So far away

I sat in silence thinking about what had just happened. Its like the happiness in my vanished. It felt like he was in my head, controlling every nerve and every emotion. I had stopped shaking now. But I couldn't control all the what ifs. What if he knew where I was? What if he came here? Who would defend me?

"Are you okay?" Matt asked turning his gaze to me. I nodded my mouth bone dry. I wanted to say something. Anything. But I couldn't. I was staring at a blank tv screen. I wanted to pack up and leave to a new state or a new country. Even I knew that was impossible. He would track me down some way. "Ivy, what happened?" Matt asked but it took me a moment to realize he was talking to me.

"My dad." Was all I could muster. I looked down at my hands not wanting to say anything but the words built up in my throat and rose like vomit. I cleared my throat pushing them back down. Even if I did say something I knew I'd stutter. I always do. Even when Jasper asked about it. It was like the words clung to me not wanting to leave my mouth. Even they knew they should never be spoken. It was frustrating really, the whole thing.

"What about him?" He turned his whole body to face mine. The vibe in the room had shifted and put pressure on my chest. My heart was beating out of my chest.

"H-he r-r-ran into m-me a-at the c-c-c-coffee shop-p." See what I mean. Its a struggle to even free them. I felt stupid every time this happened. Every time my grandmother asked me a question after picking me up from school. She was the first that noticed it.

"Is that a good or bad thing?" Matt asked. I wanted to give him a one word answer but I knew the questions would keep flowing either way. I took a deep breath in and closed my eyes hoping that would help.

"B-bad." I said wincing as it came out. My mom had once put me in a speech class hoping that would help but it never did. A flash of my mom came into my mind making me smile. Her warm honey colored hair and bright eyes. My mom and I were close until I brought up the whole abuse thing. It was hard to believe she never helped me. She turned a blind eye. My savior. My best friend.

"Why?" He asked never taking his eyes off me. Tears started to well up. The built up pain of all those years in that house, let go. My heart clenched reminding me that Matt had asked a question. I knew what I wanted to say but I couldn't summon the right words. I let out a strangled breath and freed a few tears.

"My dad abused me and he wont stop until I'm dead and gone." I said glad that my stutter was gone. Maybe it was the safety of Matt. Or maybe the simple fact that I had a couple days before making a plan.

"Its okay. Calm down and talk to me." He said rubbing my back. I flinched at his touch but relaxed. I could feel a sting in my chest. I wanted my mom. Or Jasper. I missed my mom so much. It took a few years before I could actually look in the mirror. I had her eyes, her mouth, and her nose. Everything reminded me of her. The smell of sage and rosemary. The way she wore her high heels and how she taught me how to apply eyeliner. Or when I would walk in the door and she would smile and hug me like she thought I wasn't coming back. I always brushed her off and ran to my room. I wish I would've had more time. I just wanted her to know I was sorry.

"My mom, she was the only one that knew what I was going through. She never went against his word. She was scared of him. We knew what he was capable of. Now that shes gone, she cant protect me or comfort me. " I said softly. He pulled me into him and I went still. I felt weak. I felt naked.

"Nothing is going to ever happen to you again. As long as youre with me, youre safe." he whispered. I nodded and relaxed. I started getting lost in thought again as my phone rang. I looked at he called I.D. to see it was Hannah. I silenced it. It went to voicemail before she called again. I sighed answering it, "Hi Hannah." I said softly to hear her crying.

"Ivy! I-I came home from work and theres blood everywhere! Jasper's gone but he left his wallet and shoes! Whose blood is this?" She cried yelling into the phone. I sat up straight. Hannah was a bit of a blonde.

"Look around the house. Is anything out of place?" I asked calmly.

"Yeah my whole fucking house is turned upside down!" She yelled.

"I'm on my way. Don't call the cops. Stay there and lock the doors. Go downstairs and lock the basement door." I said pulling my shoes on and grabbing my keys. I ran outside with Matt following behind. I could hear Hannah shuffle around. I could hear the shakiness in her breathing.

"Please hurry." She cried.

"I'm in my car. Stay calm. If theyre still there they'll hear you." I said softly. She went still for a second and I could hear her shuffle around some more. "Hannah, whats happening?" I asked a little panic rising.

"I can hear someone upstairs." She whispered.

"Okay listen to me, You know where the crawl space is? I need you to go in there as quietly as you can. Go until you cant move anymore and stay right there. Call the police and stay quiet. I'll there as fast as I can." I said. I knew every crack and corner in Hannah's house. I knew she would be safe. Its dark in the crawl space, they wont be able to see her down there. She hung up doing as I said.

*Hannah's point of view*

I stayed down there shivering. It was dark and muddy. I cried silently dialing 9-1-1. "Emergency services." A lady said into the phone. She had a calming voice.

"There's someone in the house and theres blood everywhere. I think they took my boyfriend." I whispered trying to stay quiet.

"What is your location?" She asked. I could hear her typing something. I gave her my address as I heard someone open the basement door. I covered my mouth. "Help is on the way stay on the line." She said. I pushed myself into a corner and curled into a ball. I could her things shattering and being pushed around. My heart was thumping out of my chest. Ivy hurry. "Where in the house are you?" She asked.

"Crawlspace. Theyre down here." I whispered. The crawlspace door opened and a man appeared with a smirk.

"There you are." He said shining a light on my. I let out a whimper as he pulled me out. He pulled my phone out of my hand and threw against the stone wall. It shattered into pieces and he turned back to me covering my mouth with a towel. Things got blurry and my body went limp. My vision turned black.

Ivy, if you can hear me, help me.

Notes

This one is definitely not my favorite but let me know what you think! Things will pick up soon!