Torn

6 - The Flashback

Ava's POV

//FLASHBACK\\

I sat on my bed feeling safe for the first time in a while. He had gone out probably for another bottle. I'd better get to sleep otherwise I'd be in trouble. He scared me. Was this a normal life for a ten year old? Was I meant to feel this scared?

The door slammed downstairs and I flinched. Mentally hating myself for not getting to sleep sooner. I could hear sloppy footsteps making their way up the stairs. Each thud left my heart pounding even more. I shivered under my thin blanket, willing myself to go to sleep.

My door burst open, revealing him standing there. A bottle hung loosely from his fingertips and his eyes were bloodshot. So it was going to be one of those nights then.

"You!" He slurred at me. "Why are you still awake! I told you to be asleep!" His voice raised.
"I'm sorry I was just about t-"
"No! Come here Ava." The tears were about to slip but I wouldn't let them fall. I treaded off the mattress slowly, my feet cold on the bare floorboards. I stepped towards him, the bruises on my arms illuminated from the light in the hall.
"Ava you are a naughty girl, you hear me! You shouldn't be up now!" He raised his fist towards me and I prepared myself for the blow but it never came. I opened my eyes slowly, and saw him being dragged off by Michael. Three years older than me, I doubted he could take him on. But he did. He was dragged through the door, screaming blue murder about me. And I was left a sobbing mess on the end of my mattress.

The police were called and I was taken away. A lady with a fixed smile told me I was going to a new home with a new mum and dad. I would even have a big brother. His name was Charlie.

I moved in with the Puth's and lived with them for six years. That's when I was discovered for my acting. I starred in my first movie and on the premiere, my family were right by my side.

//FLASHBACK OVER\\

I saw him stumbling towards me and my heart stopped. My feet were frozen in place and I couldn't move.
"Ava." He said coming closer.
"Ava is that you?" He said standing in front of me. His breath stank of alcohol. Nothing had changed.

I wanted to run away but I couldn't, I felt like I was trapped under his spell. I was his voodoo doll. And it hurt in my head and my heart and my chest, and I was having trouble catching my breath. He couldn't be here. Why was he here?

I tried to turn but he grabbed my arm, pressing his fingers onto the skin. I yanked my arm out of his grasp but he continued to hold my wrist.

"Ava hunni please."
"Get away from me." I said speaking for the first time.
"No Ava, you know I'm sorry it was in the past."

"Get away from me, get off me." I screamed finally letting the tears stream. I tried to run but he held me back. Kicking and screaming, he continued to keep a tight grip.
Placing his hand over my mouth to try and keep me quiet, I bit his fingers.

"You bitch!" He shouted, loosening his grip on me. I took this chance to break free, trying to run. He grabbed me again.

"Hey, get off of her!" A familiar voice screamed. They ran towards us and punched him squarely in the jaw. He crumpled to the ground and I collapsed a couple of metres away, sobbing into the ground.

"Hey, hey it's okay. I'm here now." Calum's soothing voice told me. Picking me up into his arms, I threw mine around his neck and continued sobbing in there. He rubbed my back and I cried harder.

I had spent so long away from him. Why was he back?

"Come on, your coming home with me."

At some point on the way to his, I fell asleep. His arms now my safe haven.

Calum's POV

Tucking a blanket around her and propping her up on pillows, I left a glass of water beside her on the bed side table.

I planned to stay on the sofa tonight when I wanted to go to sleep. There was no way I was going to stay in the same bed after what happened between us.

I was confused when she'd run off because she interested me so much. Yeah she was famous but she was selfless. She lived in a basic house with two bedrooms and donated most of her earnings to charities. She was great.

I sat at the end of the bed, just looking at her. She was flawless. Her hair swept over shoulders, and her face was beautiful. I couldn't get it out of my mind.

"Cal?" She said stirring slightly, her arms reaching out. I held her hand.

"I'm right here princess, your okay."
"Stay with me?" I lay down next to her not bothering to get out of my jeans and get changed. She snuggled into me and I held her close, not wanting to let her go.

"Always."

A/N:

I was a mess while writing this.