Chapter Thirty One- Laken

LAKEN

My door quietly opens and I try to calm my breathing. My body is nearly trembling from just the thought of it being my dad. He’s never come into my bedroom at night, but I do feel safer with Blake in the room with me if it is him.

I hear my Mom’s soft voice as she says my name. My body is laden with relief, it’s hard to sit up, but I manage to and squint my eyes at her as if I’ve been asleep for a while.

“Mom? What’s wrong?”

“I thought I heard a noise, and then when I came out into the hall to see what it was, I heard a loud noise like something or someone falling on the floor. Was that you?” she asks.

“I don’t know, Mom. I’ve been asleep, but maybe my arm hit the wall or something? Or maybe just this old house making noises? I’m not sure. I didn’t hear anything because, you know, I was asleep.”

She stares at me for a moment, because I know for a fact that sounded so genuine, and internally roll my eyes at myself. I think she’s going to call me out on my lying when she finally