As I walked through the front door, Derek ran up to me and gave me a huge hug. "Kelsey where have you been? What happened?"
I looked back at Justin, indicating that I wanted him to explain everything. I was just too emotional to explain anything right now.
"I'll explain it to you bro. I think she just needs some space right now." Justin said to Derek.
"Umm yes I do. Can I actually go take a shower?" I asked.
"Yeah go ahead. I'll be up there in a second to get you some clothes." Justin replied.
I nodded my head and flashed a slight smile before turning around and heading up the stairs. I immediately headed towards their bathroom, went in, and locked the door behind me. I needed some alone time and the shower always made me feel better for some reason.
I pulled the shower curtain back and turned the water on. I then slid Justin's hoodie over my head and just stared at my reflection in the mirror. I could already see a bruise starting to form on my side from where Brian had handled me so hard.
Next, I slipped off my jeans and then finally my bra and underwear. I continued looking in the mirror and eventually my train of thought just wandered off. I started to wonder where in my life I had messed up so bad that I was now in a murder's house right after almost getting raped. I never really let stuff in my life get to me but all of a sudden I felt overwhelmed. Like I was vulnerable. I felt used and unwanted.
All of a sudden there was a knock on the door which made me jump. "Hey Kelsey, I put some clothes of mine on my head if you want to change into those when you are done."
"Okay thanks Justin!" I called out, snapping out of my daze. I then turned around and stepped into the shower. Feeling the warm water beat again my skin felt so soothing. I just wanted to stand there forever and ever.
About 5 minutes later, I finally decided to move and actually wash my body. First, I grabbed some of the shampoo that was in the corner of the tub and started lathering it through my hair. After rinsing that out, I did the same with the conditioner. Then I grabbed the washrag that I had brought in there with me and poured some of the Axe body was they had onto it, and then briefly washed my body.
Next, I turned around and let the water run all over my body and then into my hair. It was the most relaxing feeling in the world.
All of my thoughts came pouring back in, and I felt the overwhelming feeling come back. The only thing I knew to do was cry. Tears starting streaming down my face as it mixed with the water from the shower. I felt myself breaking down and I just wasn't sure what I was going to do. I knew my parent wouldn't understand and as far as I knew, Kristen wouldn't either. Even if she did, she was leaving for school in a couple of days so it wouldn't have even mattered. The only person that could truly help me right now was Avery but she was gone and I probably was never going to get to see her ever again.
All of this just set in, and the tears flowed even faster. I knew that eventually I had to stop myself and go on with my life, but I didn't want to. I wanted to stay in there alone, forever.
After about 5 more minutes of just standing there, I ran my fingers through my hair, reassuring that all the suds were gone. I then turned the water off and stepped out. After drying of with a nearby towel, I slipped my bra and underwear back on before peeping my head out of the door to make sure that it was safe to go into Justin's room.
Seeing that it was, I quickly stepped out of the bathroom and scooted towards Justin's room. I went in and then closed the door behind me. Turning around, I saw a pair of gray sweatpants and white t-shirt laid out on the bed for me. I walked over and first put on the sweatpants, followed by the shirt. When I put the shirt over my head, I got a whiff of Justin's scent and I felt immensely happy. Even his smell brought me happiness.
"What the fuck?!?!?!" I heard someone yell. I quickly walked over to the door and leaned out to try and hear what was being said a little better. "What in the hell do you mean he was on top of her?!" I could tell it was Derek.
"Shh don't be so loud she can hear you!" Justin spoke up.
"Why aren't we calling the police right now?"
"She told me she didn't want me to."
"That makes no sense. Why would she not want to call the police?"
"I think she is trying to protect us."
I moved in closer to the stairs and heard Derek let out a chuckle. "No I am ending this right now. We should have never let her get this involved in it. I'm calling the cops and that's final."
"NOOOO!" I screamed as I ran down the stairs. "No you can't! Please!"
"Kelsey it's the right thing to do!" Derek yelled.
I stopped for a minute, feeling the emotions starting to work their way in again. Before I knew it, the tears had started to stream down my cheeks. "You can't. You guys are literally the only thing I have left right now. If you somehow get put in jail or something I will be..." I paused, trying to hold the tears back but it just wasn't working. "..I will be devastated! I can't lose you guys!"
He sighed and sat his phone down on the couch. "Come here." He opened his arms to give me a hug. "We aren't going anywhere. I'm so sorry that you got involved in this mess. I'm going to do whatever it takes to protect you and keep you safe from now on, okay?" he asked, pulling away from our hug.
I nodded my head and leaned back in, wanting more of his warm embrace.
"Yea me too." Justin said.
I pulled back from Derek and smiled at Justin before walking over and giving him a hug also. He wrapped his arms around me and placed his hands at the small of my back. I wrapped my arms around his neck and rested my head on his chest. I felt so safe in his arms. Something about him made me just forget about all the bad stuff, and just focus on him and I.
Eventually I had to pull back because I knew that Derek was probably catching onto our connection. "Thanks guys. I really appreciate it."
"No problem." Justin said
"Yea no problem." Derek repeated.
"Well guys do you mind if I go take a nap? I have a huge headache."
"Not at all! You can lay down in my bed." Justin offered.
"Okay thanks." I smiled and turned around to head back upstairs to Justin's room. Once there, I pulled the covers back and plopped down into his bed. The sheets were crisp and the pillows were fluffy. Everything smelled just like him so I shut my eyes and fell asleep with a smile on my face.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Kelsey wake up!" Some yelled as they shook me.
I slowly opened my eyes and realized that it was Justin. "What?" I groggily said as started to sit up. I looked around the room and noticed Derek grabbing clothes from drawers and shoving them into a suitcase. "What's going on? Where are you going?"
Justin looked at me while he sat on the edge of the bed. I slid over, giving him more room.
"Umm...you need to get up. We are leaving."
"Huh?" I was still confused.
Derek walked over to me, and stood beside the bed. "We gotta go. Brian is after us."
"Woah woah woah wait what?"
"Our friend just called and warned us that Brian and his crew is coming after all of us. We need to go." Justin continued.
"Wait so this mean we have to.."
"Yes," Derek said, cutting me off. "We have to go on the run."..........
