My body trembled with the ache of the night before. Sleep didn't help me much. I sat up, put the sling around my neck and rested my arm in it.

The last thing on my mind as I entered the kitchen was food. I took the pre-made coffee and poured it into a cup, it was still hot. The steam swirled into the atmosphere as I made my way outside. On the step, I stared at the garden.

I remembered the garden from my childhood, the swing set and the slide, the peonies in the corner and the rose bush I drove my bike into. I remember playing catch with my dad and him teaching me how to kick a football, and the countless summers of water fights and hula hoops showdowns.

It should have tasted sweet, but it was bitter, just like my coffee, worn down by the memory of what came next. All night I tossed and turned trying to get those memories out of my head, but they were here to stay whether I liked it or not.

I sipped on the warm liquid energy and let the wind whip my hair. The aroma of the wet soil seeped into my lungs, I hoped maybe it would fertilise me for the growth I needed.

"Hey sleepy head." Henry sat down next to me, his eyes were nature's finest creation, a reflection of the beauty the world could hold. They had me wrapped up in vines, I was putty in his hand, however much pain I felt, he was there to soothe me, sharing his compassion like how rich soil shared it's nutrients.

"Hey, you never came to bed last night?" I frowned a little at him.

"I wanted to give you some space, you seemed like you needed some processing time."

"You're right, I did." I sighed.

My brain had been working over time, not only were Christopher's words swirling around my head but so were Kassie's. Why did she warn me? Why did she even bother? The answer must be simple, she loves me, but the answer was never simple. Was she there? Did she see me with Jake? Did she have a moment of weakness? Or was it planned all along. My thought system was at capacity, I was ready to combust.

I took a deep breath, inhaling the cold air into my lungs and breathed out my worries. I was only going to make it worse if I kept over thinking it.

"You're quiet." Henry commented.

"I'm just trying to breathe, yesterday was such a mess."

"You know it wasn't your fault, don't you Daisy?"

"If I wasn't there, then it would have never happened, I probably traumatised that young boy." I put my coffee down and rested my head in my hands. Despair was rife in me, as was guilt.

"Come here." he whispered.

I leaned my head into his chest and held him for the longest time. I never wanted to let go, because in that moment I felt something that I'd been missing in my life. He was there for me unconditionally.

"I was looking around earlier and found some VHS tapes in the cupboard, we could watch a film and then maybe you could let me cook for you later."

I nodded into his chest before I pulled away from him and sat myself up. "I need to call my dad."

"Use the encrypted phone, I'll be right with you."

I left him in the garden and called my dad.

"Hey, how is she doing?" my dad answered the phone.

"It's me, Dad." I sighed.

"How are you sweetheart?" he breathed out into the phone microphone, making a buzzing sound.

"I'm so sorry, if I wasn't there then Jake would have never had to go through that, I put you all in danger." I choked on the words that left my mouth.

"Daisy, Daisy, Daisy, calm down my baby girl. You were never to know and you handled the situation exactly how I would've. Jake never saw or heard anything, he will be okay. Children are resilient. You need to stop taking the dagger to your own heart, you're not dying for anyone but the demons in your head. I love you and I've missed you and I'm never going to give you up again, okay?" He breathed in deeply, exhausted from not taking a breath.

I wanted nothing but to believe him, maybe he was right about one thing. I had a dagger held to my heart. I knew this was no Romeo and Juliet; I was dying for no one and no one was dying for me. This was an outstanding battle with myself. All these years of lying, taking abuse and keeping my mouth shut had me subdued to real emotions, all I felt was a numbness. But now my body had been submerged in the reality of feeling. Granted, feeling all the pain, that I'd held myself back from all at once was crippling. I was a mess, but not everything I felt was bad.

"I love you Dad," I sniffled back the tears, "can you give him a hug from me please?" I asked.

"Of course I can Daisy, I love you too." And with that I put the phone down.

"So I have The Titanic, Forest Gump or Scrooge." Henry's voice boomed behind me. I knew he had heard most of the conversation and was looking to distract me.

"That's a weird combination." I forced laughter from my lips.

All he wanted to do was care for me, but I felt like I was beyond repair.

//what do you think of the story so far?

What do you think is going to happen?

Hope you have all had a good winter break/holiday//

P.S you got a MAYJOR twist coming!!!