22.

Tom:
"You think Marco did this to her?" Bill looks at me. "She told me he has a temper.."
"A temper? This is more than just having a temper." I say, referring to the many bruises we just saw on her body. Some of them were older bruises, some were new.

"Why didn't she tell us?" I whisper in a soft voice. "Why—“
"I don't know, Tom.." Bill cuts me off. "She probably had her reasons." He sighs. "For now, she should rest, and so should you. Maybe she'll be able to talk tomorrow."

"I won't leave her alone." I say firmly. Bill looks into my eyes and nods.
He walks past me, patting my shoulder before he walks towards the hallway.

I turn around, looking at Sophie. She looks somehow peaceful as she sleeps, considering what happened to her.
I walk over to her and sit down on the other side of the couch.

I watch her sleep, her breathing slow but steady. She stopped shaking. I softly put my hand in the crease of her neck, she feels warmer again.
I wipe a strand of hair from her face and tuck it behind her ear.

I watch her closely, until I fall asleep myself, next to her.


Sophie:
I open my eyes, looking around confused. It takes me a while before I recognize where I am and why. Fragments of last night flash through my mind, playing like a movie in my head.

I sit up straighter onto the couch, my feet touching the cold tile floor.

My breathing accelerates, my chest tightening, making it harder to get air into my lungs.
I press my hand against my chest, trying to control my breathing. I feel my heart beating wildly in my chest, tears rolling over my cheeks.

I feel a hand on my shoulder and turn my head in panic. I look into his eyes. "Ssshh, it's okay."

I close my eyes briefly, more tears leaving my eyes as I press them close.
I open my eyes, looking into Tom's eyes again and I grab his hand, squeezing it tightly.
My breathing slowing down slowly, becoming more steady again.

I let go of his hand and look away, breathing out deeply.
"You want some tea? Or coffee?" Tom asks softly.
"Tea is fine." I say, my voice barely above a whisper.
Tom gets up and walks towards the kitchen.

Bill enters the living room, his eyes looking at me with concern. He puts a little smile on his face and walks over to me, sitting down next to me on the couch.
Without saying anything I curl up close to him, tears rolling over my cheeks again.


Tom:
I return to the living room and stop walking when I see Sophie curled up against Bill, his arm wrapped around her.

My grip around the mugs tighten a little.
Bill turns his head and looks at me with a little smile on his face.

I sigh in silence and walk over to them.
I put the two mugs down on the living room table and sit down on the other side of the couch.
Sophie sits up straight and grabs one of the mugs, both her hands covering it. She leans against the back of the couch and stares in front of her.

At the same time me and Bill turn our head, looking at each other with the same look on our face.
We stay quiet as she drinks her tea, before we ask the question.

Bill's arm is still slightly around her and he looks down on her. "Sophie," he says softly. "what happened?"

She pulls her legs up, her knees against her chest, making herself smaller. "I don't wanna talk about it." She says, her voice slightly trembling.
"Hey,” I say softly and put my hand on her hand.
She immediately pulls her hand away from mine and shakes off Bill's arm.

We both pull away from her, giving her some space. I look at her. Her hair is messy from sleeping with wet hair, her face covered in smudged make up.
“You wanna take a shower?"
She nods, and briefly looks at me.

"I'll get you a towel and new clothes." I say and get up from the couch. I wait for her to do the same and she follows me upstairs.
I give her a towel, some new clothes and guide her to the bathroom.

I turn on the shower for her and turn around, facing her.
"Let me know if you need anything else, okay? I'll be in my room."
I extend my hand towards her, but pull it back, remembering how she pulled away from my touch a few minutes ago.
I leave the bathroom, closing the door behind me and go into my bedroom.

I wait in my room.
10 minutes went by, 20 minutes, 40 minutes... And I start to get a little worried.
I leave my room and walk towards the bathroom, quietly putting my ear against the door. All I can hear is the water running.

I wait a little longer, in the hallway, before I walk downstairs.
"Where is Sophie?" Bill asks and I shrug my shoulders. "She is the shower, still. It's been an hour.. should we check on her?"

Bill sit up straighter. "Maybe.. you can knock on the door, ask if she's okay?"
I nod but hesitate for a moment.
"Yes, I'll do that." I turn around and walk back upstairs.

The water is still running, but other then that I hear no noise at all.
I knock on the bathroom door. "Sophie?"
No response. "Are you okay?" Still nothing.

I knock again, a little harder this time. "Sophie?"
I grab the door handle. "Can I come in?"
I hesitate, fully aware of the fact that she is probably naked. "Sophie?" I try one last time.

I open the door slowly, hot steam escaping through the crack.
I open the door further and peek through the crack.
I open the door all the way and get inside as I see Sophie sitting on the shower floor.

I turn off the shower and kneel down beside her.
Her arms are wrapped around her leg, her head resting on her knees.
I grab a big towel and wrap it around her, covering up her body.

"Let's get you dry and dressed." I say softly and I pull her up, wrapping the towel more tightly around her body.