Chapter Thirty Five

" You really are a good actor Paige."I could not believe my ears and eyes. Damien took out his phone and played the videos of his assault to me. I could not help but scream. He held me and dragged me to one of the rooms in the sick bay. He locked the door so no one would interrupt us and even shut the windows. I was in tears as I watched him.

"I'm sorry Paige," he said. "I know everything now. I know how much you'd like to hide this. How much you've lied to me? I know."

I tried to speak. "Damien. How did you get that?"

"Does that matter now? Huh?" He joined me on the couch and wiped my tears with his palm. I covered my face in shame of him.

"You weren't going to tell anyone, were you? Yet you were dying inside. That monster!..."

"Damien!"I shrieked. "Please... The walls have ears. I'd die."

He swallowed. He was pained, that feeling of responsibility.

"Fine!"He gasped. " How long has this been going on?"

"Ten years. Precisely, since I was six."

"What?!" he exclaimed. I cried and he embraced me. "I have several copies of that video. I sent them to your phone too. I'm taking that to the police... "

"Don't! Please Damien! Don't!"

"Why? You've been brainwashed, Paige."

"No! You just don't understand!"I shrieked. "He has everything under control. Even the police obey his commands. If this gets to the police, it will only put you in trouble, Damien. Please don't, I'll tell you all you need to know. Since you know everything already, please keep this a secret please."

"Is there more to this?"

"Tell me how you got a video coverage of my room."

"CCTV. I wanted to know what hurt you at home. I've been curious since that day I heard you talk to him on the phone."He said. "I attached a CCTV camera to your school bag while you were at my house."

My school bag. Little wonder he got the perfect view. 

"Oh Damien, I'm going to die. You just don't know what you have done."

"I only wanted to help. Tell me what you're scared of."

"Annabelle Steele is my mother!"I cried. My tears were choking his shirt. "He's keeping her. She's not dead. I'm that little kid. And he's my dad. I don't know how he cleared all traces of her existence. Even influenced the media. He's working with the police, Damien. I can never be free. And he might be watching us right now. I'm so scared, Damien."

He was quiet.

"He's hidden me for too long, Damien. I only wanted to have a chance at life. I shouldn't have. Now I'm done."

"No you're not. I'll find another way. You'll be fine Paige. You have me now. And you have God."

"And you think God wouldn't see me as filthy in his sight? You think God will hear me?"

"He will. It's not your will, Paige. God will love you still. He still loves you."

"I need to find my mother, Damien. I need to find her."

He raised my face to his, looking into his eyes. My soul burned with intense healing. I was calm. He wiped my tears and packed my hair. "It's almost time now. Make sure you reply to my chats today. I'll get you out of there. I promise."

I wanted to argue but he blocked my mouth with his hands. "Let's get out of here." 

*

Hey!!

He sent a text that night, about seven pm. Jude Kam wasn't at home and I was so worried. He's never stayed out that long. I repeated a single line of prayer several times: "Lord, protect Damien. I can't protect him anymore."

I had the necklace Andra gave me in my hands. She had told me to protect him. Now he's out there, carrying information that could lead to his death.

"Damien. Are you home?!"

"No. I'm out on a stroll. How are you doing?"

"I'm okay. Please can you get back to your house as soon as possible."

"Are you scared?" He asked.

"Ain't you scared?"

"No. God protects me. Besides, your dad can't hurt me."

I winced. "Be careful Damien."

"I have a few things to tell you, Paige. First, I left you a guitar at the music store at the gate of the estate. Go pick it when you're ready."

"I have a guitar."

"Don't interrupt me."He warned. "I'm sorry I didn't find out quicker enough. I feel so guilty. I'm sorry for causing you this pain, but I just want you to know that God will help you out of there. And you'll find your mum. I'll be there for you Paige. Please don't lie to me again."

"I haven't told anyone about what I saw. So it's still a secret. "

"Thanks Damien. Please go back to your house. Don't stroll. I'm worried."

"Fine. I've turned back. Don't worry, I'm on the estate, I'll be fine."

"Please take care."

" Your dad is not home yet. Why is your room this dark?"

He still has the CCTV. Gush! I purposely put off the lights in my room. I wanted to be in the dark.

"Damien, you can't be watching that on the road. I'm taking off the camera now!"

"Go ahead "

I found a little ring on the zip of my school bag. I recognized it immediately. I saw the same ring with Damien while I was at his house. I just haven't noticed it on my bag yet.

"Paige, there's a memory card in your uniform pocket. I dropped it there for you."

"Okay, I'll go get it."

I rushed to the laundry room and got the uniform.

"Are you still there?"He sent.

"Found it!"I replied.

"Good. Keep it safe."He sent. "Lastly, Paige, read your Bible tonight. I'm going offline soon. Almost home."

I sighed. "I will. I'd pray too. Thanks a lot."

"I love you Paige. I still do."

Then he logged off. I didn't know what to think. I just hoped that he was alright.

Dear Lord, please protect Damien.