After entering Sybil's house I felt myself begin to hyperventilate. Between my usual anxiety, the events that had recently taken place, and then that creepy priest, my brain was just overloaded. I wanted to cry, scream, run and hit something all at one time and I didn't know what to think about that. The most anxiety I had ever felt was during social situations, man I wish I was back in the days when that was the worst of my fear.
"Sweetheart, listen to me. I need to take a deep breath for me, I don't want you passing out."
I heard Sybil's faint voice and did the best I could to follow her instructions. Taking a deep breath my lungs began to relax, after another deep breath my chest began to loosen up, and after my third deep breath my body felt physical relief.
"There we go. Grimald would be so upset with me if you had fainted," Sybil joked before letting a chuckle slip past her lips.
I tried to smile but I think it came out as more of a grimace, this caused Sybil to give me a sympathetic smile.
"Now, are you ready to tell me what happened?"
"Oh my G-God Sybil! I need t-to talk to G-Grimald right n-now! It's urgent! My a-aunt is taking th-things to the n-next step!"
Sybil knelt down in front of my and held my hands in a firm grip and waited. I could tell she had questions so I tried to calm down so I would be able to explain. Deep breaths, I reminded myself. Once I felt calm enough to continue I began explaining what happened.
"My aunt s-sent me to t-town for g-groceries and told m-me to take my t-time. I w-was out all d-day and wh-when I came b-back she..." I paused and tried to control the trembling in my voice. "She h-had the book th-that translates L-Latin and..and 'A-Accalia' on her c-coffee t-table."
Sybil went stiff while she listened to me tell her all of this. Before she could say anything though I quickly continued my story.
"Th-then the man y-you saved me f-from was a p-priest I th-think. He had a l-large w-wooden cross hanging l-low around his neck, and a black r-robe. My aunt s-seemed to be friends w-with him, or at l-least know him p-personally. The way he st-stared at me was gross and m-made my sk-skin crawl, I felt as if h-he was un-undressing me w-with his eyes."
I took another deep breath to calm my nerves, relax my body, and control my emotions. Looking at Sybil made me realize how serious this situation really was. She was sitting back on her heals with her mouth hanging open and small pants leaving her mouth. Her skin seemed to turn a pasty white and her expression just looked terrified and shocked.
"Sy-Sybil? Are you o-okay?" I whispered. I wanted her to say something, anything.
"Oh yes I am dear. You're right we need to have a talk with Grimald, this is serious, dangerous even. Maybe it's not to late to send you home with your parents, the priest doesn't really know who you are. We would just have to call your mom and express your need and want to come home."
That alone caused me to start crying, because all I wanted to do was go home. Unfortunately, that wasn't an option at this point. First off I felt like I was already in to deep, and secondly my parents weren't home.
"Honey why are you crying? Going home should make you feel some relief, of course we have to get Grimald's ok first but-"
"My parents aren't h-home."
Sybil stopped when I interrupted her and looked at me confused.
"What do you mean?"
"They aren't home, they are t-traveling. The last t-time Mom called m-me was when sh-she told me that s-since I'm staying w-with my a-aunt, they were t-taking advantage of it and t-traveling."
Before either one of us could say something else there was a knock on Sybil's back door.
"One second dear. I bet that's Grimald I am going to go out and speak to him, then I am going to make you a cup of tea and call your aunt."
My head snapped up and I gave her a confused look. Why would she need to call my aunt?
"I am going to inform her that I need you to stay here tonight. It might raise some suspicion with her but I don't think it will be enough to cause any problems."
For the first time all day I smiled. The thought of having a night away from my aunt and somewhere I felt self sounded amazing. I was quick to nod my head at Sybil to show her that I thought this was a great idea. She chuckled at my eagerness before standing up and opening her back door.
"Is Alexa alright?"
Grimald's deep voice was so soothing and calming. Knowing he was here made me feel safe, even if it was for a little while.
"She is physically fine, but we have some serious problems. Her aunt is starting to take things to far. I think we need to do something, make a move of some kind, I just know we can't let this keep going."
The seriousness in Sybil's voice seemed to set Grimald on edge. Usually his voice was full of emotion whether it was concern, or a smile but suddenly his voice lost all emotion.
"Come outside so we can discuss it."
When Sybil headed to step outside I jumped off her couch and ran after them. I couldn't be left alone right now. What if that creepy priest barged in while they were outside and attacked me or kidnapped me? There were so many scenarios running through my head and none of them were good.
"Go sit down Alexa, you need to rest," Grimald whispered.
I shook my head so fast I think I gave myself whiplash.
"There i-is no w-way I am st-staying in there by m-myself."
With a sigh Grimald sat on the back porch and pulled me between his legs between turning to face Sybil.
"What happened?"
Quickly Sybil repeated everything I had told her ten minutes earlier, my aunt, the priest, that disgusting book, all of it. Grimald just sat there quietly and listened with rapt attention while keeping his large arms wrapped around me. I felt myself sinking back into his chest while they both began talking about what our options were. Before I knew I was sound asleep on his chest, feeling peace I hadn't felt since I showed up on my aunt's front porch.