Relentless

Chapter 46

Juliet

I don't want to do this.

I don't want to share a house with him.

I don't even want to breathe the same air as him.

When we reach the station, he parks the car in a sea of other police cars. I get out and walk cautiously behind him, still in my second act costume. He walks me to his car and opens the passenger side door for me.

"I have to grab some stuff from my office. Will you be okay here for a minute?" He asks.

No.

"Yeah." I whisper. He closes the door softly and runs inside of the station. I sit on the car and take out my phone, texting Josh and Maris. After five minutes, I am startled by the driver side door opening. When Ashton sits down, I release a breath and look straight ahead. He starts to back up the car and then drives away. We drive deep into LA which takes about twenty minutes and arrive at a ranch similar to my Aunts house.

"Are you okay?" He asks as he parks in his driveway.

"I don't want to talk about it." I say in a low voice. "I'm tired and I just want to go to bed."

"Okay. I'll take you inside." He states, getting out of the car. I get out and follow him to the door, hearing his car lock as I do. When he opens the door, I see nothing but black. He turns on the light and I see white walls, two couches and a big television. I walk into the living room and look around until he speaks.

"I'll show you to the guest bedroom." I follow behind him as he enters the hallway and opens the door on the left. When we walk in, I see a bed fully made and a television. "Make yourself at home." He states as he leaves the room. I see him enter the room across the hall, I guess his room, and open a drawer. When he comes back he hands me one of his shirts. "I'm right across the hall if you need anything."

"Thank you."

"Good night." He says, leaving the room and closing the door behind him. I sit down on the bed and unfold the t-shirt to see it is one of Ashton's army shirts. I take off my shoes and costume and then slide his shirt over my head. I smell the wonderful scent of Ashton's cologne and want to absorb myself in it. I put my hair in a lose ponytail and settle in bed, snuggling under the covers and falling asleep.

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"What do you want to do today, Jules?" Daddy asks, holding something behind his back.

"Whatever you want to do, Papa!" I reply, grabbing his hand as we walk around Central Park.

"I got you something." He says. He brings his arm in-front of him and I see a little brown teddy bear. I gasp and take it with both hands, hugging it to my chest. "Do you like him?"

"I love him! Thank you, Daddy!"

"Anything for you, baby girl." He says. I look down at the teddy bear and give it an Eskimo kiss. When I look back up at my Dad, I don't see him.

"Papa?" I ask, looking around for him. I see several strangers, looking down at me with nasty expressions on their faces.

Why are they looking at me like that?

I'm only twelve.

When I look straight ahead, I see a sight that scares my shadow away.

Two men, standing upright and watching my every move. They start walking towards me, each step in sync with the other. I start running away, but my feet aren't moving. Not knowing what else to do, I start to scream and cry. When they step in-front of me, the older one pulls my hair. They start laughing at me, a twelve-year-old little girl. I look at the younger boy and see him snap his fingers. In confusion, I look around and catch the sight of a red spot on my teddy bear's paw. The spot starts to expand and within seconds, my entire bear is red. I glance down at the ground and see two bodies, face down. Both are wearing blue outfits and both have brown hair.