THE NIGHT BEFORE (CONTINUED)

I lifted her from the bed making sure I didn't hurt her and carried her out the room. I minded all the people on the stairs and carried her outside and avoided making eye contact or talking to anybody. To keep my anger at bay I was focusing on one thing - getting to my car. I put her slowly down still keeping one arm around her and opened the door, and without hesitation I picked her up again and slid her into the back of my car. I closed the door and let out a sigh, at least I knew she was safe now. I sat in my seat, put the key in the ignition and just drove.

For a while the car was quiet, too quiet. "Are you ok?" I asked tentatively. She was quiet and in that moment I knew she was just afraid and I felt enraged by the fact that I hadn't been there for her. I felt my anger start to bubble up and so I pulled the car over quickly and slammed my hands hard on the wheel. The stinging sensation in my hands numbed my anger but the mental picture of Rhydian on top of Annabelle came back into my mind and my anger resumed once again. "I'll kill him" I mutter under my breath. I opened the car door and walked around to join Annabelle. I sat next to her and saw her sadness and watched as a tear slipped from her big, beautiful brown eyes. I sat back and looked forward trying to contain my anger as I said, "I'll kill him for touching you". I began breathing heavily to calm down and heard her stutter, "d-don't". She then hugged right into me and out of fear of losing her I squeezed her tightly. For a while we were like that until my phone rang - it was Danny.

"I'll take you home", I said now realising the time but she shook her head. She looked at me and spoke softly, "I feel safe here...with you". I felt my heart race and I wrapped her in my arms, knowing she knew she could rely on me made my heart flutter ."Thank you" she whispered and soon she was fast asleep. I rested her down in the back and walked around to the front of my car and drove her home.

When we got to her house I picked her up and carried her to the door. I rang the doorbell and her father answered looking at me and then Annabelle. At first a look of worry ran over his face but I assured him it was alcohol before taking her upstairs. I removed the coat from around her and put her in her bed. I watched her sleep peacefully as I sat in the chair in the corner until my eyes shut also.

I woke up to the sound of sniffling and looked over to see Annabelle awake. She looked at me apologetically and said quietly, "sorry". I felt my body ache and stood up to stretch. I walked over and sat next to her then said, "I thought it best to bring you home yesterday'". She nodded and smiled but I know she had forced it for me. She coughed gently and quietly said, "thank you but you look exhausted". I looked at her and she was right, I did feel exhausted. "You can stay here and catch up on your sleep if you want", I smiled at this as I wanted to stay but I thought again of Rhydian and I couldn't. I frowned as I said disappointingly, "I have to sort something...I can't" and with that I stood up. I leaned over to her and brushed the hair out of her eyes and then whilst forcing my legs to move - I left.

I felt bad leaving her alone but I had stuff to deal with, that stuff being Rhydian. I quickly left giving a quick goodbye to her father who looked to be on his way out and got into my car. It was 9:46am and I let out a yawn. I hadn't slept properly and the chair had not been comfortable. When I was offered to catch up on my sleep, the bed had looked more than appealing but I needed to sort out Rhydian. I found myself outside his house at 10:28am and knocked. His mother opened the door and without hesitation I said, "is Rhydian home?".

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A/N

Is Carter going to catch Rhydian? Or will something get in the way?

As ever guys, vote and comment! Don't be a silent reader.

TaTa for now

xx