Drowning

Chapter Twenty-Two

I blinked staring at my mother on the bed. “What are you doing?” I asked looking at the two bodies tangled in each other. 

“Ana, what are you doing here?” She asked pulling the blanket up to cover her bare chest.

“I live here. I just dropped Matty off at school. What are you doing?” I asked in shock. I thought she’d wait a little longer before she cheated on Danny.

“That is none of your business.” She snapped at me. I looked at the man next to her. Warner smirked at me as he put his arms behind his head. I shivered unpleasantly under his gaze.  “Why are you just standing there?” She growled at me getting out of the bed. I backed up from the room.

“I’m telling Danny. You have no right to hurt him.” She backed me into the wall.

“You will tell him nothing. Do I make myself clear?”

“Danny deserves better than you.” I snapped at her. She backhanded me making my eyes water as my legs shook with the force.

“You shut your mouth.” She pushed me towards my bedroom. “You are going to get out of this house. You will stay silent or I will hurt you.” I grabbed my workout bag and walked out of the room. “Get going.” She huffed walking back into her bedroom.  I walked out of the house getting into Danny’s truck. I sped away from the house pulling up to the base gym. I pulled out my wallet and took a business card out of it. I dialed the number pressing it to my ear.

“Donohue.” I wiped my eyes for the tears I didn’t realize I cried.

“It’s Ana Miller.” I waited a minute not knowing what to say.

“What’s wrong, Ana? Did something happen? Where are you?” I moved my cheek to feel the skin burning.

“Did you find Warner? I knew you were looking for him.” I wiped the blood off my cheek from where my mom’s ring got me.

“Ana, do you know where he is? Is he near you?” His voice seemed urgent.

“He’s at my house. He’s with my mother. They’re having sex.” I got out of the car grabbing my bag.

“Are you okay? Ana, you need to stay away from that man.” I heard the sound of a car door opening on the other end.

“I’m at the gym on base. I didn’t know where to go.” I ran a hand through my hair.

“Stay there. Go in. Don’t leave. You’re safest surrounded by marines.” I nodded putting my I.D. through the scanner. I walked quickly into the women’s locker room and into an unused shower. I curled myself into a ball and cried.

“Ana.” Violet’s voice broke through the sound of showers. I looked up as she pulled the curtain back. “Oh, Sweetheart.” She pulled me into her arms rocking me. “What happened?” I shook my head leaning into her. “I have you.”

“Miss Miller?” A rough voice said. I looked up clutching Violet. “Miss Miller, Special Agent Donohue sent me in here for you.” I swallowed nervously. “It’s okay Miss Miller, I’m with the Military Police. I’m here to protect you.” Violet helped me stand.

“Come on, it’s okay.” We walked out to see the uniformed cop standing in the middle of the room.

“What about my brother?” She nodded.

“An officer went to go get him as well. He’s safe.” I nodded holding onto Violet’s hand.

“Everything is going to be okay.” She squeezed it. “I called your grandparents. They are going to take care of you two.” I looked at Violet. “They’re going to take you off base till Danny gets back.” The guard had her gun out as we walked out of the gym and to the armored Humvee.