Chapter 13
737 Words
"Are you going to turn me in?"
Both my new friends look at me as if I'm stupid.
"You mean you don't want to go back to your family?"
Renee is genuinely confused and I can see why.
"Hold up... You didn't tell me he kidnapped you!"
I shrink at Stark's accusing tone.
"Let her explain!"
I give Renee a thank you look before deciding I'd have to tell my story. I
wasn't comfortable telling both of them at the moment so I try to buy as much
time as possible.
"I will tell you everything, I promise. Can we just talk about it tomorrow? I'm
exhausted."
My audience look at each other doubtfully before agreeing.
I give each a hug before heading off to my new room.
I sit in bed for almost a half hour before I hear the front door close.
Renee must have left already.
I sigh right before my door opens next.
"Sorry to interrupt, I just thought I'd bring your bags," Stark explains.
I smile as he sets the on the floor. I'd forgotten all about them.
"Well... Goodnight," he says before turning to leave.
"Stark!" I call him back quickly and pat the bed for him to sit down.
"Since you're here already... I thought I'd tell you now."
He nods, waiting for me to continue and I try not to talk myself out of this. "He
took me from my family and I had every intention of going back to see them. It
just made him angry when I brought it up. He began hurting me and... The
reason I can't go back to my family is because they won't want me."
Stark looks very confused.
"Of course they want you! They have a one million dollar reward for you!"
I shake my head in denial.
"That's because they don't know. If they did, they wouldn't want me back and
you wouldn't want me here either."
He scoffs at the concept as if I'm being ridiculous. Taking my hands in his
own, he begins,
"You are always welcome here and I garuntee your family feels the same way.
Whatever you did, it can't be that bad."
"It's not what I did. It's what was done to me."
Starks eyes darken with my words and his face turns deadly serious.
"What did he do to you? Skye, you can tell me..."
I nod and try to believe he won't throw me out.
"Archer... took my virginity."
His eyes squint and he looks unsure before taking a deep breath.
"Willingly?"
Unable to make the words come out, I shake my head slowly.
Starks nostrils flare and he stands, pacing the room while running his hands
through his hair.
"I'll... God f..."
After a few more heavy breaths he turns to me and takes my face in his
hands.
"I will take care of that bastard. You are welcome here always, but I know your
family won't reject you over this."
My mind begins wandering and I can't help but hope he's right about my
family.
"What will you do with Archer?"
Stark kneels by the bed and with a promise in his voice he says,
"I'm going to make it to the championships and I'm going to make sure he is
physically incapable of hurting anyone ever again."
The words frighten me, but at the same time, they relieve me. He won't be
able to do anything to anyone. Ever. What greater assurance could there be?
I try not to be too comfortable yet. Archer is still out there.
I'm not safe until after the championships.
"Would you mind... Maybe staying in here for the night?"
Stark gives me a soft smile and nods.
"You want me on the bed or the floor?"
"Beds fine," I say scooting over.
Both sliding under the covers, we keep our distance for a little over a minute
before he let's out a deep sigh.
He doesn't ask before scooting closer and pulling me in so my head rests on
his shoulder.
"Better," he mumbles.
It's not long before his light snore fills the room, making me laugh a bit.
He sounds like a snoring puppy.
I don't have much time to dwell on this since it only takes a few minutes before
I'm out as well.
All I can think is how much easier it is to sleep with this weight off my chest.
- Writer
