Truth be Told

Chapter 3

That night, he slept without dreaming until a scream startled him awake. He ran to the girl’s room to find her thrashing and clawing at an unseen source.

Hands grabbed at her as she fought to get away.

She couldn’t move her legs.

She screamed as the hands became fiery tentacles slapping at her.

The tentacles ripped at her flesh as ugly faces swirled around her, laughing as their hands groaped at her breasts and crotch. They yanked her hair and spat on her. She screamed louder and fought harder. She saw someone running toward her in the distance.

“Connel! Connel, help!”

She lay twisted and sobbing screaming for help. Screaming his name. She was dreaming. It hit him….he had never told her his name. He ran to her and pulled her to him. She yanked away and rolled into a corner, balled up and rocking. She covered her head with her arms as though she expected to be hit. Connel knelt down in front of her and tried to pull her to him again. She screamed. He sat back in shock and began to speak to her.

“Hey there, darlin, it’s ok. You’re safe here. No one is going to hurt you. It’s ok.”

Slowly he took her hands as he continued to talk to her.

“That was some dream. But you are safe now. No one can hurt you. You’re with me, sweetheart. You know I won’t let anyone hurt you. It’s alright.”

Slowly she came back to herself and looked at him then hung her head in shame.

“I’m sorry. I disturbed you. I’m sorry. I...I promise I’ll leave…”

It felt like his heart had been ripped out. She was frantic, almost panicking. He made her look at him. A bright blue and deep purple eye stared back at him, and his chest Constricted more.

“No. You are safe here. No one can find you here. Do not apologize for something that’s not your fault. Do you want to talk about it?”

Fear overtook her and she shook her head no vigorously.

“That’s ok. Whenever you are ready. I want you to stay here. This house is secluded, no one will find it. You’ll be safe while you recover. You need proper food and rest. I’m with Resurrection Security. So you are completely safe.”

She pulled away from him and moved to the window.

“I can’t. He’ll find me. I have to keep moving.”

Connel wrapped his arms around her from behind pulling her to him.

“You are safe here, Aspen.”

“My name is Sarah.”

“I never told you my name, but you were screaming it in your sleep. And your contacts are gone.”

Her hands flew to her face. Damn. He’s right. She started to panic.

His hand slid under her shirt as he used to do when things got too mich for her, and she gripped it. They had always gone natural with each other. the skin contact eased theor minds.

“Don’t, Connel. I’m not the same Aspen you knew. Too much has happened.”

“You’re staying. We were always natural with each other.”

He pulled the shirt over her head in one quick motion and froze. The shirt fell to the floor as he ran his hands down the scars crossing her back all the way to her knees.

“What? Who?”

The rage boiled in him as he heard her sob. His voice came out strangled.

“Who...did...this...to...you?”

He was having trouble controlling his beast. She turned to look at him with anger and hurt in her eyes.

“Why would I tell you? You said you wished me dead. You believed a lie and wished me dead! I’d think you’d be happy with this!”

She began trying to jerk away from him, but his grip was strong on her arms.

“Let me go!”

She shoved him, and, startled, he released her. She ran out of the room and down the stairs. By the time he reached her, she had her pack and was opening the door. He slammed it and grabbed her arm. She fought him.

“Let me go, you asshole.”

“You aren’t leaving. You’re naked.”

“I’ll get clothes from my truck. Let me go!”

“No. You are safe here. What lie did I believe?”

“Let me go! You said you wanted me dead.”

He pulled her to him as she fought him.

“Babe, I said a lot of things I didn't mean back then. Regardless of what you may have done, I should never have said that. Come on, back to bed. Tomorrow, we’ll talk”

She fought him.

“I’m leaving.”

“You have no clothes. You have a fever. And it isn’t safe.”

She slapped at him, fighting with everything she had, which wasn’t much. He picked her up and carried her back to the bedroom and sat her on the bed. His eyes burning, he stepped back. She could see his beast trying to rip free. She knew what he was feeling. Six years ago they were so close, they knew what the other was thinking at any given time. Right now she was thinking run.

“You are staying until it’s safe. We will talk tomorrow.”

He left and locked the door behind him then waited for her rage. It didn’t come. His Aspen would have been beating the door and cursing him until her knuckles bled and her voice was gone. Tears fell down his cheeks. I should have called. I should have gone to her. He stumbled to his bed, wracked with silent grief and guilt, knowing he wouldn’t sleep. He could feel her tears. Their connection was only slightly weakened being so near each other. He could feel her pain and nearly hear her thoughts. Her fear was all consuming.