The Hardest Part Is Letting Go Of Your Dreams

She takes a step towards us, the pieces of the now broken glass on the floor crunching under her shoes. I scream for Frank again as Ruby lets out a sob and my hands trail behind me, searching out the knife I left laying there before, my eyes never leaving her. I feel the cool metal beneath my fingers and I trail them along to find the handle, wrapping my fingers around it and taking a deep breath as she continues her path around the table to us. She is almost to us when Frank appears in the doorway, a gun in his hand and he screams "Back the fuck away from my family" as he aims it at her. I freeze in panic, the gun triggering flashbacks in my head and I let out a choked off whine as I swear the pain from my memories is once again ripping through my body and it's happening all over again. I sink to my knees, bringing the knife with me as I struggle to breathe under the intense pressure of the terror I feel throughout my whole body and I vaguely register Ruby's sobs and Frank screaming again before I hear a click and then a female voice but I can't make out what they're saying through the fog that clouds my mind, the only thing I can focus on is the images and the all too real pain. I crouch on the floor, whimpering uncontrollably and time no longer means anything until suddenly a hand touches my arm and breaks me out of my thoughts and I lash out with my knife, making contact with whoever is trying to hurt me and I hear a familiar voice hiss out "Ow fuck." I blink hard, trying to clear my vision and when I come back to myself Frank is kneeling infront of me, clutching his upper arm which I just slashed with the knife. My eyes widen in horror as I look from his bleeding arm to the knife in my hand, dripping with blood and I drop it immediately like it burned me. Frank looks into my eyes and says "Babe it's me, I won't hurt you I promise" and I nod, unable to form words. We remain crouched on the floor, staring at each other until my breathing slows to a normal rate and I open my mouth. "Ruby?" I ask and he nods once before saying "She's alright, a little traumatised but physically fine. She's in our bed waiting for us." I nod, feeling relieved but remembering about our intruder. "What happened?" "She's been arrested and she's locked up, I promise she won't be back here ever again." I nod again, not knowing what to say and Frank slowly pulls himself off the floor, walking out of the room before coming back with the first aid kit. I take a deep breath before joining him at the table and bandaging his arm, cleaning all the blood from him and he smiles weakly at me. I try to smile back but I just can't, too emotionally drained from earlier and his smile quickly turns to a frown. "What happened babe?" He asks and I shrug before saying "I saw that gun and I was right back in that living room, pressed into the floor." Franks eyes widen before he stands and rounds the table, pulling me into his chest. "Oh fuck baby I'm so sorry. Are you alright?" I shrug again and Frank leans down to make eye contact with me, his hands gently cupping my face as he says "You're safe with me, I promise." I nod, fully trusting him, before he helps me stand from the chair but once I'm on my feet I wobble violently and my knees buckle. Frank quickly grabs my waist before I can fall, scooping me up bridal style and carrying me to the bedroom, laying me in bed beside Ruby. "Daddy" she chokes out, sliding over and burrowing herself into my chest as I roll onto my side. My arms immediately wrap around her as I pull her closer, desperate to know she's ok and Frank climbs in behind me, sliding up to press against my back, holding me to him and offering me the comfort and protection I need right now. We all lay awake just holding each other, Ruby and I letting out occasional sniffles and whimpers until one by one we slowly drift off to sleep.

The next morning I wake up panting for breath from a nightmare I haven't had for quite some time now. I sit up, letting out a low sob as I bring my knees up to my chest, wrapping my arms around them and burying my face in them as I sob and tremble. I don't hear the door open so when a hand touches my arm I jump and scream before I realise it's Frank. "Shh baby it's just me" he whispers soothingly and I let out another choked off sob as I launch myself into his chest, desperate for him to make everything better. He sits there holding me for a long time until I feel better before he pulls back and gently kisses my forehead. "Babe I made an appointment for you today, I'd really like you to go and just get it all out." I whimper slightly before nodding and Frank smiles at me. "Good. Go hop in the shower and I'll make you some food. The appointment is in two hours." I slowly stand from the bed and Frank takes my hand, leading me to the bathroom and starting the water for me. As he turns to leave I clutch at his hand again. "Stay? Please" I plead and he squeezes my hand back and says "Of course baby, anything for you."

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