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Chapter 16

He smelled of cigarette smoke and vanilla. Before this moment, she hadn't noticed the distinct smell. He must have used a vanilla spray to try to cover up the offending smell of the cigarette smoke. But now she could smell it. Every time she tried to force her thoughts else wear while he violated her, the smell brought her back to the reality of it all.

Before climbing off her, he grabbed her cheeks with his hand and pressed a harsh kiss against her lips. She whimpered, attempting to whip her head away from him, but he only tightened his hold with his fingers on her cheeks.

He stood and she turned to her side, covering her body with her arms, as if she could protect herself from him if he tried again.

"Thanks for the fun," he told her. He bent down and grabbed his jacket. Then, like a flash of light, he was out of her apartment.

Something hit her then and she jumped up out of the bed, ignoring the ache in her entire frame. She rushed to the front door and locked the locks. Then her hands began to shake. She needed to call someone. Her first thought was her mother. Tears filled her eyes. No, she told herself. She was too far away and she didn't want to worry her.

She searched for her phone and found it on the floor in front of the guest room door. Trying not to remind herself how it got there, Anna picked it up and dialed Mary.

Tears filled her eyes and she kept praying for Mary to pick up. But soon it went to voicemail. Anna quickly hung up the phone and shook her head. What was she thinking? She shouldn't be calling anyone.

Slowly, she hid herself behind the desk in her foyer, sobs taking over her body. And the smell consumed her again. It was all over her skin. He was all over her skin. She felt dirty and like she would never be clean again.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Once again, Anna could smell him. Her eyes closed and she was back to that moment. Hopelessness and fear consumed her entire body. She had wanted to forget it, had wanted to be okay. But she couldn't, she wasn't.

"Anna, I….I don't understand," Charles voice spoke. Anna's eyes popped open. Looking back at her were her parents' confused expressions. John was sitting far off in a corner, allowing Anna to lead this conversation.

"Alex Green? The one you went on the dates with?" Elsie clarified. Anna slowly nodded.

"Yes," Anna said, her eyes on her hands. "He's the father."

Everything had collapsed. Everything was wrong. Anna wanted to sink into the cushions of the couch and disappear forever.

"Then why say John was the father?" Elsie asked. She turned her attention to John. "Did you know you weren't the father?" John bobbed his head up and down.

"John was just a friend trying to help me out," Anna meekly explained.

"Help you out?" Charles questioned. Anna let out a shuddering breath. "Why is this Alex fellow not helping you out?"

"Anna….." Elsie slowly began. And she knew. The way her daughter had been acting, the anxiousness about the baby, how Anna had gotten upset when they mentioned Alex's name on the trip. It all finally made sense. "Oh, Anna…." Elsie breathed.

Anna couldn't look at them.

"Did Alex….did he force you?" Elsie asked. Anna's hands covered her face and she just wanted to hide away.

"He what?!" Charles roared, sitting up.

The smell consumed her. He was there in the room, destroying her life all over again.

Elsie got up from her chair and moved over next to Anna, placing her hand on Anna's knee. Anna tensed against her, so Elsie dropped her hand.

"I…I can't…" Anna barely got out. The world was spinning too quickly. "I can't talk about any of this right now. I just…" Anna stood. "Can you both please leave? I….I can't do this….I….."

Noticing how much their daughter was struggling, the two nodded. Elsie bit down on her lower lip, feeling helpless. She stood in front of Anna and brushed a stray hair of her daughter's face.

"We're here when you're ready," she told Anna. Anna glanced between her and Charles, before dashing off to the guest room and locking herself inside.

As Charles stood, John did as well. If things were awkward before, John didn't know what they were now. The three stood their uncomfortably and John gave them both a small smile.

Letting out a loud sigh, Charles walked up behind his wife and placed his hand on her lower back, before leading them both to the front door. John followed a few paces behind. And when they reached the front door, Charles turned to John.

"The guy you punched….it was that bastard Green?" He asked.

"Yes," John honestly replied. Charles nodded his head and pated John's shoulder.

"Good….good," he said, still nodding.

"I'm sorry that…." John paused, not sure of what to say. Elsie just squeezed his hand and shook her head.

"We'll talk soon." Then the two exited.

As the door closed behind them, John fell back slightly and sighed. His eyes moved down the hallway to where Anna was and he wondered if he should knock on the door. Things had gone from bad to worse. And he didn't know how to fix them.

-X-X-X-X-X-

Anna had stayed locked away in her bedroom for several hours. At one point, John knocked and Anna had only answered with a "please, go away."

While she hid away, John cleaned up the food, the kitchen, and then any small thing he could look to dust or move around. His flat was small, so there wasn't much he could do. He finally sat on the chair in the living room and pulled out a book to read.

Anna stepped out of her room a little while later. She had one of her bags over her shoulder and the paperwork in her hands.

"Anna," he started, setting his book down and standing. Anna wrung her hands nervously in front of herself and avoided eye contact with him.

"I'm….I'm going to go and stay with my parents," Anna began. "I texted my mum and she said that it's alright if I do."

"Anna….."

"I can't…..I can't be around you right now, John," Anna said, her lower lip trembling. "You….you poked the bear. I told you to just leave it and you wouldn't do it. I just….." Her words faded.

John's heart constricted within his chest. He wanted to defend himself and his actions, but he knew it wouldn't matter right now. Anna needed to place her anger somewhere right now and John was where it was landing.

"Let me help you take your bag to the car," John offered.

Anna's head shook. "No. I….I can take it myself."

"Anna….." Desperation filled him. "I….I can still see you, right? You'll keep me updated on the baby? I'd like to come to your appointment next week."

"I'm not sure that's a good idea, John," Anna replied. "I…We don't need to keep up this façade anymore. My parents know the truth now. Soon everyone else will. I think it's better if we just pretend none of this ever happened."

"Anna…." John felt a lump form in his throat. "I…I love you, Anna. I know you're angry, but you can't just give up on us. You know I love your baby too. I….."

"Stop it, John. Just stop it. None of this would have happened if you had just put out the chicken like I asked you to. Then when he followed us out and I asked you to ignore him, you punched him in the face. Now he's angry. My child's future is at risk, because of you. I don't know if I'll ever be able to forgive you for that, John."

"You aren't being fair," John argued. "The chicken was an honest mistake. And him following us…." John paused himself. He couldn't turn the blame back on her, that wouldn't be fair either. Or right. Alex Green was the real monster here. "He's a cruel person, Anna. I'm sorry I punched him, but I couldn't let him say those things about you. Please don't make me lose you and the baby."

Anna pursed her lips together to try to stop them from trembling. Then she met his eyes and sighed, "You already have."

As Anna walked out of the door, John finally allowed the sob to escape his lips.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

The moment Anna knocked on the cottage door, Charles opened it. Upon seeing her father and his knowing eyes, Anna fell against his chest and burst into tears. All of the secrets and lies were gone now. But the terror was still there.

"Shh," Charles soothed, wrapping his arms around his daughter, holding her close. "Just let it all out, sweet girl. Let it all out."

And Anna did. She sobbed so harshly that her body shook against Charles.

The two stood there for a long time, until Anna's cries slowed down. Charles then led her to the main living area and set the two of them down. Elsie came in, gave Anna a gentle smile, and handed her a cup of hot chocolate.

"Just how you like it, dear," she murmured. Anna gratefully took the small mug and glanced into it. There was a big swirl of whipped cream on the top and cinnamon.

"Thanks, Mum," Anna said. She took a few sips, before curling up against her father's chest. He held her tightly. Elsie went to sit on the other side of the couch and Anna brought her feet up so she had space.

"It's okay, love. Put your feet on me," Elsie insisted. "Stretch out."

Her parents were so patient, so understanding. Neither asked her any questions on why she had come to stay or more details of what had happened, how they had gotten to this place. Anna was so incredibly grateful for that.

The three of them sat quietly in front of the television for a while. Nothing much was on, just some random infomercials, but no one thought to change the channel. As they all sat there, Anna fell into a deep sleep against her father's chest.

"She's asleep," Elsie whispered to Charles. "Should we wake her and have her go to the bedroom?"

Charles shook his head.

"No, I'll stay here with her. You go on to bed, Elsie."

"Are you sure? I worry about your back," Elsie said, as she gently moved Anna's feet off her lap. Then she stood and grabbed the blanket on the chair next to them, placing it over Anna.

"My back will be fine," Charles argued.

Elsie ran her fingers against Anna's shoulder and her lips twisted.

"Our poor girl. I don't know how to help her," she admitted, meeting Charles' eyes. Charles returned her glance and gave her a solemn smile.

"We'll start by letting her sleep," Charles responded. Elsie nodded, bending over and giving Charles a kiss.

"Goodnight, Charlie."

"Goodnight."

Anna shifted slightly and Charles worried they had woken her. But as he looked down, she was still asleep. Charles bent over, kissed her forehead, and then laid his head back to try to get some sleep. Although, he'd happily stay up all night if it meant his little girl was getting the rest she needed.

To be continued...

Don't hate me too much. Trust me that there is a plan. :) Also, be kind to Anna...give her some grace...cause I can promise you that John isn't mad at her right now. More soon!