Chapter

It's been at least a week since Toby came round, David had returned and life had gone back to normal.

I had numerous messages left by Trish but I felt too ashamed to answer. I missed her so much though that I replayed her voicemails so I could just listen to her voice. I doubt she knew I was thinking of her and wanted to explain everything to her. My heart was in knots and I couldn't stop it from hurting.

I was going to end things with David and walk away free, he wasn't unreasonable, surely he could see what we had wasn't love, not anymore. I didn't need saving I could leave at any time

The door slammed shut and I jumped at the sudden noise, I knew David had returned unhappy. After a few moments I got up from the chair in my bedroom and made my way down to David. I took a deep breath as I entered the room, David was sitting in the armchair by the window. He hadn't even bothered to look up to me.

"David, can we talk?" I managed the strength to say.

David didn't even acknowledge me speaking.

I sighed and took a step closer but not to close I knew he wasn't in a great mood. It was my own fault our relationship had fractured to this extent. If I hadn't done half of the things I had, David wouldn't always be angry with me.

"David, I think we need a break from each other", I said.

David looked at me with such hatred that it sent chills down my spine I instantly took a step back.

"A break!", he had said hanging on each word.

I nodded nervously but preserved the sentence I already said the sentence I wanted too, NO going back now.

"Carrie, no-one else would have you like I do. No-one else could love you like I do" he said sincerely.

He had said it so many times before that it seemed true.

"But David, the love you once showed me isn't what you show me now. It's not forever but for now. I feel scared all the time. It's like walking on eggshells with you. In my heart I can't do this anymore" I said barely a whisper.

Out of nowhere tears came fast down my face. I wasn't expecting such an emotional reaction to being true to myself.

David sat unmoved for so long I doubted he even heard me. I turned to walk away through the door but as soon as my back was to him he was up behind me. Arms around me pulling my back in to him, his whole body wrapped around me all I felt was his heat.

" Carrie, you can't leave me, we are in this together. You are mine and no-one else's!" He sneered into my ear.

His hand suddenly pulled my hair, pulling me backwards, knocking me off my feet. He stood out the way as I fell with a thud to the floor. The pain that shot through my head was intense. I screamed but no noise came out. He sat on me covering my mouth with his hand looking down at me with a smug smile.

I pleaded with my eyes to let me go. I wriggled and kicked out but nothing worked. He was in complete control.

His hands moved around my neck and he tightened his grip. I couldn't breathe and I eventually stopped wriggling, my vision was blurry and I was gasping for air.

He sneered at me but I could no longer hear what was being said, I was retreating into my thoughts ready to let go of this world.

I don't know how long I was there but suddenly there was screaming ringing in my ears and I was gasping for air coughing all over the place.

It was at this moment I realised David wasn't on me anymore but I was to hazey to work out who he was arguing with.

"What the hell David, what's wrong with you!!!" The voice shouted.

" She deserves it mate, you don't understand she's a waste of life. She deserves to die" David retorted.

I rolled to my front and tried to stand but my legs were so weak I couldn't. I pulled myself up against the wall and tried to hide behind the sofa.

It felt forever I was there before someone pulled me from where I was and carried me out the house. Everything went dark. I can't remember what happened clearly or who was carrying me but for once in a long time I felt saved.

I opened my eyes and I was looking at a ceiling I didn't recognise. The curtains moved in the breeze with the sunlight shining through. The bed I was laying on was the softest bed I've ever felt and it was covered all in silk. The door was solid oak and it reminded me of one of those royal bedrooms in a castle. Everything was fancy and expensive looking with red and gold themes running throughout the room. I pulled myself up but I hurt all over, I couldn't remember what had happened to me. I threw my legs over the side of the bed and attempted to stand, a shooting pain went through my side that I buckled under the hurt. I grabbed the corner of the bed to stop me from falling and steadied myself. I could just see through the window and still didn't recognise where I was. There were mountains and blue skies and a sun shining so bright nothing like my home.

I could hear voices outside the room but I couldn't make out what they were saying. The door creaked and before it opened I slid back in to bed, closing my eyes and pretending I was sleeping.

" Are you going to tell her about David?", said a familiar voice.

" She's been through enough, she hasn't woken in days I'm not sure she even wants too" he had said.

I recognised them both but I felt too ashamed to open my eyes and face them.

" She needs to know Toby, you can't hide this forever!" Trish said.

" How can I?" He said in a tone that made my heart ache.

" You didn't in the past, he stopped everything you tried and claimed it As his own are you really going to step aside again!", Trish said angrily

"That's enough, we need to get her better, " Toby said. I felt his weight sit at the side of the bed. His hand stroked the hair from my face and the touch was so gentle and unexpected it made me flinch.

" Carrie it is safe, you can wake up. It's just Trish and myself here", he said softly.

I don't know where it came from but tears ran down my face and they couldn't stop before I knew it I was sobbing. It was absolutely ugly sobbing but I couldn't stop. I pulled my legs up and hugged them and didn't stop. Trish ran to my side and wrapped her arms round me. She said nothing but let me cry for what seemed forever. Toby hadn't moved he just stared at me watching my emotions overflow but his mere presence had comforted me.

Panic surged through me, where David was. Where was I, did David know where I was?

All these questions tumbled out one after another and Toby was the first to speak.

" Carrie you're in my home, I went to your house a few days ago and found David straggling you. He was going to kill you Carrie as I pulled him off he struck you with his foot. He kept running back to you when you were unconscious and kicking you", he said pausing to hold my face. " I'm sorry I wasn't there sooner or that I couldn't stop him at first" tears rolled down his face.

" David and I argued and I hit him, when I returned to find you, you had pulled yourself behind the sofa. I pulled you into my arms and you've been sleeping ever since" he said.

I looked down I was embarrassed by this, I couldn't protect myself , did I even try.

" David doesn't mean to hurt me, I just make him so angry" I said in a whisper.

There was a flash of emotion in Toby's eyes but it disappeared quite quickly.

"That's ridiculous! No man should do what he did to you " Trish said.

" Trish, he'll be very angry when I have to return home," I said.

Toby panicked for a second and then looked away, Trish looked at Toby and said "Tell her now!".

I looked at Toby and couldn't make out the emotion that showed on his face.

"Carrie.......David doesn't want you back. In fact in the last few weeks he has tried to sell you. He wanted to make money from you as if you were a meer object rather than a beautiful Jewell. I've followed him for years, protecting you when I could. I've stopped countless sales happening until this time. ......" he paused. I was in shock, how can someone sell me that didn't own me. It didn't make sense, was I sold now? Who bought me? What was going on???

" David became panicked when you said you were leaving. He would rather have killed you than let you be free" Toby continued.

I was shocked I looked at Trish who stood beside me with a look to confirm this all was true. I cried again, but this time it was Toby who pulled me into his warm embrace. He stroked my hair like I was a child and I fell asleep in his arms feeling safe and secure with the knowledge that Toby was being my protector.