I am shook. Like, I didn't expect anyone to follow my story - or maybe just one at the most ?? And certainly not in such a short amount of time...it means I must be doing something right, right ? Anyways, this chapter is shorter than the first and I hate it just as much as it's predecessor, but I hope you will enjoy it anyway xD ! Working on making the next chapter more interesting.


Chapter 2. Friends ?

Ashley had nothing against Mr. Bancroft. He was a nice enough guy – and he clearly knew his stuff…but she just didn't want to talk about it. "And why is that ?" He asked after she'd said as much.

She sighed, playing with the hem of her sweater. "Because…" Her throat seemed to close up before she could even get the words out.

"Ms. Graham, look at me." She did. "You are in a safe place, and your bodyguard is right on the other side of that door. Please try to remember that." His words reassured her a little – especially the part about Leon, until he added, "Whatever is frightening you, know that they're only memories – they're in the past."

She looked up from her twiddling fingers. "You're wrong, Mr. Bancroft. They're not just memories – that's the worst part. They're…"

"Yes ?"

"When I talk about what happened…when I dream about what happened, it's like I'm bringing it all back to life. It's not just the memories that I'm seeing – but I feel the things that I felt back then. Fear, crippling fear…it's like my muscles and joints are frozen, and I can't move anymore. I can't do anything, but be a prisoner in my own body." Like prey.

There's a moment of silence filled by the scribbling of a pen, when the doctor says, "That's completely normal, Ms. Graham. In a way, you are a prisoner – of your own mind, which is stuck in a loop created by your traumatic event."

Was it just that ? It sounded so simple. Most of the time Ashley could shrug it off, but when the fear really got to her…it's like nothing else existed – trapping her with no way out.

"I…I'm still not sure I can talk about it." Or want to.

Mr. Bancroft smiled kindly. "That's completely fine. You can take as much time as you need, but Ms. Graham…when you're ready, talk to someone – anyone. Me, or a person you trust, but don't keep it to yourself. I've seen too many people do that and it rarely ends well."

You know you can talk to me, right ? Leon's words echoed in Ashley's head. "But why do I have to remember at all ? Wouldn't it just be easier to forget and move on ?"

"But that's just the thing, isn't it ? You can't forget, Ms. Graham. That's why you're here, that's why agents come to me. And that's why you need to face your fear."

What he was saying made sense, she reluctantly admitted to herself. "Okay. I'll…try."

"How about you try to find a silver-lining in what happened ?"

"A silver-lining ? I was kidnapped !" Ashley scoffed in disbelief.

Mr. Bancroft lifted his hands in an appeasing manner. "I know, I know…but something kept you moving forward, didn't it ? Hope or a feeling, a dream of what-could-be. Something that drove you to survive. Try to focus on that, and tell me of your findings at our next meeting."

She felt relieved when the session ended without issue. She didn't have to talk about it now – she would have to eventually, but what mattered was that she could do it in her own time, even though all she wanted was to bury it deep in her subconscious and never dig it out again. But like Mr. Bancroft said, she had to face it…even if just the thought of it made her nauseous.

Find a silver-lining, the man had said. Ashley opened the door to find Leon, her bodyguard, waiting in the next room. He was more relaxed here than anywhere else she'd seen him, sitting bent over as he read an inconsequential magazine. She chuckled at the front cover. "Did Jennifer cheat on James, or was it the other way around ?" Ashley teased as she walked in.

He looked up and smiled. "Don't get me wrong, there was nothing else to read." He slapped the magazine back onto the table and stood up.

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone." She winked, patting his shoulder.

Leon was relieved. Ashley seemed much more at ease now, even playful. As they drove back to the president's estate, she was looking out the window and humming a cheerful melody – but part of him wondered if it wasn't all an act. He shook his head; it wasn't any of his business anyway – he had to stop involving himself so much. Boundaries, Leon reminded himself.

As usual, the pair parted ways when it was time to sleep. He made sure to check her bedroom of anything malicious before he went to his own – which was right next door, literally. "Goodnight," She said to him.

"Sleep tight." Leon watched until her blonde head disappeared behind the door, before officially considering himself off duty…sort of. It was still his job to protect Ashley – hence why his room was so close to hers, but given the fact that this place was surrounded by professional security guards, and the Los Illuminados had been taken care of, it was unlikely they or anyone else would break inside and cause any harm, which meant he was free to catch some rest.

Relieving himself of his clothes, the man plopped right into bed. One thing about the president's place, everything he owned was sure comfortable – and fancy as all hell. Which made it really easy to fall asleep…and as Leon did so, his last thought was, maybe, this time she'll have good dreams.

That would be too good to be true.

Leon could hear Ashley's voice and his heartbeat accelerated in alarm, thinking she was in danger, Saddler's hand wrapped around her neck, her terrified eyes turning cold and crimson–

He woke with a start, instinctively reaching for his gun…until he realized where he was, taking in the familiar surroundings. Closing his eyes with a sigh, he ran a hand down his face. It had just been a dream…except that he could still hear Ashley's voice, muted by the wall separating them; she sounded distressed. "Shit."

Leon jumped to his feet and took his gun with him, just in case, before stepping out into the dark corridor. He just had to take a few steps to reach her door. "Ashley, are you okay ?" He asked, knocking.

This would normally wake her up, and then she'd confirm she was fine before going back to sleep…but it didn't seem to be working this time. What if something happened to her ? What if someone broke in and took her – hurt her ?

Killed her ?

Heart pounding with dread, Leon entered her room and turned the lights on; to his relief, Ashley hadn't been kidnapped – or killed like his paranoia had wanted him to believe, but she was thrashing in her bed as she fought with some invisible entity.

"Ashley, wake up !" Said Leon as he came to kneel by her bed, shaking her shoulder.

She woke up with a gasp and tears flowing down her terrified face. Upon seeing Leon there, she sat up and threw her arms around him. At first he was surprised, and then he returned her embrace; she was shaking like a leaf. "Hey, it's okay. You're safe. I won't let anything happen to you."

"...I know." She sniffed, and there was palpable relief in her voice – but it sounded so small, so vulnerable, that Leon unconsciously tightened his arms around her.

They stayed like that for a while, just holding each other. Eventually though, Leon said, "Ashley, my leg's cramping."

"Oh ! Sorry," She let go of him, and he sat next to her on the bed.

"Are you okay ?" He asked, studying her puffy eyes and pinkish face, still moist from crying.

"Uh-huh. It was just a nightmare."

Leon frowned when she didn't add anything else. "This one seemed worse than the others," He prompted, hoping to get something else out of her.

She shook her head. "I'm sorry I keep waking you up."

"Don't worry about it." I have nightmares too.

"Doesn't it…" She started, then scowled at her hands. She had a tendency to work her fingers when she was uncomfortable or nervous.

"Hm ?"

Ashley turned to face Leon, looking straight into his eyes with her doe ones. He didn't expect it, seeing as she kept avoiding his gaze these last few days. "How do you deal with it ? With everything you've seen, how do you go back to normal ?"

"…you don't." He replied after a pause. "Returning to normal life – being who you were before everything, it's…impossible. But you can get used to it."

"And how do you do that ?"

Leon was happy she'd finally decided to talk to him, but now he wasn't sure what to say. I drink to forget and spend most of my free time training so I don't have to think. Yeah right, as if he could tell her that. He started imagining Ashley, alone, drinking herself to sleep…he thoroughly disliked the image.

"Leon ?" Whatever tension had been in Ashley's face was now gone, replaced by an inquisitive look.

But he wasn't drinking anymore, was he ? He didn't even have to try to forget – because being with Ashley, her presence seemed to keep both his bad and unwelcome thoughts at bay – that's why he enjoyed being her bodyguard…being around her. As much as his professional side was reluctant to admit it, Leon had formed an attachment to Ashley Graham.

"Hello ?" Ashley waved her hand in front of Leon's face, trying to get his attention.

But he couldn't exactly tell her that, could he ? "Sorry, I was…thinking. And to answer your question…you cope by relying on the people who care about you – you lean on them."

Her face fell at that. "But my father's always gone, and mom doesn't understand. Besides, she'd just smother me if I told her. And as for my friends…they pretty much gave up on me. I'm a weirdo in their eyes now, which shows they never really cared about me."

"Well, I'm your friend too, and I'm not giving up on you." He said before reason could kick in, adding, "Besides, it's only been a month. Give it some time."

When Leon returned to his room, Ashley mulled over what he'd said. I'm your friend, and I'm not giving up on you. The words had made her heart skip a beat, though she'd done a pretty good job of keeping a neutral face. Still…for someone as perceptive as him, he sure was blind to the fact that she had a crush on him.

To Be Continued...