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Tobias POV

That night I ask Tris to stay over as I know that I'll probably have difficulty sleeping given what I'll be doing tomorrow. I do my best to not toss and turn but that doesn't stop me from having nightmares about what Marcus used to do to me. Unfortunately I wake up twice during the night. The first time is at 2 o'clock and unfortunately I wake up Tris in the process.

In my dream I see Marcus walking towards me, a belt in hand. "This is for your own good. I was trying help you to be better." He lifts his hand and I close my eyes as I hear and feel the belt connecting with my skin. I grit my teeth to avoid screaming. After a few more hits I lose consciousness then suddenly jolt awake. The lamp on the other side of my bed turns on.

"Tobias." I hear a soft voice call my name. I look around, breathing heavily to see Tris looking at me with a worried look on her face. She gently rubs my back, calming me down significantly. Eventually my breathing and heart rate slows.

"I'm sorry you had to see that. I haven't had a nightmare about him ever since I met you, but with everything going on..."

"It's okay, Tobias. It's just me here. You're safe. He can't hurt you anymore."

She kisses my lips softly then turns off the lamp and we lay back down. I hold on to her like she's my only life line.

In my second nightmare I see Marcus standing over Tris, holding his belt. I try to move but I'm stuck. I hear Tris screaming my name. The next time I wake up it is 7:00. Tris is soundly asleep, her breathing steady against me. I carefully loosen my grip on her so as not to wake her. I get out of bed, get fresh clothes and walk to the bathroom and turn on the shower. I let the warm water wash over me as I shake my nightmares away and mentally prepare for today. I dry off and get dressed. When I exit the bathroom I see Tris sitting up in my bed, smiling. I smile back, forgetting about everything else for a moment and just focusing on her. I sit on the edge of the bed as she scoots towards me and pecks me on the lips. She is wearing one of my shirts. I smirk.

"What's that smirk for?" She asks, chuckling.

"Well, it's not everyday that I have a beautiful girl in my bed and wearing one of my shirts, no less."

She blushes. "I happen to like wearing your shirt."

I laugh. "I know you do. What do you say I make us a quick breakfast before I leave?"

"That sounds wonderful."

"I'll let you get ready."

PAGE BREAK

Just as I finish preparing scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast I see Tris descend the stairs, looking casual, yet still beautiful, in a T shirt and jeans. I make us both a cup of tea. Coffee doesn't sound like a good idea this morning. She sits at the table while I bring her the plate of food. I sit with mine.

"Were you able to sleep okay after your nightmare?"

I shake my head. "I had another one."

"The same one?"

I shake my head again. "This time you were in it. Marcus was hurting you and I couldn't do anything to stop it."

"Tobias, it isn't real. Marcus can't hurt me or you."

"I know. I guess I'm just afraid I'll still lose you somehow."

"You won't lose me, Tobias. I'm not leaving you. Ever."

She squeezes my hand, gently. I grab her hand and kiss it softly. After we're done she helps me rinse off the dishes and load them in the dishwasher. I check the clock and see that I have half an hour before Amar will pick me up. Tris leads me to the couch and cuddles into me.

"You're welcome to stay here while I'm gone. I don't think I'll be that long. Maybe two hours at the most, but hopefully less than that. I don't wanna be there longer than I have to."

"Of course I'll stay. I can make a quick trip to the store and have lunch ready when you come back if you'd like."

"That sounds great. That reminds me. Here's a spare key to my car. It only makes sense that you have a key for my car too."

I take the key from my pocket and hand it to her.

"Thank you." She says and pecks me on the cheek. We spend the next minutes in silence just holding on to each other and kissing occasionally. Tris is the only thing I need right now.

Just then the doorbell rings. I get up to answer it.

"Hey Amar. Come in."

"Hi Four. Hi Tris. It's good to see you again."

"Likewise." Tris replies.

"How are you?" Amar asks me. "Get some sleep last night?"

I shrug. "Not really. My nightmares have started up again."

He pats me on the shoulder. "It'll all be over soon."

I smile a little. "I know. Thanks."

"Shall we get going?"

"Yeah."

Tris steps towards me and wraps her arms around my neck while mine go around her waist. She kisses me, lovingly.

"I love you, Tobias." She says while taking my face in her hands.

"I love you too, Tris. So much. It's because of you that I even have the strength and courage to do what I'm about to do. Thank you for believing in me and loving me."

"You're worth it, Tobias. Always."

I kiss her again.

"You two are disgustingly cute, but definitely the perfect example of real love." Amar says.

Tris and I smile. "Thanks Amar."

"I'll be home soon." I tell Tris then follow Amar out the door.

PAGE BREAK

We arrive at the correctional facility at 9:45. I am a little nervous as I walk into the building. The atmosphere here is almost stifling. We walk up to the front desk.

"Hello. How may I help you?" The woman at the desk says.

"I have a meeting with Mr. Duncan at 10."

She types something on her computer. "Ah yes. Mr. Eaton, correct?"

"Yes, that's me."

"All right. Well you'll wanna head down that way and you'll see the sign for Mr. Duncan's office. Another person will sign you in there."

"Thank you."

Amar and I walk in the direction we were told until I see the sign overhead. I sign in with his secretary than take a seat next to Amar. After about 10 minutes I'm called into his office.

"Mr. Eaton, please come in." He says. Mr Duncan is almost as tall as me with blonde hair and a beard. Definitely looks professional. I'm almost surprised that he works precisely here.

"He's with me." I say, gesturing to Amar.

I shake his hand then he shakes Amar's hand. We follow him into his office and take a seat. He goes around to sit at his desk.

"Thank you for coming in this morning, Mr. Eaton."

"You can call me Tobias, sir."

"Very well. Then you can call me Craig."

"And this is my boss and good friend, Amar."

"Well, Tobias. I know this isn't an ideal situation for you as we discussed over the phone, but unfortunately here we are." I nod and he continues. "I'd like to know a little more about your father. His file only details so much. How was it for you growing up in your household?"

I clear my throat. "Um...well, I'm an only child. When I was very young, maybe 4 or 5 years old, that's when everything with my father started. As you probably are already aware, he wasn't just convicted of child abuse but also spousal abuse."

"Yes. Tell me about the spousal abuse first."

"Well, just like with me, Marcus was not only physically abusive towards my mother but also verbally abusive. After about two years, my mother found a way out and left."

"So, you're saying your mother abandoned you?"

"Yes, sir."

"Why didn't she take you with her?"

"My father was the breadwinner in our household, therefore my mother had no means of income or anywhere to go."

"I see. Did your father tell you that she left?"

"No. He told me that morning that she had died suddenly during the night. There was a funeral but I never saw the body and at that age didn't really think anything was suspicious."

"Understandable. Do you know what became of your mother?"

"Yes. She left Chicago then returned about 10 years ago. I joined the Army at 18 after Marcus was arrested and she contacted me not long before I was deployed. She had heard about his arrest. Our reunion was not a pleasant one. I really didn't have a lot of time to dwell on it though."

"Have you spoken to your mother since then? Does she know you're back home in Chicago?

"Yes, I have. Only briefly though."

"So tell me what happened the night Marcus was arrested."

"He had left the house maybe around 8 p.m. and locked me in a closet to make sure I wouldn't escape. He came back close to midnight then let me out and dragged me by the collar to my bedroom. I could tell he was heavily inebriated. Then he undid his belt and told me to take my shirt off then he began hitting me repeatedly until I lost consciousness. I woke up a couple hours later to find him passed out next to me. I looked down at my own body and realized I was in pain and covered in dried blood then I called 911."

I let out a deep breathe when I finish.

"Thank you, Tobias. I know it's not easy to relive these kinds of things."

I nod.

"Well, considering the current circumstances, really the only thing you need to do is discuss with our facility's doctor and decide if treatment is an option for Mr. Eaton. If the best decision is to move him to a hospital then we will arrange that. He will still be on 24 hour surveillance though with two of our guards. If not, then we must wait until he passes for you to decide on funeral or cremation arrangements for him. I understand you already took care of his residence and possessions."

"Yes, the house was cleaned out and sold and all of his possessions thrown out or donated. I kept some of my things but almost everything in that house reminded me of him."

"Very well. Now I'll take you to the infirmary so you can see him and speak with the doctor."

I nod and get up and follow him out of his office while Amar goes back to the waiting area.

To be continued in the next chapter...