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.

with you?” he asks gently and I nod, staring down at the ground. He uses a finger to lift my chin, staring deeply into my

come with you” he says gently and I pull him behind

and scoops me up, carrying me the rest of the way and

bed.

and throws a shirt

aware that I’m not wearing any at the moment. I watch as he

bright red.

top drawer. He acts as though

the urge to laugh. He pointedly

you get dressed on your own?” he asks and I nod. There’s no way I’m about to ask my

wait in the hallway” he says then frowns. “Knock on the wall or something when your

apologetically and I wait impatiently until he’s left the

in my mind as I begin to wriggle into my underwear and pants, every movement excrutiating. The shirt was 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 my fist to knock on my

Loudly

rushing in. “Anything else

shake my head and then stop him before he can pick me up. I mime a pen

gets the

where a

me, before swiftly picking me

me on the couch and I flinch, looking at him in horror. “You need to

points out and I relax, letting him

little

used to anyone

he brings me water before sitting next to me, carefully placing

his lap.

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