Safe and Sound
Chapter 3 - Claire's POV
A.N - The sort of 'theme song' for this song is Human by Christina Perri. Listen to the lyrics closely, it describes Claire's feelings throughout the story! Its a touching song, such a perfect match for this fanfic! :) x
I lay on the floor in absolute agony. Asking why. Just... why? He's turned into such a monster! But I love him too much to get away from him.
I had to get up. I could hear the pasta burning in the pot. I pushed myself up onto my knees, managing my breathing at much as possible. I could already feel the bruise forming on my rips where he had kicked me. Tears streamed down my face as I remembered what he had said. "Get up before Michael comes in." I had to get up. I couldn't let Michael see me like this. I really didn't want to cause any trouble. We'd all just sorted out everything, I couldn't just ruin the peace. Not now.
After a few minutes of silent crying and grunting, I managed to get up to hold myself up on the counter. Somehow, I was able to pour the pasta into four different bowls. I knew I wouldn't be able to carry them into the living room to the boys. No way. I got everything I could in my body to act normal. "Michael!" I shouted. "Dinners ready!"
I heard Michael distantly shout Eve to come downstairs, telling her the food was ready. The door swung open and I jumped, grabbing the counter to steady myself. It was Shane. He moved over to me and stared down at me, just like he does before he hits me.
He jerked forward, making me squeal and jump backwards, causing pain to shoot around my body. Shane chuckles and shakes his head. "You're such a sad ass, Claire." He whispers as he takes his bowl and carries it out of the kitchen. Tears roll down my cheeks. I just couldn't stop it. But I had to when I heard Michael enter behind me. I swiped at my eyes and turned to face him. He frowns. "You okay?" I nod and wipe my eye. "Got some pasta sauce in my eyes, hurts like a bitch!" I laugh and grab my own bowl. I waited for Michael to exit first and sit down at the table next to Eve before I left. I made it quick and swift. The only person who noticed my wobbly walking was Shane, and he just smirked and stirred his pasta.
"Claire, this is awesome! You're definitely the cook of the house!" Eve mumbles with a mouth full of pasta. I smile and focus on my own food. I couldn't get myself to eat it. I felt physically sick sitting next to Shane. I felt like any second he would pounce on top of me. Every time he jerked fast I flinched and he knew it bothered me, so he did it as often as he could.
"You sure you're alright, Claire?" Michael frowns as he stirred at his pasta. I nodded and smiled. I knew if I spoke I'd burst into tears. I shoved a huge mouthful of pasta into my mouth to ensure I looked as normal as ever. I chewed, but knew if I swallowed it'd come right back up. I shovelled the chewed up food to the side of my mouth and took a swig of water to wash down the nausea along with the food. I felt my cheeks flare. I held down the vomit, knowing I'll probably throw it up anyway later.
"You two had a fight or something? You seem pretty distant?" Eve asks. I stared at her, hoping it was obvious I wanted to tell her everything. But she just continues looking from me and Shane with her eyebrows raised. I saw Shane frown from the corner of my eyes. "No?" He says with a mouthful of food. He wraps his arm around my shoulder and harshly pushes me into his side. "We're great." He kisses my forehead. It looked affectionate, but only I could feel his deathly grip on my shoulder.
It was Michael and Eve's turn to wash up after dinner. I sat on the sofa with Shane, watching some zombie TV-show. I didn't want to be here, but he was making me. I knew that If I didn't stay, I would regret it later tonight. His arm was wrapped around my waist, again with a deadly grip. He moved close to my ear, making me feel claustrophobic. "I'd be scared if I were you." He leaned back with a smile plastered on his face. "What?" I managed to say. He turns his head to look at me. "Just be scared. You normally are. You whiney little bitch." I stare at him. I couldn't take it anymore. I hated who he had become. I loved him once, but I loved the old Shane. Not this one.
I shoved my way out of his grip, which hurt, but I didn't care. I stood up from the couch and went to move away, till he grabbed my wrist. "What the fuck are you doing?!" He whispered sharply. He stood in front of me, staring down. "I've had enough of you!" I whisper back. I saw anger flash through his eyes as the grip on my wrist tightened. "You fucking what?"
Before I could say anything else, Michael and Eve came up from behind us. "What's going on?" Eve frowns as she licked a rocket lolly. Michael stood frowning with his arms crossed. I knew he was catching on somehow. "Nothing." Shane says, not turning around. "Just discussing our plans for tonight." He turns around and smiles to our friends. "I'm gong to make her scream tonight." He winks at Michael who smiles softly, but the way he was staring at Shane, I knew he didn't find it very funny.
"Dude, that's gross! Keep your porn secrets to yourself!" Eve rolls her eyes and returns back to the kitchen. "Claire, if you need anything, let me know, okay?" Michael raises his eyebrows and I nod, trying to give him the same look I gave to Eve at the dinner table. But again, it obviously didn't work. Michael walked back into the kitchen.
Shane turned to me, eyes darting through my skull. "You'll be fucking dead by the end of the week if you keep making it fucking obvious to them. So if I were you, I'd start acting in love with me." He looks me up and down. He chuckles. "Not that you aren't in love with me, because if you weren't, why are you still here putting up with it?" He didn't give me time to answer. He walked away. He began ascending the stairs. "Oh, and Claire." He turned back to face me. "Have a wash or something, you smell like a rotting dog."
Bit of a miserable chapter but I hope you all liked it! Next chapter is Old Shane's POV so get reviewing! The more reviews-the sooner I update! :) x