Saving Belle

Chapter 18

Kyla's POV

          It's been two days since I visited Eric. My fear has not gone away. I wake up up screaming from nightmares. Luca is worried, he has taken off work and refused to leave my side. I feel bad.

          The whole family is worried. I stopped talking that day and haven't talked since. If I say something that can keep Eric locked up...Weston will find me. I know he will. He is the devil himself.

          Yesterday Olivia cried because of me. It broke my heart to see her big doe eyes fill with tears as she begged me to talk to her. All she wanted was for me to play dolls with her, but I just didn't have the energy. I don't have the energy for anything anymore. Sit on the couch, stare at people talking, listen, that is all I do.

          Earlier today I heard Jessie and Nathan talking. They were discussing what to do with me and how they can get me to talk. It ended up in a fight. Jessie thought that maybe talking to my biological mother could help, Nathan said 'hell no.'

          Luca leans over and takes my hand to get my attention. I look him in the eye, my way of showing that I am listening. He smiles softly, "Tonight Tom and Fin are going out and asked us to come. Kylie is working late so she said she would meet them after she clocks out. Would you feel up to going?"

          I stare blankly and think about it. Fin makes me feel safe. Tom makes Kylie feel safe so that makes me feel somewhat safe. Luca hasn't let my side since Eric mentioned Weston. Three strong people that don't scare me too much. Maybe it isn't such a bad idea. I would be safe around them.

          Looking Luca in the eyes again, I tilt my head as if asking 'where?'

          He smiles, "We were just going to go to the field not far away and sit outside. There's some swings if you would want to go on them. And if we go and you feel like leaving just give my hand a squeeze if you want to leave. So what do you think?"

          Squeeze once for yes, twice for no. That's what Luca says everyday. I only did this method once when he asked me to go to the store with him yesterday. That answer was a big NO. Outside isn't safe. Weston will find me. The less I go out the less chance of finding me he has.

          Luca reaches his hand out for my answer, his eyes filled with hope. I feel awful saying no but I can't do it. I can't go outside. If I go outside and Weston finds me, no one will be safe. I grab Luca's hand and give two strong squeezes. His face drops. My heart sinks and guilt rises.

          He nods his head before turning back to the TV, almost like he wants to say something but is holding himself back. I lean over and curl myself into his side. Luca is safety. I don't want him to be mad at me. I am actually getting comfortable around my brother. My brother. Blood related. A person who has shown over and over again how much he cares about me. Gosh, I feel so bad for upsetting him. This is the second time I have been asked to do something and have held him back. There's probably more things I have held him back from that he just hasn't mentioned yet.

          Nathan and Jessie walk over. I sit up and look around for Olivia. Her little bubbly ball of energy hasn't been the same the last two days. I feel awful. It's not fair that she is suffering because of me.

          Jessie knew who I was looking for, "I sent her upstairs. For the time being, I don't want her to around you, Kyla. I don't mean to say this to be mean to you. It's just really taking a toll on her to see you like this. Olivia loves you so much and a small child seeing her big sister in pain, it can do a lot of damage to her emotionally."

          I look down and fight back the tears. It's not fair to any of them. Olivia shouldn't be forced to stay in her room. Nathan and Jessie shouldn't be fighting over me. Luca shouldn't be held back from living his life. I am and always will be the pathetic foster girl. Nothing will ever change.

          I curl into Luca again and this time he shifts so he can wrap his arm around my shoulder. I lay my head against his chest and listen to his heart beat. Thump. Thump. Thump. Something about the steady paced sound is so soothing. I close my eyes and swallow hard trying to force the lump in my throat to go away. Why can't Life be simpler?

          Nathan sees me struggling and tries to comfort me. "Hey hey. Kiddo, look at me." I look. "Things are going to get easier, I promise. We just need to know what is going on and we will figure things out together. You aren't alone."

          Don't make promises you can't make.

          If only they understood why I am doing what I am doing. They will never understand the pain that Weston can put someone through. I've seen it. I've been hurt by him. It isn't anything like being hit by Thomas. This is a whole different level of pain that I cannot even describe.

          Pain. Nothing but pain. Pale crystal blue eyes. Don't ever let them fool you, those beautiful blue eyes belong to the evilest person I have ever met.

          "Not gonna say nothin' dumb bitch?" He sneers out sending spit all over my face. I wince away from the feeling but know better than to wipe it off or he will kick me some more. This isn't the first time I've met him. I know how he is by now.

          He squats down so he is face to face with me. It takes everything in me not to scramble away from him. The harder I fight it the worse it'll be. Last time I ran I should have died, pure luck that I didn't.

          He smirks knowing how scared I am. "So a little birdie told me you aren't being a good girl for Eric?"

          I shake my head, "N-no I a-am being good. I p-promise!"

          He swings his hand and connects with my face so hard that I smack my head on the ground. I lay there completely still. "Well, I heard other wise. But just to be on the safe side I am going to show you exactly how a good girl should be acting." He stands up and starts to take off his pants.

          I never disobeyed Eric ever again. That night was horrible. He beat me until I was unconscious, waited for me to wake up, then beat me more. The final straw was the rape. He tied me to Eric's bed and raped me until sunrise. Then Eric came home and took over, enjoying himself with my body. I learned that day that I will never be able to own my own body. 

          No one would save me then and no one will be able to save me now. If Weston wants to find me then he will. There is no way around it. 

          Looking to my right I notice Luca texting on his phone. There was a message from Tom, 'Did she say yes?' Luca sighed a little and typed, 'no.'

          He looked upset but was trying to hold it in. He has done so much for me and I have done nothing but make life harder for him and his family since they brought me home. Guilt washes over me and I feel my eyes water up. This isn't fair to him.

          Fuck it.

          I reach out and push the phone into his lap before taking Luca's hand in mine. Squeeze. Yes

          Luca looks up at me with wide eyes and a small smile, "Really? You'll go??"

          Squeeze.  Yes.