In Her Shadow(GXG)

Old Demons

The sky had turned a deep orange as the city skyline stretched its silhouette against the descending sun, casting long, dreamy shadows down the bustling streets. Navy walked close beside Bridget, a gentle warmth pooling in her chest as they shared small, companionable silences. Today had been her first time seeing New York in a way that didn't feel dangerous or overwhelming, a rare escape from her own guarded nature. With Bridget's steady presence by her side, Navy had felt—if only for a few hours—like a different version of herself, someone who could laugh easily and allow herself to simply enjoy the moment.

But now, the lightness was fading, replaced by something dark and familiar as her steps slowed to a halt on the sidewalk.It happened in an instant: the woman with the sharp features, her eyes framed by dark lashes, the way her face twisted into that same insincere smile. Navy's heart slammed against her ribcage, her lungs tightening as though an icy hand had seized her chest. A surge of panic rose, hot and bitter, from somewhere deep within her as she clung to Bridget's arm."Navy?" Bridget's voice cut through the haze, soft and concerned. "What's wrong?"Navy couldn't look at her. She was rooted to the ground, staring in horror at the woman across the street. Caroline Forbes stood with her back to them, her perfectly tailored coat and meticulous hair giving her the same air of control she had wielded over Navy years ago. Her laughter floated on the breeze, drifting into Navy's ears like poison, and in an instant, memories swarmed over her like a tide pulling her under.Bridget's fingers wrapped firmly around Navy's, her grip grounding yet gentle. "Hey, look at me," she said, her voice calm, and soothing. "Breathe with me, okay?"Navy tried, she really did. But her breaths came in short, panicked bursts, her vision narrowing as she felt herself slipping into the past. She could feel the cold press of fear against her skin, and could hear Caroline's cruel words echoing in her mind, taunting her, binding her in the twisted web of control she had once wielded so effortlessly. It was all so close, so visceral. Her hands shook, and she fought to keep her balance."Navy." Bridget's voice was soft but firm, her hand resting against Navy's cheek now, her thumb brushing gently against her skin. "It's just us here. You're safe. Just focus on me."The words were like a lifeline, anchoring her just enough to take a shaky breath. Navy forced herself to look at Bridget, to find some semblance of reality in her eyes. The tenderness there was so at odds with everything Caroline had been, everything she'd forced Navy to believe about herself."I... I can't," she whispered, her voice barely audible. The world felt as if it were closing in, the memories wrapping tightly around her mind."Let's go somewhere quieter, okay?" Bridget said gently, her hand never leaving Navy's as she led her toward a nearby park. They walked in silence, Bridget's presence steady and unwavering as they settled on a bench beneath a tree. The evening air was cool, a gentle breeze rustling the leaves above them, a reminder that they were far from the chaotic streets, far from the past that had cornered her.

For a long time, Navy sat there, clutching the edges of her coat, trying to hold herself together as fragments of her past surfaced, each one more painful than the last. She could feel Bridget beside her, a comforting weight at her side, but saying the words out loud felt impossible."She used to... control everything," Navy finally said, her voice barely a whisper. She didn't dare look at Bridget, instead keeping her eyes fixed on the ground as she tried to navigate the jumble of emotions threatening to overwhelm her. "Caroline... she... she took me in when I had nowhere else to go, and then... then she forced me into... things, with people I never wanted to be around."Bridget's hand, warm and steady, squeezed hers, her grip strong and reassuring. "Navy," she murmured softly, "you didn't deserve any of that. No one has the right to treat another person like that, to take advantage of them."Navy's chest tightened, a dull ache building behind her ribs. She wanted to believe Bridget's words, wanted to let herself feel that they were true. But Caroline's voice, her cruel laughter, still lingered like a shadow, a part of her that wouldn't let go."Sometimes, I thought it was my fault," Navy said, her voice cracking. "I thought maybe... maybe I did something to deserve it. That maybe I wasn't worth anything more."Bridget's arm slid around her shoulders, pulling her close, her warmth seeping into Navy's skin as she leaned against her. "It wasn't your fault," she said firmly, her voice laced with a quiet intensity. "No matter what she told you, no matter what you thought at the time. You were just a girl trying to survive. And she took advantage of that."Navy's eyes stung with unshed tears, her heart aching as she let the words sink in. It felt like a small piece of the weight she carried was lifting, just enough to let her breathe a little easier."She would find people who had no one else," Navy continued, her voice softer now, almost detached. "She knew exactly who to prey on. She made me believe that she was helping, that I owed her something. But... but it was all just a way to keep me under her control."Bridget's hand rubbed gentle circles along her back, her touch grounding as Navy released years of pent-up pain and fear. "She may have made you believe that back then," Bridget murmured, her voice a quiet strength against the silence, "but she doesn't have any power over you now. You're not alone, Navy. I'm here, and I'll help you fight those memories, those lies she told you. You don't have to carry this on your own."

Navy took a shaky breath, feeling the steady beat of Bridget's heart as she pressed closer. For so long, she had kept this part of herself locked away, the shame and guilt festering like an open wound. But here, in the quiet of the park, wrapped in Bridget's arms, she allowed herself to feel the weight of her past, to acknowledge it without letting it consume her.They sat in silence for a while, the sun dipping lower behind the trees, casting long shadows over the park. Navy's heartfelt raw, but there was a tentative peace in letting herself be vulnerable, in allowing Bridget to see the parts of herself she had always kept hidden.Eventually, Bridget pulled back just enough to meet Navy's eyes, her gaze filled with a compassion that made Navy's heartache. "You're allowed to feel scared, angry, and hurt. Those feelings are real, and they matter. But just know that whatever you're feeling, you don't have to face it alone. You have me, and I'm not going anywhere."Navy's voice was barely a whisper, but the words felt monumental. "Thank you, Bridget. For being here."

Bridget smiled softly, her hand finding Navy's once more, a steady, grounding presence. "Always. No matter what you're facing, I'll be right beside you." As they sat there, the quiet of the evening settling around them, Navy felt a small flicker of hope—a fragile but undeniable sense that maybe, just maybe, she could begin to heal.

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