Just another filler.

CHAP. 13

POV- Paige

Alex and I step out of the elevator onto the floor where Mickey and Mary live. I grab her hand as we start towards their apartment. I always reach for her hand when I sense her starting to tense up. She does the same for me. It's amazing how something so simple can make you feel like you can take on the world...

As we turn the corner, we can hear Mary and Jeremy screaming. We slowly approach the door.

BANG!

"WHAT'd you say to me?"

"Jeremy, STOP! You're hurting him!" Mary screams.

BANG!

Oh, God... Who is Jeremy 'hurting'?

I look to Alex, scared and unsure what to do. I can see the tears forming in her eyes. This is the first time I've EVER seen Alex so scared. She's never been afraid of anyone of anything. But Jeremy… She's terrified of the guy. I guess it's because she knows what he's capable of. She's SEEN what he's capable of. She drops her head, ashamed.

Then, there's a much louder bang. We can hear Mickey crying weakly. Almost whimpering.

Mickey!…

Alex's head snaps up. She clenches her jaw and takes a deep breath. Her voice is stern as she turns to me. "Go wait around the corner."

What?!

"Alex, maybe we shouldn't-"

"PLEASE, Paige." She begs, but it sounds more like an order. She sees the look on my face and explains, "If things get bad, go to the car and call the cops." She kisses me briefly and turns to the door before I have time to protest. She raises her fist and bangs on the door. The apartment falls quiet.

I can feel my heart pounding in my ears. My fingertips. My throat.

Finally, the door opens.

I feel myself weakening with fear for my fiancé. I shouldn't have let her go in there alone. I feel a familiar tightness in my chest as I start to panic.

No, Paige. She'll be alright. Stay calm…

I try to take ten deep breaths like Alex taught me to do. It helps a little. The panic is manageable now, but it's still there. Once I finally get the courage to go around the corner, Alex appears stretching and flexing her right hand as she carries Mickey with the other hand. She must've decked him. Mickey lays lazily on her shoulder, as she marches past me.

"Hurry, Paige... Before he gets up."

I laugh a little on the inside.

I guess she's still got it.