It’s all a dream. I am not really free. Am I? Did yesterday happen?  It can’t be. The monster will be here to wake me up soon and with that, the darkness that has seemed to disappear will surround me again. 

Nancy is dead. He killed her because of me. It’s all my fault. I know it is no matter what anyone else says. She died because of me.

Finally forcing my eyes open, I take in my surroundings.  I’m in Ashley’s room. It’s safe here.

Feeling an arm wrap around me and pulling me close, I freeze in fear before realizing it’s Ash.  We kissed last night. It was my first kiss, and it was wonderful. Her lips where so soft and gentle on mine. I could easily become addicted to them.

“Spence, are you awake?” Ashley breathes into the back of my neck. Sleep still filling her voice.

“Yes”

“We should get up. We have a lot to do today, but staying in bed cuddling with you sounds better.” I smile at the thought of staying here all day like; however; it’s short lived when I realize what I have to do today.

“Let’s stay here” snuggling more into the embrace “I don’t want to deal with anything else today.”

“I wish we could baby, but we have to go file a report with the police today.” She called me baby. Another smile erupts across my face.

“Okay”

Talking to other people is so hard for me. I have been silent for so long. It’s hard to break free from it but I must do it for me and for Nancy.

I remember how her face lit up when she heard me talk after so many years.  Now I must talk again to someone who is not Ashley.  I have to do this. This is what Nancy would have wanted. Me to be free of him forever. I think that is what she always wanted, and I am going to see that it happens now.

I won’t remain silent about what happened behind those closed doors anymore. I will talk and tell my story and Nancy’s.  He will pay for everything that he did and stole from us. He stole my childhood from me, and I will never be able to get that back.  He stole Nancy’s life. 

He will not get away with what he has done to us. I will fight him.

Earl is going to pay for what he did to us for all those years.