Damien's pov

I stayed awake all goddamn night pacing around, punching the walls, vigorously practicing my combat moves, and ever since the sun came up, I've been sitting down meditating so I don't walk over next door and slit the throat of the vile creature I met last night.

I really wanted to visit Ella today. She just seemed so innocent, too innocent. How on earth was she with such a monster? How the hell could he treat her like shit?

It took a while to debate on wether or not I should visit her. After some time and against my better judgement, I found myself walking on over, across the yard.

Knock knock knock

I looked around whilst waiting for the door to open. The douche's car was gone, so I knew there wouldn't be any trouble. It's not like the place is wired with cameras, was it? I hope not.

The door opened slightly, only enough to allow Ella to slip through before closing the door behind her.

"Listen, you can't be here. Please go home and don't come back. I'm sorry, I can't explain why. Please, just go." She said in a whispered manner.

She looked so hurt and scared...my fucking heart is breaking for her.

"So, you're telling me, that you're just going to listen to him? What am I? A bad guy? I'm your next door neighbor. I'm not going to hurt you or kidnap you or anything like that. What's your boyfriend, is it? What's his problem?"

She looked extremely nervous as she fiddled with her fingers and looked down at the ground, contemplating on wether or not she should respond.

"He just wants to keep me safe, that's all. Now really, you have to go."

I must've looked astounded. I couldn't believe she actually believed that!

"No, he's not! He has you brainwashed to believe that! It's like you have Stockholm. He's abusing you! Can't you see that?" I practically yelled in fury.

She cowered and I saw that I had frightened her. She dropped to her knees immediately in tears, begging for forgiveness.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. I-I"

I gently picked her chin up to look up at me. I looked down into her glossy tear stained eyes and smiled.

"My god you're beautiful. Come on. Let's go over to my house and get you something to drink. You'll become dehydrated otherwise."

She looked stunned at my words but carefully stood up and followed me. Once we were in my house, I poured her a glass of water and had her sit down at the little two seater table I had in the kitchen area. I grabbed a pen and paper and set them down next to her.

"Answer three questions for me and if I find them to be honest and good, I'll let you go back. Otherwise, I would like you to write your boyfriend a note telling him you'll be out of town for a while and that he needs to pack up his stuff and leave."

She nodded at my words and I began.

"First question, do you feel safe at home?"

She thought about it for a minute then answered honestly.

"Yes and no."

"Alright, next question. Why do you allow your boyfriend to treat you the way that he does?"

Immediately she responded, defending him like a body guard with her words.

"It's not his fault! See, a long time ago I hurt him and I deserve it. I'm an awful person and he still loves me regardless and he does what he does because he is scared of losing me. But it's my fault, not his. Plus, he's gotten so much better! I can have my friend Ross over and I'm allowed to go grocery shopping alone and I can-"

"Okay, enough. Last question. Has he ever harmed you?"

I saw her mind struggling to process and answer the question. The answer had better be no or that fucker is going to die.

"I, well he- no? No, he's never directly physically hurt me. I-May I go home now?"

What the fuck does that even mean? Never directly physically hurt her? She's choosing words flawlessly, like she's been interrogated like this before.

"Ella, what do you mean by that? Has he harmed you indirectly? I already know that he verbally abuses you." I asked and stated.

"You said three questions and then I could go. I'm leaving now." She got up and I grabbed her wrist.

I only had a firm grip, nothing to harm her, but she flinched and I quickly let go. It wasn't until now that I realized she had a jacket on this entire time. She had one on the other day too.

"Ella, take your jacket off." I ordered in a firm tone.

She winced and tears started reforming in her eyes as she slowly but surely took the jacket off. My eyes were set ablaze as I saw her arms. There were cuts and burn marks all over them. They looked...self inflicted. Oh my fucking god I was going to kill him. He made her do this?!

"I'm calling the police!" I yelled and grabbed my phone out of my pocket.

"No! Please don't! It was me, I did it! He didn't hurt me!" She pleaded as I dialed 911 on the keypad of my phone.

"Why shouldn't I? He fucked you up, Ella!"

"I'll write the note! I'll-I'll tell him to leave! Just please don't get him into trouble. I don't want him to go to jail. He's not a bad guy!"

Are you fucking kidding me? I growled before turning my phone off, not having clicked the call button yet.

"Sit. Write the note and I won't put that fucker's ass in jail." I commanded before going to the other side of the house to let my anger out.

She'd never forgive me if I killed him or sent him to jail, but maybe she'll understand and thank me later for getting her out of this toxic relationship.

I heard her silently sobbing as she scribbled out a note. I walked back into the room and looked over her shoulder and read what she had written.

"Dear Brandon,
It has come to my attention that your actions in the previous months have led me to having severe nightmares, self harm, starvation, a fearful way of living, and even suicidal thoughts. You told me long ago that if I ever harmed myself because of you, to leave you. Therefore, I'm going away for a few days and I want all of your things out of my house when I get back. We're through.
-Until next time, Ella Rose"

"Starvation?! Suicide?!" I shouted and she hid curled up in a little ball.

I angrily took the letter and after telling Ella to stay put, ran over to her house, set the letter down in the kitchen, found a suitcase, packed up everything I thought fit for a week's stay, then went back inside my house. She was still sitting in the dining chair, just as I instructed her to.

I dropped the suitcase next to her, sat down in the other chair and held my head for a moment.

"What have I done? You're now just as terrified of me as you are of him." I said aloud.

She looked up and then after a few moments, moved her hand over slightly and set it on my shoulder.

"I haven't been without someone for so long, I just, I don't know what I'll do now." She said meekly.

I could see the fire in her eyes the moment I met her. She'd be just fine on her own. She's strong and a fighter. But for now, I felt the urge to take care of her. She was fragile and scared. Even of me...and that was the last thing I wanted.

"You can stay with me for a while until he's gone. Don't worry, I won't force you to stay. You're free to call family or that friend of yours if you wish, but my home is open to you. There's a spare bedroom you can have."

"Thanks...I umm, I don't really want my family knowing why I can't stay in my own house and Ross kind of still lives with his parents, so...I'll pay you rent and I can cook and clean too."

"No need to pay rent, but I wouldn't mind a decent meal if you can cook." I said, genuinely hoping for a real home cooked meal in the future.

"Deal."