WARNING: The rape will be mentioned in this chapter; nothing too graphic will be included. If this is hard or upsetting for anyone please don't read.

Author's Note: FYI - This was the fastest I have ever updated this story, lol. But with that, it means that the next chapter will probably take a little while to be updated. I have a few other projects I want to work on (be on the lookout for those!) But, I promise that I will not forget or abandon this story without finishing it.

Thank you all for the votes, favorites, follows, comments, reviews, and more! I so appreciate you all, and I love writing for other people.

*Also - Another FYI: There will be some (a little) Gabby hate. You can probably tell that I was never a fan of hers.

Song (On Wattpad): Leave a Light On by Tom Walker

Chapter Fifteen: Can You Hold Me?

"The truth is, unless you let go, unless you forgive yourself, unless you forgive the situation, unless you realize that the situation is over, you cannot move forward."

Steve Maraboli


Sylvie and Matt fell right asleep in each others' arms. The night and each others' presence seemed to carry them both into a mindless comfortable sleep...at first.

They were both so content and comfy in each other's arms, and they fit like perfect little puzzle pieces. It's like they were meant to be together. Matt gently pulled Sylvie closer in his arms, and when he was sure she had drifted off he kissed her forehead. He was so happy to be there with her it almost felt like a dream. It was too perfect. Something had to happen, right?

He was also happy that she picked the guest bedroom for them both to sleep in; considering how small her bed looked when she showed him during the house tour. If they had to sleep in that they would look like a can of sardines, not that Matt minded, though. He would take snuggling and holding Sylvie any chance he could get. Gabby never let him do that; she wasn't much of a snuggler at all. There were many days when Matt was afraid to touch her. He didn't know how she would react.

Matt laid there for a couple of minutes just listening to Sylvie snooze before he finally let sleep claim him.

They were both out. You could tell by the light snoring and deep sleeping that they were exhausted. The slight chill in the air seemed to pull the two of them closer together. If you were to take a picture of them they looked picture perfect. Something you would definitely see on the cover of a magazine.

They were so lured into their sleep, they didn't hear the backdoor in the kitchen slowly slide open and shut.

The intruder watched them arrive home and had been waiting for a couple of hours to make his entrance. He had been watching Sylvie for a couple of days now and was pleasantly surprised when he saw her bring Matt home. He wasn't worried though. It wouldn't hurt his plans at all. All he wanted was her. Sylvie. That's all he wanted...again.

Owen cautiously looked around the kitchen and grabbed the nearest weapon he could find. A knife. It was big and yelled sharp.

He cautiously held the knife close to him and began his search. He checked every room on the first floor before he started his quiet expedition up the stairs. Every step he took he knew he was closer. He was lucky they had night lights all over the house so he could find his way.

Once he got to the guest room where they were sleeping he stood at the top of the bed for a while and just watched them sleep. He was jealous of Matt who got to hold her while she slept.

He heard her stir and knew that was his chance. If she woke up and found him it would be over. The man next to her would probably kill him in a hot minute when he found him.

Owen took a breath and stepped closer to Sylvie's side of the bed. He thought she looked so beautiful and angelic as she laid there without a care in the world.

He put his hand out and gently removed the cover she wore like a shield. The second he pulled it back to her legs she stirred. The cold must have woken her up.

He pulled his hand up and ran down her smooth, soft face. It felt so good under his calloused hand.

The second his hand touched her cheeks, her eyes started to flutter open. Sylvie groaned and tried to close her eyes again and huddle to stay warm, but something felt off. No, something was wrong.

Sylvie's eyes flew open and she screamed. "AHHHHHHHHHHH!" It was a blood-curdling scream of her own that she had never heard before.

"Sylvie! Sylvie! Calm down! It was just a dream. You had a nightmare."

Sylvie's vision started to blur as tears popped up in her eyes.

Matt literally picked her up and sat her in his lap while she cried and rocked back and forth.

"Matt, it was so real. I could feel him touch me. He was here, Matt. He was here."

Matt held her tighter and sat his chin on her head as she cried and shook in his arms. "Sylvie, it was just a dream. I promise. I've been trying to wake you for about five minutes now. I promise no one else was here."

Sylvie's body trembled as she remembered what his touch felt like. It terrified her how dreams could feel so real. This was one of the worst, horrific, and realists feeling dreams she's had since the rape happened.

"Matt, can you please go make sure that both the front and back doors are locked?"

Matt pulled his face away and looked at Sylvie as she wiped the tears on her face with her shirt sleeve, "Yeah, I'll be right back. Are you gonna be okay if I leave you right now?"

Sylvie nodded and watched as he gently set her on her side of the bed and got up. "Yeah, I'll be fine. Just hurry back, okay?"

Matt nodded and was already out of the room before she could finish her sentence. He hated seeing her like this especially when there was nothing he could do to help her. He hurriedly made his way down the stairs and ran to both doors to make sure that they were locked. And, they were. Nothing had been moved since Sylvie locked up before they went to bed about two hours ago.

When he got back up to the guest bedroom, Sylvie was still sitting up in bed, but this time she had the cover wrapped around her and she was still shaking.

"Everything's locked. I promise. I double-checked."

Sylvie sadly nodded and sniffled her nose as more tears threatened to come down her face.

"Matt, it just felt so real. I thought he was here to kill me...or...rape me again."

"Sylvie, that's not gonna happen. I will never let anything happen to you again. Okay? You have to believe me."

Sylvie nodded and laid back in her spot. She waited for Matt to get back in bed and lay beside her. When he did she immediately scooted closer to him and sought his warmth and protection.

"Matt, can you hold me?"

Matt reached for her and didn't let go of her for the rest of the night, "You never have to ask."


Did I get you? LOL! Thanks to all who comment/review! What did you think!?

Again, sorry for any typos, misspellings, or anything like that. I write late at night without my glasses on, lol.

*Also, HELP. I need song suggestions for this story. What songs should I link with my chapters? Some that are sad and recovery like? I appreciate any and all suggestions.

Thanks again for reading and the support!

Stay safe and healthy!