Saving Her

Chapter 14

Shawn's POV

I'm holding Camila, and I don't ever want to let go.  She woke up a few more times in the night and cried herself back to sleep.  My parents and sister came to see her late evening and I think seeing them after everything else really wore both of us out.  My mom just wanted to rub her back and my dad just wanted to wrap her in blankets and hold her like we remember Ale used to when she was sad.

As the light shines through the window in her room, I feel her shivering in my arms.  I know she's crying again. 

Sometime in the night I removed my uniform shirt and I'm just in a tight black tank top.  It's soaked and clinging to my skin, but I don't care.  It's a small price to pay for having her in my arms.

I still can't believe she's letting me hold her.

A few moments later she stops shivering and her beautiful brown eyes meet mine.  They are missing something, actually lots of things I'm used to seeing in them.  It's like she's gone blank inside; just a shell of the Camila I know looking back at me.

Pulling away from her a little more, I'm testing the waters.  The last 12 hours have been some of the worst, most confusing for both of us.

I raise my had to gently push some hair behind her ear and she flinches....hard.  Concern etches my face.

"I'm sorry." I whisper.

Removing herself from my arms completely she rolls away from me.  I let out a quiet sigh.  She's curled in the fetal position and I'm afraid to reach out to her.

"Mila, are you okay?"

She turns and glares at me.  "Does it look like I'm okay Shawn?  Does any of this look OKAY to you?" She screams.  I know she's hurting so I don't take it personal, but I'm speechless..  the wires, the beeping, the whole experience she went through the night before flash in front of me.

"I'm sorry Camila.  I'm so sorry."  I reach for her hand and surprisingly, she lets me take it.  She's laying on her back now and I'm sitting on the edge of her bed. 

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell.  This is just.....it's just...I can't put into words what I'm feeling.  And I'm sorry I'm so hot and cold with you touching me.  You have nothing to be sorry for though, so stop apologizing.  You didn't do this to me."  She says, tears lining her eyes again.

"Banana of course I'm sorry.  I couldn't protect you from this.  Why wouldn't I be sorry?! I promised your dad I would take care of you, your mom and Sofi before he died.  Do you call this protecting you?!" I'm trying to stay calm, but my voice is laced with a mix of concern and anger.  I'm now running my hands through my hair and trying not to pull it out.

"Shawn, no one could have predicted this.  Heck I should have seen it coming after he grabbed and tried to force himself on me in his office a little while back.  I missed the signs, but he was such a charmer and I fell for him.  If anyone's to blame, it's myself."

My fists curl and I'm trying to keep my rage at bay.  He did what? In his office?  Why didn't she tell me?

"He....he...this isn't the first time he's touched you?" I say incredulously.

"No" a quite whisper in response is all I get as she looks away from me, almost like she's ashamed.

I'm furious.  The rage continues to grow in the pit of my stomach.  In my fury, I let go of her hand and grab my shirt and put my shoes back on.  I can't even look at her.  I'm not mad at her, but I can't look at her or I'll lose my drive to do what I'm about to do.

Sinu and Sofi enter the room with a small tray of food and I take that as my cue to leave.  She needs time to be with her family and I need to get to the station to strangle Andy.

"Good morning Shawn.  How's she doing?" Sinu whispers to me as she guides me to sit next to her on the couch in the room.

"Not great mama.  Not great."

"Thank you for being there for her mijo, we love you." Is all that she can say.

"Love you too mama, but there's somewhere I have to be." We both stand and I give her a hug.  Moving to Sofi, I grab her in a bear hug and kiss her forehead.

Camila is staring at me.  Her eyes displaying one of worry.  I think she can sense what I'm about to do, but I'm not gonna give in to her.

"Shawn...." she warns.

"Mila, I have to take care of a few things." I stand in front of her again and lean down to kiss the top of her head.

"I love you Banana, I'll be back."

"Shawn....where are you going?" She asks, tears lingering on her cheeks, scared and worried eyes boring into mine.

"It's doesn't matter honey, just know I'll be back in a little bit."  With that I turn on my heel and leave.  One destination in mind.  I can hear Camila calling my name down the hallway, but I have blinders on and there's only one person I have my sights set on now.

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Any guesses on what Shawn's going to do?! 🤔🤫🧐