Nobody was willing to have dinner after everything what happened. Eliza is sleeping in her room and we are all still in shock. Never have we ever expected such thing. She was hiding so much to herself. I still didn't see Dustin.

I might have an idea where he could be. I went towards the direction of

GYM

And i was right. He's pouring all his anger and frustration on the equipments. He's boxing continuously with loud music playing in the background. I went towards the speaker and turned them off gaining Dustin's attention.

He looked at me for few seconds and then proceeded to take off his gloves and went to drink water.

"You're not going to talk to her? " I finally asked.

He looked at me silently and then sighed. I have never seen him this vulnerable.

"What is their to talk? " He said quietly.

"You know, she still thinks that you hate her. We know that we misunderstood her but atleast go talk to her." I explained him trying to put something useful in his brain.

"I- I can't. Now I can't even look in her eyes. I'm very ashamed. I shouldn't have said those things to her. I don't even know if my apology is even enough because I know it's not." He said and i can clearly hear the regret.

"Well then you can apologize and compensate for your mistakes by finding those fuckers who tormented her. " I said somehow getting angry at the end after again remembering the bruises on Liz.

Suddenly he looked at me with a dark look and i know this look very well.

"What did you find? " I directly asked the question.

He smirked.

"I gave Ryan the information on that fucking so called father and his son. Lucky for that bastard that he died early but his son is still in coma and found 3 close friends of Samuel. They all are drug addict and i can guess they were the ones who hurted her."

I was very proud of Dustin. He found out so much on them in short time.

"So when ar- " I was cut off my a scream. Our eyes met and i know my face paled. It was Liz's scream.

"NO" Liz screamed and it was followed by a crashing sound.

Another scream brought us to reality

And we ran towards the voice like maniac.

We already had our guns out and we were running towards that floor since we were not on the floor where bedrooms are.

When we reached there she was sitting in the hallway with her knees to her chest and hands on her ears. By now everyone were there and their guns were in their hands. We all put our guns away immediately knowing there is no danger.

Taylor reached her and slowly kneeled and touched her on her arm lightly to bring her to reality.

But she flinched badly and screamed, "NO PLEASE DON'T. STAY AWAY"

Taylor immediately stepped back.

I noticed something. Her eyes we're closed. She was in her sleep. She's dreaming.

Dad was about to go comfort her but i immediately stopped him.

"She's sleeping and dreaming about something from old memories. It's one of the outcome of ptsd. We have to be careful" I explained them.

"Can't we just wake her up?" Tyler asked dumbly.

"No Einstein, we can't just wake her up" I said sarcastically.

"It can make an impact on her brain for a long time so only way is to make her feel safe since she's scared right now." I told everyone.

Ryan who was near her kneeled and embraced her affectionately.

We all were shocked seeing this side of Ryan but nobody commented on this.

Liz started thrashing and crying hysterically but Ryan didn't let her break away.

He started whispering sweet words in her ear.

We all were very worried and hoping Ryan could do something.

He was saying things like

"You're safe bambina"

"Your father and brothers are here"

"We'll protect you"

"Wake up sweety"

"No one's going to harm you sorella"

After 15 min she actually started coming back to her consciousness.

Now that she was fully conscious, she immediately hugged Ryan back and started crying.

This moment was so precious. Ryan is not the type who show affection but he's so calm and careful with her.

We were all relieved that she was now okay.

Maybe she realized something so she looked at Ryan and realised she was hugging him, she immediately backed a little with embarrassment coating her cheeks.

"Are you okay now?" Ryan asked sweetly.

" yes" She replied timidly. Suddenly she looked around and realised we all were here. She suddenly looked around her again and asked dad.

"What am I doing here? " She asked confused.

"You were having a nightmare sweety" He replied with sad eyes.

She looked at a broken vase across her on the ground. She realised she did that and immediately apologized for that.

Oh so that was the crashing sound.

"Do you know what triggered this? " I asked softly.

She thought for a second then replied, "I think it's because of the today's events. "

I nodded and then she tried to stand from the floor since she was sitting on the ground but hissed immediately. Ryan immediately stood and helped her stand.

"I think you need to dress this again. Let's go I'll again dess the ankle" I said and went to get the first aid kit.

We all assembled in dad's room since it was close to where she was sitting.

She looked around the room in awe.

I dressed her ankle and checked for injuries on her back but thankfully nothing was major.

"I don't think you should sleep alone. You'll again feel scared and there are chances that nightmares may return. "

I suggested.

She looked at me with questioning eyes probably asking then where she should sleep.

"Sweety you can sleep in this room. I'll be here and if you're not yet comfortable then I can sleep on the couch and in this way you won't feel scared." Dad said suggesting ly

She was hesitant for a second then said, " No dad I trust you. You don't have to sleep on the couch for me please. You can also sleep on the bed."

How can someone be this sweet.

v

I apologized again for disturbing them at night.

Then I laid on the bed on one side and dad laid on the other side.

Once everyone were out, I turned to dad. He was adjusting the blanket on me so I don't feel cold.

"Dad? " I said.

"Yes sweety" He asked softly.

I don't know what came to my mind that I said,

"I was scared that you all will abandon me again. I thought you all will be disgusted with me. I was scared that I won't be strong enough to live. " I said truthfully with tears brimming my eyes.

He was actually shocked totally not expecting that.

"Liz, I know you probably don't like the idea of having a father and brother anymore after what you experienced. But I can assure you and promise you with my life that we all will protect you. Even though some of you brothers don't show but they love you insanely from the start when you came to our lives. We'll never abandon you dear. Try to trust us. "

His voice broke at the end.

A tear slipped from my eyes. Dad wiped it and smiled a little.

"Can I hug you while sleeping? " I asked timidly.

He chuckled a little and then opened his arms.

"Of course sweety"

I immediately went in my father's embrace feeling all safe and I know this is a new sense of security in my heart. I can feel that I'm safe from the world. He'll protect me. My brothers will protect me.

I welcomed sleep not before hearing him say quietly and softly,

"My little princess"