No Light, No Light (Private)

[Miranda_]

"Why didn't you believe him?" Ty said, staring at Gabrielle in amazement.

"Janeseh is very convincing. Everyone believes every word he says."

[Sarah_K_O_M]

"It's the way he acted, and the way you responded." Gabrielle said slowly, trying to figure out how exactly to explain it. "He didn't ask permission to hold you, just kept grabbing, even when you were practically about to crawl out of your skin. And when you realised someone saw you, you tried to hide. A real... lover wouldn't have done that. That's why I bullshtted him, to get him away from you."

[Miranda_]

"If I do tell you," Ty said, slowly. "You've got to promise not to tell anyone. And I'll tell you inside, not out here."

[Sarah_K_O_M]

Gabrielle looked down at herself.

"I'll go anywhere as long as you let me use your sink for a minute."

[Miranda_]

"Sure. Feel free," Ty replied.

He went up to his door and let himself inside the apartment, holding the door open for Gabrielle to enter. Ty went to the living room, pointing out where the bathroom was for Gabrielle to go and wash herself off.

[Sarah_K_O_M]

Gabrielle went in. She washed her face and arms, then stuck her head under the faucet and rinsed out her hair as best she could. Once the water ran clear and not red she shook her head like a dog and went out to the living room.

[Miranda_]

Ty sat crumpled on the sofa. "You'd better sit down, it's not pretty," he said.

[Sarah_K_O_M]

Gabrielle sat down in an armchair, sitting on the very edge. Her hair was tangled and wet, hanging around her face limply, but it still looked a hell of a lot better than it had before.

[Miranda_]

Ty began wearily, "It's cuz of my brother. Not Ollie; I mean my little brother Mac. A while ago, I told Janeseh that I wanted him to go away and leave me alone. He just smirked and said that if that was how I wanted it, he'd pay Mac a visit instead. I'd never be able to forgive myself if anything happened to Mac, so I had to let Janeseh keep on with the abuse."

[Sarah_K_O_M]

"And because it's his word against yours, you can't go to anyone else either." Gabrielle said with a sigh. "How long?"