Chapter 7 - The Aftermath
---
Six months later, Leo was still having nightmares.
He'd wake up screaming. Calling for me. Crying.
"Mommy, I dreamed Uncle Victor came back."
"He's in prison, baby. He can't hurt you."
"But what if he gets out?"
"He won't."
"But what if—"
"He won't."
I held him until he fell back asleep. Every night. For weeks.
The therapist said it would take time. That trauma like this doesn't heal overnight.
I knew that. But I wanted it to heal faster. I wanted Leo to be okay.
I wanted to be okay.
But I wasn't.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Victor's face. His smile. His foot on my son's fingers.
Every time I heard a noise, I jumped. Reached for a weapon. Prepared to fight.
I was living in a war zone. Even though the war was over.
Sarah called. Checked in. Made sure we were safe.
"He's not getting out, Maya. I promise."
"I know."
"Then why do you sound like you don't believe me?"
"Because I don't know how to believe anything anymore."
She was quiet. Then: "You need to talk to someone. A professional."
"I'm fine."
"You're not."
"I'm fine."
"Leo needs you. You can't help him if you're drowning."
I hung up. Sat in the dark.
She was right. I knew she was right.
But I didn't know how to ask for help.
I'd been strong for so long. Fighting. Surviving. Protecting.
I didn't know how to be anything else.
---
The next morning, I made a decision.
I packed up Leo's things. Packed up mine. Sold the house. The furniture. Everything.
We moved to a small town in Vermont. Population 3,000. Nobody knew our names. Nobody knew our story.
We started over.
New house. New school. New life.
Leo made friends. Joined a soccer team. Started smiling again.
I opened a small bookstore. Quiet. Peaceful. Safe.
We were happy.
For a while.
---
May you like
If you enjoyed the story, bookmark my site: https://vibe.treeiq.biz New stories are posted daily, so check back for updates.
---
