Sleep eat and repeat

**Araya's POV**

I fluttered my eyelids, adjusting my vision to the sunlight that filtered through the curtain. Someone must have drawn it up—I guessed it was either Ash or Alex. Slowly, I managed to get to my feet, dragging my exhausted body to the bathroom.

I leaned against the edge of the tub, feeling drained and weary from everything that had happened to me. How was I supposed to explain to my sister and friend what transpired during the month I was missing? How could I articulate the horrors I had endured and how I suddenly reappeared in their lives?

"Ouch!" I yelped as pain shot through my body. My injuries still ached, and from the mirror, I could see the angry lashes across my back, some narrowly missing my chest.

But the pain didn’t matter. All I wanted was to spend quality time with Ash—because I didn’t know if I’d ever get to return here again after all that had happened.

Tears blurred my vision as I scanned the bathroom, wishing desperately that this was just a nightmare from which I could wake. A sob escaped my lips, and I covered my mouth with my hands, crying softly.

No amount of scrubbing would wash away his filthy scent; no bath would rid me of the torture he had marked me with.

"Are you in the bathroom, Ara?" Ash's voice called out, followed by her footsteps.

"I… yeah, Ash… I'm in the bathroom. Wait outside; I'll be out in a jiffy," I replied quickly, trying to keep my composure.

"Okay, Ara," she said, her voice soft, filled with concern.

I dashed out of the bathroom, wearing a pair of blue jeans that nearly reached my toes and a hoodie. I had to protect Ash, and to do that, I needed to do everything I could. With my thoughts racing, I moved toward her.

The moment she saw me, her face lit up with a smile.

"There you are, Ara! I thought you'd leave me again."

I met her gaze, and I could see the insecurities lurking in her eyes. What had she been through in my absence? The once bubbly Ash had become withdrawn, her trust issues evident. I took her hands in mine and smiled, trying to convey the depth of my feelings.

"I won't leave you again, Ash. You're my life," I said, my voice soft but firm. Her eyes welled up with tears.

"Promise, Ara... you won't leave me again?" she asked, her voice trembling with vulnerability.

I bit my lip to hold back my own tears. Could I really promise her that? I didn’t even own my own life.

"Yes, Ash. I promise I will stay right here with you," I whispered, nuzzling her nose with mine and smiling through the tears that threatened to spill.

She pulled me into a tight hug. "Thank you so much for coming back, Ara. I promise I'll be a good sister. Don't leave me again… or I'll die," she cried into my back as I gently patted her.

"I won't, Ash. I won't," I whispered, my voice breaking as my own emotions overwhelmed me.

"Come on, Ara. I made breakfast," she said, breaking the hug. I wiped my eyes, trying to pull myself together.

"Come on, or Alex will eat everything," she teased, her voice lightening the heavy atmosphere.

I smiled softly and let her drag me downstairs. As soon as we reached the bottom of the stairs, the smell of eggs hit my nose.

"There you are, Ara!" Alex's voice rang out as she took my hand, leading me to the table.

"We made fluffy pancakes with melted chocolate and whipped cream, just for you," she said, grinning.

"And your favorite, Ara: bacon, eggs, grilled cheese, and baked pancakes!" Ash added excitedly, picking up the grilled cheese and smiling.

The smell became overwhelming, and suddenly, my stomach churned. Before I could stop myself, I dashed for the bathroom.

"What's wrong, Ara?" Ash's voice followed me, shocked by my sudden reaction. "What's wrong with you?"

She held my hair back as I emptied my stomach into the toilet. Concern was etched on their faces as she gently touched my shoulder.

"I think I might be coming down with the flu," I managed to say, though it wasn’t entirely convincing. "Alex, I just felt the urge to puke when I saw the eggs."

"Really?" Ash raised her eyebrows, clearly puzzled. "Eggs are your favorite. Have you become allergic to them?"

I was speechless, unsure of what was really happening. Could it be an allergy? Or was something else wrong with me?

"Go get some medicine for your sister, Ash. I'll stay with her," Alex said, her voice breaking through my thoughts. I sighed in relief, glad Ash wouldn’t pry any further. But the confusion about what was happening to me only deepened.

"Okay, Alex. I'll grab some medicine and be back soon," Ash said before heading out. Alex's expression shifted from concern to disbelief, and I felt a cold shiver run through me.

"What happened to you, Araya? Why do you have so many scars on your back?"

A rush of coldness washed over me, and I froze in place. My breath caught in my throat.

"I can understand if you don't want to talk about it," Alex said gently. "But I'll always be here for you. I'm your best friend."

I hesitated, my voice barely a whisper. "Did Ash see… it?"

"No," Alex replied. "I sent her away when I saw the scars. I know you don't want to hurt her, so I did what I could."

A sense of relief washed over me, though it was tinged with sorrow. "I can't tell you, Alex… for your safety, and Ash's. I can't… not right now," I said, my tears finally falling.

"Shh, Araya," she soothed, pulling me into a near-hug. "You don't have to tell me. As long as you're safe and happy…"

Happiness? That feeling had long since faded. All that was left was hatred, a constant sense of danger, and endless pain.

"Thank you, Alex," I whispered. "At least I know Ash will be safe if anything happens to me."

Alex's face shifted as she processed my words, and she pulled me into a tight embrace.

"Nothing will happen to you, Araya. You're safe now."

I nodded slightly, tightening my hold around her.

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**Weeks Later**

I sat on the sofa, holding a bowl of cookies. Ash had gone back to school, and her bubbly personality had returned, a welcome sight that warmed my heart. Emma had visited me a few times and was overjoyed to see me again. She even offered to take me to her brother's place to thank him, but I quickly declined. She often teased me, joking that I’d become a foodie after my return, but I always responded with a big smile.

"What's making you smile, Ara?"

I turned around to see Alex standing in the doorway, a playful grin on her face.

"Did you dream of your Mr. Right?" she teased, widening her smile.

"Oh, Alex, I didn't know you'd come around…" I said, taking a big bite of a cookie, savoring the sweetness.

"Why wouldn't I? You eat, sleep, and repeat," she said, raising an eyebrow. "Sometimes I wonder if you're pregnant."

My whole body froze. Pregnant?

I stared at her, my mind racing.

Before I could speak, Alex noticed my change in expression and stepped closer. "What happened, Ara? Are you okay?"

My mind began spiraling. All those times he... had he used protection? I felt a cold sweat form on my forehead.

"Ara?"

I snapped out of my thoughts and looked at her, unable to speak.

"Ara? What's wrong?" she asked, now tapping my shoulder lightly. But I couldn't answer her. I yanked myself away and ran out.

"Sorry, Alex. I'll be right back," I said quickly as I left the room in a rush.

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