Without You

33

"You're always going to be stuck with me, whether you like it or not."

I scrunch my nose up in disgust. "That sounds oddly like marriage." 

Azriel laughed and leaned back on my bed smiling at me. "What?" I said noticing him staring. he just shook his head. "You mean a lot to me."

I smiled. "Why thank you, you mean a lot to me as well."

"Alright," He sat up. "I need you to promise me something." I rolled my eyes already knowing where this going. 

"What?"

"Promise me we'll stick together, no matter what happens, we will always be together."

"Well of course."

"I love you Amore."

"I love you too Azriel."

I sat on the couch staring blankly at the wall, Adam was holding my hand trying to comfort me but it did little as I listened to the officers speak.

"There going to need her statement, the trial is set."

"When?" My dad asks. 

"One week."

I close my eyes and Adam squeezes my hand. "I don't want to testify," I say. "I just can't, why can't you just lock them up after what they did?"

"There isn't any evidence, only your word." Officer Reyes said.

"They denied everything you said." Officer Clooney added.

After a few minutes, my mom turned to me, her eyes soft but firm. "Come here, Amore."

I couldn't move at first, my legs feeling heavy, my body frozen in place. But somehow, I forced myself up and took slow steps toward them, my stomach twisting tighter with every step.

One of the officers looked at me, his face serious but gentle. "Amore, we understand this isn't easy. But you have a voice in this case, and we'll be with you every step of the way."

I looked down, swallowing hard, my words barely a whisper. "I don't want to do this." I could feel my voice shaking, each word cutting like glass. "Please. I... I just can't."

My mom moved closer, her eyes filled with understanding but also a firmness that made me feel small and safe all at once. "I know you're scared, honey. But this is important. You've been through so much already, and this is your chance to take control back. To stand up for yourself."

Her words made something tighten in my chest, but the fear was still there, heavy and relentless. "What if I mess up? What if I can't go through with it?"

My dad's hand landed on my shoulder, grounding me, his voice steady. "You're stronger than you know. And we're going to be with you every step of the way. You're not alone, Amore."

I opened my mouth to argue, to say something, anything, but my voice caught in my throat. The fear was too strong, too overwhelming. I needed air. I needed something—someone.

Then, almost like he knew, he walked over to me holding my hand. "Hey," he said softly. "It's going to be okay, I promise."

"No," I whispered, glancing away from my parents. "I don't think I can do this, Adam. I'm so scared. I just want to run away."

His voice stayed soft, steady. "Amore, I know this feels impossible. But you're stronger than this. And I'll be right there with you. After it's over, I'll be waiting. You don't have to go through this alone."