Don’t Cry Baby

Ty left early this morning for work, I wasn't even awake yet. I rolled out of bed about an hour after he'd already gone and walked into our bathroom. I step into the stand up shower and wash away the sleep sweat.

As I rinse the soap from my hair and lean my head back letting the water fall down my back, relaxing me and warming up my aching muscles. I finish up my warm shower and reluctantly climb out letting the cold air envelope me as I step out. I almost slip on the water dripping from my hair as I notice I am not alone in this room. A man stands in the doorway, a man who is not Tyler.

"Hey Ashley, fancy seeing you here." I stare at him , unable to take my eyes away from his dark complexion and caramel eyes I still dream about. I quickly wipe away a tear hoping he hadn't notice as I feel like my heart fell into my stomach. I fight the urge to run over and hug him, seeing him here and alive makes my knees weak. I try to compose myself, I know Tyler would be angry if he was here. He might hurt him, I can't have that.

"I have no idea what you are talking about, how did you get in my house?"

"Funny how you didn't ask me who I am though." My throat tightens and I bite down hard on the inside of my cheek trying not to break down in front of him. He comes closer to me and I attempt to back away but, my back hits the cold glass of my shower. Damien reaches for me, i flinch away from his touch and ignore the pained look in his eyes. I don't bother to look at him as I speak.

"How did you find me?"

"I called the emergency hotline you work for, that was a dead end. They wouldn't even give me your information for obvious reasons. After that I looked you up, it was pretty silly of you to put yourself on social media under your new name. I tracked you down using pictures you put up." I resist the urge to bring my hand to my face as I realize he is so right, I never should have opened that stupid account on facebook but, it was the only way I could still see my family without leaving Ty.

I push past Damien and walk back into my bedroom. I hear him follow me but, I quickly grab my phone from the bedside table before he sees and bring it over to my dresser. I place the phone inside the dresser so that it looks like I am looking for clothes while I press Ty's number and call. I hear him pick up and I leave the drawer open. I hear Ty say hello, without picking up the phone I speak to Damien to let Ty know that he is here.

"Damien you need to leave, I can't go with you. I love him, we're happy" I feel a warm tear fall from my eyes, if only he knew I was trying to protect him, if only he knew why I had to leave. Why I left him there to die.

"Ashley, I know you could be happier with me. Come home, come back to me." Damien reaches for my arm once more, I clutch desperately to the towel wrapped around me. I close my eyes, I wish I could say everything I want to say but I can't. I wish I could tell him that I love him but, I can't. I hear the phone disconnect, I know Tyler will be on his way now. Damien steps closer to me and I feel him against my back, he traps me against the dresser and his body. I want to lean against him and feel the comfort he has always given me. I bite my cheek again, tasting copper.

He won't be happy

I shake my head and more tears fall from my eyes. I turn and around

up like bile in my throat. I hear him sigh and he backs up away from me. The warmth that he filled me with leaving instantly. A chill rolls up my

come with me Ash, he'll only hurt you." I turn away from him once

bathroom without Damien. I lock the door as I close it. I slide down the door letting my towel fall. I bring my legs up to my chest and hug them tightly to my body letting the tears fall freely. I squeeze my eyes shut wishing that he would just leave, I was

and say my name. I stand up without saying a word and pull on the

the house and my heart starts to pound. I knew he

he looks at me. I run

such bullshit, he

aside , not hard enough to hurt me but hard enough that I

even fucking

he stumbles and falls to the ground. Ty climbs on top of him and begins to hit him. I slide down the wall and land on the floor just a few steps away from the two boys. I stare at the commotion going on in front of me, tears rolling down my face, wishing that Damien never found me. He shouldn't be here, it

Tyler's hand mid swing , his eyes turn to mine. The whites of his eyes bloodshot with rage; his hair disheveled and falling into his face. He looks like a crazy person, Damien's dark complexion can

eyes filled with despair. Ty pushes me hard enough that I fall towards the wall, I feel my head make contact and my vision blurs. I blink hard trying to clear it, I watch Damien try to flip Ty off of

in my ears as Damien's eyes flutter, I realize that it

wouldn't kill him, I came here with you to keep

teeth as his hands don't leave Damien's neck. I watch as his eyes finally close, his chest ceases to rise and Tyler leans back. He stares down at Damien, he runs a bloodied and bruised hand through his hair. My lip trembles as I stare down at the boy I have faught so

up and walks towards me, he yanks me up by my arm until I am at my feet. He leans down so