He was coming towards me. Just hug your teddy Aly, he'll protect you. Keep your eyes closed. Don't make a sound Aly, you have to be quiet. The footsteps were louder and closer now. Don't be scared Aly. The light that peeked under the door is blocked now. He's here, Aly. You have to be quiet. Don't worry Aly, the door is locked. He opened the door, Aly. Aly you have to run! I can't! I can't run!
~~~
I shot up in my bed when I heard a knocking that wasn't coming from my dream. My alarm clock said it was early morning. My hands were shaking as I clenched the blanket in front of me in my fists. The knocking continued and I got out of bed. I threw a sweatshirt on and made my way to the living room.
"Liam?" I said, stepping to the side so he could come in. He smiled and looked tired. "What're you doing here? How did you find out where I lived?" He closed the door behind him.
"Harry wanted me to come," he held up his hands which held two Styrofoam cups and a brown paper baggy. "I bring tea and pastries." I rubbed my face but couldn't help the smile that crept onto it.
"Is Harry here?" Liam shook his head and walked into my kitchen. He sat the items down on the counter and started looking for plates. I pointed to a cupboard and he opened it, pulling two out. We ate and drank the tea in the living room. I felt a little nervous having Liam here and not Harry. He was sending people to do his dirty work for him. I had no idea whether I was going to forgive him or not. Harry was bringing back memories that I had blocked out years ago. "Was she Cassadee?" Liam's head snapped towards me.
"That was Cassadee," Liam sighed. I bit my lip and nodded. Setting my tea on a coaster, I turned back to him.
"Why doesn't anyone want me to know about her?" Liam sighed and shook his head. "What? Why can't I know about her? If Harry likes me so damn much then why is he keeping these things from me?!" My voice had risen without my acknowledgement, but Liam kept his eyes on mine.
"Can I take you somewhere?"
~~~
Liam pulled his Escalade up to a large, brick building. It was somewhere in Holmes Chapel that I hadn't ever been. He parked and got out, rounding around the car to open my door. Liam didn't give me the chance to change so I was stuck in my sweatshirt and plaid pajama bottoms. I climbed out of the car and followed Liam. We entered the expansive building and I instinctively stepped towards Liam. The place was bare and was mostly a building with different corridors.
"Liam where are we?" He didn't say anything. We continued down a corridor and we stopped outside a large black door. There was a single window and Liam peeked through it.
"When we go in there, stay quiet and by my side," my eyes widened, but I nodded. Liam opened the door and I followed him in. I kept my head down until he stopped walking. Finally, I looked around. There he was. He was moving skillfully around and blocking each swing. My eyes were glued to Harry as he boxed with his partner. He blocked an upper cut and got his opponent in the stomach, knocking him down. Liam clapped his hands loudly and moved towards the ring. I stayed where I was.
"You're getting good, kid," Harry's opponent commented. They bumped gloves and he left the ring, heading towards what I assumed was the locker room.
"You going to be ready for the match next weekend?" Liam asked, climbing into the ring. Harry sat in the middle of the ring and pulled his gloves off. He took out his mouth guard and nodded.
"He's in my weight class, but he's scrawnier than I am," they both chuckled. "His ass will be down within three minutes." Liam whispered something I couldn't hear and Harry looked over towards me.
