Fuse

twenty - five | darkness

Warning: this chapter contains some distressing content towards the end and insinuation of sexual assault. PLEASE be vigilant before reading this if it's a trigger for you.

S P E N C E R J A M E S O N

Sunlight pours through the large windows. The sky is patterned with a few clouds while the bright blue brightens it, allowing the yellow from the sun to shimmer down and reflect off of the glass.

I lay, completely at ease against Kane's chest as his arms shield me from the slight breeze from the open window. I take a glance up at him and find that he's already looking at me. He smiles and lifts his hand up to hold my face as his thumb gently traces my skin while he continues staring so deeply at me.

Thankfully Marshall text me saying he wasn't going to be home last night so I was able to stay here. I'm so happy he did.

He runs his hand through my hair and I snuggle into his chest further, enjoying the sensation. "Did you sleep well?" He asks and I nod my head against him.

"You're just so beautiful," he replies and I break out into a cheesy smile. "How are you feeling?"

"Amazing." I reply honestly and he chuckles.

"Same." He grins and I can't help but mirror his expression. "What are we supposed to do now?"

That's a good question. What does happen now? I've never been in a situation like this before.

I know what I want to do but I'm too scared to do it. For some reason, being here with Kane has given me a new sense of power and strength. I feel like I can take on the world.

I can do this. All I have to do is tell Marshall it's over.  Maybe his threats were just meaningless points to and end.

What if he's just all talk. All bark and no bite?

I'll never know if I don't at least try to get away from him.

Taking a deep breath, I make my decision. "I'm going to go home and talk to Marshall, tell him that I'm done." I say warily. "Once I let Harlow know she'll let me stay at her place until I find something else and —"

He cuts me off. "You're not going to Harlow's, you're coming back here." My mouth parts and I raise a brow at him. "I'm being serious. I mean you basically already have your own room here."

I can't help the smile that spreads across my face as I lean up and press my lips against his. "Thank you." I notice his expression change slightly and I shift my head to look up at him. "What's wrong?" I ask.

"Spence," he begins but stops, shaking his head as though he's torn for some reason. "How.. how did you get those bruises?"

"I told you, I fell. We went over this yesterday at the hospital." I tell him, trying my best to keep my voice from shaking.

He shifts in the bed, moving the covers slightly so my bare arms become visible. "No. These." He says, moving my arm and gesturing to the dark marks on my skin.

"It's none of your business." I tell him curtly, moving away from him in the bed. Getting up, I take the covers with me and wrap them around my body, not wanting him to see me again the way he did last night.