She woke up to her alarm at 7am. When she was fully awake she realized she had slept over twelve hours straight. She was instantly relieved to remember she had emailed her boss the night before saying she couldnt come in she laid there with her eyes closed. But it wasnt long before she started thinking about the group of men and Scout. She got up and started her day. Since she wasn't going in to work she decided to take a hot bubble bagh. She lit some candles and poured in the bath foam. First she tookboff her pants and again saw the now dark bruises on her legs. When she took off her shirt she found two more. One was on her lower back where she had fallen and the other on her shoulder, which if really looked at, was in the shape of a handprint. Tears started streaming down her face but she quickly wiped them away and took in a deep breath. She shut off the water and sunk down in the bath.
Serena decided to go to the park and enjoy the weather. She took a blanket and a book. She laid the blanket on the lawn out in the open where a few other people were relaxing and enjoying the sun. But she could not relax. She couldn't concentrate on her book because she was always looking around her. Every time someone said something or made a noise she would jump and look around. She hated this uneasy feeling so she decided to go back home. As she was searching for her keys she walked into a wall of a body standing outside her building door. She stumbled backwards and with shock she saw Scoit reaching out to catch her arm to stop her from falling.
"Oh, I'm sorry! I was just...hi."
Still trying to catch her breath, she smiled and waved hi.
"I was just going to drop this off. I buzzed but obviously you weren't there."
Just then she saw he was holding something in his hand. She started to move past him to unlock the door. He held out the small gift bag and she hesitantly took it.
Thanks
"You're welcome."
Would you like to come in?
"If you're not busy. I really just wanted to drop that off. So it's no problem if you want me to leave."
Well thats good to know, but i would not have invited you up if I was busy.
He couldn't help but laugh at her. He followed her up to her apartment.
So what is this?
"Open it and see."
He gave her a little smirk and for that tiny moment her heart skipped. She looked away from him and started opening the bag. Once she saw what was inside she couldnt help but laugh a little too.
Mace?
"Well you know just incase I'm not there to save you next time."
Instantly Serena's mind went back to that night and a shiver went down her spine.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to frighten you."
He moved closer to her wanting to hold her and tell her he would never let something like that happen ever again. But he knew better. She tried to stop thinking about that night but it just made her think about the end of her dream and then the bruises.
"BRUISES?!"
Serena looked up at his face and saw the hatred and anger in his eyes.
Scout don't worry about it. It's ok they don't hurt. They are just ugly to look at.
She smiled and tried to ease the tension. She emptied her hands and moved closer to him.
"But how? Where? I didn't notice any that night."
I noticed the first one yesterday morning.
"How many are there and where?"
He was just getting angrier and the more she talked about it the more she wanted to cry. He finally saw the pain in her eyes and took a deep breath to calm down. He also noticed she was much closer to him now. He could not stop himself this time, and he brushed her hair out of her face. She looked up at him with watery eyes.
"I'm sorry, but please show me."
NO
"Why?"
She didn't know why. But deep down she knew if she showed him it meant they were real. And she also knew the anger in his eyes would come back. She had to step away from him.
"Serena please! Turn around and look at me. I need to know."
She didnt turn around, instead she gently raised the back of her shirt. The moment he saw the large bruise on her back it was like the air was knocked out of him. He couldn’t say anything and he couldn't bring himself to even move.
Its from the fall on the dock.
She lowered her shirt and turned back around. Then she grabbed the neck of her shirt and pulled it out so he could see her shoulder.
I think this one is from one of them holding me down...because it's in the shape of a hand. But I don't remember…
Again he couldn't move or say anything. But she could see his hands in fistsband his knuckles turning white. He was very familiar with bruises but not on someone so innocent.
With my jeans on I can't really show you but I also have some down my legs.
Finally the tears came and it was like a spell was broken. Scout walked to her and wrapped her in his arms. For the first time in days Serena felt safe. She fell into his arms and cried.
---------
"I'm glad you finally got some sleep. I could tell when I first saw you that you looked a hundred times better."
Serena sat at her kitchen table drinking a glass of water. She was tired again from crying, but relieved that the anger that filled Scout was gone at least for the moment.
Yeah but I'm still tired. I don't know how since I slept so long last night.
She laid her head on her arms and looked over at Scout. He was standing against the counter. And for a split second her dream popped into her head.
Tell me about yourself.
"What would you like to know?"
Anything
She sat there listening to him and the next thing she knew he was picking her up. She was startled.
What are you doing?!
"Since you fell asleep at the table I thought I'd put you to bed. Im sorry my life is so boring."
He smiled and Serena couldn’t take her eyes away from his lips. She could feel the blush burning on her cheeks. She stared up into his eyes which were already locked on hers.
"Why are you blushing?"
You tell me Mr. Mindreader.
Again he smiled.
"I can't hear everything you are thinking. I don't really understand it or anything but I don't hear a constant flow of thoughts from you. I hear what you 'say' to me and I think when you're emotional more slips out too. If that makes any sense. "
Hmmm...that's nice to know.
He gently laid her down on her bed and helped cover her up.
"So again I ask you...why were you blushing?"
She just closed her eyes and got comfortable. She didn't want ro answer his question. She couldn't.
"Ok well I'll let myself out."
Wait!
He stopped in the doorway and turned around.
I don't want to be alone.
"You want me to get your neighbor?"
Since you're already here; would you mind staying?
"Sure. How about I continue my story that seemed to put you to sleep the first time."
She smiled and relaxed. She watched as he moved to sit in a chair.
You can sit on the bed.
She was nervous but glad he agreed to sit next to her on the bed. She listened to his voice as she slowly dosed off.
Promise you won't leave again.
"Promise"