And here we are.
Apologies for the sudden lengthy wait between these last two chapters, my laptop decided to die once again leaving me without any means of writing this out properly, I could have done it on my phone or my tablet but I much prefer using a keyboard for this sort of thing. I don't know its just the way I am I guess.
But my laptop is once again deciding to cooperate so I figured what better time to give it a go than now.
Of course I'd once again like to express my gratitude towards all the comments regardless of what they may be, if they're good that lets me know I've done a good job and if they're "insightful" it helps me learn how to do better in the future.
But I'm sure you must be bored of me repeating the same thing time and time again but that's honestly because I never get used to it.
However I'm going to stop boring you now and get on with what you're no doubt here to see.


"Where is she?" he spoke with a clear authority in his voice, the kind of tone that intimidates people. The kind of tone a bully might use to let the unfortunate party or... victims know who's in charge, although Cat wasn't exactly afraid of Max. Actually that isn't all true; she was afraid of him, she had always been afraid of him, she just knew if he ever did anything to her she wouldn't hesitate to do something about it.

But in this moment, as he stood there, over the body of the man Cat loved. The knife pointed straight in her direction, with his blood all over it, this was the moment Cat ultimately realized that. Sure she wouldn't necessarily back down from him but seeing him like this... seeing how dangerous he could actually be. That resonated with Cat, in a way it showed her just who he really was and how bad Tori must have had it all these years. Not only did Cat feel terrible thinking about how she must have suffered, she was frozen with fear, too scared to even speak, keeping her eyes locked on the knife, hoping beyond hope that it would stay where it was and not move toward her.

Occasionally she would dart her eyes downward to James who was laying still, he wasn't writhing around in pain as Cat thought he would be, she hadn't exactly seen anyone get stabbed before, well at least in person. But she didn't expect this, and the fact he didn't seem to move at all sent chills down her spine.
His hands were still clasping his stomach and the rapidly increasing pool of blood on the hard wood floor made it very clear to Cat, if he wasn't dead already; he would be soon.

"Answer me!" the silence was finally broken as he bellowed at Cat, immediately making her eyes flick back from James to the knife, feeling another wave of fear rush over her as he spoke.
Her eyes filled with tears and Cat trembled silently, so overcome with fear for her own life and those around her that she couldn't move, as much as she wanted to she just couldn't.

And then... bang.
Cat felt it, she didn't see it coming but she definitely felt it. He slapped her right across the cheek and before she could react his hand was around her throat, the other holding the knife up in front of her eyes.
"You're going to tell me where she is right now or you'll join your boyfriend over there" this time his tone was a lot calmer but his threatening manor still remained.
"I... I don't... I don't know" Cat stuttered on her words, she could barely even see straight at this point as her eyes welled with tears causing her vision to blur.
"Bullshit!" he yelled and took a strike at her stomach, from Cat's perspective he withdrew the hand that held the knife and Cat feared he was going to stab her, in a way being punched in the stomach was a relief, but that didn't mean it didn't hurt her.

Cat keeled over and dropped to her knees, instantly winded by the force of the strike, she opened her mouth to gasp for air but before she could inhale she was forced on to her back and he was immediately over her on one knee, his hand tight around her throat and the other holding the knife.
"Don't think I won't kill you you little bitch" he spoke in such a calm tone it terrified Cat even more, he ran the tip of the knife along Cat's cheek as he did, taunting her in a way.

"I'm going to give you one final chance Cat, tell me where she is or you'll die right here next to your boyfriend" he practically whispered this time and Cat's blood ran cold, she was finally given an ultimatum and she knew his already slim patience had run out.
In her mind she thought about what might happen if she told him, what he might do to Tori, and of course what Cat no doubt knew he would do to her, but Cat couldn't bare to think about it. She didn't want to entertain the thought of this monster getting his hands on Tori once again, in this state he could easily kill her, and that was too much for Cat to handle, she couldn't live with that, the blood would be on her hands, Tori's life was on the line and Cat thought she had suffered enough, she couldn't let it happen any longer, even if she had to give her own life.

"I can't tell you" Cat spoke clearly and calmly, surprising Max in many ways, he smirked a little and even managed a slight laugh.
"To be honest, I admire that, bravery, willing to stand up for your friends, you're either naive and stupid or you're actually one tough bitch..." he seemed to be admiring Cat at this point, running the knife along her cheek once more.
He leaned right down and Cat could feel his mouth just inches from her ear, "doesn't mean I'm not going to kill you though" he whispered into her ear and withdrew the knife.

Cat shut her eyes, held her breath and braced for it to happen.
But just as he was about to end her life, he heard a noise.
A crying sound, coming from the couch, he stopped mid motion and remained dead still as he listened, Cat could feel the tip of the knife pressed against her.
He looked over his shoulder and slowly stood up, Cat thought about attempting to take the knife but even if she was brave, or had the element of surprise, she was still only a small girl and could easily be overpowered. Besides I don't think she'd be so lucky if she ended up the same situation again.

He stood to his feet and walked over to the couch, immediately noticing what, or who was making the noise, it was his son.
He looked back at Cat, "I knew it, we'll just have to wait for Tori to get back then won't we?" he mocked Cat as he sat down, cradling Dale in his arms.
Cat, who was still frozen with fear finally remembered James and looked over to him, she looked back at Max who shot her a glance and just laughed, "go ahead, he won't be breathing much longer anyway" the way he spoke made Cat's blood boil, she could feel an overwhelming rage toward him and she wanted nothing more than to take that knife and drive it into his stomach to see how he liked it, but she knew that wouldn't help the situation.

Instead of dashing over to James though she remained still and waited for him to turn his attention back to the child in his arms.
Keeping her eyes locked on him the entire time she very slowly retrieved her phone from her pocket, keeping it down by her leg to avoid being seen she would occasionally look down slightly to see what she was doing.
She found the number of the phone she had given Tori, it was only named "emergency phone" and she began typing a message.

"He's here, stabbed James, tell Anthony, please." and the moment she hit send she put the phone back in her pocket as timidly as she had retrieved it before finally rushing to James' side.
She immediately pressed her hands over his on the bleeding wound, looking at him, he was still breathing somehow but it was slow, his skin was pale and his eyes were rolling back in his head.


"What about these?" Anthony asked showing Tori a pair of baby shoes, "you know I feel like you're enjoying this more than me" she teased and he laughed it off, "its just bringing back memories from when my kids were born you know" he explained and Tori smiled listening, "well its clear they have a wonderful father" he smiled back at her and the pair continued to walk through the store.

Tori felt the phone in her pocket buzz and she knew it would be Cat, in her good mood she didn't think anything bad could have happened, but the moment she read the text message that all changed.
She stopped dead in her tracks staring at the screen, Anthony was pushing the shopping cart and got a few paces ahead before he realized she had stopped, looking back at her.
"Tori? is everything okay?" he asked looking at her with concern. Tori couldn't even respond, instead she just showed him the phone, he read the message once and looked back at her, he paused to think for a moment, "we need to get back, come with me Tori" he instructed and took her by the wrist, instantly heading out of the story back towards the car, disregarding the half full shopping cart left in the middle of an aisle.

He was on his phone to the police, letting them know what had happened.
The moment they were back in the car he had floored it, obviously in a rush to get back because he feared for Cat's safety, and James.


"James? speak to me" Cat pleaded frantically as she could see him rapidly deteriorating in front of her, she kept her hands firmly pressed over his desperately trying to stop the bleeding, her hands by now were covered in blood.
"Cat?" he finally spoke, in a soft tone, a weak tone. Coughing up blood as he did so.
"I'm here James, I'm right here honey" she almost whispered herself as she became overwhelmed hearing his voice, the tears dripped from her eyes, "I'm sorry" he whispered looking at her. "I'm sorry I let him in" Cat shook her head and wiped a tear away quickly, leaving a bit of blood on her cheek. "It wasn't your fault James, you didn't know, you couldn't have known" she was frantic now.
"Please James, don't go, fight it... I can't lose you, I won't" she pleaded with him fearing the worst. "Cat... if I don't make it..." by now he was whispering as he didn't have enough strength to speak. Before he could continue Cat cut him off, "no! don't say that! you're going to make it, I promise... please" Cat knew no matter how hard she tried to persuade him he'd make it she couldn't do anything about the stab wound, she knew he had lost an awfully large amount of blood and at this point even she feared the worst.

"If I don't make it..." he continued, this time he withdrew his hand from the wound and use it to wipe a few tears from Cat's eyes. "If I don't make it Cat, I want you to know... you were the best thing that ever happened to me. I love you Cat" he spoke slowly and softly and Cat listened in silence as the tears ran down her cheeks.
"James?" she asked as he finished his eyes closed and he laid back, letting his arms fall to his sides and seemingly accepting his fate. "No!" Cat yelled and this caught even Max's attention making him look over his shoulder, Cat frantically held the wound with everything she hand. "I'm not losing you James, not now! this isn't your time! don't leave me James! I need you... I... love... you" Cat herself seemed to be coming to terms with the harsh reality of the situation, fearing this may well be the last time she would see him, alive at least, albeit barely.
She leaned over and planted a kiss on his lips, she could feel him ever so slightly kissing her back and she couldn't help but hug him, by this point she had entirely accepted that he was going to die and she just wanted to share one last embrace.

However as the pair shared what they both thought to be their final moment together the sounds of sirens could be heard, what first started in the distance soon drew closer and closer until it sounded as though they were right outside.
Max jumped from the chair, left Dale on the couch and looked out the window, seeing at least 6 police cars already outside the gate to Cat's house, with more arriving all the time, including vans filled with armed officers, a helicopter and even an ambulance.

"You..." he turned his attention to Cat and wasted no time in walking toward her, Cat let go of James, even though she didn't want to and stood to face him.
"What did you do?" he shouted slapping her across the face, "I did what I had to do!" Cat yelled right back at him, going as far as to slap him across the face in return, this didn't do much to help the situation though as he instantly responded with fist, clenched tightly. He hit Cat hard in her cheek and sent her to the floor.

"Do you have any idea what you've done?!" he yelled again as he looked out the window, clearly panicking. He turned his attention back to Cat and picked up the knife as he walked over to her, "you're gonna help me get out of this" he commanded as he grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her to her feet.
"Are you out of your mind Max? its over" Cat mocked him, he slapped her once again and held the knife across her throat. "I'll kill you right now you worthless bitch, don't think I won't" despite his obvious threat Cat didn't even feel fear at this point, maybe it was the thought that James may well be dead or maybe it was the fact Cat wanted to make up for that night all those years ago when Tori came to her house. One way or another Cat didn't fear him.

"You don't get it do you?" she asked, "you can't win, if you're gonna kill me? go ahead, do it, they'll put you away for the rest of your life, whatever you do, no matter how you do it Max, this ends today. This nightmare, it all ends, Tori will finally be able to live a happy life rather than one in constant fear, I don't care what happens to me because at least I know I've done right by my best friend, that's all I've ever wanted, to help her get rid of you." Cat's blood was boiling and her heart was racing.

Max pulled the knife away and frantically walked over to the window once more, this time to see the gate was open and the armed officers were making their way toward the house.
In a frantic state now he immediately went back to Cat and grabbed her by the wrist, "you're coming with me!" he shouted but Cat refused, pulling back as he attempted to drag her to the door, "no!" she shouted.
"They'll be here any second Max, it doesn't matter what happens, I've told you, you'll be going away for a long time" Cat taunted as she could see through the window herself.

A bang echoed through the house as the door flung wide open.
He panicked as the armed officers immediately stormed the house, grabbing Cat and holding her in front of him like a human shield, holding the knife across her throat as he watched them come in and aim directly at him.

"I told you Max, game over" Cat taunted as she could see the officers taking control of the situation instantly, one of them was already carrying James out and another had Dale, "they're safe now, she's... safe now Max, you can't rule her life anymore, you can't make it a living hell. You can't get out of this one. It's over Max, you're going to prison, do you have any idea what happens to guys who hit women in there?" she taunted him even more as the tense stare down took place.

Max knew he was backed into a corner with no way out, the thought of prison terrified him, for as tough as he seemed the reality of the matter was he was just a bully.
His breathing was heavy, his palms were sweaty, he thought about how he could possibly get out of this but no matter what he thought there was no way it would be possible, until an idea came to him, one that would work.

In a moment of panic he pulled the knife from Cat's neck and drove it forcefully into his own throat, not once but twice.

"No!" Cat shrieked as he dropped the knife and collapsed against the wall, sliding down it as the blood poured freely from his throat.
Cat dropped to her knees and pressed both hands as hard as she could over the wound, whether she was trying to save him or strangle him wasn't entirely clear but whatever she was doing it was keeping him breathing.
"You're not getting out like that, you don't deserve to get out like that! cowards like you deserve to rot in prison where they belong!" she yelled at him.
He was still conscious, still breathing slightly, his vision a little blurred but he was able to see the knife by his hand on the floor.
"I'm not gonna let you die because I want to see you rot like the worthless scum you are" Cat yelled keeping a vice like grip on his throat, completely oblivious to the fact he had picked up the knife, however the armed police behind her had seen it. "Cat!" one of them yelled and Cat looked away just long enough to present him with an opportunity to take the shot.

The bang made Cat shut her eyes and turn away, but as the noise subsided, Cat realized she was still breathing, there was a loud ringing in her ears from the shot but she was alive.
She looked at the officer who had lowered his gun and then back to Max, what was left at least, a now lifeless body with a bullet hole in his forehead, hand still clasping the knife with a tight grip, Cat saw this and the realization set in on what he was about to do.

She breathed a huge sigh of relief and stood to her feet, looking back one more time at the body before finally walking away.


As Cat finally walked through the gate she felt something wash over her, at first she couldn't quite work out what it was but then she figured it out, it was the feeling of relief, after all these years, after all the bad dreams and all the sleepless nights Cat spent thinking about Tori and wondering if she was okay. It was the feeling that those days were behind her now.

"Cat!" she heard a voice pull her from this thought and looked over to see Tori running over.
She sprinted over and immediately wrapped her arms around Cat and held her tightly, Cat returned the favour as the two girls shared an embrace, both felt the same way, relief, that it was finally over, he was gone, Tori was free.

"Are you okay? they told me what happened. did he hurt you? is James okay?" Tori asked question after question whilst keeping her grip tight.
"James is at the hospital now, they've told me they're doing their best" Cat smiled as she told Tori, feeling her ease her grip at last so the pair could look each other in the eyes, "are you not worried?" she asked and Cat shook her head, "no, I'm not worried, I probably will be later but right now I'm happy Tori, for you. You're free Tori, this is the first day of the rest of your life, the life you deserve to live, the life you should always have lived, you can do anything now, the choice is yours, I'll make it happen" Cat beamed a massive smile from ear to ear as she finally got to say it out loud, just how overwhelmingly happy she was for Tori.

Tori paused for a moment to think about just what she could possibly do now before the idea came to her and she leaned over to whisper it in Cat's ear.

"Really? that's what you want?" Cat asked, Tori just nodded.

"Okay... I promised I'd make it happen, and I will"


Two weeks later

"Well, here we are" Cat sighed a little as she looked at Tori and then back in front of her.

"I hate goodbyes" Tori sighed with a slight giggle with made Cat do the same, "its not goodbye Tori, its a new beginning remember?" Cat nudged Tori's arm with a smile and that made Tori smile too.

"You'd better get going, you'll miss your flight" Cat teased, inwardly wanting her to do just that so it meant the pair could spend more time together but she knew this is what Tori wanted and she herself wanted nothing more than to give Tori her life back.

"Cat, before I go..." Tori reached into her pocket and gave Cat a bracelet, "remember the time you made everyone friendship bracelets?" she asked as Cat looked at it in her hand, "and you cried because nobody made one for you?" she laughed a little and Cat did too, "well that day I went home and I made that one for you, and I was supposed to give it to you but... Max..." Tori paused but quickly dispelled the thoughts from her mind, "I was cleaning out the apartment and I found it, and I figured since...well..." Tori paused and Cat just laughed.

"Since we're best friends again?" Cat teased and Tori laughed, nodding, "since we're best friends again I figured I should give it to you, because you're the best friend I could possibly ask for" the pair immediately pulled each other in for a hug. Both on the verge of tears.

After a moment of silence as the two girls embraced they pulled apart hearing a boarding call. "Well, that's you" Cat said wiping her eyes. "I'll call you as soon as I land" Tori smiled wiping a single tear as it ran down her cheek.

"And before you know it, you'll be settled into your new home and your new life, and this little guy..." Cat paused to pinch Dale's cheek making him giggle, "he'll be the man of the house" she smiled looking down at him, "and you know I'll be coming to visit you both" she laughed a little, "the guest room will be permanently reserved for you Cat" Tori said with a smile on her face, "hows James doing by the way?" she asked.

"He's getting better every day, but now he's got baby fever thanks to you, its all he wants to talk about" Cat sighed and rolled her eyes making Tori laugh, "well I'm glad he's doing better, and I know you two will make great parents"
"Not just yet though that's for sure" Cat laughed slightly.

"Thank you Cat" Tori said pulling her in for one final hug, Cat did the same and never wanted it to end because she knew as soon as it did Tori was going to get on that plane and take off for her new, better, happier life, Cat knew she'd miss her and she didn't want to see her go but she knew it was for the best, and it was the beginning of a new chapter in her life.

After what felt like forever the pair let go and Tori gathered her things, and along with Dale she turned to head off, waving bye to Cat, smiling as Dale did the same.

"Tori..." Cat called whilst waving, "I forgot to ask, what about your family?" she asked curious to know.

Tori smiled and looked down slightly before looking back up at her, "I'll see them again, I just think its best to fix my own life first before I do" she explained and Cat smiled agreeing with Tori's decision. Happy that she was finally able to do just that, fix her life.

"I'll see you soon Cat" Tori said once again waving her off along with Dale as this time they really did turn to head off for the plane.

"See you soon Tori"

The End


And there you have it.

I really do hope you enjoyed this story, I know I did myself and I'm sure in a few years I'll look back on it as a reader and I hope I'll feel the same way about it.

I know to some the ending may have been a bit underwhelming or not what they were expecting, but I myself really like the way this came out, most of the time stories like these, by which I mean domestic abuse stories, they don't often have a "happy" ending.

I'd like to thank those who took their time to read the story and leave a little thought behind to let me know how you felt about it.

And of course, I really do hope you enjoyed.