ALEX'S POV
"Mama." I tried shaking Mom awake, repeating her name multiple times.
"Yes, baby?" She replied, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.
"I had a nightmare." I replied quietly.
"Again?" She asked.
"Y-Yeah. I-I'm sorry." I choked out.
"Baby girl. You don't have to apologize." She spoke gently. "Come here." She held her arms out and I gratefully went into her embrace.
"I-It was about Max, Mom. He did it over and over again."
"He's not going to hurt you again, baby girl. I promise. Try and get some more sleep. I'll be here." She held me in her arms. I laid my head against her chest as I fell asleep in her comforting embrace.
The next time I woke up was at ten o'clock in the morning. I noticed Mom was asleep next to me, so I slowly got out of bed without waking her up and went downstairs to watch TV. I sat on the floor with my water and watched crime shows.
"Good morning, baby girl. What are you watching?" Mom's voice asked. I shushed her, intrigued with my crime show. I heard her snap a photo.
"Send that to me? I want to post it." I said quickly. She laughed and I shushed her again.
During the commercial break I posted the photo on Instagram. Someone commented on how fat I looked and I replied agreeing with them.
"I'm going upstairs." I quickly stated.
"Oh no, you aren't." Mom grabbed ahold of my wrist, causing me to flinch. She sat me down on the couch next to her and faced towards me. "Why?" She asked as she looked me in the eyes.
"Why what?"
"Why do you think you're fat?" She asked quietly.
"Everyone says it, so it's true." I whispered.
"It's not true if everyone says it. You're way too skinny. Do you think I look fat?" She asked. I shook my head. "You're skinnier than me, baby. If you don't think I'm fat, then you're not fat. Please, start eating. For me?" She begged.
"I'll try.." I choked out as I was playing with my sleeves. The next thing she did was unexpected. She grabbed one of my wrists and rolled up the sleeves, revealing fresh, infected cuts.
"W-When did you do this?" She asked, bringing me up to the bathroom.
"T-Two nights ago.. when Max r-r-, I can't say it, Mama." I stuttered. She started cleaning up my cuts, which doesn't hurt as much as it used to.
"Shh, you don't have to say that word. Why did you do this? Why didn't you come to me?" She questioned, one of her eyebrows raising.
"The demons told me to. I wanted to come to you, I really did. The demons told me not to. They said it's my fault Max left. You were crying in your room. You were crying because of me, Mama."
"I wasn't crying because of you. I was crying because I trusted Max. He wasn't trustworthy. I love you so much, baby girl. Nothing is ever your fault. Got it?" Mom asked as she hugged me. I nodded, burying my face against her shirt while grabbing a fistful of it.
"I-I love you, Mom." I mumbled.
"I love you more." She replied. "How about we go and do something fun with Aunt Dallas and Aunt Maddie?" She suggested looking at me.
"Y-Yes." I smiled, excited to do something fun.