I tugged on the green tie around my neck once more. It felt like I was being suffocated. The heat in the small classroom wasn’t helping. I could feel the sweat trailing down my back and between my breasts. My stomach grumbled– a reminder that I skipped breakfast. My grip on the pen tightened until my knuckles turned white. I could hear my heart beating in my ears and that just made the sick feeling worse. The pen slipped from my sweaty fingers. I swallowed. It took a lot of energy just to raise my hand. One of the unfamiliar teachers approached me.

“I don’t feel so good. Can I please get some fresh air?”

“l will take her.”

A hand grabbed my arm and pulled me onto unsteady legs. Everything was spinning. With an arm wrapped around my waist I was led between the tables and out. The slight breeze cooled my skin slightly but it didn’t bring any relief. I was barely aware of what was happening around me. When the dizziness began to fade I realized I was lying on a narrow bed. Something cool was placed against my forehead and my neck. I blinked up at the white ceiling then risked a glance around the room. It was familiar. I was in the sick room. It smelled a whole lot better not to mention how good it felt to be away from the heat.

“Hey.”

My eyes snapped to the door where Nathan entered. He was carrying a bottle of ice water in one hand and papers with a pen in the other. My bag hung over one of his shoulders.

“Do you feel good enough to finish your test?” he questioned.

“You can finish it here or if you feel too sick you can make arrangements to finish it at a later date.”

“I’m feeling better,” I said softly.

“You know better not to go out on an empty stomach in this head.” I stared up at him in surprise. “That’s what you symptoms led me to believe.”

“Symptoms?”

He nodded as he placed the water and test on the cabinet. “The headache, dizziness, your body overheating and you feeling sick. It makes you panic which makes you feel worse.”

I just stared up at him.

“Once upon a time I wanted to be a doctor.”

“Why aren’t you?”

“Because,” our eyes locked, “my mother went to jail and my father turned into a crazy ol' bat. I was given custody of my brother and sister.”

“Y-you have a sister?”

“Had,” he muttered. “She was killed after being tortured and raped numerous times. Then her body was dumped by our front door with a little note.”

I sucked in air. His words shocked me into silence. Was that why Stephen became a cop? I needed answer and now was the perfect time to ask him that.

“W-what was written on the note?”

He turned to me. Hazel eyes had suddenly turned emotionless; cold. “It was an example. This is what will happen to everyone you love. He gave us a warning and one we ignored.” Letting out a low laugh, he turned to look at me again. “I ignored it and fell in love with the most amazing girl. We were engaged. I left her alone for only an hour, and when I got how she was death. She was beaten to death. Her legs and arms broken while she was still breathing. Then they beat her until she was unrecognizable. Police thought it was me. I made the mistake of calling Stephen in my panic. He came over seconds before the police arrived. He took the blame and that’s why he was in jail. Stephen didn’t kill anyone. He’s not that kind of man, but if you stay with him Alia he will become that man to hold on to you.”

***

I gripped the steering wheel tightly as I pulled off into my street. I was filled with dread. This day was going to get worse and I knew it. I could feel it. After Nathan had said that he left me alone. Another teacher had later returned to sit by me as I finished the test. My mind wasn’t on it so I knew I was going to fail. Pressing a shaky hand against my stomach, I sucked in a breath before parking my car in the driveway. My parents had returned with smiles, but I could tell it wasn’t enjoyable. Something had happened and they weren’t planning on telling us about it. The moment I opened the front door I knew something was wrong. My mother was crying and begging someone. I followed the sound down the hall and straight to my room. Michael was throwing my stuff of the shelves. I winced as my eyes fell on the broken laptop.

“Alia.” My eyes snapped to my mother. “No!”

I didn’t see him coming. Michael gripped my arm and pulled me down the hall towards the living room. I was thrown onto the nearest couch where he hovered over me. He looked the same when he saw the photos of me.

“We fucking expected you to behave yourself. We trusted you to do that, but instead you whore around!” he yelled. “Sam was your responsibility. You were suppose to look after her!”
“Micheal-“

“Stay fucking out of it! You’ve been too lenient with her. I fucking came home to find an envelope with pictures of you! Pictures of you and a fucking stranger fucking in my house!” He turned to grab something. “Then I fucking find these!” 

I raised my arms to cover my face when he threw something at me. It hit my arm before dropping to the ground.

Numbness spread through me as I stared down at the test.  They knew. Michael paced up and down in front of me while my mother begged him. I only watched them silently. Minutes passed before he turned back to me again.

“If you want to be part of this family you get rid of it.”

All the air left my lungs the moment he finished speaking. He wanted me to kill my baby. Stephen’s baby.

“N-no,” I breathed.

“Then get out!” he yelled pointing to the door.

It took all of my strength just to get up and walk to the door. I ignored my mother calling my name. She didn’t even try to stop me when I got into the car or when I drove away. I drove under the speed limit until I reached the edge of town. It took another half an hour before reaching the hill overlooking it. The moment I sank down onto the ground I started to cry.
I wrapped my arms around my body and allowed all the pain to seep out. The sky was covered in pink and orange as the sun started to set. I wrapped my arms tighter around my body when I heard the sound of an approaching car. Seconds later two doors open and then slammed shut again.

“How long are you planning on staying here?” Patrick asked as he took a seat next to me.

I shrugged not even sparing him a glance. He stayed silent for a while before turning towards me. I was forced to look up at him.

“We are worried about you.”

“Who’s we?” I whispered.

“Your mom, your sisters. Me and Mike,” he paused, “and Stephen.”

I let out a humourless laugh as I shook my head at him. “She doesn’t care. If she cared then she would’ve stopped me. She wouldn’t have allowed him to give me that ultimatum.”

“And what about Stephen?”

I turned to look back at the darkening sky. “He's going to hate me.”

“Why would he hate you?” Patrick wrapped and arm around my shoulders.

“He said he doesn’t want children. If he finds out he’ll be so mad at me. He’ll throw me away.”

I began sobbing again. Patrick pulled me closer against his chest. He sat silently as I cried. His hands rubbed my back as he whispered soothing words against my forehead. By the time my tears had dried up I had a headache. My eyes felt puffy. I was tired and I knew I was safe with Patrick. He wouldn’t let anything happen to me.

“She is exhausted.”

“After everything that has happened it’s understandable.”

I frowned. That voice sounded familiar. It sounded like Stephen. Stephen was here? My eyes snapped open. I blinked rapidly to clear the sleep before pushing myself out of Patrick’s arms. Stephen was leaning against my car. He looked pale and tired. I stumbled to my feet. The urge to run to him was strong but I was glued to the ground. His eyes trailed over me and then lingered on my stomach. He already knew.

“I called Stephen when you didn’t show up at our house. I knew you wouldn’t go to Mike's house,” Patrick explained.

“After searching the town he suggested we come here.”

“S-Stephen-“

“You two can talk at home,” Patrick cut me off. “The wind is starting to pick up. In your condition it’s best you get out of it.”

He wrapped an arm around my waist and led me towards my car. Patrick opened the passenger door. With a kiss against my forehead and a promise to call me later, he helped me into the car. The door slammed shut leaving me in silence. I watched them through the window as they spoke. Stephen handed something over to my brother-in-law. After a few more words Stephen made his way over to Patrick’s car.

My heart sank as I watch him open the door. I squeezed my eyes shut. He was mad at me like I knew he would be. The car door opened a few minutes later and then slammed shut again. I jumped when his hand was placed on my thigh. Stephen sat next to me holding out a brown paper bag. The smell of something sweet made my stomach grumble.

“Nathan mentioned something about you not eating breakfast,” Stephen said softly. “I wasn’t sure if you had a chance to eat at home before... shit happened.”

I still couldn’t move. He was here. I thought he was going to let Patrick take me. A whimper fell from my lips as I threw myself at him. The bag dropped to the floor as he caught me.

“Shh, stop crying Alia.”

“S-Stephen.”

His hands were shaking slightly as he cupped my cheeks. He forced my eyes up to his. After searching my face he finally pulled me onto his lap. Strong arms wrapped around my shaking body to press me against him.

“Calm down baby, it’s not good for either of you.” His lips brushed my forehead. “I’m going to take you home and then run you a bath. When you feel a little better we will have a talk.”