Cover Your Tracks [HS][2014 VERSION]

37. Nightmare

"Can't wake up in sweat, 'cause it ain't over yet . . ."

Spots dance in my vision of the early morning sun. A loud banging rings in my ears, startling me. The room spins round, the image blurry as my eyes adjust to the newfound light. Gradually, my eyes focus to notice my father standing in the doorway.

His chest rises and falls heavily, his face an angry shade of crimson as he looks at me. I confusedly follow his gaze to see Harry fast asleep beside me, his face hidden as he lies on his front.

My father's eyes dart back and forth, focusing on Harry's shirtless torso one second, then my face the next. I'm unable to move or utter a warning to the unknowing boy beside me as he walks over, ripping him out of the bed. Ripping him away from me.

Harry is yanked away from sleep by the force of my angry father, quickly coming to his senses. His worried eyes find mine and my father looks at us with disgust.

"I knew something was going on between you two."

My jaw falls slack as the realization of the situation sinks in. My throat feels like sandpaper and my lips delicately dry, as if they will break if I dare to wrap them around words. Harry drops his head as my father drags him to the center of the room.

My father shakes his head at me in disappointment. "Lyza, I thought you were better than this. I taught you the way of the world, yet you took this criminal and brought him into our home. Into your bed. What am I going to do with you?"

I frantically shake my head. "Dad, it's not what it looks like. Nothing happened!"

I know he doesn't believe me- the look on his face tells me so. "Lyza, don't lie to me. I know how timid you women are, and men's intentions don't make it any better. This one is no different. He only wants one thing, and you're giving it to him without being aware of it yourself. It is not wise to lie with a monster."

My eyes move to Harry. He looks at me with heavy eyes and pouted lips, surely saddened by my father's word. I know that he thinks wrongly of himself and my father is only confirming his views of his self-worth. It sickens me.

"I know that you are young and naive, so I will bring it upon myself as your father to take care of the problem myself."

I sit up in the bed, my eyes wide. "What?"

"I'm going to do what I should have done a long time ago. This boy is going to be locked up in prison, and you are going to be locked up here. You are not to leave this house ever again. Do you understand?"

The downfall hits me like an avalanche of snow and I gasp, my eyes brimming with tears. In that moment my world seems to turn cold with no hope of ever seeing the sun. My source of light has been shrouded with a cloud that will never move to reveal the warmth that I need to live.

"Dad, please," I plead. He looks at me in disdain and my heart plummets to my stomach. I hate disappointing people, especially my father, but this is what feels right in my heart. He wouldn't understand.

"Lyza, stop. The damage has been done, and now it is time to suffer the consequences."

"This isn't fair!" I scream. Harry and my father both look up in surprise at my sudden outburst, although Harry is silent. I turn my attention to him. "Harry, why won't you say anything?"

He drops his head once more, his long mass of curls falling into his eyes, shielding them from me. My father looks between us with a smug grin.

"Lyza, can't you see? He knew this was going to happen all along. He knows his battle has been lost. Why can't you accept it?"