Page 74 of Killing Me Softly

“She’s hitting her.” Aaron stammered. “Hard. Across the face. But the girl isn’t crying. She’s really brave. She doesn’t move, doesn’t fight back.”

Kenny forced himself to remain calm. Collected. He needed to be Aaron’s anchor, not his panic.

“What does she do next?”

Aaron’s fingers tensed in Kenny’s grip, a tremor running through his limbs.

“Mum’s moving away. Into the dark.” His voice strained. “The girl… she’s turning around.” Aaron’s jaw clenched. “She’s looking at me. Right at me.”

A shudder ran through his body.

“Aaron, you’re still safe. Just keep watching. What does she do?”

“Mum… she—” His voice cracked. Lips trembled. “She’s got a belt.”

Jack let out a sharp breath, shifting from his stance by the window. Kenny lifted a hand without looking away from Aaron, a silent demand for Jack to stay still.

“She’s wrapping it around the girl’s neck.” Aaron’s voice was hoarse, barely there. “Fuck. I don’t want to see this…” His breath fractured. Chest heaved. Muscles locked in place as if he were frozen between past and present.

Kenny’s stomach coiled. Panic response.

“Aaron, you’re still here. You’re with me. Nothing can hurt you.”

Aaron let out a strangled noise, grasping for something unseen.

“She’s pulling her down. Beating her. Fuck, she’sbeatingher!”

Kenny pressed a steadying hand on Aaron’s shoulder. “You’re safe. Just breathe. You don’t have to relive it, only observe it.”

“The girl…she’s trying to get away, crawling toward me—” His voice cracked, a raw, wounded sound.

“What did you do, Aaron?”

Aaron’s muscles tensed so hard Kenny could feel it in his grip. His fingers were white-knuckled, skin cold.

“I…I’m running. Back to the house. Back to my cupboard. Had to hide. Had to be asleep. If I don’t move, if I don’t breathe, she won’t see me—”

Jack shifted again, but this time it was out of helplessness. Then Aaron suddenly stiffened completely, body locked in terror.

“Oh, God. She found me—”

His breath fractured, sharp and shallow. His fingers clawed at his throat as though he could feel phantom hands tightening around his windpipe.

Kenny reacted instantly.

“Aaron, listen to me. Look at me. Hearmyvoice.” Kenny’s tone was firm but gentle, unwavering, an anchor against the storm.

Aaron let out a strangled noise, writhing in panic. “She…she’s going to ki—”

“No. She can’t hurt you now. That was then. This is now.” Kenny cupped Aaron’s face, forcing him to stay with him.

Jack’s voice cut through the tension. “Kenny—”

“I know.” Kenny didn’t look away. He couldn’t. “Aaron, I need you to breathe. Slow, steady. Just follow my voice.”

Aaron’s chest heaved violently, his breath coming in ragged bursts.

“Okay, inhale for four. One… two… three… four. Hold it.”

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