Real Love
Copyright© 2025 by DB86
Chapter 6
Callie woke up with a choked cry, the remnants of terror clinging to her. In her dream, she’d been trapped again, paralyzed in the darkness of the House of Horrors basement. Her heart hammered against her ribs, as she struggled to focus on the familiar shape of her room.
The door creaked open, and Callie flinched. Landon stood in the doorway, his brow furrowed and eyes wide with concern. Scout, her loyal dog, whined softly at his heels.
Callie blinked rapidly, trying to tear her gaze away from the lingering shadows of her nightmare and focus on her brother’s worried face.
Anderson was standing behind Landon, wearing just a pair of shorts and holding a gun. They both had the same worried look on their faces.
“Are you okay, Callie?” Landon asked, out of breath. “We heard you scream out.”
Landon knew firsthand how disturbing nightmares could be.
“Yeah, it was a nightmare. Sorry, I woke you up, guys. I’m okay, you can go back to sleep.”
“I’ll stay with her,” Landon said to Anderson, sitting on the edge of her bed. Anderson nodded and went back to his room.
“Everything is going to be okay,” Landon said quietly, moving to her side to rub her back. “I know it doesn’t look like it, but it will be. Trust me. You’re not alone. There are a lot of people on Team Callie, ready to support you.”
“Team Callie?”
“Something Grace came up with that helped me in the past,” he explained. “It’s all the people you can count on when you need help.”
Callie nodded.
“I’ll leave Scout with you. He will be happy to sleep in someone’s bed again. I don’t have nightmares since I sleep with Grace,” Landon said, with a sigh.
He smiled at Callie and offered her his hand. She took it and smiled at him. Scout climbed to her bed and lay at her feet. Callie rubbed his head.
“Listen, I must go to Seattle tomorrow for my monthly check-up. Maybe you could come with me and talk with Doctor Michaels about what happened,” Landon suggested.
“Oh, Landon! Your PTSD! I should have never come here. All this stress is the last thing you need. I feel so selfish. I’ll tell Anderson to take me to a secure location...” Callie was now on the verge of tears.
“Shh ... Callie. Relax. I’m doing much better now. I haven’t had an episode in almost two years. I’m a husband and I’m going to be a daddy. I’m never going to send you away. It’s not going to happen. I’m your big brother and your protector. Don’t worry, I can handle a bit of tension.”
“I wish this whole thing would never have happened,” Callie whispered.
“I understand where you come from, sis. Dealing with the physical toll the attack took on my body was easy. The hardest part to deal with was the psychological effects. Doctor Michaels helped me with that, and he can help you, too.”
Landon gave Callie one last squeeze before standing up. “Try and get some sleep. If not, don’t be afraid to look for me. I’ve been up many nights because of my nightmares. And now, because Grace rolls over all night and wakes up to pee two or three times a night.”
With that, Landon closed the door behind him.
Scout blinked at Callie innocently, eyes wide, and she clung to the dog as if he was a lifesaver.
“Are you really going to risk your sister’s life?” Anderson asked Landon.
“We are going to Seattle.”
“But—”
“No buts,” Landon said firmly. “We talked about it last night. Callie needs professional help to deal with what happened to her. She is coming with me to talk with my psychiatrist.”
“Driving to Seattle is too dangerous,” Anderson replied, not giving up. “Give me a day or two and maybe...
“Hell no!”
Anderson’s eyebrows flew up.
“I’m not a prisoner here ... or am I?” Callie asked coldly.
“No, of course not, but it’s in your best interests to remain here,” Anderson said at once.”
“I’m sure a quick drive to Seattle and back wouldn’t be a problem,” Landon interrupted, moving to his sister’s side to add his support. “Callie was locked in a cage in a windowless basement for days. A short trip will do her good.”
“I can’t hide here forever,” Callie argued. “I can’t put my life on hold forever.
“That’s a forty-five-minute drive. Too many things can go wrong.”
Anderson had no doubt Callie deserved a break. In his eyes, she was a hero. She’d saved herself and those other women. But if his job had taught him one thing, it was that you don’t always get what you want or deserve.
“I refuse to live in fear,” Callie pushed.
“We are going with or without you,” Landon stated firmly.
“What about your wife? Are you taking her with us in her condition? She could go into labor at any moment.”
Landon hesitated.
“I’ll stay with her,” Dylan offered. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to pry, but I came into the cabin for coffee, and I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation.”
Grace rolled her eyes, and then she said, “I’m due in a month. I promise I won’t go into labor. Dylan can drive us to Panoramic Point. I could use some fresh air and I’ll take the dogs with us.”
“I’ll call if anything happens,” Dylan promised.
“Sounds good to me,” Landon finally said. He knew once Grace made a decision nothing would stop her.
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