Good Girl Gone Bad ✔️

18

My heart stopped. My hands were shaking and I didn't even notice that I was holding my breath.

I gripped the letter in my hand firmly as silent tears rolled down my face. I gritted my teeth and stared at the blank wall in front of me.

It can't happen now. Not like this. I looked back down at the letter that was now crumpled.

My dear Emilia,
     Do you remember me? I have come to take you back. I miss you so much. I still remember the time when my plan went horribly wrong. When you were a little girl, you should've been the one who was supposed to cross the street. But no, your mother saved you. But did you forget the terrible scene that happened right in front of you? Now that you have been in hiding ever since, I am now coming back to claim what is mine. You won't run away this time. -Father

I squeezed my eyes shut and ripped the paper apart. I threw it everywhere and screamed. I sobbed as loud as I could. I couldn't handle the pressure anymore.

I wish he would die. I want to die. I wanted to see my beautiful mother again. I sank down to my knees and cried.

I gasped when I felt a hand on my back. "It's okay. Let it out." Josh held me tightly and rocked me back and forth.

I clutched his shirt that was wet from my tears. He was patient with me. He didn't leave my side.

After a few more minutes, my tears had stopped and I was now sniffling. Josh pulled me back and looked at me. I kept my gaze on the floor.

"Hey, look at me," he said. Josh brought his hand to my chin and lifted my face up gently. My gaze was now focused on him.

"What's wrong?"

My lips pressed into a straight line. I closed my eyes and tears fell out. I let them flow freely.

"It's my dad. He's back for me."

Josh

My fists were balled up as Emily explained everything. The letter, her father's background, and her mother's relationship with him.

I couldn't believe he wants Emily back now. Some people just don't know when to stop.

Well, if he thinks he getting her, he's wrong. That criminal isn't getting anywhere near Emily.

I looked down at her and she was now asleep against me. Her eyes were closed and the tears dried up, leaving stains.

I carried her to the bed and fixed her in comfortably. She clutched the blanket and shuffled around. Her eyes were still closed.

I heard her breath hitch and she whimpered. My heart ached. 

"It's going to be okay," I whispered. I kissed her on her forehead and the tenseness in her body relaxed.

I glanced at her one last time before closing the door and exiting the room.

Emily

I wanted to open my eyes, but I couldn't. It was like my eyes were glued shut.

I somehow managed to open it, and before me was Josh. "Emily?"

I sighed, but my eyes widened when Josh's face changed into my father's. He smiled, showing his yellow, disgusting teeth. "Daddy's back."

I screamed in horror and tried to get off the bed. He was holding me down. All I saw was the evil glint in his eyes and his creepy smile.

"Emily!" he shouted at me. The tears rolled down my cheeks. "Emily!" he shouted again.

I sobbed. "Emily!"

I stopped crying. The voice wasn't his anymore. It was Josh's. I panted heavily when I opened my eyes and met his.

I got up and hugged him tightly. He hugged me back and kissed my my bare shoulder where my shirt had revealed.

"It's okay. Don't worry," he whispered. I sobbed into his shirt and never wanted to let go. "Don't leave me."

Josh still hugged me, not caring if I was sweaty. He stayed by my side until I relaxed again.

I didn't let him go, however. He didn't complain either. Josh waited with me and stayed with me for as long as I wanted.

That was when I decided to speak. "J-Josh?" He looked down at me. I trued to control my shaky breath. "I-I need to tell Gigi about this. She has to know."

Josh nodded. "I'll go get the phone." He set me down and went to grab my phone. I dialed Gigi's number when he handed me the phone.

I held it to my ear and waited. I prayed that she would pick up.

She picked up on the third ring. "Hello?" She sounded sleepy.

I took a deep breath. "Gigi?"

Her tone of voice changed into worry. "Emily? What's wrong?"

I licked my lips before saying it out loud. "He's back."