Chapter 8

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"You stupid girl Anna! Unlock the door!" She slurred, slamming a fist towards the door. The swing caused her more pain than it resulted in any success. I cowered into the dark corner, trying my best to be simply swallowed by the plaster walls. I hoped and prayed for her to just forget about it or pass out on the floor, but at this point, it wasn't happening.

"Ashlyn!" A deeper voice yelled, and a stronger blow was delivered to the already wounded door. A long string of swearing followed, most likely because of a splinter or more. The door was already bashed in you were lucky to lock it without having a fist of splinters stuck for days. Just as I thought it went quiet and they were both gone or passed out, the door smashed in, off it's hinges. It came flying across the room as I thanked my lucky stars for having occupied a different corner today.

"GET UP!" He bellowed. I listened but did more than just that. I was feeling bold and most of my past injuries had healed, so I had the strength to move. My small frame against his large burly one meant I could duck underneath any lengthy swings as I bolted for the door. They hadn't been home long and always left the front door swung wide open. I ran out the first doorframe, which now lacked any door, and out the front. I pumped my legs harder, ignoring the screams for Anna. I wasn't her anyway. I passed a random dark van and proceeded down the street and around the corner.

I ran on and on, not slowing my pace until I no longer knew exactly where I was. My throat burned and there was heavy weight pressing down hard on my chest...

My eyes fluttered open as I came to the realisation that my chest didn't only hurt in my dreams. Teddy was pushing his front paws hard into my chest in attempt to wake me up from the terrors that consumed my sleeping thoughts. I felt the tears streaming down my face as I sat up and pulled Teddy close. He sat cautiously on my lap, licking the tears from my face.

"Fetch water." I asked with a croaky voice. He quickly moved to where I'd left a water bottle next to my school bag and brought it back up to me before laying across my lap once more. I stroked his fur and tried the breathing exercises I'd learnt from Ella in therapy. I was looking forward to my next visit with her.

I tried to keep my thoughts focussed as I calmed down, having already decided that my terrors had once again haunted me from my running today. I considered going to see one of the boys but was slightly frightened to move. I instead checked the time and turned my phone on, tucking down under the covers, comforted by the light and the sheets. The time said it was 5:30am so I decided to give up on sleep. Instead, I grabbed my copy of Little Women and reread my favourite chapters whilst keeping Teddy on my lap and petting his soft fur. He had fallen back asleep as I wondered how loud I'd been to wake him up. Or maybe he was just special and could sense something was wrong. At this point, I would never know.

Jo, Beth, Amy, Laurie and Meg never failed to entrance me into their own world and let me leave all my troubles behind.

I read as the sun rose behind me. I'd forgotten to wind down the blind before and was then able to comfortably watch the room light up with the new day. I loved having a window above my bed.

I was forced to gently move Teddy at one point so that I could go to the bathroom. I made sure not to look in the mirror just in case, then quickly moved back to my bed. I could see the stunning array of colours as I tucked myself in once more and made sure to take photos for Morgan before going back to my book.

"What are you doing awake?" I looked up abruptly, startled by Ryan's appearance in my room. I hadn't noticed him open the door or come in, clearly too involved in my book.

"You scared me." I told him, half faking a yawn, so it'd look like I'd just woken up.

"How long have you been awake?" He asked.

"Not long."

"How long is not long?" I shrugged in response. "Are you alright?" He looked me up and down.

"Yeah." I said softly.

"Rough night?"

"Kind of." I nodded. He pulled me in for a hug, smoothing down my dishevelled hair and wiping at the tear stains on my cheeks. I'd hoped they would have disappeared by now, but I guess they hadn't.

"You should have come and got me."

"I didn't want to wake you." I lied. "It was like 5:30 so there wasn't much point."

"You've been up since then?"

"Yeah." I sighed, laying my head down on his chest.

"Ash," He tutted. "Next time come get me."

"Teddy woke me up." I reached over and patted his head.

"He's doing a good job." Ryan smiled.

"Ryan! Is she awake?" Someone yelled from the kitchen. I couldn't tell.

"Coming!" He yelled back. "They're waiting for you."

"Why?"

"Guess you'll have to go and see. Get dressed first." He grinned as we both got up and I went to get changed. I hurried into my uniform, desperate to see what and who was waiting for me.

"Nana!" I exclaimed, hugging her.

"Good morning, my sweet girl. Pancake?"
"Yes please! Don't tell Nick." I giggled, sitting at the kitchen island.

"Oi." A deep voice grumbled as they hugged me from behind. I giggled again, letting everything that had already happened this morning fall away as I focussed on these happy moments. "Feeling okay?" Nick asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I assured him, just as Nana slid a plate piled high with choc chip pancakes and chocolate sauce onto my plate. Nick was unimpressed.

"Off you go Nicholas, nothing to see here." Nana tutted, shooing a glaring Nick out of the kitchen. 


hi everyone, my apologies for the slower updates recently. I've had all my term assessments and then had a lot going on at home and some sucky mental health. I'm on holidays now and am hoping to write lots more now that i'm feeling back like my usual self! I always look forward to writing as Ash as she's pretty much my comfort character. 

Here was a chapter about Teddy, as requested by a few, and there will certainly be some more action in the upcoming chapters too. 

please let me know in the comments or by private message anything about my stories/writing/ideas for the future. i value every comment and message as long as it's nice or kindly constructed criticism. 

i'll try to keep updates regular for the next few weeks too xx :) 

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