I looked slowly around the secure room my eyes taking in the pale yellow walls and grey couches along side a small coffee table where a basket of toys were placed underneath for small children.

The silence was deafening as I moved on the seat in pain trying to alleviate the aching in my body but it was no use, the pain stayed. I took my body, limb by limb accessing it, until I came to the realisation that my heart was hurting the most.

Looking up at the clock, I wondered how long it would take, how long before I could leave, not to go home. Because home wasn't safe anymore..

The door opened to the room as a female officer came in slowly holding a pen and paper as well as a cup of tea in a small polystyrene cup.

"There you go." She whispered placing it down at the table in which I sat. Her blonde hair was swept up into a neat bun, the sides of her hair were slick from gel or maybe even smoothing serum.

"Are you ready to start Luna?" She asked quietly.

I nodded feebly.

"In your own time, tell me what happened?"

Earlier that day..

I sniggered as Aaron tried to put his top back on. "L-Luna stop, I gotta go get food." He laughed as I pulled him back by his waist band.

"Well I'm not hungry for food... At least not yet."

He grinned "Well I'm gonna need food to keep up."

I pouted playfully "But why?"

"Because of you're wearing me out. I won't be long." He replied giving me a kiss.

"What shall I do whilst you're gone then?"

He shrugged "Get dressed maybe, I wanna go for a walk tonight, plus we need to replace your camera.. If you're gonna come work with me."

"I never said that..."

"You don't need to." He smirked making me giggle.

"Fine but I still have to tell Andy, and work my notice before I can run around America with you."

He nodded "I know, and it's not all around America. Zak is afraid of flying so we only get to places in RV. Sometimes I fly though, means I get to stay home a little longer."

I tutted "Promise me all of America and you take it back."

He chuckled "I will show you the world... Besides you want to go to Romania don't you?"

I nodded "I wanna see where Dracula was born and I wanna see his castle."

"Then I'll show you. But you need that camera. So get up, get showered cause you smell of me and get ready."

"Most men wouldn't complain if their girlfriends smelt of them." I commented getting out of bed with the sheet around me.

"Well I don't, but it just reminds me of what we could be doing instead. So before we starve to death.." He trailed off as I grinned slipping into the bathroom.

"I'm gonna swing my home and pick up my cameras, I'll grab food on the way back, is that okay?!" He called out.

"Yeah that's cool!" I replied poking my head out the bathroom.

"Okay good." He pecked me on the lips. "Like you."

I smiled "Like you too. Take my keys so you can let yourself back in."

"Okay." He nodded picking up his phone.

I took a long shower, lathering myself in soap suds and washing them away. I scrubbed my hair and conditioned it enjoying the hot water against my skin.

Once I was done, I moisturised and changed into skinny jeans and a black crop top throwing Aaron's red flannel shirt over the top. As I walked across my bedroom, I paused hearing the doorbell.

"He's forgot the keys." I sighed taking my hair out of the towel wrap and rubbing it as I made my way downstairs.

But when I opened the front door, my smile fell as Mark was stood there.

"Evening. Poppet." He smirked, the smell of alcohol wafted off him.

"I have to go. Sorry." I answered trying to close the door when his foot jammed itself between the door and it's frame.

"Mark, go. I don't want you here."

"Tough." With a hard shove, I stumbled back as the door crashed against the wall. "I want a fucking word. Starting with how you've ruined my life!" He spat pointing at me.

I lifted my hands "I-I haven't done anything, I didn't say anything to anyone. You were sacked for another reason."

"Yeah! For theft! You set me up you bitch!"

"No I didn't! I didn't do anything!"

"YOU LYING BITCH!"

His fist came towards my face and impacted hard causing me to fall into the wall. Pain soared across my face as the taste of copper filled my mouth.

"WHAT DID I TELL YOU! SNITCHES GET STITCHES!"

"Mark. Leav-"

"SHUT UP! SHUT THAT MOUTH!"

"Go!" I cried holding my cheek.

"Oh.. Oh tears? Well I don't fucking care!" He spat grabbing a handful of my hair and dragging me into the lounge as I screamed in pain.

  Present...

"He hit me, he was so angry. H-he wouldn't stop even when I stopped moving. I thought if he thinks I'm dead... He'll stop. But he didn't." I whispered.

The female officer lifted a small box of tissues, I took one and gently dabbed my eyes which were almost closed from the swelling.

"We need to take pictures, of your injuries. I know it's an upsetting time but it's important for evidence and conviction purposes."

I nodded.

"Is there anyone we can call?"

I shook my head "Everyone I need, is already here."

She lifted her notepad cover "Mr Goodwin?"

"Yeah."

"Okay. I'll get your photos done as quick as possible so you can leave. We will also need your clothes."

"I- I haven't got anymore."

"It's okay, we have clothes for you to wear. It's sweats. Not the most appealing but they are comfy." She reassured me.

"Okay."

I sat in the medical room whilst the officers took photos. My face was battered and bruised. Dry blood caked into my skin and hair causing it to mat. From the damage done to my body, the doctor suspected that I had a couple broken ribs. Every part of me was bruised, even my forearms were marked by his fingers or feet from where he laid into me.

I pulled on the grey sweat pants and jumper looking at myself in the mirror. The swelling on my face made me look away before I could burst into tears..

***

I sat in the corner of Aaron's art studio on the floor, we hadn't spoken much since arriving back at his house. But I knew he felt guilty for leaving me alone, for letting it happen. I had told him it wasn't his fault, but he was looking for someone to blame and rather than blame Mark? He blamed himself.

"I'm sorry." I whispered not thinking he heard, but Aaron stopped painting instantly.

"You have nothing to be sorry for."

"I do.. I should have done something the first time it happened. I ignored the opportunity you set up for me to have this dealt with.. I left it because I thought it was for the best. Turns out I was wrong.. Seriously wrong."

"You couldn't have known this was going to happen."

"I'm also sorry you can't look at me." I added making his head fall.

"Luna, every time I do my heart breaks a little more in my chest. I was worried about my gut and stupid cameras! I had no idea you were... There! I should have stayed!" He snapped.

"I was hungry too, so it's not your fault."

"I need to blame someone Luna." He growled.

"Then blame Mark, blame the man who's done this. That each other or ourselves. If you let this turn inwards then he has won. Is that what you want?"

"No!"

"Then blame him, but don't hold a grudge against yourself... Please." I pleaded.

He turned looking at me with a pained look.

"I'm so sorry I wasn't there." He whispered.

"You're here now." I replied as he opened his arms for me to get into.

I got up and made my way over burying myself into his neck as he held me.

"I thought I was going to die.." I whispered.

"You're very much alive and I promise you, he will never get to you again. Do you hear me?"

I nodded. "I like you." I whispered.

"I fucking like you too. Shall we just go to bed?" He asked me. I nodded and held onto him tighter.

"I'll carry you." He whispered pressing a kiss against my head before carrying me to bed.

As we laid in bed waiting for the darkness to consume us, Aaron took my hand. "I'm afraid to hold you." He admitted.

"I won't break. You may just be holding me together." I replied honestly.

His fingers tightened on mine before I pulled them apart and moved to place my head on his chest.

"Get some sleep baby. I'll be here when you wake." He hushed playing with my hair gently. Listening to his advice, I closed my eyes and greeted sleep like a long lost friend.