Not long after I sat down in the living room, Modo walked in and sat down next to me. He wrapped his right arm around my shoulders and brought me closer to him. I laid my head on his metal shoulder.

"I called my mom outside. I know you don't like when I mention his name. She's on her way here to help you. She knows how to mind-walk. Apparently, I do too, but I never learned how. Its been in my family for generations."

"I'm just glad I'm gonna get the help. I'm tired of being tortured by him. Your mom knows not to mention his name, right?"

"Yep."

"Can I see your phone? I'm gonna text Tredz. I wanna let him know what his son has done to me."

"You still keep in contact with him?"

"Of course. Since getting a second chance at life, he's been a great father figure to me. He knows his son and I are divorced. He still wants me to call him dad, even though I'm not his daughter in

"I'm glad he's still in your life."

"I am too."

Then I took Modo's phone and texted Tredz. I let him know what his son has been doing to me since I divorced him.

I was surprised how fast I got a response. He called me after he got the text.

"Hey Tredz. I didn't expect a call after sending you that text."

"I figured it was time I check in on you. I can't believe he's been doing this to you since the divorce."

"He told me when he raped me that I turned him into a rapist when I divorced him."

"No, sweetie. You did the right thing when he hit you accidently. Everything he's done to you is not your fault."

"I know that. Thank you for not saying his name."

"I know he scares you. Even mentioning his name probably scares you, too."

"Yeah, it does. I don't go out unless Modo is with me now. I'm a Marine and I shouldn't be scared of him, yet, he's unpredictable. No clue what he could do next."

"I get it. I cut ties with him after I heard he went to prison for rape. I didn't know he had raped you 'til you just told me. As far as I'm concerned, he's not a Thornboy anymore. He'll never see my son and daughter, either."

"I heard you were dating someone a while back. When did you get married and have children?"

"About 6 yrs. ago. My wife and I had twins. They're 5 as of yesterday."

"Congrats Tredz. How's Tony? I haven't heard from him in a while."

"Thank you and he lives in New York now. I don't know why he hasn't called or texted you. I'll call him tomorrow. I have to get the twins up and ready for their first day of 1st grade tomorrow, so I'll let you go and hope to see you and Modo soon."

"He'll love the visit, Tredz. Talk with you later." Then I hung up.

Just as I put the phone down, Meridith walked in from the sliding door by the kitchen.

We looked over and saw her. Modo got up and walked over to his mom.

"Please don't mention his name around her. She's still scared of him."

"Completely understandable."

"Thank you, momma. This is a big help for both of us."

"Anything for my boy and his wife."

Then they walked over to the sofa where I was sitting. Meridith sat down next to me and Modo sat on the other side of me.

"I heard about your horrible nightmares. I'm gonna help as much as I can."

"Thank you. Modo said that mind-walking runs in your family going back generations."

"Yes, it does. I'm also going to teach Modo how to do it so if it happens again, he'll know what to do."

"He feels so helpless. I do too."

Modo put his hands on my shoulders and lightly massaged them. "I'm always going to be here, darlin'. I told you that."

I put my left hand on his right hand and lightly squeezed it. "I know, but I still feel helpless in my nightmares. I can't stop you from dying. I'm very afraid that you're going to actually leave me one day."

"Never. I'd have to be found guilty for murder in order to leave your side. I've never killed anyone in my life. Not even during the Martian/Plutarkian war. For as much as they all deserve it, its not in me to do it."

"Would you kill you know who if he put me in the hospital or worse?"

Modo didn't answer. He was afraid I wouldn't like the answer, so he kept quiet. It confirmed my question.

"You would, wouldn't you? I'd be fine with that. I wouldn't see you no different than what I see you as now. You'll always be my loving and caring husband, no matter what."

"You wouldn't see me as a monster for killing him?

"Nope. Your mom might, though."

Modo looked at his mom. "Would you see me as a monster if I killed him, momma?"

"No, I wouldn't. I'd see you as protecting your wife."

"We also have some news, momma. Michelle is pregnant."

Meridith was shocked, then hugged me. "Congrats you two. Boy or girl?"

"Too early to tell. I don't wanna know, but Modo does. He wants a daughter. I just want a healthy

baby, no matter the gender."

I noticed that I was starting to get tired. I tried to stay awake, but losing that battle.

"Just fall asleep, sweetie. I'll be there with you when you start having a nightmare. I'll be bringing Modo with me, too. We'll stop the nightmares for good."

"I'm afraid to sleep, Meridith. I don't wanna sleep anymore."

Modo stood up and stepped in front of me and kneeled down. "We're not going to let him hurt you anymore, honey. We're gonna stop him once and for all. You always look horrible in the mornings. Honestly, I'm afraid to say anything to you cause I don't want my head bit off."

"Is that why you ignore me in the mornings? I thought it was something I did."

"No, it was nothing you did. It's the nightmares you have."

"I'm so glad it was nothing I did. That's how all failed marriages start."

"We don't have a failed marriage, honey. We never will."

"I'm glad for that, too."

I was starting to feel more relaxed the more he massaged my shoulders.

"You have magical hands, Modo. Please don't stop. It feels so damn good."

"I'm glad you're enjoying this, my beautiful bride."

I let myself fall asleep since being so relaxed.

"Now that she's asleep, just follow my lead and we will take care of the problem and make sure she never has another nightmare again."

Meridith had put her antenna on my head and Modo followed suit. They entered my dreams.

"Everything seems nice and quiet for right now, momma."

"Don't jinx it, babe. Give it a few mins."

"When does he normally start attacking you, sweetie?"

"Usually around this time. Like I just told Modo, give it a few then he'll show up."

"Sounds like he enjoys seeing you helpless."

"Yeah, he does. I hate it."

"That's why we're here. To help you take him down."

Just then, Throttle showed up. He wasn't happy that Modo and Meridith showed up.

"I see you brought reinforcements, cunt."

"Yeah, I did. At least I'm loved. Hell, Tredz even loves me. He disowned you after you went to prison. You should have stayed there. I'm sorry they let you out."

"The only thing I'm sorry about is not killing you while I was raping you."

Modo was getting pissed now. His arm cannon came out and he aimed right for Throttle's head. A direct shot will kill him instantly.

I stood right next to Modo and lined up the shot for him. "Now, you're lined up for the head shot."

"Are you sure you won't see me as a monster for killing him?"

"Not at all. Neither will your mom. You're protecting me from the monster that raped me."

Throttle scoffed. "A Marine needs help from a Freedom Fighter grunt. That's so sad."

"What's sad is that you have been disowned by your own father. That's sad. No, that's funny as fuck."

Throttle growled and attacked me. Modo got in the middle of us and attacked Throttle. Meridith and I watched Modo break every bone in Throttle's body then I watched Modo snap Throttle's neck and kill him. I was hoping he would have shot him, but snapping his neck is even better.

The 3 of us woke up after that and I felt much better. I felt like a new mouse. I'm finally free of those fuckin' nightmares.

"How do you feel, sweetie?"

"Like a new mouse. I'm so glad you both were there with me to help me stand up to him."

"You could have done it yourself. You didn't need us honey."

"Modo, I couldn't do it without you and your mom. I didn't have a backbone. I was a coward."

"Don't. Just don't start. Every time you did that, you left. I don't want you doing that with me."

"Then I better go take my meds. I forgot to over the weekend. I'm sorry."

"That's ok. Just go take it now. I should have reminded you to take it while we were camping."

Meridith looked at us strangely when I mentioned my meds.

"I'm bipolar, Meridith. I'm surprised Modo hadn't told you yet."

"That's ok if he hasn't. He was worried about you. Can I ask how long you've been this way?"

"Over 3 decades plus."

"More like 4 decades, Michelle."

"Has it been that long? Guess I lost track. Oh well. I'm just glad to be rid of that bastard. Now I can sleep soundly every night."

"And I can too."

"I don't know about you, but I'm going to go take a shower."

"I'll be in shortly to join you, sweetheart. Let me walk my mom out to her bike."

"There's no need to do that, Modo. You go enjoy that shower with your wife. I'll call or text you to let you know I got home safe."

"Ok, momma. I love you and thank you for helping Michelle." Then he hugged her.

"No thanks needed. I'm just glad she's feeling better."