Dark Places

Chapter Seven

I jerk awake, screaming.

It’s dark; I have no idea where I am.

Where’s Raymond?

“Elaina! Elaina, wake up! Shh, you’re safe. You’re safe.” I feel a hand on my forehead and someone pressed up behind me, an arm wrapped around my stomach.

I stop my screams; I’ll just make him even madder if I keep screaming, he’ll hit me.

I whimper. “Please, don’t hurt me.” I say in a strangled voice. I’m terrified right now.

“What? Laina, I’m not going to hurt you. I would never. You’re safe here. You’re okay.” I suddenly recognize the deep, gentle voice.

I regain my surroundings. I’m at Ethan’s house. Ethan’s here, not Raymond. I’m safe, he told me so. I take a deep breath and run my hands down my face.

I’m sweating and shaking in Ethan’s arms. “I’m sorry. I’m fine. I’m sorry for waking you up.” I say in a shaky voice.

I swear my voice is like a piece of paper with the words ‘kick me’ written on the front, taped to my forehead. I suck at hiding emotions with my voice.

“Shh, don’t apologize. I get enough sleep. Want to tell me what the nightmare was about? Sometimes it helps.” He says in a soothing voice.

Surprisingly, in his arms, I feel safe. Raymond can’t get me here.

I shake my head. “I’m fine now. It was just a nightmare.” I take a deep breath and shove the covers away. “I’m just going to get some air.”

I saw a bench swing out front on the deck earlier. Being outside should help me a little. I force myself out of Ethan’s arms and walk down the hallway.

I open the front door and step out into the early morning air. I take a deep breath, wrapping my arms around my stomach. I walk to the bench swing and sit down.

I bring my knees up to my chest, wrapping my arms around them and place my chin on my knees. There’s a slight chill in the air; it’s just what I need to wake me up.

I’m still so tired, but I’m too scared to sleep now. Raymond will find me, no matter where I run to. Just like he said.

I never got to mourn my father like I should’ve because of my mother and Raymond.

They ruined my life; they pushed me past my breaking point and then some.

Now I’m broken and alone. I may have Ethan for now, but he doesn’t know my past.

He doesn’t know me.

I hear the front door open and close. The porch light turns on. Ethan walks over to me, but I don’t turn my head.

I know that I’m safe here.

I am safe here.

Ethan wraps a blanket around me and sits down.

“That steak you made tonight tasted just like my father’s” I say quietly to him while gazing up at the stars.

Ethan watches me. “He’s a good cook, too?” He teases.

I nod, smiling. “He was.” I correct him. My eyes well up with tears. My mind goes back to that day. The day of the accident. I’m not ready to share that with Ethan; I hardly even know him.

Ethan doesn’t speak or ask me any questions, and we lapse into a comfortable silence. We sit there together, both lost in our own thoughts. I’m still so exhausted and I can’t help it when my eyes drift closed.