Chapter 27

Winter POV

We pull up into the driveway and I shudder looking at the house. Had it always looked this intimidating and

imposing or was my imagination going into overdrive? I’m reluctant to get out of the car and I watch as Damien gets

out, part of me wanting to cower against the seat and stay in the car. I know he’s told me that father is gone forever

but a small part of me thinks he could be lying, that this could be a trap and that’s what keeps me from getting out.

My brother looks exasperated but I don’t care.

“Winter” he says softly, knocking on my window “it’s safe to come out, I promise he’s not here.”

I just look at him and then slowly, quietly, get out, closing the car door behind me. To my surprise Damien takes hold of my hand and gives it a squeeze, I guess his way of trying to reassure me as we walk up the driveway and to the front door together.

Damien reaches out and opens the door, turning the light on and going inside, while I clutch his hand with a death grip. The lounge room is completely littered with beer bottles and there’s father’s odor still drifting in the air. I gag, putting a hand over my mouth and taking deep breaths. I’m aware I’m still in a hospital gown but I’m too scared

to go upstairs by myself.

“Are you hungry?” Damien asks and I shake my head, tugging at my hospital gown and looking at him with wide

eyes in an effort to get him to understand what I want.

“You want to get changed” he says and I nod.

“Go on then” he urges and I shake my head, pulling on his hand while he stares at me confused.

asks gently and I nod, staring down at the ground. He uses a finger to lift my chin, staring deeply into my eyes as

with you” he says gently and I pull him behind me as I try,

me up, carrying me the rest

bed.

My brother nods and rifles through the drawers and throws a shirt and pants at me, which I catch but I continue to look

that I’m not wearing any at the moment. I

bright red.

says weakly and I point to the top drawer. He acts as though is hand is

as I fight the urge to laugh. He pointedly

dressed on your own?” he asks and I nod. There’s no way I’m about to ask my brother for help getting dressed. I

says then frowns. “Knock on the wall or something when

apologetically and I wait

the easiest part and I was panting heavily by the time I was done. The clothes hung on me but so did the rest of them and it’s not like I had anyone I was trying to impress. I use

Loudly

in. “Anything else

can pick me up. I mime a pen and paper, pretending

he gets the

to my desk where a notepad and pen sat. He grabs it and

swiftly picking me up and taking me

me on the couch and I flinch, looking at

points out and

food or a drink?” he suggests looking a little lost. This is

anyone

sitting next to me, carefully placing my bad foot and leg

his lap.

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