Daisy

The continuous ring in my ears was agonising. A monotonous buzzing amongst a bunch of muffled screams. It was the only noise surrounding us, yet all I could hear was my fear; the erratic pounding of my heart and heavy breathing. He was here. A life threatening bomb had exploded on the floors above us, and I was more frightened by his presence.

Charcoal smoke started to fill my lungs and interfere with my sight as it danced past us slowly but quickly. I could briefly feel Hopes tiny body shaking in my arms, and the agonising sound of her cries. He did this. He was hurting our little girl. Why did he do it? Why was he so cruel?

My head felt swamped with anger and memories I didn't want as I remembered all those times he hurt me. Each time there was less physical pain from becoming accustomed to it, but the pain I felt inside, the emotion tearing inside my chest, grew a centimetre each time. His anger-led words, dripping with venom and torture, became believable. Useless. Worthless. Ugly. Bitch. The list was endless. I was reminded each time he got close, but I was willing to fight. I lost way too much because of him, and I was not about to lose anymore.

I gave one last look to Nate, who's face was twisted up in anger, fists balled at his sides, and realised I had to do this for him. For our baby.

I placed Hope in his arms. "Leave." I coughed, trying to focus while the smoke engulfed my lungs.

He shook his head frantically, refusing to take Hope. "No! Get behind me baby. I'm not leaving you"

Tears fell down my cheeks as I noted the heartbreak in his voice. He would do anything for me, but I couldn't let him. I refused to.

"No. I can do this"

I turned to walk towards Robert, but was yanked back by strong arms. I was pulled against Nates chest, Hope cradled into his leg. The smoke was getting worse, he needed to get her out of here.

"I'm not letting you go"

"Come on sweetheart, you know you want to be with me" Robert drawled, a wicked laugh escaping at the end. I didn't want to go with him, I had to go with him.

"Like hell she comes to you!" Nate roared from behind me, and I felt as Hopes tiny arms gripped my leg.

We were coughing more than ever now, and I was concerned for my baby girl.

"Just take her and go! Please!" I yelled, forcing her into his arms. "She needs you"

I broke from his embrace, scampering over to Robert. My legs were jelly from the fear and lack of oxygen, and my chest ached. I tried to blink my way through the endless clouds of smoke, not realising how far away Robert actually was; I could just about see him.

"No!!! Daisy!" I heard Nates screaming and felt the tears come heavier. I had to do this. I'd get away eventually, just like before, but I had to give him what he wanted first.

I held my tummy tight as I prayed my baby wouldn't be affected by all this. Our baby needed us, and I needed our baby. Sobs were coming out of me in chokes as I remembered the previous miscarriages endured by Roberts torture. What if he hurt our baby? I stopped mid step. I stared at him and watched as his eyes narrowed in frustration. Nate had fine surprisingly quiet and I hoped it was my damaged ear drums playing tricks on me, and not that he'd somehow lost oxygen so soon.

It was then I saw Robert stalking towards me. He was clearly frustrated. He was yelling. I could see his mouth moving, but I couldn't hear anything. Were my ears that damaged? I suddenly became more aware of what he was about to do, and the surrounding silence began to frighten me. He was about to hit me. I knew that face, I knew that posture, but I was too weak. I stepped back, slowly. I tried to get away. I couldn't do it.

Run!

My mind kept telling me.

Run!

But I couldn't oblige. I was too terrified to turn around in case he caught me in that second.

Run!

"I can't" I cried to myself, still holding my tummy.

I took one more step and two familiar strong arms wrapped around me. Nate. What was I thinking? Why did I do that? Why did I think I could go back and fight? Nate twirled me around, placing me behind him, as Roberts fist came down. He was aiming for my face.

They began hitting each other. Nates fist continued to pummel at Roberts angular jaw, until Robert kneed him in the stomach. Nate bent over in pain, giving Robert advantage as he pushed him down, hitting his head in the process. My hearing started coming back, more muffled sounds, but I could hear nevertheless. The coughing and growling coming from both men as they destroyed each other was sickening. I had to stop them.

"No! Stop!" I pushed in between them, Robert facing me and Nate behind me. It took less than zero point five seconds for Nate to haul me behind him and begin attacking Robert again. But it was then I noticed the gun. Roberts hand reached into the left of his waistband, while kneeing Nate in the face, and swiftly reached for the gun.

"Your fucking asshole! My wife! My daughter! And I'll have them!"

"No" I launched myself between them as the gun shot cried through the room, and I knocked Robert over in the process. I landed right on top of him.

The impact of the fall, along with the shock and smoke, almost knocked me unconscious. My head pounded and I squinted to try gain focus, a burning sensation behind my eyes.

As soon as I realised where my body was, I rushed to move. Only I couldn't. A sharp ache shot through my chest and left shoulder, as I tried to lift myself. I winced as I tried to roll over, successfully managing to fall on my back.

"Daisy!"

"Nate" I was too quiet. He couldn't hear me. I tried to speak louder, but I couldn't. What was wrong with me?

The pain in my chest became unbearable. My automatic response was to press my hand there, squeeze, but a pool of wetness soaked my hand instead. Confused, I looked down to a mass of red liquid oozing from my chest and shoulder, and covering my hand. I was bleeding. I was shot.

"No! Baby! No!" Nate was stood over me, erratically removing his suit jacket and applying pressure to my wound. The smoke had started to dissipate, and I could hear the firemen evacuating the building, so I could see Nates face more clearly. He had tears gushing down his cheeks as he held onto me so tightly.

"Hope" I breathed. "Where's Hope?" Talking started to become difficult, as did keeping my eyes open. What was happening to me?

"She's okay baby, my dad took her. You're gonna he fine beautiful. Stay with me" he kept his hands over my wound, and hovered his lips over mine as he spoke again more softly.

"I love you baby. Marry me. God, please Marry me. I was waiting to ask you, but I can't anymore. I need you to know how much I love you. You're my world, I've never met anyone like you and I don't want to. You light my insides up like a firework, and I explode with happiness every time I see you. From the day I met you in that coffee shop, you've consumed my mind. Our first date, our first kiss, and the first time I made love to you. It's all beautiful memories that I want to keep making, you can't leave me baby"

He was sobbing. And so was I. I loved this man unconditionally and I couldn't help but cry at how beautiful his words were. I got more weaker, more tired, my chest ached even more, and I felt the blood pooling around my head now. I wasn't even concerned about Robert anymore. Just Nate.

"Yes, I'll marry you"

I placed one of his hands over my tummy, kissing it first, and his head dropped as his cries came more strong.

I heard a paramedic rush to our side and then everything went black. All I know is that I was happy in that moment, nothing could take that away.