"Do you like it?"

Alexa smiles as Natalie and zoey enter their room. "It's great Miss. Thank you." Zoey says politely. Natalie behind her doesn't say anything and just stares.

"You're welcome sweetie." I say and start walking towards Alexa's room. I open the door and enter first, "This is your room."

She enters the room and sits in the bed. She let's out a sigh of relief when the bed softly sinks underneath her, "You really need to sleep. I can help you unpack if you want. I don't mind."

"Thank you so much." She says. I walk towards her and adjust the pillow so that she's comfortable. When I think she's comfortable enough, I start to leave but she calls me back, "we need to talk Odetta."

"Um—okay." I say and sit at the foot of the bed.

A guard comes in and leaves the suitcase. He mumbles something with a small nod and leaves. I don't bother trying decipher it.

I turn to Alexa. She looks so exhausted that I almost tell her to sleep and we can have this conversation later but I know she'll insist.

"I want to apologize again. I'm sorry." There is pain laced in her voice. "If I had truly known about Mason being your mate, I swear that I wouldn't have had him as a mate. I wouldn't do that to you anyone el–"

I interrupt her, "Look it's okay. None of that was your fault and besides, I already have a mate now so it's all good."

She smiles when I mention I have a mate, "I know but I just want to lay it out there because I couldn't even imagine the pain you went through—" Her voice cracks a bit, "—and I'm so happy for you. You deserve it."

"Thank you. You know, It hurt a lot but I would go through all that again if it means that I'll end up with Casper. I'm also really sorry for mason ending up in prison."

"It's sad that's there but he needs to face the consequences of his actions. I just have a feeling that he wasn't himself when he did that but he hurt you and a little boy. I know Mason and he wouldn't do that." She bites her lip and looks at me, "I hope that it doesn't seem like I'm defending an abuser. I might be a bit stupid and oblivious but I just know it. Mason wouldn't hurt anyone."

I take her hand in mine, "I believe you. I knew him once too." I smile down at her and stand, "You are very strong and you're not stupid I promise. You need to sleep right now or get some rest, you look like shit."

"Thank you so much Odetta for helping me. It's Natalie that I need you to help." She starts crying, "I don't know what's wrong with my baby girl."

"I'll do everything I can." I promise, "You have 24/7 protection and if you need anything, you can come to us personally. We are always available." I inform her and start to leave the room.

"Wait." she exclaims immediately.

"Is anything wrong?" She doesn't say anything. She refuse my help from the bed. She walks over to a carrier bag and takes out a small box.

She hands it over to me and I look at the box with confusion, "I don't know if you'll be able to make it here tomorrow." She starts to say, "Happy birthday in advance Odetta."

A smile makes it way on my face, "Thank you so much. How did you know?"

"Mason told me." She smiles and goes back to bed.

"Is there anything else you want?" I ask.

"No, I'm okay. Thank you again." she says and I finally leave the room.

I leave the room and go to Natalie and zoey's room. They both keep shut when I stand at the doorway of the room, knocking softly, even though it's already open.

"Sorry, am I interrupting anything?"

They both look at each other as if communicating telepathically then they shake their heads simultaneously. I enter the room and take a sit on Natalie's bed. She scoots away and I act like i don't notice.

"Do you two like it here?"

Zoey nods but Natalie doesn't say anything. I look at her, "Do I make you uncomfortable natty?"

She abruptly shakes her head, "Thank you." She mumbles.

"What?"

She looks at me with glassy green eyes, "Thank you for letting us stay and helping mummy." Her voice is so small that I struggle to hear it.

"It's nothing. Your mother is an old friend."

"What has she told you?" Zoey's small voice says.

"Who?"

"Mummy."

"Nothing." I lie hoping they tell me themselves.

"Thank you for putting our mom to sleep. She hasn't slept in a long time."

"Is there anything I should know about?"

"Can you really help me?" Natalie asks with uncertainty in her voice.

I nod, "I can help you."

She and zoey share a look before she reaches her hand into her pink schoolbag. She pulls out a book and hands it to me. I take the book and slowly open it. Inside, they are drawings of shadows. I flip through the pages with my face contoured into one of shock. These look exactly like the creature that choked me. I shut the book and looks at Natalie who is playing with her fingers.

I swallow, "you drew this?"

She nods.

"And you see them?"

She nods.

"How? what do they do?"

"I see them in my dreams and sometimes they come at night."

My breathing becomes uneven, "do they hurt you?"

A tear slides down her cheek, "Sometimes, and sometimes they hurt zoey too."

What. the. fuck.

"Where do they hurt you?"

They share a look and Natalie just shakes her head, "you can't see it."

I give her confused look and she continues, "mum and aunt Cora can't see it. Only Zoey and I can."

"What do you mean 'can't see'?"

"No one can see the marks."

"I can try, just show me."

Natalie hops off the bed and raises her shirt. A choked sob names it way out of my mouth. Zoey follows suit and pulls the sleeves of her baby blue jacket to her elbow. I started to cry. Their skins were littered with black claw scratches, bite marks and whip marks.

I move them to the window so I can take a better look which is opposite the mirror. The marks looked worse in the sunlight. I looked at the mirror but I can't see the marks anymore. I look back at Natalie's back but the marks are still there but when I look at the mirror, they were gone.

"Is this all?" I breath.

Zoey nods but Natalie doesn't react. She just looks at me like she's trying to send a message.

"Wait here." I say and leave the room. I enter Alexa's room and lightly shake her awake. She immediately opens her eyes, "what's wrong?"

"You have to come with me now."

She struggles to get up from the bed but when she does, I immediately direct her to the girls room. I grab hold of Natalie and raise her shirt to expose her back, "don't you see this?"

"See what?" She looks at me confused then her face turns to one of fear, "Is there something wrong with my baby?" She looks like she's about to cry.

"We're leaving now." I declare.

Sebastian drives us all the way home. I quickly leave the car and enter the house. "Javier? Baby?" I quickly shout.

"I'm in the kitchen with Izzy mummy." I hear him say. I immediately run into the kitchen.

"Hi mu-" He starts to say but I cut him off by moving him from his position on the counter to his feet on the floor. I quickly pull his shirt up.

I let out a gasp and move backwards. Natalie, zoey, Alexa and Sebastian enter the kitchen.

"He has it too." Natalie whispers.

Littered all over Javier's body were the same black scratches, bite marks and whip marks on zoey and Natalie's body.

"Can't any of you see this?" I start to cry. They all shake their heads in fear except Natalie and zoey. I look at Javier and cry harder. "My baby." I say and embrace him.
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-Really,really hope you guys enjoyed the chapter. I haven't been updating much because I'm sicker than I thought and I can't even move around without my head hurting or wanting to puke my guts out.
-I honestly loved this chapter more than any that I have written because things are getting better.
-Please tell me what you think of this chapter and I really loved the new episode of Riverdale,I don't even know if to feel happy,angry😭😭.

Byeeeee guys till later.