Don’t Cry Baby

It was like a dream, almost like he never showed up at all.

I opened my eyes in the middle of the night and there he was sat in at my bedside staring at me with a smile that didn't reach his blue eyes. he looked tortured, his hair was disheveled and his eyes bloodshot. I let him crawl in with me, I couldn't help it. I hated seeing him so broken, he was never like that. Angry yes, but he always held it together. Maybe it was always just for me but, he was always the strong one in our relationship.

Getting out of bed and going to school was hard. It was so warm under the covers, so safe without any complications. Ty was gone when I opened my eyes this morning, which was honestly a relief. Eventually I manage to roll myself out of bed and get my life together.

I get ready for the day quickly, and head out the door to make my walk to school. Hopefully it relaxes me.

**

I have the strangest feeling, like anxiety almost. Being here today has me on edge more so then usual. Damien didn't show up to class today which is so unlike him. I was hoping to see him today so that we could talk things through. I'm so confused right now, so many things are going through my mind. I really needed his help.

I left him a message asking him to meet me at my house later, I have no idea whether he received it or not. He did not reply which is also a little weird considering he always replies to me.

The anxious, on edge feeling does not leave me the entire day of school.

**

School went by so slow today, I was so happy to be back at home in my room. Although I am anxiously waiting to see if Damien shows up. I wait for the familiar tap tap at my window as I look over homework and notes I took for Damien.

The sound of my phone ringing causes me to jump. I looked down and see that the caller ID is blocked. I furrow my brows and hesitate before pressing the green botton to accept the call. A familiar voice sends chills down my spine. The tone of his voice is different tonight.

"Baby doll, we need to talk."

"Tyler, what's going on? Your voice sounds strange."

"I have something to tell you, well, show you."

"What is it?"

"You'll have to come and see, I will text you the address."

"Um, Okay."

He hands up and I drop my phone. I wait for the text, feeling like I can't breathe. My heart pounding so loud I can hear it in my ears.

Finally, the ping of my phone breaks the silence. I reach down and save the address.

I walk to my desk and quickly write a note for Damien in case he shows up while i'm gone.

'be right back'

I tape it to my window and throw some clothes on quickly. I run down the stairs and grab my bag and my moms keys from the desk in the hall by the door. I quickly run out the door closing it quietly and make it to her car without being seen. I climb into it and punch in the address Tyler gave me into the GPS. My hands are shaking so bad I accidentally punch a number in twice forcing me to delete it and start again. Finally I get the address punched in correctly and I back out of the driveway and head in the direction the GPS tells me to go.

Half an hour drive later, i'm pulling up to what looks like an abandoned warehouse. For what? I don't know, the words on the front are so old they're barely visible.

I kill the engine of my moms car and step outside. The walk towards the door was cold and nerve wracking.

As I step inside I am met with a damp dark room, I feel around and call for Ty as I walk inside, hoping my eyes adjust fast so that I can see.

The only thing I can make out are machines, old machines. No sign of Ty anywhere, I hear rustling upstairs and a deep pained scream. I gasp and try to find the stairs, I almost trip over them. I walk up as fast as my legs will take me. There's a small light above a chair, the top of the warehouse looks like a staff room. Lockers line the walls, a table is set up in the corner of the room and in the middle of this room is Damien.

I race over to him and drop to my knees in front of the chair. He looks unconscious as blood pours from his mouth. His eyes is swollen shut and theres a bump forming on his forehead. tears fall freely as I look at this man, a whimper escapes my lips.

"I'm so sorry." I whisper and my lips quiver.

"You did this you know. You fell in love with him and were going to leave me for him. You forced me to do this. He won't come anywhere near you now, I refuse to lose you to this man. The only thing is I don't trust you anymore so here's your choices. You leave now with me and I keep him alive or you don't and I kill him. I'll kill him and make you watch."

I jump when I hear his voice and stare at him in disbelief as he speaks. Not believing this is truly the man I love staring at me with such evil in his eyes. It is like someone else took over and he is simply a vessel for them to use.

I take a moment to scan him up and down and wish that I hadn't as bile rises up burning my throat. His jeans are soaked in blood, his shirt ripped and a dark purple bruise is beginning to form on his right jaw. I close my eyes, somehow the thought that Damien tried to fight back fills me with relief. I stand up feeling only more anger and I walk towards him, I raise my hand hoping to strike him but his reflexes are fast and he catches my wrist.

"No, no Ashley. I will not let them be right about you. I know this is the right thing to do."

I stare up at me so angry and confused. I have no idea who he is talking about.

"You're coming with me Ashley, if you don't I will do it. I will kill him and anyone else you care about. If I can't have you, no one can."

I close my eyes and take a breath, I know what I have to do. I relax and let Tyler lead me to the stairs and out the door.

"Damien drove us here, we will have to take your car." I silently nod and follow him towards my mothers car.

He pushes me in the car and walks around to the drivers side.

"Don't worry Ashley, I called an ambulance anonymously. They'll be here to help him but, by then we'll be long gone."

Silent tears fall from my eyes and I pull my legs up into the seat in the front of the car. if only I could make myself so small that he'd forget about me. He's taking me to god knows where and I am stuck with him I won't see my parents, I won't know if Damien lives. i won't know anyone. He could get tired of me and decide to kill me for all I know.

"Are you ready for your new life Ash?"