POV- Ariel
I woke up with sunlight streaming through soft curtains instead of a cold basement wall or a cage. The bed was warm. The sheets smelled of lavender.
Yet my hands trembled once I remembered what happened, what my so-called brothers did.
While I was thinking about this, I heard a snore, and it was none other than Stefano. He was curled up so awkwardly in the chair and knew he would have a sore back once he woke up.
I know I don't exist in their world, but with some people of my family, I feel safe or the least cared for
I don't know how I have started considering my family, I should not get comfortable.
This is scaring me more, this comfort, this life, especially this family.
Because in my life, comfort is never lasting.
That's when the gate opens with a loud thud, and I flinch.
"Where is she? Is she okay? omg my daughter, I'll punish those little bastards of mine," Mom said as she was entering the room with Dad, followed behind with his scrunch up nose that he is annoyed with her dramatics which was cute.
With this, Stefano woke up with his eyes hazy with sleep, and he was slightly confused, but once he saw me, he was wide awake.
He straightened up and rubbed his face. "You're awake," he said, voice still hoarse. "Thank God."
Mom rushed to my side and held my face between her hands, and said, "My sweet baby, are you okay? Do you need anything, water, food, anything?"
I froze not because of the fear but because of the tenderness she showed me, which I have never experienced.
It is all so unfamiliar.
"I... I'm fine," I whispered, unsure if that was true.
This all made me feel so overwhelmed cause it made me feel so safe, which I haven't felt for a very long time.
And I was sure I didn't know how to handle that.
Mom was rubbing circles on my back, and Dad was just looking at me so softly, it made me feel connected.
Once he caught me glancing at him, he smiled.
Then he turned to Stefano and gestured for him to come closer, and once he did, Dad slightly whispered to Stefano to call them.
Stefano's expression tightened instantly. "All of them?" he whispered back.
Dad nodded once.
Stefano hesitated for just a second, looked at me, then quietly got up and left the room.
THE AIR SHIFTED TO TENSION.
YOU ARE READING
Save Me
General FictionA girl with scars too deep to hide. A family with secrets too heavy to speak. A past that refuses to let go. Ariel Cleo Hale was never meant to survive the life she was given. But fate has other plans. Dragged from one nightmare into another, she fi...
