Barry wheezes as he rolls onto his back.I try to get up, but my foot gives out, forcing me to the floor.I cry out when I land on my useless hand.
I have to get to Barry.I have to help him.
I try to reassure Barry, to let him know it will be okay, but nothing comes out, the pain too much to bear in my throat.
He has to be okay.He was just trying to help me.Tears stream down my cheeks.I thought I knew how it felt to be powerless.I was wrong.
When a dark figure looms in the doorway, a squeak slips past my lips and I try to get away, petrified that Andrew’s come back.
Drew’s gaze runs over the hallway, then to Barry and then to me.His complexion pales.“Shit, Lily.Your face...”
“H-help him,” I croak out, and climb up the step on my arse and elbows, wincing as I go.
Each movement is excruciating, but I concentrate on Rose’s cries, knowing she needs me more than my body needs to succumb to the pain.I can do this for her.I can stay strong for her.
I reach the top of the stairs as Drew’s voice floats up.I crawl to Rose’s room, dragging my wounded foot behind me.My wrist throbs as I use the arm it’s attached to, to drag myself along the carpet.Her face is red from screaming, her legs kicking up in the air, and I grow angry at not being able to get to her quicker.
“I-I got you,” I assure her, or try to.
I whimper, feeling useless.I’m barely able to lift myself up against the cot.
“D-daddy will c-come,” I promise her, my voice scratchy.I weakly reach into the cot for her dummy with my good hand, hoping it’s enough to soothe her.
Footsteps echo on the stairs and I whimper, pressing harder against the cot.I won’t be able to save her.
My worst fear.
My biggest nightmare.
It’s all coming true.I can’t protect her.And it’s not because I’m trapped in my own mind.It’s because I’m not physically strong enough.I’m trapped from the injuries marring my flesh.
I heave out a breath as the door flies open, needing to find the strength one more time.
Just one more time.
Until Jaxon can get here.
“Oh my gosh, Lily,” Charlotte chokes out, her face ashen as she stumbles into the room.
I collapse to the carpet, panting heavily as the room becomes unfocused.“H-help her.Please,” I plead.
Charlotte races over to the cot, gently picking up my daughter.She coos her, rocking her side to side.“You’re safe, Lily.You’re safe,” she promises me, lowering to the ground beside me.
I’ve never loved Charlotte more in this moment.She shows me my daughter, like she knows I can’t physically get up but can sense how desperately I need Rose in this moment.
“Drew has called an ambulance,” she whispers.“Everyone is safe.You are safe.”I feel her sob as if it came from my own body.She lifts the dress that is hanging from the torn strap, covering my chest.I whimper at the sting, making her flinch.“I don’t know where to touch you.”
“J-Jax,” I rasp.
Then it hits me and a new kind of pain hits me.He heard everything.He heard every cry.Every word exchanged.He listened to every strike and blow.He heard our daughter wailing in her cot.He heard that scream, the scream that emptied what little energy I held on to.
I heave, my chest and neck burning as my body rocks back and forth.He will never be able to unhear it.
“Lily!”I hear roared.“Where the fuck is Lily?”
Heavy footsteps lumber up the stairs.I train my gaze toward the door, knowing who to expect this time.I knew he would come for me.For us.He staggers to a stop in the doorway, gripping the frame as horror washes over him.
“Oh, baby,” he chokes out, coming unstuck.He makes his way over to me, kneeling on the floor.“Baby, what has he done to you?”
