Taylor's POV
My vision blurs as my eyes flutter open, the pain in my wrist and palm becoming unbearable as time passes.
My whole body aches and l close my eyes shut, the tears threatening to spill.
I use my forearm for support as l crawl and try to get up, tears sliding down my cheeks. I choke on a sob as I look down at my palm, the large gash no longer leaking any blood but I can still feel the agonizing pain and the dried up sticky red liquid trailing down my arm.
I reach into my pocket, pulling out my phone. I sob even more once I realize it's completely broken, the screen cracked and no longer working.
It must've broken when Victor threw me against the wall.
After a while I'm finally able to stand up, going upstairs to my bathroom and checking under the sink for the first aid kit.
I sniffle and open up the kit, grabbing the most reliable looking source since I've never had to use this first aid kit before.
I begin to wrap my entire wrist tightly, wincing every once in a while as more tears fall down my face.
What if something worse happened?
What if Victor had killed me over some stupid, pity jealously?
Maybe it was best for everyone if I cut all ties off with Nicolas.
I lean over the sink, sniffling and looking up at my reflection. More tears stream down my face and my eyes are red and bloodshot, my checks puffy and wet from crying all night long.
I soon finish wrapping my hand, struggling as I strip out of my clothes, desperate to change out the blood covered clothes.
I shower, completely avoiding going anywhere near my wrist. I wrap a towel around my chest and head to my closet, picking out the first random outfit I lay my eyes on. A tan jacket and skinny ripped jeans.
I grab my keys off the hook and look out my blinds, seeing rain pour hardly outside, but I don't care.
There's only one place I need to be right now.
__
I park my car and get out, practically running to his door as l continue to get soaked in the rain. I knock three times, looking around cautiously as my wet, sticky hair sticks to my face and lips. I tuck my hair behind my ear, waiting patiently for someone to open the door.
When someone opens the door, I'm surprised to see Linda standing there sleepily.
"Oh my! Taylor, what are you doing here so late? It's 1 in the morning!" She exclaims, her eyes wide and taking in my soaked state. "Get in here honey," I sniffle, stepping inside and smiling sadly.
"I-Is Nicolas h-here?" I stumble and ask, rubbing my arms with my hand that isn't hurt. She nods sadly, looking down at my wrapped wrist.
"What happened to you honey?" She asks, stepping closer to me and grabbing my wrist. I wince, tears forming in my eyes. Her eyes soften and she smiles at me, but the smile doesn't match the look in her eyes.
"N-Nothing," I lie, feeling bad about how much I've been lying lately. Not only to myself, but to everyone else around me. "I'm so sorry to cause you this much trouble this late at night, but I need to see Nicolas. It's urgent," I explain, dropping my hands back to my side.
"Ok honey, come," she says, leading me to the stairs, even though I already know where his bedroom is, but I don't tell her that. She doesn't need to know that and she's only trying to help me.
We soon reach his bedroom door and she looks up at me. "He's in here but he may be asleep. Considering you look frightened, I suggest you wake him," she smiles again, sadly.
"Ok," I say softly, barely above a whisper. She leaves me at the door, heading down the hall into a room and closing the door. I sigh, biting my lip nervously.
I knock softly, waiting to hear a response on the other side of door.
"Nathanael, go back to sleep!" I hear him yell. I knock again, only this time much harder. I hear him groan lowly before footsteps begin to come closer towards the door. "Nate—" He makes eye contact with me and his features immediately soften.
"Thomas? What are you doing here so late? What's wrong?" He asks, stepping to the side and inviting me into his room.
"I—" I start, the words getting stuck in the back of my throat.
"What happened?" He asks, moving closer to me. I cautiously take a step back, the look on his face morphing into a look of sadness. "Tell me Taylor."
"Someone broke into my apartment," I choke on a sob, remembering the terror and guilt I felt as Victor violated me.
"What?" He asks so quietly I almost didn't hear him.
"It was Victor, Ivan's brother," I say, looking down at the floor.
"What did he do?" He asks, hesitating to move closer to me.
"He...touched me and hurt me," I mumble quietly, unsure if he even heard me.
"Did he do this to you?" He asks, anger in his voice as he moves closer to me, holding up my wrist. I grimace in pain and nod slowly, avoiding looking up at him. "Taylor," he says, softly.
I bite my lip and close my eyes shut, trying not to cry anymore than I already have tonight. I look up at him, immediately regretting it. The tears begin to fall as I sob uncontrollably.
Nicolas grabs me by my waist, pulling me against him and holding me tightly. In a protective and, safe kind of way.
I lean my head on his chest and continue crying. We stay like that for about fifteen more minutes until I eventually pull away.
He looks me in the eye, wiping the tears from under my eyes even though more begin to fall.
"He said he did it because my brother didn't hold up his end of the deal and because he wanted you to feel pain," I explain, wiping my tears on the back of my jacket. "God....I even went to dinner with him only a few hours before," I say, disbelief lacing through my voice as I laugh dryly before sighing and closing my eyes shut as I shake my head in so much regret.
"I'm so sorry Taylor," he says, running a hand through his dark hair and down his face.
"It's not your fault," I say.
"But it is. I got you involved in this, and I never should've done that. I'm so sorry. If you don't want to be apart of it anymore, I understand," he says, sadness lacing through his voice. I hum in response and stay quiet, tucking an almost dry strand of hair behind my ear. "Are you ok?" He asks.
I sniffle, "Yeah, I think so," I look up at him, slightly tilting my head to the side. "S-Should we...go to the police?"
"No, Taylor. That'll make them even angrier. They'll only find and kill us faster. Victor and Ivan they...have the police department wrapped around their fingers and they won't help us. Even they are scared of them," he sighs. "Maybe you should just stay here for a little while."
I shake my head. "No. I, couldn't impose."
"You wouldn't be. I want to make sure you stay safe. And the only way I can do that is if you're here...with me," he explains. "Please Taylor," The way he says my name still makes shivers run down my spine.
I gulp, nodding as my lip quivers.
"Ok," I say softly.
"Come here," he says. I slowly walk over to him, biting my lip nervously. He pulls me towards the bed and we both lay down, facing each other. "I'm so sorry," he says, more to himself than to me.
He kisses the top of forehead, his lips lingering on my skin even after he backs away.
"Goodnight Taylor," he says, watching me intently.
"Goodnight," I say, falling into another deep slumber.
____________________________________
;)
Please vote, comment, and follow! It's greatly appreciated!
Take care my loves.
aaliyah rose <3