Witness- Ashton Irwin

Safehouse

Lola's POV

I was once again having a nightmare of Vega trying to kill me but this time it was different. This time instead of me just running from him, me and Ashton were.

"Lola we got to keep going !" He said as I slowed down to catch my breath.

"I can't....I'm so tired.." I said gasping between words.

Then I heard a gunshot and I woke up screaming. My breathing was ragged as a startled Ashton sat up his eyes wide as he turned to look at me.

Instead of saying anything he just pulled me into his arms and tried his best to comfort me. I buried my face in his chest, the tears falling down my cheeks.

Detective Manning came rushing in with her gun half cocked. She lowered it once she realized we weren't in any immediate danger. Why did the nightmares have to come back again ?

Ashton's POV

I woke up to Lola's screams thinking 'Oh god is that bastard here ?' But I was relieved to see we were alone. Lola was shaking, rocking back and forth as she cried.

I pulled her towards me and she quickly buried her head in my shirt, crying like her life depended on it. I slowly rubbed her back trying my best to calm her down.

The Detective came rushing in with her gun pointed out but she quickly realized we were alone. I could see the worry in her eyes at Lola's trembling form in my arms.

"Is she ok ?" She asked as she lowered her gun.

I nodded my head continuing to rub circles on Lola's back as she sobbed.

"Yeah... I've got her." I said. "Why don't you make her some tea to help calm her down ?"

Detective Manning nodded her head and quickly left the room to go make the tea. It hurt me that Lola was suffering from these night terrors about a man who should be in prison.

"Hey." I said to Lola as she looked up at me. "What happened ?"

Lola sat up and wiped the tears from her face. I could tell she didn't want to talk about it. So I just grabbed a tissue and handed it to her. She wiped her face and got up.

"I'm going to the bathroom." Lola said and she quickly took off before I could respond.

I ran my hand through my hair and sighed. I wanted to kill that fucker myself but I don't think my pepper spray would cut it.

Detective Manning came back as her eyes settled on the now empty space on the bed.

"She's in the bathroom." I said and she nodded her head and set the tea down on the nightstand.

"Tell her she can have it whenever she feels like it." She said as she was about to retreat from the room.

"Wait." I said, she stopped and turned back around. "How long has she had nightmares ?"

Detective Manning motions for me to follow her out of the room. I followed her to the living room as she poured herself a drink.

"She's had nightmares about Vega since her parents were murdered. They were really bad in the beginning but seem to go away once she got settled here." She replied. "I'm guessing seeing him triggered a relapse. Did she say anything to you before she rushed to the bathroom ?"

I shook my head. She looked like a rabbit trying to escape a cat. I felt horrible and just wanted to so desperately make her fear go away.

"What can I do to help her ?" I asked. "I feel like I'm not doing enough."

"You being there for her is enough. I can see the effects you've had on her Ashton. You're doing fine." She said finishing her drink. "Now I'm going back to bed, let me know if you two need anything."

Detective Manning left the room and I just leaned against the counter. I could feel the fear and tension that Lola could feel for all these months of that bastard being on the loose.

"Ash ?" Lola said, I rushed back into our room and she ran into my arms.

"I'm sorry...I didn't mean to wake you up." She said, her voice muffled. "I just wish those damned nightmares would go away !"

I rubbed the back of her head gently relieved to see she wasn't shaking anymore. Still shaken but she seem to calm down a little.

"It's ok Angel, you don't have to apologize for being afraid. I'd be too." I said into her hair. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

I managed to get her to lie down and drink some tea before she eventually fell asleep in my arms.