A/N:- Yes, I know, it's been a whole year and yes I know, the update has been long overdue. This fanfic was originally meant to be a Christmas present for my best friend last year and yet still I have yet to complete it this Christmas. Shouldn't be laughing but I am. I re-read through it and have decided the least I could do is upload the next chapter because that is when it gets interesting. I don't like my previous chapters because they are so poorly written but hopefully this one can make up for it. I'm also in progress in writing another P&P fic so keep an eye out. If you do like this chapter for some strange reason and actually want me to continue this fic, just let me know. Would like to thank Madom Sabotender who gave me an new perception of fanfction which gave me the courage to write this chapter. Thank you and please leave reviews :) and Merry Christmas xx

Disclaimer:- I only own plotline, not characters, otherwise I would have Darcy all to myself mwuahaha

Previously:

I stop myself from saying it. But instead stroke the sore part of my arm where he last hit me. Bruises may fade but the pain lasts forever. I look away from his piercing stare and instead look behind him into the night. Thick white flakes of snow whirl in the harsh winter wind, dancing across the sky. A white blanket of snow now completely covers the ground.

"I'm tired of forgiving you George, I'm so tired. It's over." I whisper

And with that I slowly close the door in his face, not realising that wouldn't be the last time I come across George Wickham.

"Regrets collect like old friends

Here to relive your darkest moments

I can see no way, I can see no way

And all of the ghouls come out to play"

- Florence and the Machine

It had been a whole hour since I saw George. A whole hour that I'd been single, alone, but in all honesty, it didn't feel any different. I've been alone for the entire time I have been with him I guess, I saw this coming for a long time, it was a train that had finally arrived at its station. I hear people talking about falling in love all the time. And I think I did, at one point I did, I'm certain. If I hadn't I wouldn't have bothered. But by the end of it all, I was barely gripping on to the last tendrils of love I had for him. The strain of holding on has finally caught up on me. I have suffered unnecessary pain, for something that was dying out anyway. And now I'm broken even more than before, relishing in the bruises I have from him, because that is the only touch I'll ever feel from him again. And yet, I do not cry.

"Lizzie, Lizzie" I feel an urgent, rough shake on my arms. My stubbornness begins to show as I instantly recognise my sister's pushy insistence.

"What?" The window seat I'm sitting at is very comfortable. I have surrounded myself with red and green velvet cushions, wrapped myself in a woolen blanket with a now cold mug of chocolate. Isolating myself from the party in attempt to console myself while contemplating the meaning of life in this hole of self-pity is actually bombing, because Jane is still shaking my shoulders. Quite roughly actually.

I slowly tear my eyes away from the window in which is now completely covered in snowmen images imprinted on the cool window, the heat of the swelling room melting them away.

"I think we have to go, the weather forecast is about to come on. I didn't realise how long we'd been here. Papa is going to be worried". It was then that I really looked at Jane, Her eyes were bright and alert, her cheeks painted with a gentle flush and her smile wide. She glowed. "Plus it's freezing out there and the roads won't be clear for long".

I glance round at the room, realising the party had slowly begin to die. A few stragglers scattered here and there, most gathered the fire, who were also wrapped tightly in blankets, still eating the left-over festive bites. Pigs in blankets. Ha.

I sigh, and reluctantly move out of my corner, to stand alongside Jane.

"I'll find our coats and you'll thank Charlie for inviting us".

Smoothing out my dress, after folding up the blanket in a small neat square, I stroll through the room, no longer having to push past guests and strangers.

"The conditions of this heavy snow fall have worsened over the past few hours. Temperatures have suddenly reached to..."

Oh God no, please this cannot be happening.

"Residents are advised to stay indoors for the time being for health and safety precautions, until the temperature has increased and the fall of snow has decreased. We've had reports of cars unable to move through the snow and have also just now, had a live report from a our lead Weather reporter Louis that there has also been a very small avalanche which has disturbed some lodgers and their homes. This is quite normal at this time of year but it is strongly advised to stay indoors until further notice. Stay warm and stay safe this Christmas. Back to you Steve."

Crap

I groaned aloud. The tv's began to distort until it completely blacked out. All signal's lost.

"So, it looks like you'll be bunking with us tonight."

I knew his voice well enough that I didn't even need to turn around.

"Well I wouldn't be too sure about that" my gaze firmly fixed on the screen of the tv. My arms wrapped my body as I shivered at the possibility of staying in this lodge for the night. I'm sure Jane wouldn't mind.

"You just heard the weather reporter and she said –

"I know what she said, I'm well known for not doing what I'm told". Plastering on a sweet and sickly smile, I look directly into his eyes. "I wouldn't want to inconvenience you with my – calamitous company and my gauche self, surely you agree?

"Well I actually don't agree"

Well I didn't expect him to say that

For a moment I falter, before regaining my composure.

"If you would be so kind to direct me to the closest in which Jane and I's belongings are stored, I'd be ever most grateful". My smile was tight and my stare unwavering. I watch him shift uncomfortably for a second before peaking up at me through his long lashes.

Just like Wickham used to do.

I gently shake my head to re-focus my thoughts. He stood tall, towering above me, but not in an intimidating way, no, but somehow this giant seemed gentle. Friendly?

"I apologise for my rude behaviour in insulting your manners earlier, they are quite – impeccable. I'm – not used to conversing with others and I lack social etiquette unlike my best friend Charlie. I hope you can forgive me Elizab- I mean Lizzie. I also hope to move on from this awkwardness and strange formality. I don't know how long I can keep it up for without cringing.

He waited for my response patiently until a small smile broke on my face and I even let a little chuckle slip away. And then he did something so strange, so unfamiliar and he smiled back.

The tension and awkwardness had finally been stripped away, leaving new fresh acquaintances.

"Let's start again then. My name is William Darcy, best friend of Charlie Bingley but you can call me Darcy."

"And I'm Elizabeth Bennet, sister of Jane Bennet but you can call me Lizzie."

"Please feel free to bunk with us, while the snow continues to hammer us into staying indoors"

I hesitated. It wasn't ideal but for the sake of Jane's heart, I knew it wasn't really an option. "Do you have the TV series Sherlock on dvd?"

"Of course I do" he replied, as if it was stupid question.

"Then it's settled, we'll be staying the night. Charlie won't mind will he?" I glimpsed over at Jane and Charlie, cosily huddled into the corner of the room. Both faces rouge from laughter.

"Give me one minute, I just need to pop to the bathroom, I'll be back in a minute."

"Cool, I'll grab the dvd's and the rest of the guests, though there really isn't that much left".

The hallway was quite complicated, even though the exterior of the lodge, blended into the masts sugar-coated mountains and hills, the interior belonged to an old Tudor house, a historical building even.

Fine gold tinsel lined the wooden walls. A soft, worn red velvet carpet silenced my footsteps as I peered through rooms in an attempt to find the bathroom. Rows of doors ran across both walls. I tried to find any indication of where it might be but all doors looked the same. The lights begin to flicker. The amber glow of the corridor suddenly cuts out leaving me in complete black.

Cliché or what?

Nevertheless, the eerie silence is now beginning to creep me out. My heart beat is the only company I now have. It's funny how darkness can suddenly creep up on you, when you least expect it. Envelope you into its cold embrace, suddenly make you think you see things that aren't there. It clouds your thinking, creates images that you believe to be true. It lies and manipulates, slowly draining away what little focus you had to begin with.

Except this wasn't a lie. This wasn't an image created from my imagination. It was him. Wickham.

I could feel the coldness he brought with him from outside. His hot breath panting on the back of my neck, a predator who had found his prey. His strong cologne was clogging my senses, obscuring my thought process. I should have known.

"I know it's you Geroge. I know your cheap smell anywhere." It wasn't too long ago that I would long for that scent to be near me, to know he chosen me instead of another girl. How worthless I must have thought my life was. I felt the sudden urge to vomit; I could taste the bile in my mouth as he trailed his hands over my hands, believing it to be a gentle caress.

"Leave now George and we'll say no more about this". My voice only slightly wavered. It didn't matter; he was close enough to hear it anyway.

"Oh sweetheart" he coos. "Angel of mine, how sweetly you smell". His drunken slurs frighten me. His hands no longer caressing but gripping tightly, I shrink back against his chest involuntarily. He knows what he's doing, because he squeezes harder of my most recent bruises. I could already feel the fresh scabs of my heart peeling away. My heart falls as I realise what's going to happen and in the deepest part of me, I knew I wouldn't be able to escape this time. This song bird was left its cage, only to have its song silenced anyway.

I couldn't help myself. I screamed.

His meaty hand clamped over my mouth, not only silencing me but suffocating me. I kicked and kicked, struggling to break free. With a quick twist of my arm, I cried out in pain. Tears streamed down my face, blurring my vision. It didn't matter anyway. The darkness had blinded me. He roughly turned me around pressing me into his chest. My fingers scraped down his chest.

I will not go down without a fight. I will not let him break me anymore. I cannot let him take away the only thing I hold dear.

"Sssh Lizzie, sshh, it's okay, I'm going to look after you, love you. After this you will love me back. I promise. Trust me"

And with that he opened up a door and through me inside.

"Ahhhhhhh! Oh God no!" I landed on my wrist which I was certain was sprained. I heard a swift click and I knew he somehow had found a key. I was locked and trapped, waiting for hell to swallow me up. My eyes wide and attentive, my mind confused. I can't process my thoughts, my mind is running with scenarios and memories and my body laden with hurt and grief. I found myself curled up in a corner, hoping to disappear.

He won't find me without a light. He can't. Stay quite Lizzie and someone will find you. Eventually. Hopefully.

I hear him ram a chair under the door handle.

This is the end

"L-izzieee, I'm coming t-to find you! Don't worry baby, I'm going t-to look after you" he slurs. The dark continues to haunt my thoughts. Being rational isn't an option. Tears openly fall and my heart beat pounds, deafening me. Even drunk, Wickham can still remain powerful. This I know for sure.

He knows I'm here. He always knows where I am. He's just waiting for me to figure it out.

My fists clench in anger. I see a swift movement among the darkness. I sense he is close. The stench of rain and diesel begin to over-power my senses all over again. My heart delves into overdrive, beating so fast that feel my chest swelling and it pounding right through.

The darkness may have swallowed me up, us up. My fate turning out for the worse. I once read that hope is stronger than fear but at this moment in time, fear seems to be the only thing keeping me conscious.

I close my eyes in an attempt to block out this living nightmare. It was then that an old song came to mind that had been replying itself over and over in my mind, the only thing that seemed to be clear in this cloud of confusion. Regrets collect like old friends, here to relive your darkest moments, I can see no way, I can see no way. And all of the ghouls come out to play. Silence surrounded me, buried me. He scent was at its strongest. His hot breath washing over me like a tide eroding a coast.

"Boo"

With a strangled cry, I reach up, grasping at his hands that had securely wrapped themselves around my neck. He lifted me up, no longer care that he was cutting off my only life source. I arms flailed around, urging him to let go. My fingers scratch down his pale face which seemed now to illuminate in the dark. As I draw blood, a growl erupts from his throat. In anger he swats at me, knocking me onto the large bed. I land softly onto the thick duvet, my cheek now burning with pain. I feel heat rush to my head as I dizzily dry to escape. My tears are hot now, my throat throbbing from his last touch. I can only imagine the colour that will bloom later. I shout, yell, scream for him to let me go, begging for him to leave me be but his insistence is horrifying. His hand grabs the back of my head, pushing my face closer to his.

"Scream my name Lizzie and I'll promise you that you'll feel better"

Before I know it my shoes have been thrown across the room and his hot, sweaty hands and ripping at my tights. I choke on sobs feeling hopeless. I already feel defiled, tainted, dirty.

"Lizzie? Lizzie are you in here?"

Darcy!

"DARCY HELP! HELP ME PLEASE! HE'S GOT ME, HELP! PLE-

George rips off my tights completely with a sloppy grin, ignoring the urgent shouts and slamming on the door.

The beating and pounding on the door gets louder, I hear voices, shouting and screaming too.

"LIZZE!"

My curdling blood freezes with shock. Janey

"HELP" I scream, my throat burning. He tuts, smirking slightly while breathless, he smelt of fervour. His eyes have turned crazed, over-taken with drunken desire and revenge.

"Don't you see sweetheart? They can't get to you, they can't save you princess" he murmured into my neck. Planting hot wet kisses and were beginning to trail down throat. His hands gripped my thighs, wedging my legs open. I continue to thrash against me. I no longer feel pain, my body numb but in my distorted vision, I still see my limbs fighting. I felt him shove something into my mouth, gagging me with my own tights. One hand pinned my arms over-head roughly to stop me lashing out. I felt a sudden blow to my stomach that seemed to suck out all the air I had left in my body. I gasped for air but oxygen eluded my grasp. The force packed behind his fist was a brute strength I have never felt before. This was a new pain. I doubled over in agony as he attacked the same part over and over and over. Just for good measure, he punches my face, bursting a stream of red blood to flow down and mingle with my salty tears. My face wet and my body weak with exertion, I lose all sense of time.

Now half conscious, I watch him jiggle his belt of his jeans eagerly. The cries of Jane, Charlie and Darcy suddenly burst forth in a loud eruption of commotion, until it begins to fade again. No longer are my senses overwhelmed with him and his sweat but a sweet perfume. It's like being dragged through the flames of hell repeatedly only to be gently placed into a land of euphoria, a place that is so sweet and gentle and kind.

Even in my disorientation, I hear the crashing of furniture, and the sound of struggling and grunting.

My eyes flutter open to find blue eyes staring down at me. Deliriously I hear myself mumbling and moaning, not quite understanding what had happened. The familiar aroma of Jane and home allow me to finally rest and settle into a slumber, drowning out hysteria which once was the only consolation and proof that I was indeed still alive.

"I found it Jane, I found Euphoria"