Across waters.

Fourteen.

I remember the feel of a cold knife sliding down my thighs, I had to kept so still just so one move wouldn't have my the knife like into my leg. I kept twisting my wrists, hoping I'd burn fade the rope but it was only causing me burn. I didn't have the energy to yell and it was pointless. I remember him starving me, the dehydration getting to me, slipping in and out on conscious, seeing the board line between life and death. I clawed and screamed.

I woke up to Jay moving my hands off Zak. I could feel the sweat drip down my neck, the moist, yucky feeling. I was struggling to breath, Zak was cowering next to me. I was feeling judged. "Ash go take Kay for a walk, we'll meet you at the church" I didn't realise we had arrived. Ash and I strolled around the little town "What happened?" Ash looked at me, I didn't know how to explain it. "Ash I--- I've been haunted by my past, but it's coming back to bite me on my ass. I thought moving away from it all, starting fresh would ease it and I'll forget but it's taken its toll on me" I crumbled my head into my hands. My head was pounding and I was worrying about Zak. "I think your past has taken its toll on Zak too" I broke down even more "oh god!"

Jay, Aaron, Bill and Zak where in with the priest. Ash and myself booked us all a hotel room for the night, we knew this would take about two days. Zak and myself got separate rooms, I bunked with Ash and Jay, Aaron and Bill together and Zak by himself. I wanted to be with Zak but Ash advised to me I wouldn't be a good idea. As dusk fell upon us we headed to bed, I couldn't sleep due to Zak and this whole situation. Around 11pm I heard Jay walk in and talk to Ash "he is so much better now. It was sad at first, man I hope I never have to deal with that. I love you so much" I could feel my body release all the tension, he was okay. I got out and headed to Zak's room, I kept quiet in case someone caught me. I took a spare key for Zak's room and snuck in, I could hear him in the shower so I waited on his bed.

"Hey Zak" I worked myself up for this and it got me upset, I didn't know how Zak would respond and it scared me. "Aw hey hey don't cry" he came and cuddled me. "I didn't mean for this to happen! I'm so sorry Zak, if you want me to go I will. I don't want to cause you anymore suffering." I closed my eyes, I didn't want to see his reaction. "You are going no where. This happens, I've dealt with it and thinking of you and having you in my life has gotten me through today. We battles demons everyday between my line of work, yours and life, I'm prepared to fight for us, fight for life. Yes okay your past has come and given me a message and took oppression on me but I fought through it. I told you I'm going to keep you safe! Look at that ring, a promise ring. I promise to protect and love you." I could see how passionate he was getting, I crashed into his arms, through accepting everything and willing to go on and get each other through it was big for us, but we can do it.

I stayed with him all night, we spent all night talking and he told me how this all came about. In the lockdown he asked the spirits to make themselves known "I said what do they want and it clearly came through Kay is mine and after go away was screamed through the SB7 box" after that Zak told me that's when things got out of hand. I didn't want to go further with the story, I cuddled him and told him I'll keep him safe, he giggled "someone shorter than me and is afraid of the dark, really?" He brushed off a smirk "ooooh harsh words mr Bagans" I turned off the lamp and fell deep into his lips with mine.