unbroken (unexpected series)

Chapter 45.5

        Gabriel shook his head, folding his arms against his chest, “To her it was different. Someone touching you to help you live was okay to Oakley, however, your parents touching you because they heard you held her hand wasn’t okay. In fairness she warned your mother that if she tried she would shock them, but they didn’t listen,” he shrugged.

        “She – Oakley,” despite just having drank a full cup of juice my mouth was suddenly dry, “she wouldn’t let them touch me?” she protected me? Defended me? Was she in trouble?

        He shook his head, “Nope, said you wouldn’t want them touching you, that you didn’t give them permission,” I nodded again, overwhelmed almost with new information. “If you want to go see them, that’s fine but please take someone with you,” I was about to protest that I didn’t need a babysitter, “Look, we’ve given out warnings that what happened to you will not be accepted, however you never know, some people are just permanently stuck on stupid,” and with that he turned leaving me on the stairs in a state of utter confusion. Oakley had protected me? When I was sleeping… she wouldn’t let anyone touch me?

        She shocked Carla and Tony? Why? She could’ve gotten in trouble… why would she – Because she is your friend… your mate… she accepts you Kieran… she might not understand why you don’t want to be touch, but she respects that you have made that clear…

        I’m sure Nyx words were meant to make me feel better but I just – this was just more confusing… I never wanted to be touched ever, had said it before and it didn’t matter now, how come this was different?

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Chris POV

        The sun was barely out and I was already showered, downstairs making some coffee, a habit I couldn’t shed despite the heat and humidity that were a constant on the island. I rubbed my face roughly, only to hear a deep chuckle behind me, “Did you sleep?” I could hear the humor in my father voice and while I was grateful beyond words that he had given up so much to follow us, not once but twice, I was in no mood.

        “Did you think some bad was going to happen?” he asked when I didn’t answer this time with much less humor, “I mean, you know if something – even the smallest thing – had happened Lucy would have called you immediately, or brought Kayla home,” I nodded.

        “I couldn’t shut it off… my thoughts… I mean I started thinking about what movies they watched and if something would bring on a flash back for her, then I thought about how others could have said something that would set her off, anything. They went to bed when Ben noticed she was beat, they changed and they put on a movie, Lucy said that Kayla was out in five minutes… the older ones played games quietly up front and after two a.m. I haven’t heard from Lucy,” I mumbled pouring a cup of freshly brewed.

        Dad poured his own cup, coming to the table to join me after, “So… you’re disappointed that she had a good time?” my eyes darted to his.

        “Of course not, I wanted her to have a nice time-”