Page 85 of The Wronged Omega

The heat didn’t take over. I was very aware. I will heal with time.

“I hope so. You deserve to be happy.” Her head dropped again, and this time, I let her avoid me.

I picked a random rom com I had seen a million times and scooted onto the bed, crossing my legs. We both watched and let it distract us until Odie came by with a tray of food. It was simple, just grilled cheese sandwiches, some chips, and soda, along with two large insulated water bottles.

She dropped it off, said good night, and was on her way.

“I shouldn’t be used to you guys being a little lovey, but that was awkward to watch.”

I scrunched my nose, knowing she was right. I would feel the same way if I was on the outside looking in. There wasn’t an ounce of judgment in her voice. She was stating an observation to keep her mind from wandering.

Alastor? I shot back with a smirk.

“Totally deserved to be kneed in the dick, but he wasn’t like the others.” Her eyes shot back to the TV. “He didn’t do anything.”

I hadn’t planned to do more to him, but that took the option off the table if I had wanted to get some more revenge for his part in her kidnapping. Still, fuck him for being involved at all.

“He was trying to take down Lucinda. It worked, but at what cost, you know?” My shoulders slumped. She and probably many others were the cost, and that was far too high. “Anyway, I’m starving, and grilled cheese is horrible cold.”

We dug in, letting normalcy take over for a bit. I was watching and waiting for signs of the shock to wear off and for the breakdowns to begin. I knew this phase too well and never wanted her to experience it.

The movie was almost over, and the food was demolished. Sleep wanted to take me over as I lay on my stomach with my head resting on my arm as I continued to watch. Ellie had slid back and crossed her legs, but that was all. Her eyes were wide open, and sleep didn’t seem to be something she had truly thought about.

You should rest.

“I know.” She didn’t budge.

Ellie. My hand was getting tired of spelling out so many words, but I fought through it.

“I know, Mine, but I’m not ready unless you’re going to drug me into a mini coma.”

I dropped it, but she would have to sleep eventually. Sleep deprivation was no joke, and I wasn’t sure how much sleep she actually got while she was there. Even if she was allowed to sleep, I had no doubt it was garbage and restless.

The first movie ended, and another was turned on. Thirty minutes into it, a man grabbed the woman by the arm with a sneer. The hero jumped in and knocked him out, but that was all it took to push Ellie over.

The screams and sobs didn’t stop for hours. She clung to me the entire time, and I refused to let go. I would be here for her, no matter what. As the sun rose and shone over the top of the curtains, Ellie finally succumbed to sleep.

That’s when I let my own tears fall, not for my experience, but for hers. If I could have traded places, I would have without a second thought. She didn’t deserve this. No one did, but the damage was done, and we would all have to learn to live with it.

Chapter 42

Mine

One Week Later

Each night was the same, but they were slowly getting better. Where we had started with nearly four hours of sobbing and consoling after movies and dinner in my bedroom, we were now down to around one.

Panic coursed through her at the thought of the nightmares that would greet her, and the flashes of memories amped it up when she closed her eyes.

The days were relatively normal. We went on walks, made food together, shopped online, read here and there, and spent time with Cy and Odie. We also got to know Alastor a little better. Gerard was noticeably absent, and I was formulating another ranting message for him in my head. My eye twitched every time I thought about him.

Alastor dished his past over lunch one day, and my hatred of him and what he did eased slightly. I refused to fully trust him in any way, just like everyone besides Cy, Odie, and Ellie. Where Ellie released it all at night in the form of tears, I was a ball of anxiety, assuming everyone was out to get us.

Vaila fucked us up more than she knew. Well, I guessed she would never know because she was dead. Ellie handling that on her own was nowhere on my list of possibilities, but I didn’t blame her. I wanted a little of the action, but knowing Ellie took it upon herself, I would get over it.

I didn’t twinge when Cy and Odie gave me small touches now like hugs and soft kisses on my forehead, but panic sweats started if I thought about going further. Nausea took over, and if I didn’t change my mental course, I would vomit, and I didn’t want to explain why again.

Having relatively normal days helped, but for me to have a normal one, I couldn’t see anyone, which was unrealistic. I avoided high traffic areas, but the anxiety was always right there, under my skin.

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