and inconsiderate it makes my blood boil. He tried to punch me back but I grabbed his fist in mine and twisted it till he was on his knees. I then punched him in the stomach and he doubled over. I punched him till I felt hands prying me off. Stop right now dad said annoyed and I reluctantly got off. What the fuck is going on here dad asked and I looked angrily at the guy. Boss your son just attacked me without reason he said and I rolled my eyes. Dad looked over at me confused. Jackson?? He questioned and I shrugged walking into the kitchen for a bottle of water. I opened the refrigerator and dad slammed it shut. I turned around frustrated don't just walk away from me Jackson and please communicate. He looked at my posture and stepped back. I opened the refrigerator again, took a bottle of water and stepped past him. He sighed when he realised I was not going to offer any explanation. For one I couldn't possibly get my words out and my fists were clenching and unclenching as I tried not to punch a nearby wall.  I still had a lot of pent up anger in my body. The guy was now leaning against the wall and laughed when he saw me. Perhaps you would be able to speak better if you get a hold of your anger. He tried to punch me and I dodged punching his jaw. Jackson dad groaned. You just can't beat him up without a reason he is one of my workers dad sighed and I ignored him walking up the stairs.  Come back here youngman he gritted out and I knew I had pushed him to the wall. I sighed and turned back defeated following him to his downstairs office. Get an ice pack he called out to the guard and I caught a smug smirk on his face as I followed dad dejected into his office. Explain yourself young man he snarled and I looked at the wall behind him refusing to talk. He was really annoying me at this point.  The guy tried to punch me back idk where he was not to see that.I needed time to breathe,calm myself, collect my thoughts. Well? Dad said and I glanced at him. I knew he was annoyed he always did have a short fuse but I couldn't bring myself to care. Fucking answer me Jackson he said and I sipped my water refusing to talk. He stared hard at me and I sighed my resolve crumbling. Sk-s-s I  looked at him and he nodded motioning me to continue. I shook my head and he sighed. You're annoyed aren't you? He asked and I nodded yes. You can explain to me when you're calm enough but get this you do not walk away from me when I am speaking  to you do you understand? I nodded and he studied me carefully. Remember your voice is worth listening to no matter what people may say he said and I nodded smiling gratefully. Come on let's go check on the females. I nodded and stood up following him upstairs. What is wrong with you Jackson mom asked as soon as we stepped into the room. Later I signed and she nodded. Will you be okay here with Skylar?? She asked and I nodded. She got up slowly and walked out with dad. Goodnight she called from the door and I nodded slightly.