Secrets And Lies

Chapter 49: Retaliation

Axel

"No!"

I jolted awake to Ryan's voice. She flailed frantically, kicking my shins. Strands of hair stuck to her sweat-soaked face as she put her hands on my chest and started pushing, trying to get away from me.  I instinctively held her tighter.

"It's okay baby. It's just me..." I whispered trying to gently wake her.

My attempts were in vain.

"Get off me!" She yelled.

I tried again to coax her but nothing was working. My heart hammered against my ribcage. I have never seen her have a night terror like this. I was always able to wake her up and comfort her. I felt impotent that I could do nothing. Not knowing what else to do, I threw on my boxer briefs and ran as fast and as I could downstairs and threw open Quade's door.

"Fitzpatrick." I shook him forcefully. He rolled over and looked at me with a raised brow.

"Mathews, you lost?" He looked me up and down. "I don't swing that way. Go find Sam." He rolled back over so his back was towards me once again.

"I don't have time for this shit! Get the fuck up? I need help with ..."

I was interrupted by a blood-curdling scream coming from  Ryan's room.

Quade's eyes widened as he scrambled up.

"Stay here, Warden will have a fit if he sees you in there, and half naked!"  Quade threw over his shoulder, taking the stairs two at a time.

"Not a chance in hell."

I ran up the stairs after him, not caring if the sheriff saw that I was here and in my underwear. It wouldn't be the first time he saw me like this.  Mike swung open her door when we got to the top of the stairs.

"Fuck...you  spent the night with me, okay?" Quade mumbled before we made it to her room.

I nodded and stood in the doorway, helplessly. I couldn't help her. She pushed me away when I tried.

Mike sat on the bed trying to wake his daughter.

"Ryan, darlin'.." He soothed, gently shaking her.

"Dad this one's bad, she's not going to wake up like that. Let me."

Quade sat between his father and sister. He lifted her in to a slumped sitting position as she tried to slap him away. Thank God she had thrown on a tank top and shorts before she fell asleep last night.

" Ry.." His voice was firm.

He lightly patted her cheeks in trying to get her to gain consciousness. Their dad looked much like I imagined I looked right now. He was worried, maybe even terrified for her. I pressed the heels of my hands to my eyes, trying to alleviate the sting that had gathered.  I needed to hold it together. I hadn't cried since I was in elementary school, and it's not what she needed now. When I was sure that I could control myself I let my hands drop.

"Let me go!" She wailed and started punching him in the chest repeatedly.

"Someone better tell me what the fuck is going on!" Mike demanded.

He didn't get a response from either of us.

"Owe. Shit.." Quade growled, between blows. "Ryan, stop! You're, home, safe!" He shouted, startling me and Mike.

Her eyes flung open and she quickly escaped the confines of Quade's arms, severely disoriented. She trembled and searched her surroundings.  I wanted nothing more than to go to her, but she looked terrified. Ryan didn't seem to be fully awake yet, and I didn't want to scare her more. She tightly closed her eyes before opening them again. This time realization hit her.