Broken

• Chapter 54 •

I haven't gone to bed, terrified that I'd have more nightmares and wake up drenched in sweat. Especially since Ashton is sleeping in the same room. I glance at him, he's sprawled across the chair, his mouth is parted slightly.

My mind is boggled with questions. I tried to think about Ashton and his family, but as soon as Ashton fell asleep, all I could think about was that man. I keep seeing his face, the sinister snarl on his face, the hungry look in his eyes. He was evil, cruel, disgusting, immoral and wrong.

He reminded me of him.

I feel disgusting, my skin crawls at the thought of him. Tears threaten to leave my eyes for the millionth time tonight. I swallow them back and inhale deeply, shutting my tired leaden eyes.

I'm not going to sleep. I'm just going to rest my eyes for a second...

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I wake up to an aching soul. My back aches, my legs ache, my heart aches. I've fallen asleep.

I wince as sit up hesitantly, rubbing my eyes and blinking rapidly. I'm alone, Ashton's not in the room. What time is it? We're supposed to be in school today. Maybe he went without me? My mind is like a freight train. He would've said so, wouldn't he?

I struggle to get up, it feels as though daggers are being plunged into every part of my body every time I move. I manage to walk to Ashton's bathroom and lock it behind me, out of breath from the walk itself. My legs are shaking, as are my hands. I take a deep breath in and look up at my reflection in the mirror.

I look like shit.

The bruise on my upper thigh is turning bright purple, clearly visible if I roll up my shorts a little. I turn away from the mirror, afraid to see what my back looks like. I swallow the lump in my throat and gently remove my top, grimacing at the pain released from extending my arms.

My heartbeat quickens as I turn my head towards my reflection reluctantly. The breath catches in my throat. It's worse than I thought. It looks as though a toddler has used my back as a canvas. I'm bruised from my right shoulder to the middle of my back. Purples and greens swirl together like a painting.

I hadn't realized how hard he had pushed me into that damned wall. I jolt up in shock as a light knock sounds on the bathroom door.

"Clementine?"

I sigh in relief, painfully putting my shirt back on. "Um, yeah. I'll just be a minute," I call out.

He hasn't gone to school. He hasn't left me.

I compose myself mentally and open the bathroom door.

Ashton gives me a concerned look, "You good?"

I give him a tight-lipped smile, "Yeah, fine."

He gives me a hesitant nod and extends his arm, I loop my arm into his and he leads me to the kitchen. My lips twitch into a smirk when I see what he has prepared for breakfast.

Bacon and waffles.