I'll Help Myself

Chapter 1 - Nightmares

"Hello?"

It was pitch black and I couldn't see a thing. My voice echoed through the ... room? I don't know where I'm standing, but I can feel something unpleasant.

"It's alright, darling."

I shiver runs down spine. Darling. That's what he used to call me.

"Shh, just settle down."

I spin around, my breath heaving, trying to find the source of the voice. He can't be here! It's impossible!

I start to ask who's there, but before a sound can even leave my mouth I'm interrupted.

"Don't make a sound, Darling, you're going to wake the baby."

As a hand clamps down on my mouth from behind.

Screaming at the top of my lungs, I shot straight up, on the bench that I had been sleeping on, and right off onto the ground.

Ugh, that bastard. If it weren't for him I wouldn't be having these nightmares. Well if I'm being honest, if it weren't for him I would still be home with a bed to sleep on.

"Are you alright, hun?"

I look up to see a small, elderly woman looking at me with concern in her eyes. I straighten up off the ground and brush the dirt from my pants.

Looking at her with as genuine of a smile as I can I answer with a simple, "Yes, I'm fine."

But she presses, "Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am. Thank you for asking and I'm sorry for bothering you."

My cheeks are starting to hurt from holding the smile, so I simply wave and turn to leave. Time to go the only person I'll ever trust, Janice.

I head to the Social Services building across town. It's about an hour and half walk, so put my headphones on and start my trek. Paramore blasts through the speakers as I lose myself in the lyrics.

Sooner than I realize I'm at Social Services. Staring up at the prison-like building, I never thought I would be back here. I thought I would be with the Montys for the rest of my life. Funny how things change. As I make my way up the stairs to the front door, I'm knocked into and start to fall back down the stairs.

Just my luck!

However as quickly as I realize I'm falling, I've realized I'm not anymore. I look up and see a man with a very surprised look on his face. I notice his emerald green eyes, wide with shock and his dark brown eyebrows are brushing the edge of his hair line complimenting the open pursed lips settle on his sharp jaw line.

Shaking my head, I look down and realize he is holding my arms keeping my from falling backwards. A can feel the corners of my lips pull up as I clear my throat.

"I think you can let go of me now ..."

My eyes widen as I realize his wearing a police uniform. The badge on his chest said R.Ramirez.

"Oh! Oh, right. Uh ... I'm sorry, I wasn't uh ... I wasn't - I'm sorry."

"It's okay, I wasn't paying much attention," I chuckled.

He smiled and it lit his whole face up, making him look even more attractive then he had a minute ago.

"Again, I'm sorry ..."

"Eevee, but you can call me -"

"Ivy?!"