Betrayed By Love

Chapter Nine

"Lexi, what are you doing?"

"Oh, hey dad you didn't go with Mom and Bub?" My nerves felt like they were on fire at the thought of being caught. He eyed me for a few seconds before finally answering me.

"No, I needed to stay back and finish some paperwork. They're just getting Chinese for tonight. I wasn't needed."

"Alrighty then. I'll get out of your way, I'm going to go check on Mira." smiling as I walked past him, praying he didn't know what I was actually doing.

"See if she's coming down for dinner with us tonight. If not, come get her food for her."

"Okay, dad I will." The tension I hadn't realized I was carrying started to ease as I turned the corner.

"Lexi?" I stilled at his voice, calling me back.

"Yes, dad?"

"Were you–" His shoulders dropped as he exhaled. "Nevermind." He mumbled so quietly I barely heard it.

"Huh?"

"Do her parents know she's over here and okay? I'm surprised they haven't asked around about their daughter, seeing how she's been over here without a single bit of communication with her family. We may need to send her back home tomorrow, so her parents know she's okay. Her hangover should be gone by then."

My mind drifted back to that crazy panic attack she had earlier, and Aaron's face while he just stood there and watched. I refuse to let her go back to that house. I don't know how I hadn't seen it before, that something was going on in that house. I've been a horrible friend, and that stops now. Knowing this was the only way he was going to drop it and let her stay here longer, I clenched my fist as I said that horrible man's name.

"Aaron was here during the party, and also stopped by a while ago to check in on her. I'm surprised you didn't hear him."

"Oh, I guess I was out back when he stopped by. Alright then, as long as they know where she is and are okay with it."

"They sure do." Forcing a smile, I started back towards Mira. "Alrighty, Dad, see you later." Not caring to wait for a response, I ran off before he had a chance to stop me again.

Mira's POV

A light rasping knock pulled me from my torturous thoughts.

"Mira? It's Lexi. I just wanted to check in on you. They're bringing Chinese food. Do you want me to bring you some when they get here?"

I cried and rubbed my skin until every inch of me was red and sore. It wasn't enough, but I couldn't keep going. Even though this invisible pain was consuming who I was, and who I am, I still can't. I can't inflict physical pain on myself; every time the thought crosses my mind, that voice rushes back in, like it was chasing those thoughts away. It was a constant battle in my head that felt never-ending. The pain would try to consume me. I'd think of ways to distract myself, then his voice flooded me, reminding me to keep myself safe. But why? Why do I feel comforted? I hate it! I hate him and his voice. It needs to disappear!–

"Mira?"

Oh yeah, she's out there. I don't want to be near anyone. But— I don't want to be alone with these thoughts—with his voice anymore.

"Come in.."

The door slowly opened, and she entered, as if she was scared to make any sudden moves. Closing the door, she made her way to me, sitting on the floor near but not too close to me.

"Is there anything I can get you?"

"No"

"Do you want me to leave?"

"No"

"I'll stay as long as you need."

And she did. She quietly stayed beside me. I wanted to talk, but what do I say? I don't want her to think I'm disgusting.... I don't want to lose her. She's all I have left now. The thought of her possibly hating me for this hurt so much that I couldn't help but cry. Hearing my sobs, Lexi instinctively went to hug me but immediately pulled back, realizing what she had done.

"Mira, can I hug you, please? I know you may not want to be touched right now. But, I hate seeing you like this, and there's nothing I can do to fix it."

My tears stopped, and my eyes widened at the fact. "You know?"

"About what happened to you? Well, not completely. I just know you reacted towards him in a way I've never seen before, and his expression. It was too obvious that something bad had happened between you two. It wasn't hard to narrow it down." She looked away as she admitted it.

"I'm sorry. I swear I didn't want it to happen. I swear I begged him to stop! I swe—" My voice was cut off by Lexi wrapping me in her embrace, as she shushed me.

"Mira. Never, and I mean never, think something like this is your fault. That you have to apologize to anyone for what that demon had the nerve to do. Not a single thing that night was your fault. You have nothing to be sorry for. He's the only one who should be on the ground crying, begging for forgiveness. I'll make it happen. And then I'll kill him."

She sounded completely serious. I've never seen this side of her before. It felt different, deadly.

Pulling from her embrace, my eyes met hers. "Lexi, you can't kill him. You'd go to jail. I don't want cops involved."

"Oh, don't worry, they won't be." She smiled as she checked her phone.

"Are you hungry?"

"No"

"I didn't think so, would you think something to help you get some sleep?"

"No, I don't want to lose control anymore."

"I understand. Is there anything I can do to help you?"

I know I don't want to be alone. All those memories will torture me again. They don't seem to when Lexi's here. It's like they were instantly blocked off the moment she hugged me.

"Will you sleep in here tonight?"

"Of course, I'll run to get my food real quick, and I'll be back. We'll watch movies until we fall asleep. If you want to talk, we can do that too. Anything you want, just tell me." Her warm smile graced her face as she left the room.

We sat and watched action movies. The constant drama and action helped distract us from how horrible our weekend had been. We fell sound asleep in bed. The horrible memories, still blocked off.

A sudden muffled bang ripped us from our deep sleep. Both of us looking at each other in shock.

"What was that?" I whispered, scared of being heard.

"I..I don't know. I'll go look. Stay here. Be quiet," She whispered as she slowly got off the bed, making her way to the door. Keeping her movements quiet. She listened for a few seconds before opening the door, leaving me alone.

Terrified of being alone, I sucked in a breath following quietly behind her.

Sensing me behind her, turning to face me. "I thought I said to stay in the room?"

"I didn't want to be alone." Staring at me for what felt like a few minutes, she eventually gave in.

"Fine. Stay behind me, and stay quiet."

Slowly making our way down the stairs, we didn't hear any more noises. The house was completely silent. I was starting to believe we both somehow made up hearing the same noise.

"Maybe it was all the action movies that made us think we heard something?" Kinda hoped she agreed, so we could just go back to the room. I really felt uneasy.

She laughed a little as she looked back at me. "No, I don't think so. I don't see how that would've woken us both up at the same time."

"Ugh, I know I just didn't want to find out if something was here. I think I've had enough surprises for good."

"Go back to the room then."

"I'm good." Bracing myself as I bumped into Lexi's back.

"Why did you stop?"

"Mira. Go back to the room now."

"Why?"

"Go!"

Shocked at Lexi actually screaming at me, I moved to look around her, instantly regretting not listening to her frantic pleas. Annie was on the ground, bloody and unconscious.

"Annie! No!"