Little Miss Nosy

Chapter 54- Aftermath

Ashton's POV

I watched silently as the bloody bandage fell into the trash bin before raising my gaze to meet my tired eyes in the mirror.

2 weeks.

It's been 2 weeks since we got Peyton back and we're still suffering the aftermath from Jacob's cruel games he so happily made us endure.

I groaned, rubbing my temples in attempt to get his image out of my head.

I never imagined what it would be like to hold someone else's life in my hands. The power that surged throughout my body in that moment was tempting. Tempting me to protect Peyton, to get revenge for my brother, and to finally end all the suffering he put me through during these past years.

I hated it.

Taking Jacob's life would only bring me more pain. The bloody memory would be a constant reminder of what I've done and who I've become. All for revenge. After everything, I would be just like him: a monster.

So I didn't do it.

When I pulled the trigger, the bullet hit his shoulder. It was enough for him to drop the gun and for me to give him a matching head wound to mine; knocking him out.

It wasn't long after that the cops arrived making me believe that Matt had called them. But Peyton told me it was Dustin; the man I met before going into the cabin and who my brother fell in love with.

For years I imagined what he looked like. Now, there was a face that went with the name; Dustin. I wasn't sure if I should still hate him or not.

I looked at the now clean bandage on my head that covered up the wound that Jacob gave me and turned away from the mirror. I made sure the first aid kit was packed away neatly and turned off the lights before leaving my bathroom.

I immediately found Peyton's sleeping form laying in my bed. Her eyebrows were scrunched in discomfort and her breaths were becoming more deep and irregular. She was having another nightmare.

I sighed and went back over to my couch which took place of my bed for the past two weeks.

Suddenly, an ear piercing scream shattered the silence and I jumped before racing over to the bed. Peyton was thrashing around, trying to get out of the jumble of blankets that covered her body.

"Baby. Baby! It's okay." I winced slightly as one of her hands collided with my face, scratching my cheek and lip as she fought unconsciously.

I grabbed both of her small wrist in one of my hand and gently lifted her trembling body onto my lap. This process has been happening almost every night for the past couple of weeks that my actions are now becoming too natural.

"It's okay. I'm right here," I say softly into her messy hair. Her eyes were closed but I knew she was awake, or at least somewhere inbetween. Her small hands fisted in my shirt as she snuggled closer into my chest; her body slowly relaxing.

This is the only time I get to hold her. She doesn't even want to touch me when she's awake, which I understand. She doesn't even speak.

Physically, she was fine. But the emotional and mental trauma that she got while witnessing Logan's death is something that will stay with her for a long time.

I look over to the dresser to see the crown, tiara, and matching sashes sitting atop it. I sighed and closed my eyes, thinking back to what was supposed to be a beautiful night but instead turned out to be a nightmare.

I tried to cheer her up by telling her we won prom king and queen, just to see if I could get the slightest of smiles out of her, but she barely even blinked.

Her grip gradually became looser on my shirt and her breathing became more regular, letting me know that she went back to sleep.

But I stayed in the same position for hours after that, tensing at the slightest movement from her.

I was never letting her go again.

---

This was a very very short chapter that actually wasn't supposed to be this short but I changed my mind. It's just a filler to let you all know what is happening and where some of the characters are at at this point.

Please remember to vote and comment some things you want to see happen in the last few chapters. :)

~Mary