Locked Away (Ianthony)

Chapter 23

"What are you even talking about, Ian?! I'll divorce you, just please don't kill me..." Anthony started kicking and pulling at my arm.

"Oh you little bitch, you are not going anywhere!" I yelled. I laid the edge of the knife into his Adam's apple. Anthony began hyperventilating. I was going to keep him alive and torture him if he didn't give me my answers. I grabbed my inhaler and gave him a few puffs and let go, letting him breathe. After he was calmed down, I yanked him out of the chair and pulled him to the floor, sitting on his stomach, weighing him down.

"Ian, please... I-I swear, I wouldn't do anything to Hailie." He said. I looked at him in the eye. I took the knife and held the razor sharp tip to his arm. I twirled the knife around, letting it make an indent.

"Come with me upstairs." I threw the knife into the counter. I didn't need it. I'd snap his neck if I had to. I got up and dragged him upstairs. I pulled him into our room and locked the door. "Sit down!" I yelled at him. He sat on the bed and I opened up the box I hid the items in. I held up a bottle of heroin and a sex toy.

"Ian, those are mine." He said. "God, you really thought I did something to Hailie?" He said somewhat relieved.

"Don't bullshit me Anthony. I found these in her drawers!" I growled out. "I swear to god if you've done something to our daughter... I will kill you. I will make it so they never fucking find your body and I'll let the vultures eat you." I said.

Anthony looked at me with a blank look. "What were you doing in her drawer?" My face fell.

I opened my mouth to say something and I broke down crying.

I blacked out, to be awoken by Anthony shaking me. "Ian! Are you okay?" Anthony was holding me and it was night time. We were in bed. I jumped up and turned on the lights and ran to Hailie's room. I damn near ripped her drawers out. I threw out everything and searched. When I found nothing, I cried.

Anthony was at the door. "Ian... Are you okay?" He asked. I looked up at him and ran up to him hugging him. "Shh... It's okay. You were screaming."

I shook my head and cried. I started to choke. I went to the bathroom and threw up. Anthony followed behind me and held me close after I did. "Oh God, Anthony.. My baby... I need her here." I cried. "Why did I have to feel so fucking sorry for myself? Why did I try to kill myself? Why did she have to come in?"

Anthony just held me. "What were you dreaming about?" He said, rubbing my back.

I inhaled deeply. "I thought you did something to Hailie." I whispered.

Anthony held me. "No... I'd never do anything to her... It's okay." He sighed. "Are you scared that someone is doing something to her right now?" I nodded frantically.

"And I can't fucking protect her! I mean she's so small and I need to protect her!" I cried out.

"Shhh... It's okay. She's safe, we get her back tomorrow." Anthony sighed. "Ian... This isn't the first time you have had a nightmare like this. You cry for me in your sleep a lot..." I looked up at him, my lips quivering. I took a deep sigh and because crying harder. "Is there something that happened to you? I mean you have this fear for Hailie... I'm sure every father does, but not many have nightmares about these things, and definitely not crying and screaming in their sleep for their significant other. Sometimes you even cry for your mom."

I cried out. I took a deep, staggered breath and sat up. "When I was little... I was abused. I-I was really abused. Taken advantage of. I was just three... And a family friend... He did all these unspeakable things. He shot me up with heroin, he did so many things... Always when my parents were at work. He'd watch me. He told me to never tell my family. When you left me in high school, saying you weren't gay... His son... His son continued for him. During school, I'd skip those classes I had with his son... I did online classes instead. In college, you left me again. Him and his friends took me out to a field. I told you I was in the park when I came back to the dorm. Every single time. And I learned from when I was three to just take it. To take the abuse. Let them do whatever. That's why I never did anything about you... But that's why heroin was a trigger. I swear to God if anyone did this to Hailie, I would kill them. Man or woman. I would kill them. I don't want to suffocate her and have her live in fear, but I want to be there and take care of anyone who would lay a handy on our child..." I finished. Anthony picked me up and carried me back to our room. "I trust you so much Anthony, I don't want you to hurt me." I whispered.

"Never again. I'm so sorry I left you... I-I don't want this for you of Hailie." He whispered, letting tears fall. I kissed him softly. He laid down with me and held me so tight. "Now that I know, anytime you call out for me, I'll hold you and not let go until you stop crying. I didn't know, and I just watched... I'm so sorry." I shrugged and laid my head in his neck.