Enough

by Pacheco, Briana

  I sent out another text, this one to Alex.

  Me: What time are we going out?

  Alex: Around 7. I’ll send you the address.

  My eyebrow shot up. What? I thought he was going to come back and pick me up. It was a date after all. That’s weird. I mean, I don’t mind driving.

  A knock on the door brought me back to reality.

  “Come in.” I said. Scarlett came in. “How are you feeling?”

  “I came alone. I’m not that much of a baby.” She said.

  “Much better. Painkillers work.” She eyed the outfit on my bed and smiled. “Are you going out today?” I nodded. “With Alex or friends?”

  I need to hang out with friends soon.

  “Alex. Don’t know where though.” I said.

  “Those shoes go with any setting.” She said touching my heels. “Are you going to be back for the Christmas Eve party?” I thought we weren’t going to do the whole Christmas thing. She must have read me. “Yes, we’re still doing that. Mom doesn’t want to break tradition.”

  “All right. We’re going out at seven so I should be back in time. Is it just the family?” I asked. Mr. and Mrs. Diaz usually come by.

  “Yes and Alex of course. You know he grew on us. He’s nice, and it looks like he cares about you. A lot.” Scar said.

  I looked around my room with a smile on my face.

  “I guess.” I said full on blushing now.

  “Well, don’t be late tonight. Come downstairs and eat with me.”

  I went into my closet and threw on some pajamas.

  “Do you know if it’s going to be cold today?” I asked.

  “Mom was talking about us going somewhere because it’s going to be beautiful all week. No white Christmas this year.” She said.

  Mom and Declan were waiting downstairs in the kitchen. Blueberry muffins were calling my name. I was halfway through one when Mom did nothing but stare at me.

  “What?” I asked. She blinked in surprise.

  “Nothing…I was just looking at you.” She said. Okay…

  “It was more like staring. Is there something on my face?” I asked wiping a hand over my face.

  “No, you look beautiful. I just…you look better. Different actually. In a good way.” Mom said smiling.

  “Thank you…” I looked at Declan and Scarlett and they had the same awkward look I’m positive I was giving back.

  “So where’s Alex? I heard him leave this morning. I thought he’d be back already, since you know, he’s always around.” Declan said. I stared at him. “What? I like him but you two are serious now. I don’t like him sleeping in the same bed with you.”

  “Jeez Dec, give her credit. She’s not a whore.” Scarlett said.

  “Language.” Mom said. “So you two are serious?” I nodded. “That’s good.” Mom smiled. “Declan’s trying to be the man of the house now.” Declan rolled his eyes.

  “Alex is planning something for tonight.” I said. Mom was about to say something when I cut in. “I’m going to tell him about the party. We’ll try to make it but c’mon…I can’t cut the date short for my family. I’ve had enough of you guys already.” I teased. “I don’t want winter break to be over.” I said eyeing my siblings. I’ve barely spent time with them.

  After everyone finished eating, we went into the living room. I was astonished when I saw a Christmas tree lit with presents too. “When did this happen?” I asked. I didn’t see this when I walked into the kitchen.

  “After you went upstairs last night we decided to get one. It’s Christmas. We need a tree.” Mom said sitting on the couch. “Come sit. We can watch a movie while you wait for Alex. Family time.”

  “Fine. I left my phone upstairs, let me run up and get it then we can start.” I said. I ran upstairs and back down in less than a minute. My family spending family time together is weird. We haven’t done this for years but at the same time it felt right. This is what Christmas does to people.

  This is what Alex lost. I thought.

  We watched two and a half movies when Alex texted me.

  Alex: Everything’s ready. Meet me on Willow Road.

  I went upstairs and got dressed. Willow road? Why there? I decided to leave my purse behind. I put my phone and license in my back pocket and grabbed my car keys. I put my hair in a tight high ponytail and I have to say I look good. I haven’t dressed like this in awhile. It feels good.

  “I’m leaving now.” I said when I got downstairs.

  “Where are you going again?” Declan asked. Maybe it was the way I looked but he seemed to sense something was going to happen tonight. Which wasn’t. Maybe.

  “Willow Road.” I said.

  “What the hell is there?” He asked. I shrugged my shoulders.

  “There use to be a carnival…I don’t know. I’ll see you later. If we’re late you guys can go on with your plans. Don’t stop the party because of us.” I said waving. “Merry Christmas you guys and I love you.”

  “Merry Christmas.” They said together.

  I got in the car and drove toward Willow Road. Thirty minutes later I was on the street and Alex was nowhere. I followed the road until the last house showed up when I called him. Seriously? He just ignored me.

  Me: Alex, I’m here. Where are you?

  Alex: Go down the road and take a left

  I followed his directions. I spotted his car and parked behind him. I walked up to his car and it was empty. What the hell are we doing here?

  I took out my phone ready to text him when my phone chimed.

  Alex: Your surprise is in the house.

  I looked around the area and found the only house to my right. What the hell are we doing here? It doesn’t make sense. There is no carnival, there are no restaurants. It’s deserted.

  I shoved my car keys and phone in my back pocket and made my way to the house. The front door was cracked open so I walked in…to an empty house. Nothing hung on the walls and the floors look like they haven’t been swept in years. Why would he choose this place?

  I heard footsteps behind me.

  “Alex, what are–”

  Someone grabbed me from behind and brought something to my mouth. I inhaled something sweet. This isn’t Alex. This is a trap and I fell for it. I tried moving away from him but he was to strong. I kicked my legs around but nothing worked. I felt myself weaken.

  My body went limp and my eyelids closed.

  ***

  I heard someone talking but I can’t make out what they’re saying. My arms hurt, my body feels rigid and my eyes feel heavy. I moved my arms but they were bound with rope. I tried jerking them again but they wouldn’t budge. From the way my body feels, I know I’m standing up.

  “She’s awake.” I know that voice. “I didn’t know you had a tattoo.” I felt something cold on my back, tracing my tattoo then down my body. I know that cold feeling.

  My eyes shot open. Ohmygod. I turned around and there he was. Brown hair, brown eyes and a tattoo of something on his left forearm.

  “Giovanni?”

  He walked in a semi-circle around me and I followed him, never tearing my eyes off him. His eyes were glued to my body though. Great, I looked down and I wasn’t wearing a shirt. I looked up and confirmed that my hands were tied to a rope hanging from a hook attached to a block above my head. I looked back at Giovanni.

  “You…it was yo–”

  “Yes! It was me.” He said.

  How could I not have known it was him? How could it even be him?

  My legs were the only part of my body that could move so I kicked him while I yelled, “You raped me!” I kicked him again. “And you hurt my sister!” I kicked him in the side of his rib cage as hard as I could when he came at me and grabbed my throat.

  “I’d be careful what you do. Your friends might end up paying for it.” He said. For the first time since I opened my eyes, I looked behind him and saw five things moving back and forth and side to side. I squinted. My vision is still blurry, it’s
too bright.

  I gasped for air and he let me go. That’s when I saw them. Sophie, Zach, Tiffany, Alex and Bryan. They all stared back at me with their mouths, arms and legs bound with duct tape.

  It’s my fault they’re here.

  Tiffany had tears running down her face as her eyes tried to say something to me. I don’t know what it is though.

  My eyes scanned over everyone else and they weren’t hurt. Then my eyes landed on Alex. Who would have thought I’d get my new boyfriend kidnapped. My heart broke when I saw the way Bryan was looking at me a few seconds later. It wasn’t the the-love-of-your-life-is-going-to-die kind of way but the way Declan looked at me when he found out I was raped. It’s the way a brother looks at his sister when they know they’re in trouble.

  I turned my gaze back on Giovanni. He held his side and stared at me hard. He better be in pain. After everything he did to me…

  He’s not going to see me weak.

  “They have nothing to do with this, just let them go.” I said.

  He stepped closer to me, careful to keep his distance.

  “They have everything to do with this.” He said staring at my chest again. Yes, I’m a bit larger then the normal senior girls at Wilks Academy but he didn’t have to stare at me. It’s disgusting.

  “What do you want from me?” I asked. He didn’t say anything. “I’ve had enough of your stupid games.”

  “I wouldn’t call them games.” He said walking toward a wall. “I want to tell you a story.” I rolled my eyes and let out a pissed off breath.

  “I don’t think I have a choice if I want to listen to it or not.” I said.

  “First, let me get something off my chest.” He pulled up a seat and sat down on it backwards. “You messed up everything, Emily. You shouldn’t have gone back to school yesterday. I was worried you’d remember me.”

  I looked down slowly. I still have on my heels. I looked up at the ceiling. The wooden block is maybe a foot and a half higher than me. I can jump.

  “How did I ruin everything?” I asked. He smirked at me.

  “I had very important plans later on this weekend. You’re smart though. You probably would have figured me out sooner rather than later.” He said.

  “No, not really. You don’t look like the type. You’re just a pathetic guy who has to force himself on women to get his rocks off. I would say that you’d be down…all the way down the list of suspects.” I said. He stared at me. I hit the spot. “I actually wouldn’t have you on the list period. You’re a little girly for my taste.”

  He stood up and walked over to me. I don’t think he’s afraid of me kicking him. I can’t take any risk of him hurting the people tied up because of me though. Watch what you say.

  “It’s funny how you’re acting like this tough girl right now. It’s not going to work. I can do whatever I want to you right now.” He said.

  “Fuck you!” I snapped. Then he slapped me. I guess I was right, he’s kind of girly. I plastered a smile on my face. “You hit like a bitch.” Shit. I have to shut up. It took a few seconds for him to process that before he landed another one, this time a little harder. That one stung.

  “Just shut up, Emily. You’re not helping anyone.” He snapped. “Okay, let me tell you how I got them here before I start my story.” I stared at Sophie. She doesn’t deserve this. None of them do. “Sophie and Zach were invited to a party. My party. They didn’t know that though. I snagged them when they walked through the door. Tiffany. I didn’t want to drag her in here but the more company the better. Alex… now that was fun.” I looked at Gio. He wants everything to sink in. I wasn’t going to show him shit. “Alex went home. I was wondering whether or not to take him but because he seems like he means something to you, I took him. I got him unexpectedly. Then there’s Bryan.” My eyes went to Bryan. We haven’t talked in a while but he’s still Bryan. My Bryan. “Bryan wanted to follow Tiffany to the party. I guess he could join in, right? It’s a little Christmas party with friends.” Christmas. I forgot about the party back home. Nobody is coming for us. Just great.

  “Why did you drag them in this? You still haven’t told me anything useful.” I said pulling on the ropes.

  “Let’s start with Zach then.” Zach tensed up at the sound of his name. “Did you know he was the person who started the rumors about you?” Giovanni smiled at me. “He’s the reason you’re in this position. With me, I mean.” I stared at Giovanni for a while. A light bulb lit up in my head.

  “This has nothing to do with the rumors, does it?” I asked. Giovanni stared at me with his arms crossed. “If it did, that night at the party, you wouldn’t have done this.” I jerked my head down to the scar. “You would have left me alone after you raped me. But you kept coming back and poking things at me. What’s the real reason?” He seemed to be interested now. “This has nothing to do with them. There’s something about me, isn’t there?”

  “I told you, you were smart. That’s where the story comes in.” He moved to my side, studying my body. I tried not moving, maybe he would look elsewhere. “My father was killed two years ago–”

  “If he was anything like you I would’ve done it myself.” I said.

  He raised an eyebrow at me and took something out of his back pocket. Fuck. It’s his knife.

  “Talk about my father again.” He said moving the knife over my rib cage, down my abdomen then up to my throat. He smiled. “Thought so.”

  “You better do it because I swear you’re going to regret when I get my hands on yo–”

  “You’re not going anywhere. Don’t give your friends false hope.” He said pressing the knife harder against the side of my throat. I felt the tip pierce enough skin for some blood to seep through. Goddammit.

  “I’m not scared of you.” I said not once breaking eye contact.

  “You should be.” He moved the knife back down to abdomen. He hovered over my scar then slowly moved to the left of it. He pressed the knife harder into the side of my skin. I turned my head away from him and shut my eyes. I know what’s coming. He pressed the knife harder until it slowly cut through skin. My body shivered with pain and a tear slid down my cheek as I clenched my teeth shut.

  “I don’t mind cutting you up. It’s pretty fun.” He said pulled the knife out then walking back to his chair. “My father was killed by someone you know.” My side hurts like hell. He didn’t cut through anything vital but the fact that my skin had another hole because of him made me furious. “Do you know who I’m talking about?” He waited for an answer. I wasn’t going to give one. “Your father.”

  I slowly opened my eyes and turned toward him.

  David isn’t my father.

  “I don’t care what he did. He disappeared and I never heard from him again.” I said.

  “Yes, I know that.” Giovanni slid the knife back and forth on the chair’s back. “Did he disappear because what happened to you eight years ago?” He knows something. No one knows what happened except for my family…and Alex. And Alex was the only one who knows he tried to rape me. I turned to Alex and he shook his head. He wouldn’t have told him that. “I know what he did to you when you were younger.” Giovanni said. “I know how he came into your room and–”

  “Shut up!” I yelled at him.

  “…and how he climbed on top of your helpless little body–”

  “Shut up! Shut up! You have no right saying anything about me or my childhood.” I snapped.

  “That’s where you’re wrong.” He put the knife in the back of his jeans. “I know more about you then you think. I just want to talk about it. And I know something else. Your dad wants you dead as much as I do. No one likes you, I guess.” What? He stood up and grabbed something from a small desk nearby. I looked around the room…we’re in a basement. Great! Just fucking great! Giovanni walked over with photos in hands. “What I don’t understand is what you did during the summer.” I watched his every movement. “You were very sneaky…touchy subject?” He asked.

&nbs
p; “What do you want? I’m getting kind of bored.” I said.

  He threw the pictures up in the air and let them fall to the floor. They’re all black and white.

  “Who’s the guy you were with this summer?” He asked. When I didn’t answer, he walked up to me. “Emily…don’t be selfish. Spill.”

  “Is it okay if I zone out?” I asked.

  He laughed. “I’m going to have so much fun with you.” My body went stiff. He’s going to do what?! He’s not going to touch me.

  When he turned and walked away, I looked down at a photo. I slid it over with my heel. I can’t believe it.

  It’s me and Ty backed up against a window in Ty’s room. We were lost in each other’s lips and I was topless with Ty’s hands on my bare back. This was before my tattoo. I remember this. Jesus. My eyes widened when I saw the other ones. They were all black and white but they all involved me. “How long have you been following me?” I asked. He doesn’t know what happened this summer. He can’t.

  “Now you’re interested.” He opened a door and smiled at me. “I’ll be right back. I’m starving. Don’t go anywhere.” He winked then left through a door to the right of him. I heard another door close after a few seconds. Then it was silent.

  I turned to my friends. “It’s okay…we’re going to get out.” I said looking around. After a few minutes, I found nothing. Then I heard a vibration. I stood still. It’s a phone. I turned around and saw my phone lying on the ground a few inches away. I stretched out my leg and tried to bring it over. Come on. Come on. Come on! I got it. Yes! I flipped it over. Mark. Oh, thank god! Mark’s my skittle friend. Tears ran down my eyes. I can do this.

  I slipped off my heel and used my toe. There’s a first for everything. “Mark! Mark, you need to help me!” I said. Oh, great. My phone’s about to die. He’s saying something but I can’t hear him. “Skittles! Willow Road in Charlestown. Last house on the road then take a left. Call the police and tell them to hurry.” I tried to breathe. “Skittles! Did you hear me? Willow Road. Last house after a left. Charlestown. Call the police and–” My phone died. I couldn’t stop my anger from coming out. “Ugh!” I turned around and kicked the wall as hard as I could. I kicked it over and over again as I tried to get my hands free but only ended up tearing skin. A door slammed shut a few seconds after then I slipped my heel back on and kicked my phone a few inches away.