To Protect Each Other ~ A Haleb Story

Confessions

A/N: So I know I mentioned in previous chapters that Toby, Caleb and Ezra were planning a surprise party for the girls but it hasn't been mentioned since. I'm just trying to do it at the right time Xo -R

Caleb's POV...

I just woke up on the couch with Hanna snuggled into my chest. I looked at the time. 12:43pm. Shit. Hanna's curfew is 12pm and her mom is gonna be worried sick. I decided to call her.

Ring ring ring.

"Caleb? Where's Hanna?" She sounded so worried.

"Don't worry she's with me Ashley... we kind of fell asleep a couple of hours ago." I tried to reason.

"What were you doing?" Oh god I thought.

"Um... studying. We were studying." I said. If their activities earlier in the evening were as easy as studying then they'd want to be doing it all of the time.

"But Hanna said that all of her exams are over?"

"Um... yeah they are... I still have one. Biology."

"Hanna doesn't take Biology." Ashley realised.

"Yeah I know but she's surprisingly good at it. I told her she should have. Would have been an easy grade for her..."

"Oh really. I can't imagine Hanna being good at Bio. Anyway is she still sleeping?" She asked.

"Yeah."

"Well she can stay with you if that's okay."

"Yeah that's fine."

"Has she got some clothes and stuff at your place?"

"Yeah she has. See you tomorrow Ashley."

"Bye Caleb." And they both hung up. That was close. I thought.

Hanna's POV...

I was sitting on the cold floor of 'my room' in the Dollhouse. Suddenly, my door jolted open and a hooded figure stepped inside. I instinctively stood up and walked backwards towards the wardrobe but all they did was follow me.

"Please. Not again. I'll do anything just please--" I begged. Before I could plead anymore, the figure reached into his pocket and pulled out some handcuffs. The first thing that ran through my mind, honestly was rape. But I didn't think they'd stoop that low, they can't be that desperate, can they? They cuffed me to the handle of the wardrobe and pulled out a taser. They instantly started zapping me and I sobbed uncontrollably. There was nothing I could possibly do.

After minutes of torture, he began kicking me so hard I was was winded multiple times. He grabbed a knife and slashed my knee open. All I could do was scream. But then everything suddenly went black.

Caleb's POV...

As the phone call ended, Hanna suddenly woke up, crying. Her face was extremely pale and her forehead was sweaty. I immediately knelt next to her on the couch.

"Hey Han, it's okay." She put her head on my shoulder and she was still sobbing. She looked petrified. "Did you have a nightmare?" I asked as I rubbed her back. She didn't reply, she just kept crying and crying and crying. All the while I just tried to whisper sweet nothings to comfort her such as, 'you're safe with me', 'I love you', 'nothing is going to hurt you, I promise'

Hanna's POV....

Caleb holding me as I sobbed really helped. I didn't tell him that I still had nightmares because I didn't want him to worry about me anymore. And usually, I didn't have them when I was around him so it wasn't like he'd see me have one and then question me about it, but today I was wrong.

"You're safe Hanna. Nothing's going to hurt you here, I promise." Caleb whispered into my ear as I continued to lean on him.

I'm not safe. All I could think about was how easy it would be for 'A' to get to me. Even if Caleb were here to protect me, 'A' can do anything. I mean they trapped us in an underground bunker for almost a month and tortured us constantly for god's sake.

"Hey, you know you can tell me anything. I'll never be mad or upset with you. I never could be." He said as he pulled away from me and caressed my cheek.

"I know." I replied as my sobs subsided slightly. I needed to tell him sooner or later.

"I-I told you that the n-nightmares had stopped b-but they haven't. I'm so sorry I didn't t-tell you I just didn't want you to worry about me anymore than you a-already were." I cried.

"Hanna it's my job to worry about you. I'm never gonna stop worrying about you. Even if this whole thing never happened, I'd still worry about you." He told me as he tucked a lose piece of blonde hair behind my ear. "Is this about the dollhouse again?" He asked me and I nodded.

"I'm really sorry I didn't tell you. I just wish I could move on from it but sometimes I feel like that's never gonna happen."

"I'm sure you will move on. But I'm not going to pretend that i don't think you'll still have nightmares because you probably will and you can get professional help for that."

"But I've been seeing Dr. Sullivan once week for the past three months and it's not helping."

"Has she given you any medicine or pills?" He asked me.

"No. I don't know how to ask her. I just feel like she's gonna judge me and tell me I'm overreacting just like my dad did." I began to tear up again.

"You're definitely not overreacting Han. You're father just wanted to say anything that would upset you and nobody is judging you, I promise. Do you want me to come with you to Dr. Sullivan? Maybe I can help you to explain what's been happening so she can understand better." He said as he held my hands

"Yeah I'd like that. Thank you Caleb. I love you." I said while leaning back into his chest.

"You don't need to thank me. I love you too." His tight embrace soon lead to me falling back asleep in his arms peacefully.