Tangled Love

"Emily, the police are here."

Police? Why? What have I done?

I wake from my hazy sleep and roll over, finding myself falling through the air. I let out a small yelp and land hard onto the cold floor with a thud.

"Urgh, that hurt." I groan, turning to look up at an amused Jake who was chuckling quietly, stood in my doorway.

"Get up Muffin, they want to speak to you," he says, running a hand through his hair.

"What do I say Jake?" I whisper loudly at him, panicking. Jake shrugs as if it's obvious.

"Tell them the truth."

"I thought we were going to take care of it?" I ask, confused.

"Yeah, we are going to take care of it. The police can't provide you with much safety Muffin, they're useless. Tell them why you moved here, say you don't want to press charges against Trevor and that you refuse to go back. That should do it."

He holds out a hand and I gratefully take it, groaning as Jake helps me to my feet.

"You'll be fine" he whispers, before kissing the top of my head. I nod against his chest, feeling panic and worry settle inside me. I run a hand through my hair in an attempt to make myself look more presentable.

"I'll be five minutes" I mumble, heading for the bathroom. Jake nods before quickly grabbing hold of my arm, stopping me in my tracks.

"Muffin? Don't let them know about us." Jake

I influenced you in your decision to leave him." Jake scratches the back of his neck awkwardly before giving me

don't screw this up.

*****

me for years." I say quietly to the two female police officers who are looking at me, waiting for an answer. One of them with blonde hair tied back into a small bun is writing everything down in a little notepad and I keep glancing at her warily. The other one is slightly older and looked in her 40's with dark hair. She seems nicer and more

sat on the arm of the couch silently, his jaw clenched tightly in anger. He gives me a small smile, urging me

he's fractured my bones, he pulls out clumps of my hair and he bruises my entire body beside my face." I answer weakly, feeling tears prick my eyes. I stand up off the couch

heal." I comment, glancing at the

step father abused you for years without anyone batting an eyelid wasn't an easy thing to do. It makes me feel weak, helpless. I now know I should have done more to stop it but I'm still classed as a child, home is home. I didn't have anywhere else to go, anyone

you like to come to the station and make an official statement Emily?" The officer responds softly. I shake my head glancing at Jake again, remembering his words.

"No. I don't want to press charges." I respond

It's the first time she's spoken and I know she doesn't believe my truth.

safe here." I gesture around

Melvin?" She asks, totally off topic. I look at her directly, frowning.

I respond confidently,

with Jake Melvin? He doesn't seem like your type to befriend," she probes, her head tilted as if she can see straight through me. I hear Jake cough and turn to see him stand up, his hands in his jean

"Is there a problem with her being friends with me Helen?" Jake asks coldly, tilting

replies tightly, lying through her teeth. Her jaw is clenched and I sense her and Jake have previous history. Jake smirks at her, bouncing forward and back

continues. Helen sighs, admitting defeat. She

who you choose as your

on my face and I narrow my eyes at her,

to me, he let me stay here to keep me safe. He's done more for me than you probably ever will. You're here to talk about

faintly see him smirking from the corner of my eye at my response. Helen's face is now raging, her jaw clenched firmly. She definitely isn't happy with my response. The other officer hands me a