Note: Thank you for all the reviews you've been sending me, however this story is unfortunately close to being done. A few more chapters, then maybe a sequel, possibly? I'm thinking of just focusing on one story at a time from now on, which at this moment is my Anne story, 'You and me.' It's got a lot of Amy and Ashley coming up in later chapters, so keep watching. And review, and tell me what you think! :)

Rating; T-M.

Title; Breathe Honesty.

Thirteen.

Licking her lips, Ashley made her way into her house reluctant and fearful. As she closed her front door, she could see from the corner of her eye, her mother sitting at the kitchen table, sipping on what she expected to be a cup of coffee. Heading in slowly, she gave the red head a weak smile and sat down across from her.

"Hi." She muttered softly. Anne nods, running a hand through her hair.

"Hi." She adds, staring with hope at her daughter. All Anne wanted was for her to say one thing, something to let her know she would be alright.

Glancing down at her hands, Ashley let out a breath. She knew she'd have to tell her sooner or later, but she'd preferred it be later. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she looked back up, locking eyes with the woman across from her.

"I think there's something you should know...but uh, Amy and dad...they need to be here too." With a nod, Anne let out a sigh of relief. Finally, she would get an answer. However, what she didn't know was that it would not be of one she liked.

--

She glanced around the room, all three sets of eyes wide and expectant. Ashley bit down hard on her lip, her chest heaving as she wringed her hands together. She could practically hear her heart pounding it was beating so hard, and she was terrified that at any moment it could jump out of her chest.

Squeezing her eyes shut, she opened her mouth and spoke lowly, her voice raspy and cracking. "A-Ab-About a month ago, some-something happened." She paused, squeezing her hands to the point they were literally turning white. Anne waited patiently, her expression worryful as she glanced back and forth between her eldest daughter, her youngest, and her soon-to-be ex husband who also had the same expression on his face.

Absentmindedly she grabbed his hand, eyes quickly adverting to it. Looking back up, she locked eyes with George, cheeks reddening immediately before pulling it away. Right as she'd turned her attention back to Ashley, she spoke again.

"I...Uhm," She sniffled, eyes filling with tears. Blinking them back, she stood up, shaking her head. "I can't. I can't." Before a response could be made, she ran from the room, heading up the stairs. The only sound left now, was the sound of a distant door slam and the unsteady breathing of those around.

--

She can't remember when she stopped crying, or if she did. All she knows is how exhausted and thirsty she is. Pushing herself weakly to her feet, she trudged miserably down the hall, entering the kitchen only to jump back with a start. Her mother sat at the table again, same position as before, staring right back at the raven haired girl.

"Wh-What are you doing down here?" She stuttered, surprised. Anne spat out a sad laugh, shrugging her shoulders.

"I couldn't sleep. You?"

Pointing toward the cabinet, she muttered a small 'thirsty,' and made her way past her mother. Grabbing a cup, she filled it with water, took a long sip, and then made her way to a chair. Staring absentmindedly at the wall, she spoke, without really realizing she was but somehow, it's what she couldn't say before, and what she's wanted to all along.

"I was...taken, from my room the other night." Her voice is foggy with fresh tears, tears she was sure she'd lost. Anne let out a feared gasp, fully intent on what her daughter had to say. "I-I was asleep, when he took me. He-He dropped me in a feild somewhere, and I guess, took off. I...I woke up, and all I remembered thinking was having to get home...bef-before you or dad woke up. So I started walking, and...a-a car pu-pulled up an-and pulled me inside."

She took in a deep breath, voice cracking as she continued to stare at the wall. She refused to glance at her mother, even for a second as more words passed her lips. "I-I didn't realize wh-who it was at first, until I saw his face..an-and it-it was him." She could feel her anger boiling inside of her, hot tears slipping down her cheeks. Anne spoke up slowly, voice quivering as her own tears rolled down her face.

"Who, Ashley?"

"B-Bob..Bob Underwood." Anne let her eyes close, a hand flying to her mouth as a sob escaped. How could her daughter go through something this traumatic and not tell her?

"H-He-He..." She paused, stomach turning. Pushing back bile, she struggled to throw out the last few words before pushing herself to her feet and rushing toward the bathroom. "He r-raped me."

--

She'd never been in so much pain in her life, so emotionally and physically drained. After spending the last two hours in a combination of puking and sobbing, she collapsed to the bathroom floor, laying on the cold tile as darkness welcomed her. Anne pulled her daughter's head into her lap, stroking her hair as she cried silently.

She knew, she knew it was bad, she just...hoped it wasn't to this degree.

--

Covering her daughter with blankets, she slid in beside her, arms wrapped tightly around her small frame. As her daughter snuggled in, Anne could feel the exhaustion of the days events coming down with her.

Now, she just had to tell George and Amy.