I’ll Be Seeing You
Chapter 114
The sound of a steady beeping slowly drew me up from the thick darkness that cradled me so carefully like a protective blanket. My consciousness felt like it was moving through molasses as i tried to force myself to the surface. How long had I been out for and where was 1? I feared I would find myself back in the dark recesses of the old hotel, still under the mercy of Noah. I almost wanted to go back into the darkness and hide there until it was all over and Noah was no longer interested in me or I was found. But something kept telling me that I needed to wake up, I needed to fight the heaviness in my limbs and eyelids. I needed to free myself of the trappings of the thick heavy sleep I had just been in.
The room that greeted my opening eyes seemed a little familiar and it took a few moments to realise I was in a hospital room. It wasn’t the same one as last time but it had the same colour theme and simple decor. Beside me, the ECG machine beeped a steady rhythm along with the staccato of my own heartbeat. I could see it was dark outside but the lights were dim which my tired and sore eyes were grateful for.
“Ellie?”
I glanced to my right, my heart fluttering with relief and so many other emotions when I saw Aiden’s tired but handsome face. Hot tears immediately filled my eyes, blurring my sight as I realised Aiden was right there, one hand gripping mine and the other cupping my cheek as he leaned
Over me.
“You found me.” I breathed, my body shuddering as I tried not to cry. “You found me.”
“We did.” Aiden nodded, his lips so warm and gentle as they kissed my forehead, eyelids, cheeks and lips all so gently and so lovingly. “You’re safe now.”
Safe.
How long had it been since I truly felt that way? Even before Noah kidnapped me I hadn’t felt safe, not completely anyway. Sure, being with Aiden had helped relieve some of that fear and anxiety but I still felt on edge, forever waiting for the big bad wolf to come take me away. And he did, Noah had managed to get to me but somehow I had made it through to the other side and he hadn’t broken me. I had resisted despite the torment. Noah hadn’t just beat me or torture me physically, he had found ways to play with my mind. I hadn’t slept in days or eaten. He had kept me on edge purposely because that meant my nerves would fray and my resolve would eventually crumble.
“Is Liam back?” I asked, my throat scratchy and dry.
“He is. Who do you think helped me find you?” Aiden smiled softly, his eyes never leaving my face. Eventually his smile did fade though and I could see his worry coming for me. “The police are going to want to talk to you and the doctor needs to check your injuries…”
1/2
Chapter 114
“Not yet,” I whispered. “Can you just… can you just hold me for a little while?
Aiden seemed oddly surprised by my request. Maybe he thought I didn’t want to be touched of wanted time to come to terms with what happened to me. I did want that time and I no doubt would need it but right now I just wanted to feel his arms around me and focus on him being here with me and that no one could tear us apart.
“Sure.” He agreed with a short nod.
sore lips and carefully moved over so Aiden had space I smiled a little, careful not to aggravate my to climb onto the bed with me. The moment his arm came around me and my face pressed into his chest I felt myself let go of the last bits of tension inside of me. I had missed this feeling, of Aiden holding me and me breathing in his scent. I had thought I’d never see him again, that I’d never get to hold him or kiss him again. Yet here we were, lying in a hospital bed but I finally had him back
with me.
“El?” Aiden murmured into my hair. “I need to know something. Did he…you know?”
“He didn’t sexually assault me.” I replied. “I wouldn’t have let him.”
I heard him sigh in relief. “I’d have killed him if he had. I want to kill him for what he’s done to you already.“1
“He isn’t worth it.” I countered. “He didn’t get what he wanted either.”
Chapter Comments
∞ 1
