Daydreamer Memories (Book 1 in the daydreamer trilogy)

Chapter 24

Opening my eyes less than three seconds later, I hear Machala gasp, I turn with a smile on my face which immediately disappears when I see Machala, the lighting in her room did not allow my eyes to see the full extent of the damage that monster had caused. She has a thin scar running down her face onto her top lip, both eyes are black, there is an ugly bruise on her neck like someone was trying to strangle her. She is wearing a nightgown with no sleeves, and i can see old and fresh scars from where she has been used as a human ashtray. I compose myself so she doesn’t see how shocked I am. Regan turns to her.

“Machala...”

She puts her hand up stopping him from talking.

“Please call me Mika...I hate my name.”

He nods and smiles at her.

“Mika...please let me know if there is anything you need, you will be living here with us know, we will take care of you! Us guys are going to leave you to bond with the women of the house tonight, then in the morning you will be introduced to all the family, I will let the guy’s know how you feel about physical contact so don’t feel pressure to act brave, we all know you have been through allot! I hope you will come to love it here”

He kisses the back of her hand and turns to me.

“Enjoy yourselves tonight; I’m going to miss you”

He leans in and gently strokes his lips against mines, his taste sends tingles through my body, he pulls away too soon and I pout.

“It’s a girl’s night tonight remember!”

He raises his eyebrow mocking me, I stick my tongue out and grab Machala’s hand pulling her towards the dining hall, Machala giggles beside me and it’s lovely to hear.

“I...LOVE...YOU!”

Regan shouts as he falls to his knees dramatically, I feel my cheeks burn from embarrassment and he starts to laugh at my humiliation. I flip him off as I open the door to the dining hall.

All the girls are sat sorting through piles of gifts on the table, there are rolls of wrapping paper, tape and scissors on the floor all around the room. We are helping each other wrap gifts for our families and the guys, our gifts for each other are hid away in our rooms. I have already told the girls not to suffocate Machala at first. Kate notices us first and I see excitement in her eyes, it fades slightly as I see her struggling to hide away her normally bubbly self. I sigh with relief at her self control, I was afraid she would freak Machala out with how loud she can be. She walks over to us, Machala is still holding my hand so I squeeze lightly, and showing her it’s ok.

“Hey you two...we were starting to worry...is everything ok!”

Kate looks from me to Machala, she doesn’t change her expression when she sees the state of Machala’s face and I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. Kate holds out her hand to Machala.

“Hi...I’m Kate Stark...Izzie’s cousin!”

Machala slowly takes Kate’s hand and lowers her head shyly.

“I-I’m Mika”

She sounds so young and fragile want to take her away and come back when she is older and can cope better. I know I can’t do that but the urge is so strong.

“Nice to meet you Mika...do you think you could help us wrap some gifts, we have allot to do and could do with an extra pair of hands!”

Machala’s eyes brighten and I feel my heart twist in my chest. She looks so excited.

“I-I’d love to...I never done it before though”

She looks done to feet looking embarrassed.