hapter 19 " Take a seat on the couch and I will get you something cold to suck on . " Kyle commanded like a doting nurse , dumping our bags in the hall and heading to the kitchen . I had no energy to argue on this point . Something to soothe the pain was obviously welcome and I sank into the couch like a sack of potatoes . I felt as if all of the energy in me had been stolen . I was certain I could sleep forever if it wasn't for the fact Noah had just been strangling me less than an hour ago and my mind was all over the place . Why had he done that ? Had he been trying to kill me ? Why would he do that ? Did he really hate me so much he could think of nothing except to snuff my life out ? Something in the back of my mind wasn't convinced Noah had been trying to kill me , as crazy as it sounded given what he had just done . But despite my fear of him , I knew Noah well and he wouldn't show me mercy with a quick death . He liked it when I suffered so killing me just wasn't possible . " Here . Kyle's voice broke my thoughts as he handed me a bowl with ice - cream in it . " It's the only thing I can find . I could ask Aiden to get something on his way home ? " No. " I whispered . " I don't want Aiden to know what happened . He will just think he's right about the other night . " " But he is though , isn't he ? " Kyle pointed out , his eyes sympathetic . " You didn't have an accident . Noah did something . " " Please don't tell Aiden . " I begged , my voice raspy and barely above a whisper will tell Liam . I think you scared Noah off anyway . " At least , I hope he had . Kyle sighed , closing his eyes in defeat and for a moment I felt just a sliver of hope that he would agree . However , when his eyes opened and I saw his apologetic gaze I knew I had lost , hot tears instantly stinging the corner of my eyes . " He will kill me if I hide something like this and he finds out . " Kyle reasoned . " Look why don't you go take a shower and chill out . Aiden won't be home for a while anyway so we can chill out and watch TV . " " Are you staying over again ? " I asked , trying to hide my disappointment . " Not tonight . My foster parents asked if I could babysit the other kids so they can go on a date night . " I sighed , biting my bottom lip to hide how it trembled . I didn't want to deal with Aiden alone . I was too tired and sore to try and deal with the confusing emotions and feelings that flurried whenever he was near . Part of me wanted him close , perhaps his presence would chase away the demons lurking in the shadows but at the same time I knew he would probably just reprimand me like a child . A silly little girl who got herself in trouble and can't handle herself . I silently sulked as I finished the ice cream Kyle had given me before heading to my room to clean myself up and change . I dragged myself to my bedroom , shutting the door before I moved to the bathroom . It was getting dark now so I had no choice but to turn on the light , my eyes meeting the reflection in the mirror . I barely recognised the girl who stared back at me . Dark smudges framed tired brown eyes . They looked like bruises against my skin which seemed so pale as if I was already dead , even my lips lacked colour my dark brown hair hung limply from the braid I had put it in . I looked awful , a far cry from the girl ! to be . Sighing , I forced myself to look away , pulling clothes off clumsily while the water for the shower heated . The hot water was a welcome pain against my skin as I stepped under the showerhead and let the spray hit me like thousands of tiny hot needles . I considered what it would be like just to stand here until the end of time ; the door closed and the steam slowly suffocated me . Just like Noah had . I'm not sure how long I was in there but eventually the water cooled , forcing me from the shower unit and to wrap myself in a towel . Steam filled the room , swirling and billowing with no place to go until I opened the window or door . It obscured my view of my reflection until I wiped a hand over the cold surface to clear the condensation , revealing my reflection once again . The bruises were clear now that they had time to form and nothing obscured them . The delicate skin was now marred red and as I peered closer , I saw the small crescents from Noah's nails . They had broken the skin leaving angry little wounds that stung when I brushed my fingers over them . So much for looking nice on my birthday even if I wasn't doing anything . 1/2 Chapter 19 I forced myself to walk away and dressed in black leggings and an oversized dusty pink sweater . While towel drying my hair , I peered out of the bedroom window , spotting Aiden's truck on the drive , Just as I acknowledged it , there was a soft knock on the door making me jump . " Just a minute . " I managed , pulling the curtains closed and putting away my towel . Opening the door , I gasped when I met beautiful blue eyes that shimmered with emotion . Aiden ? " " I think we need to talk . " A / N : Firstly , thanks for everyone for reading this far and apologies for the delay in pisting this week , also please give mt other story a go . It's called Hellhound '. I also have a podcast on Spotify , Apple and Stitcher . its called Tea Crumpets and Horror . Chapter Comments Haylee Bug Freaking thank you Kyle !!! Finally! Lina Simentales YAY ! Kyle to the rescue !! View All 10 Comments > 5 < SHARE POST COMMENT 11 10