Secrets And Lies

Chapter 31: The Moment Truth

"No! Stop!" My mouth was moving, but I couldn't hear the words.

"Why couldn't you have finished the damn drink? If you don't want me to hurt you, stop struggling!" A frustrated voice commanded menacingly into my ear.

My arms were shoved above my head roughly, my wrists throbbing in pain. A rough hand scraped like sandpaper over my chest. 

"Get off of me! No!" My voice came muffled and ragged. The words burned in my throat as they barely slipped from my lips. If I could now heae my voice, maybe someone else could.

I was suddenly filled with short-lived hope. 'Come on, Ryan, just keep your voice strong,' I urged myself. My begging earned a neck-breaking slap to my left cheek, knocking the breath out f my lungs. I choked on an inhale. A blood-curdling scream reverberated off the walls. I knew it came from me, but it sounded disconnected.

"Be a good girl...quit fighting...you'll enjoy it."

Pain invaded my whole being. Excruciating pain, that numbed the bite in my wrists.

No one was coming. Why hadn't anyone heard me? Exhaustion replaced everything, and I wanted more than anything to do what he said. I wanted it to end. Please just let me sleep through this. I can't fight anymore. Please let me forget. Forget everything.  End...please! Why wasn't I sleeping? Sleep!

An eternity passed before I heard the faint slam of the door flying open and felt a sudden weight lift. I curled up into the fetal position holding my hands over my ears, drowning out the sounds of fists colliding and two male voices yelling. Then, the welcoming darkness slid in. Just let me forget. I chanted in my head as that sweet, mind-numbing darkness quickly claimed what little consciousness I had left.

"Ryan... baby, wake up!" 

 My eyes flew open.  My breaths came in short, choking spurts. Axel? When did he get here? 

Axel crouched down by my bed and kissed my hand. "breathe baby, just breathe" He repeated this between soft presses of his lips to my palm.  I concentrated on his voice, his hand touching mine, and the way he made me feel safe. 

"I'm safe. I'm home. Everything was going to be okay," I repeated in my head over and over until my breathing slowed. 

Before my panic could subside entirely, someone knocked on my door.

"Hide, I'll be fine.." I urged quietly.

 Axel reluctantly let go of my hand and hid in the closet, closing the door behind him.

"Y...yeah." my voice shook as I sat up in bed. The door opened, revealing Quade.

Shit! Please keep your mouth shut. I begged my brother in my head.

"You okay? You were screaming." Quade sat on my bed. "Jesus, Ryan, you're sweating like a pig."

"Thanks for that. I'm fine, Quade." I wiped my forehead with my blanket and laid back down, hoping he would get the hint.

"Do you want to talk about it?" He glanced around the room and laid down next to me, almost hitting me in the face with his elbow as he laced his hands behind his head.

He was letting me know that he wasn't going anywhere any time soon, not until I talked about it at least.

"No, Quade, I've talked about it enough with you" I tried to shove him out of bed, but he didn't budge. "Look, can we talk about this in the morning?"

He let out a grumble, knowing that wouldn't happen. I've been pretty good about handling my nightmares without running to my big brother for help.

"Fine.." Quade rolled off my bed and padded to the door. He paused and looked over his shoulder. "Axel, she's all yours," he said before turning the doorknob.