Why Me?

13. Trauma

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Reece was trying everything to get through to Charlotte, but nothing seemed to work. "Do you want to speak to Autumn?" he offered as his final option. "I could call her now, and I'm sure she wouldn't take long to get here." He spoke softly,  trying his best to keep calm. "Right now, I want to be left alone. I don't want the attention, for a start I don't deserve it, but that's not the point no one seems to listen to me. I want to be alone!" Charlotte practically shouted the last part at Reece. He took a deep breath and stood up. "That's fine, you be alone! I will go and look after poor Carly. Twice now, Charlotte, twice." he muttered the last bit under his breath before walking out the room, leaving Charlotte alone as she wished. She sat in silence, but her thoughts were heavy. She felt numb, she couldn't move, and she couldn't shake the racing thoughts.

Upstairs, Reece had made his way to the bedroom, slowly walking in to see carly asleep on Mia. He sighed before slumping down on the floor next to Marjorie. "Hey darling, you okay?" She asked, wrapping her arms around him and gently kissing his temple.  He took a deep breath. "Marj, she's impossible. All I'm getting from her is abuse shouted at me. I dont know what to do. She said she wanted to be alone, so I've left her to see if that helps as that is what she apparently wants. Maybe Auts needs to shout at her." Reece said in one breath. "Dont call Auts, please. She won't help with Charlotte like this. Dont get me wrong. She's great with Marj and Carly, but when she's like this, we just can't risk Auts pushing her over the edge. She will shut down further if she sees us as a threat." Mia whispered before gently moving Carly, so she is led back on the bed.

She gently brushed stands of hair from her face and covered her with a blanket. "Someone keep an eye on her, please," Mia whispered calmly. Reece nodded as he watched Mia. "Oi, she is okay. It's not the same Mimi. it's not what we went through." Reece spoke calmly as Mia choked back a sob. "Reece don't please. I was her age when i was first properly abused, and you know it. I'm not letting her get hurt, especially by her best friend." Marjorie looked up at her sadly before giving in and wrapping her arms around Mia tightly. "You are safe now, and so is Carly, i promise," she whispered with tears in her own eyes. "Thank you, I just see my younger self in her and feel the need to save her from the world." Mia barely whispered, hardly being able to trust her voice. "Mia, look at her. She has all of us, Auts, her family. She is going to be okay."
Reece told her sympathetically. The red head nodded slightly as Reece rubbed her back.

With all the emotions, no one had noticed Charlotte enter the room. "B-baby." Charlotte spoke as she stood by the bedroom door. Mia shot her head up and looked directly at Charlotte. At this point, she had tears streaming down her cheeks. Marjorie reached up and wiped her cheeks before giving her a shove in Charlottes' direction, but she moved back away. "Mia, baby, are you okay?" She asked quietly, but Mia shook her head. "Get out and away from Carly... please." she told her sternly, looking between the sleeping teenager and her girlfriend. "What have i missed?" Charlotte asked, clearly confused. "Mia, go with Char, and i promise to say here with Carly." Marjorie whispered before sitting near carly, playing with her hair.

"Reece, can you explain?" Mia whispered while looking at the floor. He nodded and took the couple out of the room and downstairs. Mia sat on the couch near Reece and brought her knees up to her chest. Charlotte watched before sitting on the other couch. "What have i missed because there is clearly something? Charlotte asked. Reece looked at mia, and she simply nodded at him. He reached back and took her hand before explaining to Charlotte about the first time R*ger had physically hurt the red head. Charlotte watched Mia trying her best to hold herself together.

"Mia, sweetheart. Come here." Charlotte whispered as she opened her arms. Mia shakily stood up, falling against Charlotte as sobs ripped through her body. "Mia, I'm sorry.  I will talk to Carly. I will hold her, but most importantly, i won't hurt anyone." she whispered while trying everything to calm Mia. "I hate how much of myself i see in that one girl." she mumbled as Reece walked over to the pair. Signalling for Charlotte to move away as she did, He gently picked up Mia. "I will take you into the spare room.  It's a mess, but the bed is made and fresh, so you guys can have some time together. You are both exhausted.  And before you ask, yes, i can tell." He told them, but Mia shook her head quickly. "Can we check on Carly, please?" she asked as they went upstairs, Charlotte following behind. Mia was trying her best not to let tears roll down her cheeks. As they reached the top, Reece put Mia down. She practically ran into the bedroom. Reece looked at Charlotte, reaching his hand out to her. "She will be okay, dont worry." he told her calmly as they followed Mia. By the time they got there, Mia was already curled up on the bed behind Carly. "I love seeing her caring side. We rarely see it." Marjorie whispered as she covered Mia in a blanket. "We will leave you for a while. We are just downstairs." Marjorie whispered before kissing the top of Carlys head and ushering everyone downstairs.

*

"Char will you sit down. Im getting dizzy. I've watched you go back and forth for long enough now." Marjorie told her calmly, but Charlotte kept pacing. Reece slowly stood up and walked over to Charlotte. Just wrapping his arms around her. She instantly fell into his embrace. "Come and sit with us." he whispered softly as he guided Charlotte to sit next to Marjorie. He gently pushed her down, and Marjorie quickly wrapped her arms around her. "What's going on? What are you thinking?"

"Marj.. i, he, mia, Carly... he is in my head! Mia is mad I hurt Carly.  I love Carly." Charlotte sobbed into Marjories chest as she rubbed her back slowly. "My love, he is in prison for life. He can never ever get you again. As for Mia and Carly, Mia was Carlys ages when he started hurting her, so she's reliving a few things, and Carly is a sensitive little sole. She knows you love her, and she loves you too." Marjorie whispered as Charlottes sobbed subsided. Reece stood up and handed Charlotte a tissue. she took it and wiped her tears. "In a minute, we can go back up and see them both." He muttered softly. "Just let's get you to calm down first." Marjorie whispered as Charlotte nodded, resting her head on Marjories shoulder, taking some deep breaths.

Meanwhile, upstairs, Carly stired in Mias arms. The red head hushed her softly before playing with her hair gently. "Im here, you are safe, shhh," she whispered as Carly rolled over, cuddling up to Mia. "Where is she?" Carly mumbled, still half asleep. "Shh, she's downstairs with Marjorie and Reece. Everyone is okay." Mia whispered. "I'm sorry. I love Char, i dont want her upset because of me. I need to speak with her." Carly mumbled before rubbing her eyes slightly. "I can go and get her, but I dont know if she will want to talk." Mia whispered calmly before slowly standing up. "I will come down with you."