🌸The Promise 🌸[18+]

Chapter 52

*Warning* Content written may be upsetting for readers, please read with caution— and if anything is triggering, just skip the chapter.
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"You let me win, didn't you?" I tease gleefully while breathing hard and fast, trying to compose myself. My heart is hammering in my chest, and the cold air feels incredible against my sweaty skin.
Toby was in the lead the majority of the time, turning back and laughing at my failed attempt to keep up. Till he started to slow his running down as I overtook him. I carried on running to the cottage I remember seeing - which Xavier told me was Toby's cottage.
As soon as I saw the flicker of candlelight in the vast darkness I stopped, only to see Toby was now walking seeming nervous.

"Ladies come first, as they say." He winks and runs his hands through his sandy hair, something seems to be bothering him.
But before I can ask, he walks along the gravel path to his front door, jingling his keys as he goes. He turns and waves me over. "Come on, I will make us some tea." He says, with a small smile. I start to feel unsure, thinking about it - I shouldn't have followed Toby out here in the dark. I don't want to do anything to compromise my reputation. I debate in my head till I shake the thoughts away. Toby is leaving, and after everything that's happened, I owe him a goodbye. He's always been kind and respectful towards me, and he knows I'm engaged to Xavier. Nothing can or will happen between us.

This is just two friends saying goodbye over a cup of tea, and also, he had something to show me. I can't deny my curious self isn't intrigued.
Feeling a few drops of rain that have started to spit, I smile and follow after him, happily.

-

"Make yourself at home," As Toby points to the small two-seater sofa, "I will put the kettle on." He says walking through a doorway.

The cottage is small, as grey brickwork decorates the walls, there isn't much in this tiny living room except a wooden empty bookcase and a huge open fire with logs burning. To the side are a small table and a chair. With a suitcase packed and ready for it's a new destination next to it.

I can see another doorway in front leading to what I expect would be the bedroom, but other than that this room is empty, almost depressing. If it wasn't for the fire, it would feel cold which is strangely opposite to its occupier, Toby is warm, everything about him is easy going and attentive. I feel that's his nature, his heart seems pure with good intentions.

Soon Toby is back with a cup of tea for me and one for himself, I find myself smiling that he seems nervous especially sitting next to me on the two-seater sofa. Our arms brush a few times accidentally.

The tea is hot and sweet and just what I need after all the running we did. "So what did you want to show me?" I ask after I swallowing big mouthful of tea, I feel myself relaxing as I look to the warm fire flickering away. Yawning and shaking my head. I smile towards him, all that running must have exhausted me.

"Tired?" Toby asks nervously, his hand trembles and makes the cup and saucer clink.

I smile sheepishly, "A little, I think beating you — has taken it out of me." I yawn again, my eyelids feeling heavy.
"So what did you want to show me?" I ask again, but he takes a mouthful of tea instead of answering, just as I do the same but seem to have finished mine.

"Here, let me." Toby holds out his hand to take my now empty teacup. smiling back to him in thanks, I lift my arm to hand it to him, except my arm feels dead.

What is wrong with my arm?

No matter how much I try to move it, it's not complying.
A loud shatter echoes in my ears as my hand has dropped the cup, to a thousand pieces on the stone floor. "S...S...orr....." My lips try to say, but I can't move them properly.

"It's okay Nova." Toby says reassuringly, "Your tired just..just close your eyes."

I can't close my eyes,

What is wrong with my body?

Exhaustion overwhelms me, and I know I should feel panic but my body is eerily calm. As the heaviness pushes my body back to the back of the sofa seat like It wants to swallow me whole.

Toby stands, and puts his hands under my legs and back, picking me up. I don't know how he can though, as my body feels like it's made of stone. I try to move in his grasp but I can't. I'm frozen, unable to move. Toby seems to blur as he walks swiftly towards another room.
I can see a small double bed and try to speak but my words can't escape my lips. It's like I'm a prisoner in my own body. Just moaning sounds and tears escape my tired eyes, as Toby places me gently onto his bed. Either he doesn't realise what is happening to my body or he doesn't care. But he needs to call Xavier, I must be getting the flu or something.

I moan again, trying to speak as my body sinks into the mattress like I'm made of lead. I'm fighting the urge to close my eyes as I'm so very tired.

Maybe if I sleep a little, I will feel better.

"Shh, don't fight it, Nova. Just close your eyes and rest." Toby says, but the emotion is thick in his voice as he wipes a tear away from his cheek.

Why is he crying?
What is happening?
Why am I so tired?
Why can't I move my body?

No matter how much I try to panic, I can't. My heart rate stays the same, yet I know it should be racing behind my chest. 

Toby, please call Xavier, please hear my thoughts and get him. Something is wrong.

My eyes start to close, just as Toby's words break my thoughts.

"I'm so very sorry Nova, please forgive me." He states as his eyes are full of tears watching my lifeless body,  just laying there not able to move.

Why is he sorry? Can't he see I'm sick?
Please, Toby, get Xavier.
Please, please, please.

I fight so hard to keep my eyes open and watch toby has opened his trouser button and zip.

Toby, what are you doing?

But he starts to crawl onto the bed coming towards me.

No..no..no...

His face looks distraught as his hand parts my legs.

No Toby, please don't. I yell in my mind.

But the room goes black as my eyes have glued shut betraying me, no matter how much I try to open them, they won't open, like magnets — sticking together. My mind whirls sickeningly as I feeling the cold unwanted fingers move up my thighs, he let's out a small sob. "Sorry Nova please forgive me." His voice is crying silently. "Forgive, me. I'm so sorry." Yet his hands move past my slip and between my thighs, parting me.

NO TOBY STOP! PLEASE STOP!

I can hear my sobs in my mind, as I switch off the feeling of Toby touching me.

Maybe I'm dreaming, or dying because Toby can't be doing this to me. I feel paralysed but calm. My body has frozen in a state of no existence.

Please Toby, please stop-

Like my mind hears my prayers, it switches off knowing I don't want to feel any longer.

I must be dying. This must be what it feels like to die.

White noise fills my ears in time with my heartbeat, as a world of blackness consumes me. Consumes my thoughts and my senses.
Till I am nothing.