Let Me Free

Chapter 3

Jocelyn's POV.

Blushing and gaping like a fool, I pulled my hand from her grasp and attempted to take a step back from the intoxicating woman, only to forget I was already backed against the counter. Falling backwards slightly, I propped my hands against the surface behind me, leaning backwards a bit, accidentally letting myself be open to vulnerability. Shock flitted across my face as I realized my mistake too late. The flirtatious smirking beauty closed the gap, eliminating all space between us and snaked her hands on my hips, eliciting a gasp from me.

"Shy, I like it." She murmured, dipping her mouth to my ear. I heard a scoff to my left then a voice filled with annoyance.

"Oh would you cut it out Amanda?"

I turned my flushed face to see Veronica playfully glaring at Amanda.

"Would you stop flirting with every girl you see for 5 minutes?" She asked, hands on hips that were cocked slightly to her right. My savior. Amanda chuckled and leaned in to nuzzle my neck, mouth parted slightly. I squeezed my eyes shut, whimpering. Being at her mercy reminded me of....him.

"Amanda," this time, Veronica's voice was sharp and hostile, all traces of play gone from her tone, her words whipped through the air to strike Amanda. "Knock it off. You're scaring her, for pete's sake." I kept my eyes shut and let out another frightened whine.

I felt her hands retract, and her presence recede.

"Ah, shit. Sorry Jocelyn," she said lowly. I opened my eyes to her face, which showed true guilt.

"I didn't mean to scare you. I just like to play is all." She stuck her hands in her pocket. I let out a shaky breath and stood tall.

"I-It's ok, I-I just, you made me remember something from my past." I walked out of the kitchen on quivering legs, Veronica on my tail.

"Are you alright?"

She asked concernedly. I turned to face her after walking a few more paces away from the kitchen. Smiling nervously, I stuck my hands under my arms.

"Yeah, no worries, just a flashback." Veronica frowned.

"I'm sorry about Amanda, she's a bit of a player, but she really doesn't mean any harm." She said, shooting a glare towards the kitchen door. I sighed and removed a hand to tuck a strand of auburn hair behind my ear.

"Seriously, it's fine. I've already forgiven, and forgotten, so no big deal."

But still, she's a player, gotta be careful with her, or I might have another flashback, and it might be less than pleasant.

Veronica looked at me curiously.

"What did Amanda make you remember?" I froze, memory after memory pounding like a drum at the base of my skull. Opening my mouth, I attempted to reassure her that it was nothing, but all that escaped was a panicked hiss of air. Images of Him and his cruelty flashed rapidly across my vision until all I could see, think, and hear was Him. His impossible tasks, the regular intensive beatings, and the burning, the fiery lash of never ending flames.

I didn't even realize I was hyperventilating until Veronica's hands were gripping my shoulders fiercely, and she was shaking me, hard.

"Jocelyn, focus. Focus on me, my voice, my face, listen!" Panicked and shaking, my eyes jittered and jumped, looking everywhere until landing on her. I drank up the sight of her, only her, and she forced Him to go away. Ever so slowly, the memories seeped back into my mind and Veronica was the only thing I could see. My breathing returned after stuttering and shaking for several minutes and I could speak.

"Thanks."

I murmured. She looked at me sympathetically.

"That bad, huh?" She questioned. I nodded, then remembered she was embracing me by the shoulders. Blushing, I glanced at her hands pointedly. She noticed my look and followed my vision to her hands before realizing and letting go, a dusting of red across her freckled cheeks.

"Sorry." she said meekly.

"N-no problem." I got out shakily. Damn stutter. Sometimes, I swear it will kill me with shame.

"Your stutter is really cute," Veronica said giggling. Aaaaand, I'm dead. Her comment made me flush a brighter red. I vaguely remember scrambling with an excuse to go back to my room and found myself there, clutching my chest above my rapid-beating heart.

I'm in one helluva mess.