Chapter Ten - Nightmarish Reality

My eyes snap open when I hear a bloodcurdling scream echo throughout the house. Instant dread settles deep into my bones as I hear it again. I get up and make my way towards the door as quietly as I can. It's still dark outside which only adds to my terror. Fear courses through my veins as the thumps and cries get louder when I open the door. I walk downstairs only for my eyes to widen in horror at the sight that greets me.

The entire Jackson family are tied up and kneeling on the ground. Blood pools around them on the floor and their bodies are covered in open wounds. But what makes me whimper in fright is the familiar man who turns to me with a manic grin on his lips. Seth. His hazel eyes gleam dangerously and bright red blood covers his otherwise pale skin. I spot a knife in one hand and a gun in the other which makes me stiffen.

"Glad you could join us, Bella." He chuckles darkly as he walks up to me.

"S-Seth...please, let them go!" I cry out when he pounces and tangles his fingers into my hair.

"Let them go?!" He roars as he shoves me to the ground. "They helped you hide from me –"

"No! They didn't know! Please, Seth! Hurt me, not them!" I beg as tears stream down my cheeks.

He yanks me up and knees me in the stomach repeatedly before backhanding me. I gasp in pain as I struggle to breath but as he steps towards me I scoot back uselessly. Ryder shouts profanities at him and I scream loudly when Seth slits his throat to silence him. My body heaves as my sobs echo in the room, joining the other's cries. Theo struggles to get up and fight Seth but he only shoots him in the forehead, stopping him before he can even lay a hand on him.

"Seth, stop!" I shriek helplessly as I watch Theo's body fall to the ground.

"Did you really think you were safe here, Bella?" He sneers as he marches back to me. "Did you really think I wouldn't find you?!"

I scream in pain when he drags the knife deeply across my cheek. "Please! Please, stop!"

"You had me waste my time to find you! Now you're going to suffer!" He snarls before turning and shooting everyone multiple times until they dropped to the floor.

I can't stop crying. I can't stop screaming. This is all too much. The family who took me in and kept me safe is now dead...because of me.

"Your hell begins now, Ella. Welcome back." Seth grins crazily as he slams my head into the ground.

I wake up with a gasp from the horrifying nightmare I just had. Sitting up in bed I wait for my breathing to normalize before realizing that I'm still in my dress from last night and that I didn't take my makeup off either. But a quiet snore catches my attention and I turn to see Ryder sleeping soundly beside me. He looks much more peaceful here than he does during the day.

With a deep sigh I get out of bed as quietly as I can so I don't wake him. I make my way into the bathroom with my pajamas and decide to take a shower since I feel disgusting with sweat running down my back. The nightmare, like every other one, has truly shaken me.

I turn on the water and take off my dress. It pools around my feet as I step towards the sink and begin the process of removing my ruined makeup. I grimace at how terrible I look from all that crying before cleansing my skin. Once I feel clean and fresh again I tie my hair up before stepping into the shower.

A content sigh escapes me as the hot water runs down my body. I lather it with a rose smelling shower gel before rinsing. After spending more time than necessary under the warm, comforting stream I eventually get out and dry myself off. I quickly put on some moisturizing lotion on my body before changing into pajamas.

I step out of the bathroom and turn off the light before making my way over to the bed. Ryder mumbles under his breath when I slip in beside him. His eyes open a little and he looks at me sleepily with a confused frown. I smile at him and whisper for him to go back to sleep.

"Why are you up?" He asks in a husky, sleep laden voice.

"I had a nightmare."

He nods and closes his eyes but not before wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me against his warm body. "Go back to sleep. I'm here."

I feel my cheeks heat as the same warmth spreads through my chest but cuddle up to him regardless. A sigh escapes him as he rests his chin atop my head and I feel his entire body relax. Within seconds he's fallen asleep again and I eventually join him. Thankfully, this time I'm not greeted by another nightmare and instead I fall into a dark, dreamless abyss.

***

I wake up the next morning to find Ryder gone. I hadn't expected him to stay until I woke up anyways. After glancing at the digital clock on my bedside table I realize I slept well in to the afternoon. I guess all that stress and fear really drained my body last night.

I sit up before grimacing at the back pain and cramps that greet me. The fact that I got my period yesterday makes me want to stay in bed all day but I know Evan must be needing help with work. I'm surprised nobody woke me up yet. So, I get out of bed and make my way into the bathroom to freshen up. I stand there afterwards contemplating on taking a shower so that I can wash my hair but I already had one last night and it's not like my hair needs it considering I washed it yesterday morning. It doesn't take me long to get to the conclusion that I'm stalling from going downstairs.

Sighing when the realization hits me I give myself a pep talk before getting dressed into jeans and a hoodie. I put my hair up into a ponytail before slipping into flats and making my way out of my room. Only Michelle, Noah and Judah are around and they greet me with wide smiles. Michelle hurries into the kitchen muttering under her breath about food after kissing my cheek. Noah waves me over and I perch myself atop the armrest of the couch where he lays.

"I'm getting my cast off today!" He grins excitedly and I laugh as I spot the sheer relief in his eyes. "Do you want to come with me?"

"Um...I'll have to check with Evan –"

"Evan and Hunter are gone to Houston with Roman so you have the day off." Michelle interrupts with a wink as she hands me a plate of eggs, bacon and toast with a glass of orange juice.

"Thank you." I smile gratefully as I take a seat on the couch. "And sure, I'll come since I have nothing to do anyways."

"Jude, are you staying here?" Michelle asks Judah who's been typing away on his laptop ever since I came down.

"Yeah, I have Skype meetings to get through before me and Hunter need to catch our flight." He explains which makes me frown.

"You guys are leaving already?"

"Yes." He sighs dramatically as his icy blues meet mine. "Try not to miss me too much, El."

I roll my eyes at his antics before finishing up my food. Walking back into the kitchen I wash and dry the dishes before running upstairs to grab my purse and put on some sneakers. Me, Noah and Michelle leave for the hospital in her car and he rambles on about all the things he'll be free to do now that he won't be restrained to the crutches. I smile in amusement as Michelle keeps being a mother hen and warning him to take care of himself.

Our time at the hospital passes by in a blur and Noah certainly uses his charm with all the nurses there. Within an hour and a half, we're leaving with a very happy Noah Jackson. But as soon as we get in the car he begs to get lunch from town which Michelle eventually agrees to. We get to a local cafe and have some food before browsing the shops.

It's only when there's an hour left to five o'clock that Michelle tells us we need to get back home to see Hunter and Judah off. We get in the car and arrive back home in thirty minutes because of a traffic jam. Hunter and Judah's bags are by the door and everyone is standing around the foyer to say goodbye. I spot Ryder rush downstairs with his laptop in hand before he sets it down on the coffee table in the sitting room.

"I know you're devastated but I must leave." Judah winks cheekily as he pulls me in for a hug.

"I'm holding back the tears." I joke with a playful roll of my eyes as I hug him back.

"It's alright dear Ella, I'll be back soon." He replies dramatically which makes everyone chuckle at our conservation.

Hunter grins as he walks over to me next before hugging me tightly. "Roman and I are working on your case and a restraining order for you against Seth. He won't be walking free for long."

"Thank you Hunter, I appreciate it." I whisper as I feel my throat clog with emotion.

"No problem. Don't worry about him okay? We've got your back." He presses a soft kiss to the top of my head before pulling away.

I nod and smile as he turns and walks out of the house. I follow behind the family and stand by the threshold as Judah and Hunter put their bags into the boot before getting in. They roll the windows down as Judah starts the car and with one last wave and a honk of the horn they're off. I feel slightly sad as I watch them go, they've both grown on me.

Everyone comes back inside but Roman walks up to me with a grave expression. I frown in confusion as he takes me into Evan's office. He tells me to take a seat and I do but feel my heart race a mile a minute the longer he remains quiet. He drops into Evan's chair and throws a file down on the desk. It has my name and details on it.

"Ella...I'm sorry to say this but Curtis is missing."

I feel sick to my stomach because I instantly realize that Seth must have taken him. Roman sighs and nods to confirm when I stare at him expectantly. I feel my body tremble in fear at the thought of my tormentor being so close and going as far as kidnapping people just to get to me.

"The department and I are working on locating him, Seth couldn't have gone far." He tries to reassure me but nothing can take away the sense of foreboding settling into the pit of my stomach. "In the meantime, we need to start building your case against Seth."

"O-Okay." I whisper and my throat feels as dry as a desert right now. "But I don't have much evidence."

"He's starting to contact you again so every time he calls you record him. You haven't deleted that voicemail from last night have you?" He asks and I shake my head. "Good, that's a start. If he goes further and starts using different forms of communication then you must be open with me Ella, we need all the evidence we can get."

"I will."

We work on the details of my case a bit more and by the end of it my head is spinning. With the realization that Curtis has been taken and the fact that Seth is going to extremes to find me my body is in a state of shock and fear. I'm relieved when Roman finishes and tells me that I can leave. I rush out of the office with anxious thoughts flooding my mind of all the things that can happen.

Oh God, what will his next move be? I wonder to myself as fear creeps up my spine.

Update schedule is: twice weekly whenever I find time!

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Chapter 11 is already up on Inkitt!

- R.W. ♡