Page 17 of Elusive Embrace

I walk faster until I reach the beginning of his lane then I have to slow down because the road is steep. I arrive outside his house completely out of breath and have to hold on to the fence because I worry my legs are about to give out.

A few more steps. Just a few.

I slowly walk towards the front door. The house looks dark and empty.What if he’s not at home?The thought causes another wave of panic… and tears. For the first time since it all kicked off, there are tears rolling over my cheeks.

He has to be in. Please, please let him be in.

My hand is shaking as I reach for the doorbell. I hear the chime echo through the darkness. Then there’s just silence. I stare at the door, willing some movement behind the small glass panel in the centre.

Light. A light comes on and then Matt opens the door wearing tracksuit bottoms and a T-shirt, his face is all crinkled like he’d fallen asleep on the sofa.

He just stares at me and I stare back.What must he be thinking of me? Maybe I shouldn't have come.Matt takes a step closer and gently pushes the hood off my head. There are more tears rolling over my cheeks. I have my hands clasped in front of me to try to stop them from shaking.

Matt gently cups my face on the side that isn’t bruised, then bends down and lifts me into his arms before carrying me into the house. He pushes the door closed with his foot, locking all evil out.

I collapse against his chest and for the first time in a long time I feel safe.

Chapter 7

Matt

My initial instinct isto try and fix it for her, to go and shout at the monster who did this. To phone the police and send them after him. But I don’t move, I don’t say anything, I just sit here and hold her. I know she’s safe now, I won’t let anything happen to her and that somehow gives me some peace.

Egon, who had been sitting on the floor nosing at the visitor, decides she’s in need of some cuddles and jumps into her lap where he curls up and starts to purr.

“That’s Egon,” I introduce him.

“And the other one?” Nat asks quietly. Her fingers have started to scratch between Egon’s ears and he clearly likes that, lifting his head towards her. His purring seems to calm her down and the tears stop.

“Venkman.”

“Venkman?” She looks at me with her good eye. Her left eye is almost completely swollen shut. There is dried blood on her cheek and chin, probably from the cut on her lip. The rest of the left side of her face is red so that it looks like she’s wearing a mask.

“Yes. Venkman.”

“Where're Ray and Winston?” she asks, leaning her head against my shoulder so her forehead touches my neck.

“Only two Ghostbusters in this house, I’m afraid.” It’s such a ridiculous conversation to have in this moment but it’s also a safe topic.

“Aren't you going to ask what happened?” Nat sniffles finally.

“I’m here if you want to tell me Nat.” Really I want to ask her a thousand questions but what I need is irrelevant at this point.

“Someone took a photo of me pulling the key from your jeans. Al accused me of… I don’t know, us having an affair, I guess. After the pub he had made me promise to tell him if I heard from you again and I hadn’t.”

There are so many fucking things wrong with that.Who the fuck does he think he is?I swallow all my anger as best as I can. Nat doesn’t need me angry, she needs me to keep her safe.

“I should have told him, I—”

"Nat," I say, taking a deep breath, "we’re adults. Hitting someone, for any reason, is just plain childish and, honestly, a bit primitive. If a grown man feels the need to throw a punch instead of having a proper conversation, then he’s not behaving like a man at all. The only time it might be remotely acceptable to hit someone is if your life or someone else's is genuinely at risk. But to hit someone just to assert your authority or force your will on them is completely wrong. So nothing you’ve said or done justifies this. Absolutely nothing. " My voice is steady but I can’t hide my emotions.

Nat is quiet for a moment before sighing, “There were moments over the last few months when I thought so myself. But then… to be honest he didn’t lash out often. Just a few times and he apologised… and usually I—”

“Nothing, Nat,” I remind her.

“What now?” she asks, which is a fucking good question.

“What do you want to do?”

---