Taken: Against My Will

by Willow, Zureika

  “Hello, Vic, how are you feeling?” he asked.

  “Better thanks, Mark, I don’t suppose I have any visits?” she asked as she looked up and down the corridor, desperate to catch a glimpse of Tristen. He was nowhere to be seen.

  “Sorry Vic, I haven’t seen anyone all night. My shift is finishing soon. I can stay a while longer if you want some company.” He offered. Vicky finally looked up at his kind, round face and placed a hand on his arm,

  “Thank you, Mark but I think I’ll be fine. Besides you look like you could do with a rest.” Mark nodded and she added, “If anyone comes can you let me know?”

  “Of course.” Mark smiled down at her with the same cheerful smile he always had on.

  “Thanks again.” With that Vicky turned and headed back into her room.

  Another week passed before Vicky was finally discharged from the hospital. She packed her things into a bag and readied herself for Paul who would be picking her up to take her back to his place. There was no way she was going back to her apartment while Ian was still there. The thought scared her to death. Since the night she had slept beside Tristen she had not been able to sleep a wink. Her nightmares had returned and it was as though he would be the only one who could ward them off. She hadn’t heard any news regarding the investigations to find him and she guessed that Paul and the others were trying to keep her out of it after her ordeal.

  She sat on the window seat watching the people in the car park below as they hurried about their business. One woman was trying to juggle three children while carrying what looked like clean clothes for what must have been a patient in the hospital. Another woman was helping and elderly man from the car. She watched as he stumbled and the woman had to catch him. Vicky winced as she imagined him toppling to the hard tarmac floor.

  The sound of the door opening behind her made her look around. For a flash moment she remembered that it had been how Tristen had entered and she hoped it would be him standing there again. When she looked around she was disappointed to see that it was Paul looking at her.

  “Don’t look too disappointed to see me.” He laughed as he headed over to her bed and picked up the bag.

  “Sorry, I thought you were someone else.” Vicky explained as she removed a strand of hair that had fallen down into her face. Paul shrugged his shoulders and Vicky was relieved that he didn’t ask any questions.

  “Let’s get you back to my place so you can get settled in.” he told her as he turned back toward the door with her bag over his shoulder.

  “Thanks for doing this Paul.” Vicky told him as she followed him out of the room.

  She had already signed all the papers and she was free to go. She found all the nurses waving her goodbye and wishing her well as she followed Paul down the corridor. Even some of the patients gave their farewells.

  “It seems you’ve made a few new friends.” Paul laughed as he led her toward the car park where they climbed into the squad car.

  “Well if I didn’t speak to anyone I would have gone stir crazy in that place,” Vicky explained as she buckled her seat belt, “I can’t wait to get back to work.” Paul shook his head as he climbed into the driver’s seat and turned on the ignition.

  “Boss said that won’t be for a while,” he explained as he pulled the car out of the parking space, “He says that you need time to rest and recover and probably need to see the shrink.” Vicky felt angry at this. In all her years on the force she had never once had to see the shrink. Now because of her husband everyone probably thought that she might go crazy on them.

  “I don’t need a shrink.” She hissed at him, unable to hide her temper.

  “Hey don’t shoot the messenger. I don’t think you need one either but rules are rules. You’ve had a pretty bad time of it lately and it is bound to have left a few mental scars.” As he spoke Vicky couldn’t help thinking of her nightmares. Maybe he was right.

  They were silent for a few streets but as they turned the third corner Paul asked,

  “So are you going to tell me what happened?” he glanced at her before looking back at the road, “What made Ian do this to you?” Vicky shivered as she heard his name.

  “He has been doing this to me for years.” Vicky finally admitted. She heard Paul gasp in shock but he quickly hid his shocked expression.

  “Why didn’t you say anything?” he asked as they turned another corner.

  “I didn’t want everyone at the station thinking I was a hopeless little woman who couldn’t defend herself. Nobody would have taken me seriously.”

  “But when you’re working your like… I can’t even explain it. You’re just unstoppable.” Paul protested, “How could he get one over on you?”

  “Because, well, at first I thought I loved him,” Vicky explained, “I couldn’t hit a man I loved. When it got worse I started to think that maybe it was just normal.”

  “Honey, it definitely isn’t normal. I’m going to make sure he goes down for this.” Paul promised as they finally turned onto the drive of his small two bedroom house.

  Paul killed the ignition and led Vicky inside, carrying her heavy bag for her. She was still sore from her wounds but the doctor had prescribed some kick ass painkillers and she was feeling a little light headed after taking her first dose.

  Inside the house was beautifully furnished. It reminded Vicky of a little farm house with checked curtains and flowery cushions. As they entered the house the staircase was to their right while the hallway led off to other rooms on their left.

  “I’ll take your things up to the guest room. Make yourself at home.” Paul told Vicky as he headed up the stairs.

  “Thanks for letting me stay here Paul.” She called up to him as he went.

  “It’s no problem. You’d do the same for me.” She heard him call back down to her.

  Vicky walked down the hallway and through the first door where she knew the living room was. Inside the coal fire was burning. It was one of the feature’s Vicky looked most about Paul’s home. It was always comfortable and welcoming.

  Just as she settled into the comfort of the cushions on the sofa, Paul appeared in the room with a scowl upon his face.

  “I’m afraid I can’t stay. They need me at the station but don’t hesitate to give me a call if you need anything.” He explained as he moved around the room looking as though he was grabbing things that he needed for work.

  “Do you have any paperwork you need completed? I could really do with something to get my mind back on work.” Vicky asked as she saw him piling paper into a briefcase.

  “I’ll see if I can get something faxed over for you if you’re really that desperate.” Paul laughed as he clicked the briefcase closed and headed toward the door.

  “Is Joan working today?” Vicky asked. Paul stopped in the doorway and nodded.

  “She will be back around tea time.”

  Vicky was left alone in the house having no idea what to do to pass the time. She was already rearing and ready to go back to work. She wanted to throw herself back into her job to get rid of the thoughts that kept clouding her mind. In the waking world her thoughts were always on Tristen but whenever she closed her eyes – even for a few moments – she found that her thoughts turned dark and Ian would be prowling through her memory.

  After flicking through the many channels on the television and finding nothing of any interest Vicky headed up to the guest room at the back of the house. After unpacking her meagre pile of clothes into the small chest of draws and shoving the bag down the side of it, she threw herself down onto the readymade bed.

  Her eyes were just fluttering closed when she heard the sound of a floorboard creaking. Her body reacted instantly and she threw herself into a sitting position which sent pain shooting up her spine.

  “Paul? Joan? Is that you?” she called loudly as the house went silent. It was almost too silent. It was as though the whole house had begun to hold its breath. A shiver of fear ran through Vicky as she pushed herself off the b
ed and crept toward the bedroom door. It was open just enough for her to peer through the crack between the door and the doorframe. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw someone stood on the other side. She was about to grab something to defend herself with when the recognized the face that stared back at her through the crack. Tristen’s face widened into a smile as he rounded the door and swept her into his arms.

  “Careful.” Vicky warned as she felt his arms brush against the still sore wounds that crisscrossed her back.

  “I’m sorry.” Tristen apologized as he attempted to hold her gently.

  Vicky slammed her hands into his chest and pulled back as reality suddenly dawned on her. She couldn’t believe it. She was stood in Paul’s house – a cop’s house – and here stood a wanted man as though he had just walked in through the front door.

  “Tristen, what the hell are you doing here?” Vicky demanded. Tristen’s eyes flashed with unhappiness as she pulled away from him. He let her go without protest and stared down into her eyes as he replied,

  “I needed to be sure you were ok. I feel like I’ve been waiting forever for you to get out of the hospital.”

  “Why have you been waiting for me?” Vicky demanded. She suddenly felt angry. It was as though Tristen had already decided what was going to happen between them. Yet again it seemed she was trapped by a man who had the bigger say in everything.

  “I couldn’t stay with you in the hospital. There were too many people watching you,” he explained as he saw the angry expression on her face, “At least here I can see you whenever the cop is at work.”

  “That’s right Tristen. He is a cop and you’ve broken into his house,” Vicky shouted, unable to hide the angry tone from her voice, “How could you be so stupid. Your DNA will be all over the place now.” She pressed the palms of her hands to her temples suddenly feeling a headache coming on.

  Walking across the room she sat down on the edge of the bed with her head in her hands, staring at the hard wood floor.

  “Vicky, why are you so mad?” Tristen asked as he walked over to sit down beside her. Her head whipped up, sending shooting pain into her temples as she glared at him.

  “You’re a criminal, Tristen. I’m supposed to take you into the station and lock you up for a very long time but instead I’ve been sat having conversations with you. Even worse I’ve had sex with you!” as she spoke she couldn’t even believe her own words. Saying it out loud made it even more real.

  “I can’t believe I’ve been so stupid,” She could no longer look at his big puppy dog eyes. Instead she looked away from him feeling tears in her eyes, “Tristen, you have to leave.” She heard Tristen’s sharp intake of breath as though he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

  “Vicky, I can’t leave you.” He protested. She felt his hand on her knee and glanced down to see his fingers squeeze gently on her knee cap. She shook her head and swept his hand away from her.

  “Tristen, I’m married.” The words were out of her mouth before she even knew what she was saying. He threw himself to his feet and stared down at her. Vicky could feel his eyes burning into her but she was unable to look up at him.

  “You can’t be serious, Vicky,” he leaned down on his knees and grabbed hold of her head, forcing her to look at him, “That monster beat you so hard you nearly died.” His voice was filled with barely disguised anger.

  “He is still my husband.” Vicky shook her head away from his hand and averted her eyes yet again. She could feel the tears welling up behind her eyes.

  “Is that all that’s stopping you?” Tristen asked as he stood up again and moved a few inches away from her as though he couldn’t bear the thought of touching her again. Vicky shook her head again then.

  “I can’t be with you because you’re a criminal, Tristen,” she looked up at him then wanting him to see the seriousness in her eyes while he heard it in her voice, “It doesn’t matter how well you’ve treated me, you still hurt all those women.”

  “What if I take my punishment for it?” he asked, “Would you change your mind then?”

  “A police officer can never be with a criminal. It would take all the meaning out of my work.” Vicky’s throat felt as though it was closing over. She couldn’t believe what she was doing. She was hurting the only man who had ever shown her the pleasure she could have if she just let go of everything else. He had proved so many things to her and she wanted to continue to learn but she wasn’t sure that she could.

  Tristen dropped down on his knees again then. He didn’t touch her this time. Instead he simply looked at her as he said,

  “I will turn myself in at the police station in the morning,” his voice was filled with promise, “I’ll do it for you if you will promise me you will be there when I get out.” Vicky suddenly thought of something. If she promised him this one thing there would be no more victims. She would save the many women who may get hurt if he continued to roam the streets. She could imagine what kind of rampage he might go on if she refused him.

  “How do I know you’ll do it?” Vicky asked.

  “You can take me in yourself.” Tristen’s answer came almost as soon as she had asked the question. It sent her mind whirling with shock as she realized how deadly serious he was. In that moment she knew there was no way she could refuse.

  “You had better go and get all your business tied up then,” she spoke in a calm, matter of fact voice, “You might be going a way for a very long time.”

  Tristen’s eyes sparked with fear but his voice remained strong as he told her,

  “Will you meet me at your apartment at midnight? There’s something I have to do before we go to the station.” Vicky felt worried as she wondered what he could possibly have to do in her apartment. Seeing the hopeful look in his eyes there was no way she could refuse him.

  “I’ll meet you there.” She told him. Tristen leaned forward and placed a kiss upon her lips. Vicky’s eyes automatically closed as the kiss lingered on her soft, plump skin. When she opened her eyes again Tristen was gone. A feeling of disappointment filled her.

  Chapter Ten

  When evening came Joan arrived just like Paul said she would. She walked through the front door carrying a bag full of Chinese takeaway. The smell of food drew Vicky downstairs as her stomach began to rumble. She suddenly realized how hungry she was. Her mind had been focused solely on Tristen after he had been in the guest room. She couldn’t help but wonder what he could possibly have planned for the night ahead.

  Vicky found Joan in the kitchen plating up the chicken chow mien and rice. The smell of it enveloped Vicky making her mouth water.

  “You look starving.” Joan frowned as she looked up from plating up. Vicky nodded as her stomach gave a loud growling sound which answered for her.

  “Here, tuck in,” Joan laughed as she handed a plate piled with food, “Do you like prawn crackers?”

  “Yes. I love them.” Vicky replied.

  “Good because Paul hates them.”

  “More for us then.” Vicky laughed in amusement as she headed through an archway to the dining table beyond and sat down. Joan followed her carrying her own plate and settled down opposite her.

  “How are you feeling?” she enquired as she began to mix her rice into the sauces that pooled on the plate in front of her.

  “I feel much better,” Vicky replied as she began to tuck into the food, “Thank you for letting me stay here for a while. I hope I don’t step on anyone’s toes.”

  “Don’t worry. I have no feeling in my toes.” Joan joked. Vicky almost choked on her food as she laughed.

  They ate in silence then until there plates had been scraped clean. Vicky stood and picked up both of their plates.

  “I’ll wash up.” she offered. Joan quickly shook her head and attempted to take the plates back from Vicky.

  “There’s no need for that. I can do it.” Joan told her. Vicky shook her head and pulled the plates out of Joan’s reach.

  “It’s the least I can
do. I want to do my bit around the house while I’m here.”

  Heading into the kitchen she filled the sink with warm soapy water and began to wash off the plates and cutlery they had used. Joan remained at the table looking over the newspaper that lay on the place mat in front of her. She looked so enthralled with the news that she barely seemed to bat an eyelid as the doorbell began to ring.

  “I can get it.” Vicky offered.

  “No, its fine. You go ahead and get ready for bed if you like. You look shattered.” Joan’s voice was filled with sympathy as she headed past Vicky and down the hallway toward the front door.

  Vicky remained at the sink pretending to finish off the pots while she strained her ears to listen to who might be on the other side of the door.

  “Good evening miss, I was wondering if I might be able to speak with my wife?” Vicky’s heart stopped as she recognized Ian’s voice. She spun around and saw that Joan had used her body to block the doorway.

  “I’m afraid she doesn’t wish to see you.” Vicky was relieved to hear that Joan was actually standing up against the man who had beaten her.

  “I have merely come to apologize.” Ian assured her. Vicky couldn’t help letting out a snort of disgust as she heard his words.

  “I’m afraid it would take much more than an apology to right the wrongs that you have committed against your wife sir,” Joan’s voice was filled with venom. Vicky couldn’t believe how brave the woman was being, “Please leave before I get a mind to call the police.”

  With that Joan slammed the door shut in Ian’s face. She locked the door and put the deadbolt across before returning to the kitchen. When she saw the look of terror on Vicky’s face she moved forward and cautiously wrapped her arms around Vicky. The feeling of having someone comfort her was a relief and Vicky found herself leaning into the embrace.

  “Don’t worry, Vicky, your always safe here.” Joan whispered gently as she patted her on the shoulder.