Secrets Unknown

Chapter 13

Sawyer's Side of Things:

She pulls me into a hug. I hesitate at first but then lean into her embrace. She snuggles into my neck and sobs.. I rub her back, trying to comfort her. I really hate her parents for doing this to her.

I quietly whisper into her ear, "Shhh..you're going to be okay. It was just a dream."

She shakes her head and leans back to look at me. Her eyes are filled with so much emotion. Anger, sadness, you can also tell that she is scared. I want to take all of that pain away.

"You died. Right in front of me." she says to me with a shaky voice.

"What?" I ask while wiping her eyes.

"My dad cut you in the side of the stomach and you stared at me as you were dying with blood coming out of your mouth. It was the same way with your brothers, mom and dad, and Wesley. I could do nothing about it because I was cut in the side too and my mom was holding me back. All I could do was scream."

So that's why she was crying. I'm seeing red now. That man and woman are hurting her even when they aren't around.

"They can't hurt me..but most importantly, they can't hurt you now, I promise."

"Promise?"

"Oh yeah."

She smiles at me and wraps her arms around my neck and hugs me. I hug her back.

"I'm so sorry for what they are doing to you."

She pulls back and shakes her head, "Don't be. This is my battle not yours."

"Yeah, but..."

"But nothing. This has been my battle for the last 9 or so years. I pulled you guys into this and I wish I never have."

"We don't care that you've brought us into this. We're glad we met you."

She nods and places her hands on both sides of my face and smiles slightly, "I'm glad that I met you guys too. I really am. But, I'm upset that I've met you guys also. You guys mean the world to me now... I couldn't ask for a better family..and I..."

I look at her. She wants to say something, I can tell..but something is holding her back.

"What?"

"Never mind. Just go back to your room."

"I am in my room."

She looks at me with wide eyes, "What!?"

I laugh at her confusion, "Yeah. That bed over there?"

I point to the other queen-sized bed. She nods. "Oh."

"Yep. That's mine."

I stand up, walk to my bed, and lay down. She wipes her face and then lays back down. I sigh and stare at the ceiling. If only she knew how much I loved her and how much I would protect her.