<Shina>

The first thing I knew when I woke up was pain. My head felt like it had been held in a vice for hours, if not days. Giving a soft moan of pain, I tried to slowly sit up as I felt an arm reach behind my back to help lift me up.

"Eli... Why does my head hurt so much?" I mumbled, my eyes refusing to open.

"My dear, sweet Shina. I'm not Eli."

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<Elijah >

The police were there, checking everywhere for evidence while I stood just inside the bedroom, staring at the empty bed in front of me.

Tears fell from my face to the floor as my knees buckled under me, dropping me to the floor as the sobs began to tear themselves from my body.I hadn't been here when she needed me.

I'd failed her again and let that monster get his hands on her.

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<Leon>

I had been watching her sleep for hours after bringing the children home from my grandfathers. I'd had to explain that she was exhausted from the trip, carefully keeping her sedated while he gathered the children and helped me buckle them into their seats.

With a promise to visit when she was feeling better, I had driven us home and settled the children into bed before moving her into our new bedroom. She had been so peaceful during the night, until she had started slowly waking up, her eyes squeezed shut in pain.

Perhaps I had dosed her a few too many times, but I couldn't afford to let her wake up and panic the children.

I'm sorry love, but don't worry. I'll make sure to punish myself later.

Unless you wanted to punish me...

Please punish me...