Broken

Chapter 6 - Heaven is a Place on Earth

The next three months were tough. Tom would spend as much time as possible gently coaxing me back, pulling me from the continuous loop of nightmares, anxiety attacks, fear of trust, fear of facing anyone else.

He would spend hours with me, whether it was just holding me close to him, or listening whilst I struggled to get out the words that were circling my mind, driving me insane.

Then one day, all the progress we had made, all the fear I had managed to clear out of my head, cane flooding back. I got a letter. A court date. To testify against Steve.

"D? What is it?" Tom could see the fear come back, he could see it in my eyes as I threw the letter away as if it was on fire.

"I- I can't." I stood up, running into my room, locking the door. I covered my mouth with my hands, trying to keep myself from screaming. The tears poured down my face.

"D? It's Tom. Can I come in?" He knew what was going on. He knew what had come back.

"D, I'm gonna stay right here. I'll wait until you're ready. Ok? I'm right here." He said quietly.

I opened the door slowly about half an hour later, locking eyes with Tom. I collapsed into his arms and he lowered me to the ground. He held me tight, his arms wrapped around me, making me feel secure, safe.

We stayed like that for a long time. He knew how to calm me down, rubbing my back gently, stroking my hair, whispering I was going to be ok, rocking me back and forth.

He picked me up bridal-style, carrying me into my room. He sat down on the bed, keeping me in his lap. I leaned my head against his shoulder and the tears slowly stopped, and my breathing returned to normal.

"I can't do it Tom. I can't go." I choked out.

"Yes you can. You can do it. You're so brave, D. I know you can. I'll be with you the whole time." He cupped my face in his hands, brushing the hair away from my face.

He leaned in and kissed me. It wasn't like any kids we'd ever shared before. It was so soft, so gentle. It felt like I was home. I was safe.

*TOMS POV*
Her eyes were red and puffy, cheeks stained from her tears. I leaned in to kiss her. Her lips were salty from her tears, her chin still wobbling slightly. I knew how terrifying this whole experience was going to be for her. Which is why I promised I'd be by her side the whole time.

"I promise, D. You're not alone. You never will be."

"I'm sorry, Tommy." She murmured, our foreheads still touching.

"It's ok, D. It's not your fault." I kissed her nose, making her giggle.

"I love you, Darya." I smiled, stroking her cheek with my thumb.

"I love you Tommy." She smiled back. And I knew then that she back. She was finally home.

*DARYAS POV*

The court date rolled around pretty quickly. I woke up that morning at a ridiculous hour.

I checked my phone. 5:49am. I knew there was no way I was getting back to sleep, so I rolled out of bed, tip toeing down the stairs to the kitchen. I let Milo and Tessa out into the garden, and watched them chase each other around. They loved each other, no doubt about it.

I made myself a cup of tea, leaning against the cupboards as I waited for Tessa and Milo to come back inside. I smiled to myself as I reminded myself that after today, the horror I had lived my whole life would finally be over, and I could focus on living the way I was meant to. Free from the terror and fear that he would find me.