Dangerous Love

29||Hidden

Petra Ramirez

"Petra! Get your ass back here!" Xavier shouts after me as I was walking away from him.

I ignored him as I continued walking, heading to Ellie's room to start gathering her stuff. If anything I just wanted to get out of the house, I needed to process the fact that Xavier was having the woman who tortured me under this roof.

"Petra, I know you can hear me!" He yells again, making me quickly spin around to look at him.

"Xavier, please! I need a break." I said as I looked into his eyes, "I need to leave with Ellie."

Xavier exhales sharply, running a hand through his hair, "If that's what you want, then go."

I could see a hint of hurt in his eyes as his gaze went from me to the ground, I felt bad for doing this but I needed this for the sake of my mental health.

I turned around and headed to Ellie's room. I started to gather some clothes for her but I left a few just in case she wanted to stay here.

After I got some of her stuff, we said our goodbyes and left to go back to my apartment. As soon as we arrived at the apartment, Ellie and I walked into the building making our way up.

When we got to the door, I could feel my heart stop for a moment. I exhale deeply before unlocking the door.

As I stepped into the apartments, a chill ran down my spine. The air felt heavy, almost suffocating. Every step echoed through the empty living room, reminding me of the silence that consumed that awful night. All memories flooded back into my mind, overwhelming me with a mix of emotions.

The way everything was covered in blood, I held Ellie's hand tightly. I took her to her room to put her to bed. When she went to sleep, I walked back into the living room.

It felt weird not seeing my mom and dad cuddled up with each other on the couch, I couldn't help but picture my parents' smiling faces, their laughter filling the space that now seemed so desolate.

I cautiously walked into the living room, my heart pounding in my chest. The scene replayed in my mind over, and over again. Each detail etched into my memory, the shattered lamp, the bloodstains, it was all there frozen in time.

I began to feel tears welling up in my eyes as I struggled to get the memory out of my head, the weight of loss and grief hung in the air. This apartment was a painful reminder of everything I lost.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. This place held so much pain.

I grabbed the bags that were by the front door and headed into my room to begin unpacking. My body still hurts, in so many different ways.

After I got done unpacking, I walked to the door and started locking it making sure that no one would get in. Once I got done, I headed to Ellie's room and lay next to her. She was sleeping so peacefully, when we left Xavier's she didn't question anything good because I wouldn't know how to answer her questions.

•••

Almost two weeks have gone by since I talked to Xavier or even seen him. Kylie and Audrey have been coming over to comfort me, with everything. It sucks being away from him, but I needed space. I needed to process everything, still.

I want to text him so bad, call him so I can hear his voice again.

I just want to hear his voice again, but I'm doing this for myself. Am I being selfish?

I made my way towards the kitchen where Ellie had a chef's hat on along with baking ingredients. I raised a brow and walked over to her before asking, "What are you doing love?"