Gracie

Chapter 3 - First Week

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Liam's POV:

I had been in bed for almost an hour when I heard piercing screams coming from Gracie's room. I grabbed my dressing gown and ran along the landing. I tripped on my own feet and fell against her bedroom door which swung open. I landed flat on my face. Gracie was still oblivious of my presence. I found her pressed to the floor. She was fighting some invisible assailant as if she was pinned down, wriggling about yet unable to free herself from this imaginary attacker. Her pleas to be let go off turned into cries for help. I managed to get up and approached her. I pulled her gently on my lap and cradled her. Trying to wake her up I shook her lightly but in vain. She was trapped in a profound nightmare. All I could do was cradle her hoping she would soon wake up.

We remained in this position for some time; I was sitting on the floor resting my back against the bed frame, Gracie somnolent on my lap. Suddenly her eyes sprung open as she could not help being sick all over the blanket she had kept on her legs. Her spasms calming down she fell back into my arms but her cheeks immediately reddened, her eyes looking discomfited. I felt a sudden rush of warmth on my thighs and understood she had just wet herself. Visibly humiliated she jumped up and ran for the bathroom tripping on the rug in her haste. She apologised numerous times and, as I approached her she curled up on the floor in a submissive reflex.

"Please don't hurt me; I'm sorry, I'm really sorry!"

Gracie's POV:

Liam's strong and warm arms were wrapped around me. He whispered a few reassuring words explaining he was not there to hurt me but to help me. I didn't believe him but I was too weak to fight him; I also didn't want to get into more trouble. He carried me to the bathroom and stood me on the cold floor tiles. He turned the shower tap on and pulled out a clean towel from the cupboard beside the sink.

"You get yourself cleaned up sweetheart and I will put your blanket into wash, I'll also pass you some clean pyjamas"

I nodded affirmatively and I watched as he walked out of the bathroom back into the bedroom, leaving the connecting door wide open. He went straight to my pink rucksack and rummaged through it. I didn't have many items of clothing but Liam pulled out a big blue tee shirt with a triumphing smile. He glanced back to me stood in the doorway and asked;

"Is this okay sweetheart?"

I once again nodded and he handed me my T-shirt. I shut the door and locked it. I stripped my clothes off, placed them in the trash can and tied the bag up. I brushed my teeth happy to get rid of my sick smelling breath and stepped into the shower enclosure. The warm water, running all over my body, had a wonderful relaxing effect. I grabbed the coconut scented shower gel and lathered myself from top to toes. Once rinsed and dry I began to slip the T-shirt over my head when I heard voices nearby. I pressed my ear against the door and listened.

"She woke up in a right state Mum, she wet herself and threw up, she couldn't get away quick enough, I think she thought I was going to punish her for her accident... She also didn't stay in the bed Mum; she must have gotten out the bed when I left the room, Mum I don't want her to sleep on the floor"