It was exactly 9:56 am when the front door slammed open causing an abrupt squeal from me.

I couldn't really see who it was because they stormed in my direction and tackled me into a hug. Hands clawed at me tightly at my waist as a familiar scent filled my nose. Sweet Peonies. Her locks tangled around my mouth and I had to breathe through my nose to avoid choking. Which wouldn't be pretty at all, trust me.

"Oh, my baby!" She drawled out as she pulled back to examine my features. Mom sobbed even louder as she gazed into my eyes. I muffled the broken sobs forming in my throat as her skittish fingers shook when she caressed my flustered cheeks.

"My baby!!" She screamed once again as if her own heart had been torn out of her chest. Ripped, torn and shattered. Her cheeks and nose were painted crimson. Eyes brimmed up with tears as she wailed out my name loud enough for everyone to hear.

The way she held me, my body began to shake with sobs, and so did hers. I felt the trembles of her body running through mine. I couldn't contain myself, it was as if she had broken the invisible gates because the tears kept coming. Salt was the only thing I could taste on my lips.

"Oh my, Anastasia! How could they do this to my baby?!" She kept yelling up at everything in the room as she rocked her body towards me. I sniffled. She then tried to wipe my endless loop of tears but they wouldn't break. She got off me and stood rigidly. She kept mumbling incoherently as she wiped her tears with the back of her hand.

My eyes were still raw when my dad approached me. I momentarily forgot about all the random flashbacks and dreams. The look on his face almost made me want to curl up into a shell. I couldn't describe it properly but he looked so sad, hurt and broken. My dad was never one for crying ever, I mean, I've only seen him cry about twice in my life and both of those times were when my mother kneed him in the balls. But in this moment, his face almost dropped in despair; his lips in a straight line and his eyes filled with tears as he set his gaze on mine.

That just made me cry even more. If that was even possible.

When he finally reached me he didn't say anything, he just bent down to scoop me up into his arms. I sighed loudly and gripped him towards me. My body couldn't stop shaking as my dad held me tightly. I didn't know how to react properly. Was I suppose to be this emotional or what?

"HOW COULD YOU LET THIS HAPPEN TO MY BABY?!" Dad let me go to look at mom, who was shouting her head off at Mr Grumpy who stood stock still against the front door. She shouted frantically at him and then began to punch Mr Grumpy's chest with her small fists.

I gaped at her.

Mr Grumpy didn't react; I mean he didn't punch back my mom so that was good. I guess.

He just stood there as he took the impact, I doubt it hurt that much but I bet he was annoyed at it. His eyes flickered towards mine for a moment before he looked back at my mum who was still punching him. The self-control he contained was surreal.

"IF MY BABY DIDN'T HANG OUT WITH YOU, SHE WOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN IN THIS POSITION! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!"

Mr Grumpy's face tightened, it was the same look he pulled on little Kenny. The atmosphere in the room shifted a whole 180 degrees and felt thicker.

My dad finally moved towards my mom and pulled her off Mr Grumpy. She sagged towards dad and continued on crying against him and it made my heart break. Her eyes were shut tightly as the tears streamed down her cheeks, I didn't know what to do.

I'd never seen my parents like this, ever!

My dad picked up my distraught mother and went into another room. I just sat there shaking and looking at the floor. My feet swayed wildly off the wooden chair. I felt so overwhelmed right now.

Mr Grumpy was in my face all of a sudden, he was so stealthy that it really made you worry. For such a big guy like him, it was amazing how he could sneak up on you like that. That's probably why he's so good at wrestling.

I felt warm broad hands cupping both of my cheeks before I looked up at him. He was so tall that he had to bend down onto his knees to make me feel comfortable. My bottom lip quivered as his hands trailed down to my waist. I felt so minuscule in his presence.

"I-"

"Shh." He silenced me and I raised my brow at him before nodding. He pulled me towards him and instantly I wrapped my pale arms around his neck. His stare was too intimidating so I just buried my face into his neck, sighing as I took in his familiar scent. He always smelled so heavenly, he had a unique scent that I don't think anyone could ever copy.

Tears began to pool at my eyes. No! I couldn't cry again! I shut my eyes tighter in order to avoid anymore tear works from happening. My eyes were already red and raw. I couldn't do it again! That's ridiculous.

I'm such a crybaby!

* * * *

Before the incident, my room was my safe haven, my house was the warmest place in the world. Literally. But now, it felt as if the warmth had been swept away by a chilling gust. Stripped. I couldn't explain it, but it felt as if the house had no personality almost like the safe house I stayed at. No connection, nothing linking to me.

I sunk into my bed and covered myself with the thick blanket when Alex came strutting into my room fiercely. He jumped onto my bed letting out a meow before trotting all the way to me. I let out a small grin at his fiery attitude.

He was his own version of sassy. Although there was so much space on the bed, he chose to walk directly on my body making me wince and groan. He then decided to curl up on my left arm and purred excruciatingly loud. I rolled my eyes and giggled at Alex.

I laid my head against the pillow and sighed. This week had been horrible! It was like a tornado had picked up my life carrying me higher and higher until it just crashed. My life dropped, the tornado wrecked everything it's path. Leaving me to pick up the broken pieces up, alone.

I then thought about what my mom had said to Mr Grumpy. She said it was his fault that I was in this position.

My mind pondered over that statement. Maybe she was right. I mean since I started hanging out with him, my life has turned into a reckless rollercoaster. I've been to a fight club, in a shootout, kidnapped more than once, to a club, almost molested by Batman, then actually molested by a man who had a bat cave. The list goes on, and it was all because of Mr Grumpy!

If only I listened to Reece when he told me not to befriend Mr Grumpy that one lunch time. If only I wasn't so stupid to listen to my heart and follow him around like a lost puppy.

If only.

* * * *

The next day went as quick as it came.

I spent it under my sheets, curled up watching the sun set and rise. I huffed the fly that landed on my cheek away and continued watching the sun set.

My stomach grumbled yet again, but I couldn't find it in me to get up and actually walk to the kitchen to get me something to eat. Even the thought of eating produced bile in my throat. I didn't want to move, I just wanted to lay here in silence. Alone.

"Honey?" I heard the soft tone of my mom as she knocked on my door. I didn't reply. "Annie are you awake?"

Again, I didn't reply. When the door creaked open I closed my eyes and tightened my grip on the blankets. "Oh, you're asleep." I heard her mumble as she shifted closer. I nearly whimpered when she rubbed my cold cheek gently.

"I'm so sorry baby."

•

Momma was crying again.

But when I was in her sights, she stopped crying and frantically wiped the tears that rolled down her pretty cheeks. Why was momma so sad again?

"Mommy? What's wrong?" I pouted and lifted my arms to her so that she could pick me up.

She sniffled and picked me up holding me tightly to her chest as we walked through the house. I giggled as she began to tickle me.

"Mommy stop!" I giggled and nearly slipped out of her grip from my wiggling. She laughed and I smiled because her tears were gone. Momma was happy again.

"Why was momma sad?" I asked her as she sat down with me playing with her hair. I accidentally tugged on one strand too hard and she winced.

"Sorry momma! I don't want you to cry again mommy! Please don't cry!" I poured and felt the tears pool in my eyes. I curled a finger around hers and whimpered.

"Oh sweetie! It's not you baby! You could never make me sad my babe!" She cooed and kissed my head.

She wiped the tears and I grinned at her. "Is Papa coming home tonight?"

Her face turned sad for a brief moment before she grinned at me nodding. "Yes, now we need to clean up okay baby?"

When papa came, he growled at momma about something which made her cry. I started crying too and he walked towards me.

"Honey!" Momma called Papa and he came to a halt before turning back to her.

"It's okay Anna, can you go to your room and draw me a pretty picture?" Momma asked and wiped her red eyes.

I wanted to stay with momma but she kept nodding so I nodded too.

As I was walking to my room I just heard momma cry and papa yell. What was happening to my mama?

•

* * * *

I felt dirty.

Physically and emotionally.

I watched my skin turn a bruising red colour as I scrubbed myself in the shower. The hot water stung at my skin but I didn't move away from it, in fact, I welcomed it. I didn't know how to express how I felt in this moment, but everything felt out of reach.

I couldn't grasp, comprehend what was happening with my life. So I lathered my body with more cherry blossom body wash. I scrubbed and scrubbed.

I couldn't stop scrubbing. My skin turned an ugly colour from the irritation of the loofah. It was like I was possessed and I just wanted to be clean from the filth embedded into my skin.

I started to cry as the bruised skin came in contact with the hot water. I flinched and wiped my eyes profusely. I scrubbed harder.

My hands shook and I dropped to the floor slowly. The wet tiles made me cringe as they touched my knees. I threw the loofah at the shower wall in frustration. My arms bruised, raw and irritated. I whimpered and wiped the endless tears as the water hit my back.

I really was a cry baby!

After my shower, I went back to my bed. The warmth welcomed me as snuggled against the blankets. I was about to close my eyes until I smelt a heavenly smell that couldn't be ignored.

I looked at the three tacos in the plate sitting on my bed table. I covered my body with the blankets as I sat up. For the first time in days, the thought of eating didn't cause me to want to throw up. I reached out to grab the tacos but stopped momentarily when I saw a pink note next to them.

Intrigued, I plucked the note and read the simple word.

-Adrian

I dropped the note and watched it float gracefully until it landed on the floor. I was shocked that Mr Grumpy came down to my house to give me Taco's when I knew he didn't like them at all. I picked up the first Taco and took a small bite of the crispy shell. After, realising that the food went down without a fight, I gobbled the rest down happily.

After I finished the delicious taco's, I felt sick, sick that even through all Mr Grumpy's thoughtfulness I still accused him of being the fault of my incidents. I mean yes, since I started hanging out with Adrian Miles, I was more exposed to those things, but it was my fault.

I was at fault, because I chose to be around him even when he told me not to talk to him, not to associate with him. I was a horrible human being and friend for ever thinking that Mr Grumpy could ever be the cause of my unfortunate event's, when really I was to blame.

It was my fault for getting raped and drugged.

No one else's.

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Mine would have to be water hands down! Like holy fricken fudge, I've always had an obsession with anything to do with water, chilly days, raining days, winter, the cold, snow. You name it. I love water like how could would it be to make waves or a pool idk.