The Future

Because Of Me

I leaned into Scott, staring absentmindedly at the asphalt. His arms tightened around me, before kissing the top of my head again.

"Mister Grassi?"

I looked up, standing slowly as the officer moved towards me. Scott stood with me, keeping the blanket around both of us. "Yes?" I asked softly, not sure if I could speak loud, or move fast.

All of it was still...I couldn't seem to fully grasp any of it yet.

"We're still processing the scene," he explained, smiling softly at me. "It'll be a while before we can let you stay there, is there another-"

"He'll stay with me," Scott said, pulling me tightly against him, my back flush against his chest.

"Good," the officer said. "We are working with LAPD on this case, with Ralph Bryans."

I could feel my throat go dry at hearing his name, but I said, "Um, also talk to Denver PD...they uh...they have an old case file there as well with Ralph and I."

The officer nodded, and I could feel Scott stiffen at the information, but I was thankful that he didn't push.

"And we are working with the security here on set as well, to make sure you stay safe, Mister Grassi," the officer continued. "If we need anything we'll be in touch."

I nodded, turning to Scott as he moved away. His arms tightened around me as I buried my face into his chest.

Hearing the scream from me, a few of the other cast and crew still on set for the weekend had rushed to my trailer, and called the Canadian Police as Scott and I stumbled out of my trailer. Now, well it was a case over country boundaries, and I had no idea how that would work. But I didn't want to focus on that right now.

"Denver?" Scott muttered.

"A...before Ralph first hit me, before I ran," I explained. "A friend saw bruises on me a lot...and she was worried, because she knew he was drinking..."

"But he wasn't..." The question left hung in the air.

"No, not then," I whispered, shaking my head. "I was taking a boxing class. But she...filed a police report...and before it could be fully cleared...that's when Ralph first hit me. That's when I ran."

Scott sighed, burying his face gently into my hair. "The case is still open, isn't it?" he muttered.

I nodded, clenching my eyes shut. "God, I was so stupid," I muttered, feeling the tears fill my eyes.

"Hey, you are not stupid, in any way," Scott said, squeezing me. "You are beautiful, amazing, sweet, kind, and I love you with all I have, okay? Ralph's just...a mess."

I couldn't help but smile at the three words we had only admitted hours ago. "I love you too," I whispered.

I could feel Scott's arms tighten around me again, and kiss my temple, as Avi's voice rang out. "Mitch, Scott!"

I barely turned, looking to my boss and friend as he moved towards us. "You okay?" he asked, looking between us.

Scott sighed. "Are you really gonna ask that?"

"Right," Avi muttered. "Well, we're gonna get this taken care of, okay?"

I nodded, sighing. "I'm sorry, Avi," I said softly. "I...I really didn't think he would come here."

"None of us could have," Avi replied. "This isn't your fault, at all. We're gonna make sure security is tightened, and we're adding more cameras around the set all together, okay?"