Hi guys.
I'm so sorry that I haven't been updating, I've just been having trouble writing lately so this took a while.
Anyway, hope you enjoy this chapter :3

Previously

I could feel tears spewing from my eyes.

"H-he r-raped me."

I saw Ash's face turn mortified.
He pulls me into a hug.

"Serena I'm so sorry."
He whispers, pulling me closer to him.
"A-Ash." "Yes."
He pulls away from the hug and looks into my eyes.

"The boy on the newspaper was
him..."

-------------------------------

I could feel my whole body shaking uncontrollably as I see Ash's expression turn horrified.

"H-he's coming f-for m-me."
I quiver.
"No he's not Serena, and if he does I'll protect you ok?"

As his arms embraced me, I feel a feeling engulf my body, something warm, taking me away from my worries, and making me feel safe, for the first time in so long.

I stay cradled in Ash's arms till a knock on the door causes Ash to let go of me and make his way over there to open it.

He opens the door to reveal a delivery man holding our food.
Ash takes it, thanks him and walks back to my bed.

"Here you go Serena."
He says, handing me my salad.
I take it and thank him.

I would eat it but I'm really not hungry.

Ash spots me not eating.
"Why are you not eating Serena?" "Not hungry." "Ok, but can you just have a little bit, I don't want you to starve yourself." "Fine."

I rip off the piece of plastic off the top and start eating my salad with the fork that was with it.
I eat about a quarter of it before I put it down.

I really can't eat when I feel like this.

I see Ash look at me worriedly.
"Are you not going to eat any more Serena?" "I'm full."
I say with no emotion and Ash finishes up his pizza.
"I'm going to have a shower then go to bed ok Serena."
I nod and flop back on my bed.

Why does my life have to be so horrible.

I'm glad I've met Ash but I want to know why he's so kind to me.
People in general are never kind to me, let alone boys.

He's either an alien and has met hardly anyone else, or he's god and has to be nice to everyone.

Yes, that must be it.
He's god.

--------------------------------

I hear footsteps coming towards me.
"Hey Serena I'm going to bed now ok."
I look at him with no emotion.
"Ok. Night."
I say bluntly.

He frowns slightly but walks over to his bed and gets in it.
"He's not going to get you Serena. I'll protect you ok."
I look at him in surprise.
"T-Thankyou Ash"

I guess he really does care about me.
I smile at him and close my eyes.

Today's actually been an ok day.
I'm glad Ash is here.
I can finally feel a little free now.

--------------------------------

I wake up to see Ash, once again, trying to comb through his wet hair.

I sit up and rub my eyes.
God I feel horrible...

I slump back down into bed and cover my eyes with my arm.

Owww my head..

"Hey Serena are you ok?"
I lift my arm to see Ash looking at me.
"Yeah.. I'm fine. Do you want me to comb your hair for you?" "Uh, yer please."
He smiles at me and I sit up.

My headache feels even worse and my stomach is killing me, but I try to ignore it and comb Ash's hair.

"Are you sure you're ok Serena. You look quite pale." "I'm fine Ash."
I finish combing his hair and hand him the comb.
"Thanks Serena."
He smiles at him and I fake smile back.

I feel horrible..

Ash touches my forehead.
"You're not ok Serena! You're burning!"

Ash quickly jumps off the bed and grabs a wet flannel out the bathroom.
He pushes me back onto my pillow and places the flannel on my head.
"Ash I'm fine really."
I try to sit back up but Ash pushes me down again.
"No Serena. You're ill and you need to rest ok. I'll call professor Oak and tell him that I won't be doing any activities today ok."
I look at him in surprise.
"You don't have to look after me Ash." "Yes I do Serena. You're ill and you need someone to take care of you."
I smile at him.
"Thankyou." "No problem. Now, what's wrong? I need to find out what illness." "Well, my stomach and head hurt, and I feel sick, and my head feels really hot."
I see Ash frantically type of his phone before he quickly puts it down.
"You have Novovirus I think which isn't too bad. But I have to make sure you're drinking lots ok." "Ok."

I suddenly feel like I'm about to throw up and shakily run to the bathroom before throwing up into the toilet.

I feel Ash pull my short hair back from my sweaty face and gently rub my back.

He's so kind.
No other boy has done this for me.
They would just make fun of me cause I looked bad.

I close the toilet lid and sit on it as more pain hits my stomach.
I wrap my arms around myself to try and ease the pain.

Every time I'm able to escape the thought of that devil.. that bastard, something else hits me, I'm trapped, forever, I can't do anything to run from him.

"Hey Serena take these."
I look up and see Ash holding some sort of pills and a glass of water.
"This should help with the pain if you eat them."

I shakily take them and swallow them, sipping the water afterwards.
"Thankyou Ash."
I whisper and shakily stand up.

God my head hurts...

I slowly step towards the bathroom door when I feel a arm wrap around me.

I feel myself being picked up and I quickly look up to see Ash carrying me.

But.. Ash's touch, freed me, it shattered that realm of hopelessness I was consumed in, it brought me back, to where I'm safe, in his arms.

I feel my face heat up.

Wait.

Am I blushing?!?!
Calm Serena calm!!
Why am I blushing?!?
Do I actually like him?!?
What is happening to me?!?

This illness really is messing me up..