Cross my heart - Tommy Shelby

•15•

Warnings: mentions of sexual assault, PTSD, swearing, implications of sex

"What the fuck do you mean she was attacked?"

"John calm down."

"No I will not fucking 'calm down'!"

"John your shouting isn't helping the situation at all."

"But Pol-"

"Don't 'but Pol' me John, that girl was attacked and nearly raped! Your shouting is not helping the situation one bloody bit."

Eliza listened from her spot on the sofa, her body ached and her memories were still intense and raw from the previous night.

Her eyes felt heavy and she felt bleary. Eliza wanted nothing more than to sink into the cushions of the sofa and just disappear.

There was a great deal of pacing coming from the kitchen, which she assumed could only be John's.

Eliza wished she could've told him in a normal way, like she did with all her troubles- over a glass of scotch. That he didn't discover the events of the night before in such a horrible way.

Her heart pounded rapidly in her chest, her entire body felt as if it were in shackles. Like she had her hands tired- as if there was no escape from this dark backstreet

She could feel ever grope, every unwanted kiss, she could hear every single taint and harsh laughter.

She felt cold and exposed where her clothes had been forcibly removed and the fearful tremble in her body refused to go away.

It felt as if she was helpless, there was nothing she could do. Like she was watching herself be pushed around and assaulted in the most cruel ways from the outside.

And then he came, cigarette burning and the soft glow of the ashy embers as they were flicked off onto the mud caked floor.

The man who had a red right hand in his pocket and a peaky cap perched on his head and she could see the blades tucked away, still glinting occasionally in the soft glow of the nicotine filled stick.

At long last she felt her knees hit the floor, as she simultaneously heard begging and screams of pain. Her hands were stained in blood and the screams got louder and louder until they just...stopped.

"Liza?" A frantic voice was calling to her, she felt like she was being shaken, "Liza wake up!"

She woke with a start, shooting up and rocking back and forth. Eliza felt someone attempt to hold her, but after the previous night she attempted mercilessly to escape whoever was touching her. She thrashed and tried to break free, but they held on.

Eliza was sure she was crying now, her voice croaked and cracked as she attempted to cry out in some sort of attempt at being rescued.

A small part of Eliza's mind knew she was safe, that nobody was trying to hurt her. In any other situation she would relax into the embrace and find comfort. But this- this was to much to handle.

"Let her go Johnny boy-"

"Tom what the fuck is going on?"

"I'll explain in a minute- just go through to the kitchen, aye an' I'll sort this."

"Yer out 'yer mind if yer think I'm leaving her here with you."

There was a small pause, before the sound of retreating footsteps were heard by Eliza.

"Liza, open yer eyes for me."

She slowly cracked open an eyelid, almost afraid of what she might find. Her vision was blurred as she burst into floods of tears at the sight of Tommy kneeled besides her.