Jake

Chapter 19 - Facts

My breathing hitched, my chest squeezing. My lips parted as my body froze, Jake slowly leaned towards me, my eyes searching his. I wanted him to kiss me again, I wanted to be close to him again, there was an undeniable pull to him.

Suddenly it was happening again, the whirlwind of emotions I'd felt before taking over. My brain went foggy, my eyes blurring. I needed to force it away, but I couldn't, it was almost as if my body was betraying me, giving in.

But it wasn't his proximity that beckoned, pain shooting through my head, ringing piercing through my ears. I winced as I gripped my temples and squeezed my eyes shut, hissing through my teeth.

I could feel my body being pulled from reality, a voice reaching for me to give in as I fought against the gravity.

My eyes went black and my body fell limp "Haven!" I could hear Jake calling me, his hands on my shoulders shaking me before I lost all control.

I knew I was going to hit the floor, uncontrollable possession taking over, but Jake had caught me, I felt his arms against my body, repositioning me against the wall as I cradled my head, scrunching my body up

Jake's fingers were around my wrists, trying to pull me back "Don't let him in" he told me, realising the ring was no longer in place around my neck to stop the attacks

"Where is it Haven? Where did you put it?" He frantically asked as his hands reached out to either side of my face.

I couldn't answer, I couldn't move, I couldn't open my eyes. I was trapped.

Suddenly Jake's touch released from me and I grew cold.

I was close to succumbing when I felt heat press against my skin, as quickly as it had hit me, it vanished and I came spiralling through a vortex back to reality.

My breathing was rigid, fast as I fought to regain air.

"Jesus Christ" Jake cursed as he pulled me towards him, one hand on the back of my head, the other on my back as he pressed me against his body sitting directly in front of me on the bathroom floor. I felt dizzy, tired as I tried to control my breathing, my hands held onto the front of his shirt, not willing to let go, he had once again saved me from Hudson.

I refused to move, I didn't want to move from the closeness of him, unexpectedly I knew I couldn't deny how I felt when I was with him, close to him. I felt safest when I was with him, the moment I was close to him, everything felt better.

"What is going on?" A panicked Aldrek entered the room, followed by footsteps in the doorway

"Hudson" Jake grumbled beside my ear

"The ring?" Aldrek questioned confused

"She took it off" Jake replied, making me feel stupid all over again

"He's persistent" Aldrek sighed heavily, worried

"He's getting desperate" Saxon added

"Is she okay?" Imelda asked as she entered the space where we sat crumpled on the floor

"I think so" Jake replied as he regrettably leaned back, keeping his hands on the back of my head and back as he retracted. I quickly let go of the hold I held on his shirt, realising all eyes were on us.

I kept my gaze on my lap, exhausted, embarrassed

"You need to keep the necklace on Haven" Imelda leaned down towards me

I nodded, eager to stand and brush the embarrassment off. I pushed my legs up, feeling wobbly as I attempted to lift myself from the cold tiles

"Take it easy" Jake warned, worried as he kept his hands on some part of me to steady me. I relied on the wall to keep me upright as Aldrek shooed the spectators off