Chapter 7: Sacrificing Freedom

Andros woke up the next morning to find Ashley sleeping curled up in a ball beside him. He sat up and stroked her hair. However, Ashley moved away. "Please don't hurt me," she whimpered.

"Hey, hey, Ashley, it's me," he murmured.

Ashley's eyes snapped open. "Andros?" She asked. Andros nodded and she curled up against him. "I can feel his hands on me again, Andros. I can feel his hands on me," she sobbed. Andros held her tight and let out a sigh.

"You're safe from him," he murmured.

She buried her head into his chest and cried. "I'm so scared, Andros. I'm so scared," she whispered. He held her to him and closed his eyes.

"He can't hurt you here," he assured her.

Ashley sat up. "I'm going to the police, I want this to end," she stated. Andros reached over and held her hand.

"Okay, I'll go with you," he answered.

He grabbed his shirt and got out of bed. "I have to sneak back to your house," he stated. Ashley looked at him.

"Why?" She asked.

"Well, you'll look awfully funny wearing my clothes. And I think Cassie's clothes might be a little bit too small for you."

Ashley grinned and she nodded her head slowly. "Just be careful," she cautioned. Andros nodded and grinned. "What?" She asked.

"That shirt looks better on you," he replied.

Ashley threw a pillow at him. "Shut up," she laughed. Andros grinned as he pushed her back on the bed. Ashley giggled, but then Andros kissed her deeply. Ashley wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him tighter against her. After a minute, she realized that they were going to go farther than she was ever ready for and pushed him back. "Andros, wait," she insisted. Andros looked at her. "I'm not ready to go that far yet," she told him. Andros stroked her face.

"I'll wait," he assured her.

He kissed her again before getting up. He went towards the door to get Ashley some clothes when Ashley called out to him. "Andros, could you get Astro too?" She asked. Andros nodded.

"Don't worry, I'll get him," he replied.

Andros then closed and locked the door behind him just to keep extra security just incase Mr. Hammond did find her.

(Hammond's House)

Andros snuck through Ashley's window and he could hear little whimpers. He picked up the leash that was on the bedside table. "Astro, come here Astro," he called quietly. He heard the whimper coming from underneath Ashley's bed. He lifted the sheet up and he could see the puppy cowering away from him. "Hey, hey, Astro. It's me," he assured the puppy. The puppy stared at Andros at first, but then he slowly crawled out from underneath the bed and Andros could see a deep cut on Astro's shoulder. He attached the leash to the puppy's collar and he set the puppy on the bed. Andros pulled off the backpack he was wearing on his back. He walked over and threw some of Ashley's clothes into the bag. He also saw the bracelet he gave Ashley for their one year anniversary sitting on the table. He grabbed that and threw it in the bag. Just as Andros was about to leave, he was knocked off his feet when a punch came to his face.

"Where is she?" Mr. Hammond demanded.

Andros stood up and dropped the bag. "You won't find her," Andros snapped. He got into a guarding stance. "You'll have to go through me to get to Ashley," he added.

"Gladly," Mr. Hammond sneered.

Andros saw him bring the knife out again, but he dodged it. Andros grabbed his arm and threw him over his shoulder. Mr. Hammond grabbed Andros and pinned him up against the wall. "I may not know where you live, but I do know where your beautiful sister lives," he sneered. Andros tried to push him away, but he couldn't move. "Bring Ashley back and I may just reconsider getting her," he threatened.

"You touch Karone and I'll kill you with my bare hands," Andros snapped.

"Then send my daughter home and I'll leave her alone."

Mr. Hammond let Andros drop to the floor. Andros held his throat and gasped for air. "Now return my daughter," Mr. Hammond ordered. Andros grabbed the puppy and his bag before jumping through the window, since Mr. Hammond had the door blocked. Andros hit the ground but he covered the puppy like a child as he rolled across the ground. He stood up and the puppy was curled up against his chest. He took off towards his car and drove back to his house.

(Andros's House)

Andros set the puppy and bag down when he came through the door. However, his anger was able to be released and he threw the nearest object across the room. Ashley jumped when she saw Andros throwing things across the room. "Andros?" She called. Andros turned around and he started to calm himself. He walked over and grabbed his bag.

"Your clothes are in here," he informed.

Ashley took the bag and went to change while Andros took care of the injured puppy. Astro whimpered when he cleaned out the cut and Andros patched it up. "There you go little guy," murmured. He grinned when the puppy licked his face. Ashley came out.

"Andros, what happened over there?" She asked.

Andros stood up with a sigh. "Your dad's threatening to attack Karone," he replied. Ashley bit her lip and she let out a sigh.

"I'm going back," she informed.

She turned and headed towards the door. "Ashley, don't. He'll kill you," he insisted. Ashley spun around.

"I would rather die than let anything happen to you and Karone. I'm sorry, take care of Astro for me. You'll be a good caretaker. I have to go," she explained.

"ASHLEY!" He called out.

Too late, Ashley was already gone. Andros looked down at the puppy and watched as he pawed at the door. "Come on, Astro, you must be starving," he commented. The puppy yipped and followed Andros to the kitchen.

(Hammond's House)

Ashley came home and she saw her father sitting on the couch. "The coward sent you back here," he laughed. Ashley shook her head.

"I came back on my own," she replied.

Mr. Hammond just glared at her. "Go to your room," he snapped. Ashley ran up the stairs and ran into her room. She closed and locked her door and crashed onto her bed. She buried her head into her pillow and cried.

"I'm sorry, Andros, I'm so sorry," she sobbed.