Lea’s P. O. V.
I woke up, unable to move. My arms and legs felt heavy, as if something, or someone, was holding them down. The fear of being paralyzed again started to overwhelm me.
Where am I ? This isn’t my room. Where the hell am I ? Why can’t I move ? No, no, no. Not again.
I felt myself start to panic.
Shit, shit, shit.
I took deep breaths to try and calm my raging nerves.
Sh, Lea. You’re O. K.
That voice, it wasn’t his.
Fingertips grazed my jawline.
No, no, no, please. Not again.
I felt the man beside me sit up and carefully pull me into his lap. Why would he be careful ? There was never anything careful about him.
The man laid my head on his chest, holding me in place. I froze, my fear of what he would do consuming me.
Lea, open your eyes and look at me.
I knew that voice, the soft commanding tone washed over me, but it had to be one of his tricks, didn’t it ?
Lea, please open your eyes.
He never asked, he only demanded, and when I wouldn’t comply, he punished me by hurting Cece.
I felt my hair being brushed back and my cheeks being gently caressed, soft lips pressing into the side of my head.
There was nothing soft or gently about him. He was always rough.
Lea, baby, please open your eyes.
That voice, begging and pleading softly, I could hear the fear in it.
Why would he be afraid ?
I heard a door opening, the man’s voice just as concerned as the man holding me, Boss ?
Why would there be another person in the room ? Why would the man be calling him Boss ? He was always alone. Why would they be concerned ? He never was. He didn’t care that he was hurting us.
Bring me a glass of water and a cool rag.
I heard footsteps disappearing, water running, and cabinets opening, then the second man’s voice came closer as a cool rag washed over my face, What is wrong with her Boss ?
I could feel the man holding me shake his head slightly, Lea, come on. Open your eyes for me. You’re safe.
I didn’t believe him. It had to be a trick. He had to be tricking me.
Do you want me to call Dr. Martin ?
Why would he call a doctor ?
He didn’t care enough to have our bruises and cuts treated. He revelled in our pain. In my pain.
If I could just get her to open her eyes.
I could hear the hurt and exasperation in his voice.
Why would he be hurt ?
Carter, I’m calling Dr. Martin.
The second man’s voice, I knew it as well, along with the name he used.
Carter.
Where did I know that name from. It wasn’t his name.
Carter.
It was so familiar, yet so far away.
I heard the door open and the footsteps of the second man walk out before the door closed again.
Lea, please. Open your eyes. You’re safe. Please, Baby. Look at me.
Why was he calling me Baby ?
He only ever called us bitches, or worse.
I heard the door open and a soft feminine voice floated through the air, Keep talking to her Boss.
I felt a light touch on my wrist before something cold pressed against my chest.
His low voice sounded strained, What’s wrong with her Doc ?
She’s having a night terror.
A night terror. I knew what that was. I had them all the time right after Cece died.
What do I do ? He sounded so lost.
Why would he sound like that ? He was always so sure of himself.
Her voice was quiet, Keep talking to her Boss. Keep letting her know she is safe. Even though, right now, she is somewhere between being awake and being asleep, her mind as taken her back to one of the darkest periods of her life.
Why won’t she respond to me ?
Deep down Lea knows that you are the one here, Boss. However, with the state of consciousness she is in, her memories are making it hard for her to make the distinct differences between you and the man that ripped her world apart five years ago.
There was a low growl coming from the man holding onto me, I’m nothing like that man. I don’t hurt children.
The woman continued, No, but she was made watch as that man murdered her sister. And she saw you put two bullets into Marshall. In that sense, right now in her mind, you two are very much alike.
Another low growl came from the man holding me as the woman continued, However, knowing how Lea is, I can almost guarantee you the part of her that is awake is fighting for control, making the comparisons between you and him. Somewhere deep inside her, she knows the differences between the two of you. You just need to keep reassuring her that she is safe.
Lea. Open your eyes.
I wanted to so badly, but the fear of what and who I would see wouldn’t allow me to.
Why is she like this Doc ?