How can I heal this time? – Liana
Elias
The doctor didn’t sugarcoat it.
“Dehydration. Superficial wounds. Contusions along her ribs, arms, and wrists, likely from the restraints. No signs of internal trauma, but… she’s not okay. Not up here.”
He tapped his temple.
I nodded, jaw locked. My hands were still bloody, not from the men I left behind.
From her. From the broken skin on her wrists when I freed her.
When they finally cleared her for discharge, I signed the paperwork with a hand that wouldn’t stop shaking.
She didn’t say anything.
Neither did I.
The drive home was silent.
Liana sat curled in the passenger seat, her knees drawn up, my jacket wrapped tight around her.
She stared out the window like the world outside didn’t matter. Like she wasn’t really seeing it. And the look scared me.
I kept glancing at her hands.
Wrapped in bandages. Pale. Still.
I should’ve protected her.
The precaution had failed.
I had failed.
And now she was back in my car, but I could feel how far away she still was.
Liana
When we walked into the apartment, Miso bounded toward us, tail wagging.
But the moment he got close, he slowed down. Head low. Ears back.
Like he knew.
I sank to the floor, and he nudged his big head against my shoulder, then my hand.
No barking. Just… soft. Gentle.
I pet him with a trembling hand.
I didn’t want Elias to see how badly I was shaking. But he did.
He crouched behind me, one arm steady around my waist. “I’ve got you. It’s okay. You’re home now.”
I swallowed hard, nodded.
I was supposed to be relieved. But my chest felt tight.
Like maybe I’d left something behind in that room. Or maybe something had been taken.
The water steamed softly around us.
I sat on the edge of the tub in my underwear, knees drawn up, hair dripping down my back.
“Can you… stay?” I’d asked.
Elias didn’t hesitate.
He knelt behind me now, pouring warm water over my hair, fingers moving gently through the tangles.
No talking. Just soft, repetitive movements.
When he was done, he reached for a towel, wrapped it around my shoulders.
Then he grabbed another one and gently patted my head dry.
I stared straight ahead.
The mirror was fogged.
My face was blurred. Like someone else.
“You really came,” I whispered.
He paused, towel in his hands.
Then he kissed the back of my neck. Soft. Steady.
“Of course I came for you.”
Elias
She curled into my side that night, body warm but distant.
I watched the ceiling.
She was safe now. But I couldn’t forget the way she looked when I found her. Couldn’t stop seeing the bruises. The cuffs.
And I knew I couldn’t do this again. Never.
For years, I’d lived without roots. Without strings. No ties, no promises. Easier that way.
But now?
Now the idea of not being able to protect her made me sick.
Only the possibility that people were gonna hurt her to get to me. I couldn’t.
Maybe it was time to walk away from the badge.
So it won’t happen again.
Liana
I didn’t sleep. But I stayed there.
Pressed against his chest. Listening to his heartbeat. Letting my body remember what it felt like to be safe.
My mind spun.
I was tired. Scared. Still broken in places I couldn’t name.
But I was here.
And he was here.
I didn’t know if I’ll get through this.
I hope I will.
At least, I get to sleep in his arms now. And my body felt safe again in his arms.
