safe//5SOS

3

Bella

I buried my tear stained face into Ashton's chest even more.

"You really don't need to worry about that Bella, no need at all. They're both really kind and gentle. I promise," he said , "you can even see them tonight if you want,"

I sniffed and rubbed my eyes.

"B- but I'm scared and I-I haven't been in ages a-and," - " it doesn't matter love because it wasn't your fault, and they'll help you. It won't be anything like what you imagine," Luke interrupted.

I stayed in Ashton's arms for a while until my food came. Part of me felt uncomfortable, but knowing they couldn't do anything to me here made me feel safe.

The had been so nice to me.

I ate and watched Stranger Things on Luke's phone until I had to sleep.

However, I was very uncomfortable and I was still awake when a nurse came round. Since I was on a lot of medicine already, all the could give me was another relaxer.

It definitely did it's job. Within minutes, I fell asleep.

As I woke up, I notice I had no wires attached to me and my wrist hurt a lot. The cast was itchy. I wanted a shower. The fumes of sanitiser were burning my nose.

Then I heard my dad speaking outside.

It just got better and better.

"Alright, I'll bring her to them. Thankyou for taking good care of her,"

He sounded so much more sophisticated than he was. I didn't even underhand how he was here, expecting him to be fined and for everything to be uncovered.

Part of me was glad it wasn't.

Ashton shuffled into the room and closed the door, putting his files on the side.

"How are you feeling? We had to take you off your medicine unfortunately, but it shouldn't be too bad,"

"It hurts and it's itchy, I want a shower and why is my dad outside, he shouldn't be here ...send him away," I mumbled to him. He raised his eyebrows and helped me sit up

"You're going to have to get used to that I'm afraid, but I'm sure we can get you a shower. He is just being told when to bring you back and everything,"

I didn't want to see him. If he had listened and thought about anyone but himself for a minute, maybe I wouldn't be here with a cast. Maybe I could be safe at school with Izzy, or my other friends like Jake.

"But he's just gonna get... I don't want to get hurt again from him. I don't need two broken wrists from a car crash,"

He looked at me apologetically and gave me a weird plastic thing.

"Put that over your cast and have a shower because I think you'll be going home soon. His friend is driving I'm pretty sure- if that helps," he shrugged, giving me back the trousers I wore yesterday and a hoodie.

"Oh, your top was kinda covered in blood and we had to cut it to get it off you. I'm sorry, but that's Luke's hoodie you can wear," he awkwardly explained

"Thankyou,"

I took a long shower then dressed myself into the clothes I was given. The jumper was fluffy inside and very big on me. Luke was quite tall.

I cautiously entered the room, stopping abruptly when I saw my dad. I considered turning back round but that would look suspicious.

"Hello darling, are you feeling better?" he asked. I nodded and stood with Ashton. He still has a slur in his voice and I didn't understand how no one noticed.

Or perhaps they did.

Why had the police let him go? No investigation or anything. I hadn't even been spoken to.

"So... you'll be coming back on Thursday to see me at 11:45 but I'd recommend just having the whole day off," Luke winked at me and said.

I zoned out when my dad started talking until he came over and squeezed my shoulder tightly. The one with the stitches.

I didn't dare tell him he was hurting me but I tried to catch Luke's attention. He got the gist and held his hand out for my dad to take. Ashton send me a small thumbs up which I returned before walking away so he couldn't do any more.

For the next two days, I hid in my room when I wasn't at school. I never got too close to him and he didn't seem to drink too much. There was a lot of shouting and sometimes he'd hit me, but it had died down.

However, when I tried to leave for school on Thursday he stopped me.

"You aren't going to school today, a few friends are coming round and we need someone to get us drinks all day," he stated, yanking me back into the hall.

"But I have to go to the hospital again today," I said, too confidently for his liking.

He hit my head hard against the wall and stepped forward.

"Do you have a brain in there? I told you we are busy... now go to your room until I tell you to come down,"

I scurried up the worn down, splintered stairs, tempted to hide in my room all day. When I got to my bed, I buried my head in the pillow and cried.

My head was spinning.

For a moment I considered texting my friend Izzy that I wasn't coming for school but picking up the phone seemed too much effort. The side of my head throbbed.

And then the front door opened and shut. For the rest of the day, I'd be supplying drinks and food to drunk men who'd probably all crash in the living room.

I didn't understand why they'd want to stay; the floor was dirty, one small sofa was inside, a tv that no longer worked and neither did the lights. He didn't pay the bills anymore.

I was always surprised when he payed the water bills.

"Bella! Why aren't you down here already? The day is only just beginning,"