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.

down at the ground. He uses a finger to

can come with you” he says gently and I pull him behind me as I try, very awkwardly to get around

up, carrying me

bed.

drawers and throws a shirt and pants at me, which I catch but I continue to look at him. He’s clearly perplexed

I need underwear, vehemently aware that I’m not wearing any at the moment. I watch as he

bright red.

says weakly and I point to the top drawer. He acts

the urge to laugh. He pointedly looks

on your own?” he asks and I nod. There’s no way I’m about to ask my brother for help getting dressed. I don’t care how long

says then frowns. “Knock on the wall or something

I wait impatiently until

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.

Loudly

comes rushing in. “Anything else

stop him before he can pick me up. I

gets

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

me, before swiftly picking me up and taking me

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

anyway” he points out and I relax, letting him put

food or a drink?” he suggests looking a little lost. This is all new to him but it is

I’m not used to anyone caring for

mime drinking and he brings me water before sitting next to me, carefully

his lap.

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