Run (a Taylor Swift Story)

10- I'm here

Carrie sat there in the darkness, her heart sinking further with every minute that passed. The air felt heavier now, thick with unspoken pain and fear. Every time Taylor shuddered or let out a quiet sob, Carrie felt it deep in her own chest, a pang that made her want to scream, to do anything to erase the hurt.

But she couldn’t.

All she could do was watch as Taylor curled into herself even tighter, retreating into the small space between her arms and knees, as if trying to disappear into the shadows. Carrie’s body ached from the chains that bound her, the bruises still fresh and painful, but it was nothing compared to the ache in her chest, the helplessness that threatened to drown her.

She closed her eyes, trying to steady her breath, but the fear that gripped her heart was suffocating. She wanted to tell Taylor everything would be okay, to promise that they would find a way out, that no matter what, they would be safe. But how could she promise that? She didn’t even know how to save herself, let alone Taylor.

Carrie leaned her head back against the cold stone wall, the chill of the room seeping into her bones. She wanted to close her eyes, to forget it all, but she couldn’t. She wouldn’t leave Taylor alone like this, even if Taylor didn’t want her near. Even if the girl had drawn away, shutting her out in her pain.

“I’m so sorry,” Carrie whispered into the empty space between them, her voice shaking. “I couldn’t protect you. I couldn’t...”

Taylor’s sobs were quiet, but they felt like a heavy weight in the silence. Carrie reached out again, not knowing if it was the right thing to do, but needing to make contact, to remind Taylor that she was still there, even if they were both broken.

Slowly, her hand brushed against the floor, reaching the edge of Taylor’s arm. Taylor flinched at the touch, a soft gasp escaping her lips, but she didn’t pull away. Carrie let her hand linger for a moment, a small, tentative connection that felt both fragile and crucial.

“I’m here,” Carrie whispered again, trying to push past the tears that threatened to choke her. “I’m not going anywhere. Please don’t shut me out.”

Taylor’s breathing faltered, but she didn’t respond. Her sobs grew softer, though Carrie could tell they weren’t over, just buried beneath the surface. Carrie knew there was no quick fix to this, no easy way to make it better, but she couldn’t abandon Taylor now, no matter how hard it was. Even if Taylor couldn’t see it, Carrie was still here, still fighting in her own way.

Time passed, the minutes stretching long and painful. The silence between them felt like a living thing, thick with unspoken words, unexpressed pain. Carrie’s eyes closed again, exhaustion pulling at her, but she stayed awake, listening to Taylor’s quiet cries, feeling her every tremor. She wanted to hold her, to pull her into her arms and shield her from all the hurt, but she knew Taylor wasn’t ready for that. Not yet. She couldn’t push her.

But Carrie would wait.

She would wait as long as it took for Taylor to find her way back, to trust again, to believe that not everything in this dark, cruel place was hopeless. She would wait as long as it took for Taylor to believe that someone still cared, someone still saw her as the person she was before all this—before the guards, before the pain, before the fear.

Minutes stretched into hours, and finally, through the haze of both their pain, Carrie heard a faint, almost inaudible sound.

“I don’t want to be here anymore,” Taylor’s voice whispered, raw and broken, her words catching in her throat.

Carrie’s heart clenched at the admission. She could hear the weariness in Taylor’s voice, the feeling of defeat that had crept in. The same feeling that had taken root inside Carrie. But where Taylor saw nothing but darkness, Carrie still clung to the smallest thread of hope.

“We’re going to get out of here,” Carrie whispered back, her voice steady despite the terror she felt. “I promise you. I’ll keep you safe, Taylor. I’ll find a way out. We won’t be here forever.”

Taylor didn’t respond, but Carrie could feel the weight of her presence in the space between them. Her body was still curled tightly, still broken and afraid, but for the first time in what felt like forever, Carrie could sense the smallest flicker of something—perhaps it was hope, or the faintest recognition that she wasn’t truly alone.

Carrie didn’t know what the next moment would bring. She didn’t know how they would escape or how they would survive. But she knew that as long as she drew breath, she would fight for Taylor, just as she had always promised.

And for the first time since they had been taken, Carrie felt the smallest sliver of resolve in her chest.

No matter what it took, she would protect Taylor. Even if she had to destroy this place piece by piece. Even if it meant sacrificing everything she had left. She wouldn’t stop. Not now. Not ever.

Not while Taylor still needed her.