Chapter 7

Leah grabbed the sheet from the bed trying not to wake Simon who was now snoring. She wrapped it around her and ran as quickly as she could to the door, she opened it and closed it as quietly as she could. She banged on the door of the room next to hers. A tall dark haired man answered. “Can I help you miss?” he asked looking at her strangely.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

“Jeff. I need to see Jeff.” She replied though the tears that where no streaming down her face. Jeff appeared over Matt’s shoulder he pushed past him and pulled Leah into the room.

“You where right. I don’t love him. I’m scared of him.” She said as she wrapped her arms around him. “Help me Jeff. Please help me.”

“You know I will baby.” He said as he stroked her hair. “Leah, this is my brother Matt and his girl Amy. Guys this is Leah.”

“Hey Leah.” Amy said as she walked to the sheet clad younger red head. Do you want me to find you something to wear?” Leah shakily nodded and Amy smiled as Leah lifted her head and smiled shyly back. “Why don’t you come with me and choose something?” she offered. Leah looked up at Jeff who nodded and released his grip on her. She followed Amy into a bedroom and sat on the edge of a bed as Amy began to pull out various items of clothing.

“Yeh but now I have to make her realise all the crap he probably has told her isn’t true.”

“That’s going to be easier said than done Jeff. How long have they been together?”

“So you don’t know how long he’s been beating her? She may have a years worth of abuse behind her and not just physical, verbal to and that’s going to take time to erase from her memory.”

“Thanks Matt. You’re the best.” He said embracing his brother before pulling away as he crushed his ribs against Matt.

“Ok. I’ll give you a hand.” He said following his brother to the kitchen area.

“Ummmm…. I…I don’t mind.” Leah replied shakily as she stared down at the floor. Amy had yet to notice the tears that where forming in Leah’s eyes.

“How about this Hardy Boyz shirt that I cut up and this faded Jeans?” she offered. Leah turned and looked at the clothes. “Ok. Thanks Amy.” She said with a half smile.

“No problem. I have some new stuff I bought yesterday. Here, put try these. She said handing a matching royal blue bra and thing set to Leah.

Leah slowly got shakily from the bed. She wobbled and Amy caught her before she fell down. She noticed Leah’s tears and quickly pulled her against her. “It’s ok. It’s all going to be ok Leah. We’re going to help you.” She whispered over and over as Leah sobbed against her shoulder.

“She’s crying.” Jeff said as he looked over at the bedroom door where Amy and Leah had disappeared through. He went to walk out of the kitchen to go to her but Matt grabbed his arm.

“But nothing Jeff. Let Amy comfort her and gain her trust. Let her talk to Leah and see if she can find something’s out that can help us. Girls are better at that than us Jeff.”

“Jeff you have…the physical pain but the mental pain is going to be there for a long time yet. You have to be patient.”

“It’s ok. That’s what a friend is for.” Amy replied with a warm caring smile. “Lets get you out of this sheet she said as she carefully undid it. “Do you mind if I help you?”

Amy frowned from the answer and stood behind Leah. She took the sheet from around the smaller red head a dropped it on the floor. Her eyes froze as she looked at the bruises and cuts that covered her back. She lightly ran her fingers over the tender skin. “Leah…” She began. “Oh God.” She whispered. “How long has he been doing this to you?”

Amy didn’t answer but her heart fell as she thought about the pain that Leah must have gone through…was still going through. Amy took the bra from the bed and let Leah put her arms through it. Amy pulled it up onto her shoulders and fastened it. She took the thong and held Leah by the waist as she stepped into it. Amy pulled it up her bruised legs and let Leah get in comfortable. Amy then walked around in from of Leah and looked Leah over from head to toe. She was covered in bruises, cuts and scars that would be with her for life.

“I know but I just can’t believe what he has done to you, to your body and your mind.”

Amy grabbed the jeans and handed them to Leah. As Leah tried to bend over to put her feet through them she cried out in pain. Amy instantly helped her upright and pulled the jeans up for her. Leah smiled thank you.

“I don’t think I can wear that top Amy.” Leah said referring to the cut up top that Lita had laid on the bed.

“I guessed that too. How about this one?” she said as she rummaged through her suitcase and pulled out a Lita baby ‘T’ shirt.

“Thanks” Leah said taking it from her and managing to pull it over her head.