Realizing their friends were in trouble, the three who were holding the rest of the group into their seats released them to rush into the fray, only to regret the move almost as quickly.
Catching one of them in the face, Tori sent blood and teeth spewing across the table, staining the green felt. Lindsey, regaining her presence of mind at the gruesome sight, rolled off the other side and huddled with the boys, who watched as if they were made of rocks.
The fight only lasted a minute, as Tori released her anger and the adrenaline flowed. She did not want to kill them, but she would if she had to. The leader stubborn, and not wanting to give up, came for her again. She had the forethought to slip her hand into her boot for her knife when she had the chance.
Recognizing he had charged at her once more, Tori raised her right hand high, the pop of the blade echoing loudly in the small space. Hearing it and seeing the flash of the steel, the brute stopped dead, still staring at her. She dropped the bloody stick and gave him a toothy sneer, her blue eyes dancing with excitement.
Using her left hand to curl her fingers in front of her, she beckoned to him. He flicked his eyes from the blade to her face, then back again, shifting slightly as he considered his chances. Deciding he didn't like the odds, he spit in her direction, telling her to take her friends and go.
Tori wasted no time, rounding the table in a flash, grabbing Max by the collar of his shirt and shoving him towards the door. “Move!” she commanded, taking Lindsey by the arm and half pushing half dragging as they made their way out into the chill night air. “We need to go, now!” she stated gruffly. “Where do you guys live?” The three boys shared an apartment a few blocks away, and the five of them made it there faster than one would have expected.
Tori peered around and behind as they scampered along, keeping watch for anyone who would be following or looking for retribution. Once they were inside the small dwelling, everyone fell onto chairs or the floor, panting for air. It was a miracle they had survived.
Looking down at her trembling fingers, Tori could feel her heart pounding inside her chest. Her skills had never mattered as much as they had that night. Clenching her fist repeatedly, she knew the time had come for her to do what she should have done long ago.
“You guys got a phone?” she asked the three boys as they lay gasping. Keith stood and handed her his cell, and she dialed the number to the house. At nearly 2:00 am, she thought she would be waking them.
The phone answered on the first ring, she realized the couple never went to bed until everyone had made it home. Tears touched her eyes as she told Brandon they were ok, and gave him the address where they could be located. She ended by asking him to send the police, and then hung up the phone.
“The police?” Derrick shrieked, “Are you crazy? Why the hell would you want them to send the police?” He stared at her incredulously.
“Because it’s the right thing to do.” Her reply even toned, she stood waiting for what was to come.
The group sat in silence, no one bothering to ask questions or make commentary. When the police arrived, she handed the officer her knife, and he cuffed her as they read her rights. The kids were all taken to the hospital to be examined, and Tori rode in the back of the car calmly.
Arriving at the station, they booked her for assault and took her to a holding cell, where she waited amongst the others who had been arrested that night. All of the flat surfaces were taken, and many were sprawled on the floor. Tori leaned into a corner of the room and fell asleep. The noise in the hold rose and fell as people were brought in, but it did not disturb her rest. She awoke some hours later, feeling mildly refreshed.
The following day, a short round man in a blue uniform led her to a small room. He asked her to sit at a table that faced a wall made mostly of mirrored glass, and advised her he needed to take her statement about the night's events.
Tori stared at her hands, thinking about how and why she had been in the bar to begin with. Her mind had been turning over the events of her life, especially the ones since she had arrived in LA. Running her fingers through her hair, she said nothing; he wasn’t the man she needed to talk to.
Staring at the mirror over his shoulder, she considered if anyone were on the other side. She wondered if anyone would really care what she had to say. Gazing at her reflection, she gave a small smile and waved. Laying her head down on the table, she closed her eyes and waited. A few minutes later, the door opened, and Special Agent James Godfry came into the room.
Presenting his ID, the agent dismissed the officer, and took his seat. “How did you know I was in there?” he asked as he made himself comfortable.
“Just a hunch,” she replied breathlessly, lifting her face to smile at him. “Fine mess I’ve made here, don't you think?”
He chuckled at her insightfulness, “Would you care to explain?”
Tori nodded, knowing in her heart it would be the right thing to do. She began with the flight into town and worked her way forward, recounting every detail she could remember.
Godfry listened, allowing her to share the things she needed to get off her chest. It took a few hours, and they took a short break to allow her to go to the bathroom and get water after a while. Tori left out no fact, even telling him how to find the pistol taped under her nightstand.
When she finished, he inquired, “So, why did you do all of these things? I mean, what were you thinking about?”
Her reply surprised him, “I’m an alcoholic; that’s why it happened. Even when I’m sober, my mind is looking for the next time or reason I’ll have to drink. If I don't have a reason, then I feel I need to create one; or get myself into one.”
Drawing a deep breath, she exhaled slowly, and he waited for her to continue. “I also know, I need to go to prison,” she admitted softly, and his eyebrow shot up at the response. “That’s the only way everyone will be safe,” she elaborated.
Thinking back to her explanation of The Organization, Jim completed the connection to the predator insects from her story. “You meant those quite literally. The Dragons and the Scorpions, and what was it, the Spiders?” his voice remained flat like a statement. Tori nodded, and the two sat in silence as he considered what this meant now, and to the investigation currently under way.
Presently, he continued, “Well, you aren't going to prison. You aren't even going to be prosecuted for what happened at the bar last night.” Seeing her about to disagree, he raised his index finger to cut her off, “Not because of our agreement, but because of the circumstances. Not to mention the embarrassment of the guys when they were picked up and told they got the shit kicked out of them by a fifteen year old girl.”
“I’m not fifteen,” she stated with less conviction than normal. Tori suddenly felt as if she were a puppet on a string. In the past, the Dragons made her dance. Today, the FBI ran the show. Staring across the table at him, she wondered what tune they were going to play next, and what their purpose could be. Calmly, she stated aloud, “I bet Warren is going nuts right about now.”
Behind the glass, La Buff's jaw dropped, as he had been fuming since Jim had left him. Back at the table, Jim felt equally surprised, “What makes you think Agent La Buff is with me?” He tried to sound unaffected, but her intuition had started to scare him.
Tori's smile tickled the corners of her lips, “Just a hunch. So, where’s Eli?”
Godfry stared at her for several minutes, tapping his fingers against the tabletop while deciding how to play it. Special Agent Eli Founder had made a very stupid move taking the girl to bed with him. It had not taken long for them to figure out that he had done so, and even worse, Debra Paisley had gotten caught up in the meltdown, and also came under fire. But, as the agency still valued the girl, he had to handle the situation carefully.
Having made up his mind, he spoke slowly to avoid becoming emotional. “Special Agent Founder has been reassigned. I’m not at liberty to give you any details. All I can say is, you have more important work and thi
ngs to worry about.”
Tori raised an eyebrow at his choice of words, considering what work she had to do. She tilted her head slightly, breathing deeply until she realized she would get no answers, and let it go.
Their conversation ended soon after, and she followed him to the front to pick up her things. Taking the jacket as he offered it to her, she managed a weak smile. “Be good,” he told her. Turning, he shook Terry's hand.
Tori watched, obediently, somewhat surprised that Terry and not Brandon had been waiting for her. Exiting the building together, she asked if he were going to give her a ride home. Smiling at her across the top of his car as they climbed inside, he said that he was, in a manner of speaking.
They soon pulled up in front of the halfway house; he shut off the engine, and they both went inside. Brandon and Sharon were waiting for them, and they went into the living room so the four of them could sit down. Terry had, in fact, brought her to collect her things, as it had been agreed she would not be allowed back at the house. Sharon sat watching the girl, and she noticed her fidgeting with her fingers, and her heart went out to her.
With a wave of her hand, Sharon interrupted her husband as he explained their decision to remove her, and stated quietly, “Jim tells me you’ve decided you’re an alcoholic. Can you tell me why that is?”
The question surprised Tori, as she had not realized he would share what she told him with anyone. Pausing to consider the question, she tried to think how to answer in a short but honest way.
“Because I feel like I’m at the bottom of a deep dark well. Rock bottom. It doesn't matter what happens to me, all I think about is having a drink…” the girl paused, leaving out her other urges. “Today’s reasons; yesterday’s… they don’t really matter. All I want is the tingle and the numb that will follow. It’s a feeling I can’t fight, and just the smell of it makes my mouth water; and it’s the vilest liquid I have ever tasted.”
Tori drew a deep breath and exhaled it slowly. She expected that to be enough, but everyone sat quietly and waited for her to continue, so she did.
“When I have a drink, I don't have just one. I have a triple. Three triples. I drink until I can't see, or walk, until I lose consciousness. Maybe I’m wrong, but I don't think that I’m normal; I don't think the sight of a liquor store should make your hands shake.” Pausing for a moment, she swallowed hard at her own revelations. “I used to go to those meetings, those AA meetings and think those people were foolish, and I was nothing like them. I didn't need their help, or anyone's help.”
Sharon smiled. She had heard those words from many people, including her own self. “What do you need, Tori?”
Their girl’s voice grew small, on the verge of tears. Blinking rapidly, she tried not to let them fall. “I can't do this by myself. I don't know who’s going to help me, but I know I’ll never make it alone. I tried to get them to send me to prison, where I wouldn't have a choice. You know, like when I was in the hospital. It was easy when there wasn't any way to get a bottle. But now, it's like I’m going to find a way to get it. Even though I know I shouldn't, I keep doing things, and I can't stop.” She had reached the end, and they weren’t going to make her go any further.
Standing, Tori went up the stairs, the tears dripping onto her shirt, making small color rings as she walked. Pulling her suitcase out from under the bed, she began to place her clothes inside of it. Folding the long sleeved shirts, she thought about how she always tried to cover her scars, hoping to be what people wanted her to be; trying to be normal.
Why can’t I just be who I am? She asked herself the question, and answered it in the next breath; because who I am doesn't fit in this world, and for a moment she wished Enrique had taken her to the Scorpions. At least they would have accepted her and not made her feel like she was wrong to be herself.
Hearing a noise, she looked up to find Sharon standing at her door. “We need you downstairs, please. Wash your face and join us.”
Wash my face? Tori stared blankly at the request. Stepping into the bathroom, she could see the large patches of her makeup that were streaked and distorted. Using the soap, she leaned over the sink and washed it clean away and dried her tired skin, then trudged back down to rejoin the others.
Tori arrived back in the living room, her long hair hiding her face. They had all been warned about her scar, but none of them had seen it. Lifting her head and pulling her long tresses to the side, she watched their reactions, waiting for their expressions to change or for them to comment. Terry smiled and indicated she should sit down. She didn’t know which she disliked more, having people react to her scar, or the fact that they ignored it.
Taking her seat next to him, she braced herself for whatever they were going to say. Listening, they began to go over the new rules she would be held to, which included daily Breathalyzer tests. She would also not be allowed to go anywhere without supervision until further notice. And finally, she would not be permitted to have sex or any type of physical contact other than platonic; damn, they know you’re a filthy whore as well as a drunk.
Listening patiently, it dawned on her that they were talking about new rules because she would be remaining in the house, after all. Blinking rapidly, she stopped them to clarify the point, “You’re gonna let me stay here? And I still get to work at the music store?”
Nodding, Sharon turned both palms to the ceiling, smiling brightly. Tori reached over and grabbed Terry around the neck, hugging him tightly. She felt so grateful to the three of them, she wasn’t sure she would ever be able to express it, or repay it.
A New Leaf
Tori sat in amazed silence, staring at the suitcase on her bed. Only a few hours ago, she had been packing it to leave. Now, she would unpack it, being allowed to stay. More than that, Sharon and Lins were going to take her shopping. Thinking back to the first and only girly day and shopping spree she had ever been on, the one with Debra Paisley when she bought her current wardrobe, she began to feel nervous.
She didn’t worry about being around women anymore; she had gotten over that. She wasn't anxious about people seeing the scar on her face; she had grown tired of caring about what other people thought. Mostly, she felt concerned about doing the right thing. She wanted to make the people who cared about her proud.
Tori's mind lazily pondered the advice Terry had given her. He said to take one step at a time, and not to worry when she felt bad or if she messed up. There were going to be lots of people looking out for her, because they cared about her. She was turning over a new leaf, and that would take time to grow and nurture.
At that moment, Lindsey's short, thin frame appeared at the door. Looking up, Tori saw for the first time the large shiner she sported on her left eye, and could not hide her surprise. “Is that from last night?” she stammered.
The girl came in and bounced on her bed, “Yup,” she replied brightly. “But thanks to you, that's the worst of it.” Her smile lessening a bit, she went on, “I really owe you a lot, you know. I mean, things could have been really bad or would have been, if you hadn’t been there to stand up for me. Thank you.”
Tori felt touched by her warm words, not really expecting her gratitude.
“So,” Lins continued with an excited grin, “Tomorrow we go shopping to get you some new clothes.”
“Now, you can wait right there,” Tori cut in while holding up her hand, “I’ll go shopping with you and I’ll get some new clothes, but I can already assure you they’re going to look like the clothes I already have. Minus the sleeves, I think. I like my clothes. I love my clothes.”
Lins laughed, shaking the ringlets that framed her round face, “Yeah, yeah, we’ll see about that. Come on, let's go downstairs and get dinner.”
As if on cue, Tori's stomach growled and she stood up, following the shorter girl out of the room and down to the kitchen. When they came to the door, she felt a slight tingle of nerves in her hands as she awaited the reaction to her face. To her relief, there were some double tak
es, but everyone took it pretty well and ignored it after that.
To her surprise, Max, Keith, and Derrick were waiting for her in front of the sink. She grinned from ear to ear at the sight of them, and they each came to give her a strong hug and express their gratitude in much the same fashion that Lins had. She tried to blow them off, playfully, but at that moment they really meant a great deal to her.
While they were talking, Tori’s mouth began to water at the smells that surrounded her. Looking about, she discovered they had set up a pit in the driveway, where a big rack of steaks would be ready any minute. On the bar sat homemade potato salad, coleslaw, and a salad with lots of different veggies in it. It was a special meal, prepared for a friend.
The meal almost complete, the whole group began taking their seats around the giant dining room table. Once they were seated, the plates were served, and they ate hungrily, each eager to finish for the banana pudding dessert.
Swinging her gaze around the table, Tori basked in the warm feelings she had for this group of people. She had never had a family, but somehow she thought this might be what it would be like, with everyone gathered around a meal to share stories and each other's company. When the food had been consumed, and the pudding was served, she sensed the change as it fell over the room. No one asked. No one even hinted. But they all wanted to know.
Clearing her throat, she thanked everyone for the generosity and their kindness. “I really appreciate you guys,” her words came from the bottom of her heart. A murmur of agreement arose, and they waited again.
Staring at her bowl, Tori felt her palms go clammy. “So, is there anything anyone would like to ask me, since I’m in a good mood and might actually tell you the answer?” There, she had laid the offer on the table, so to speak.
Immediately, voices went up around the room, but Max's appeared to be the loudest. “I just wanna know who the hell you are,” he said laughing. “I mean, I have to admit you’re probably the weirdest person I have ever met, and I mean that in a good way, but you're . . . different I guess.” He grinned tentatively, realizing his words might have offended her.
A New Life Series - Starter Kit Page 25
