Protector

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Protector Page 8

by Michelle Horst


  I watch awe creep over her face as the floor slides back, revealing a crystal clear swimming pool.

  “It’s not the lake but at least there’s heat in here.”

  A smile flitters over her lips and one word comes to mind – breathtaking.

  “It’s really beautiful,” she says in wonderment.

  My eyes refuse to leave her face as I say, “It is.”

  Her eyes find mine and I’m surprised to see a faint blush tint her cheeks. She quickly looks away and starts to walk around the swimming pool.

  I stay where I am, just watching her reaction to the elegant waterfall that trails into the pool. There’s a secluded hot tub hidden by the waterfall, and she smiles when she discovers it.

  “Now that it’s cold outside, you can come here.”

  She smiles at me and this time it lights up her face. “Thank you.”

  “I have one place to show you.” I wait for her to make her way back to me and then take her back the way we came. We go up the stairs, and I notice she has more energy than a couple of weeks ago.

  She’s fully healed, physically, that is.

  I open the door to the library and I’m not surprised to see Amelia lying on one of the couches with a book.

  I see boxes of books standing in front of the one shelf and look back to Amelia. “You ordered more?”

  “Don’t even start with me on books,” she growls from behind the pages.

  Charlie walks over to one of the recliners and makes himself comfortable on it.

  Riley slowly walks from bookshelf to bookshelf, her eyes taking in all the titles.

  “Do you like reading?” Amelia asks her.

  Riley fidgets with the hem of her sweater and glances from the books to Amelia. “I used to back when I was in school. I haven’t had much time with all the traveling.”

  Amelia jumps up and walks over to where Riley is. “You have to read this one. It’s one of my favorites.”

  I roll my eyes and leave them to bond over books. As I walk back to my office, I say a silent prayer of thanks that tonight was another good night.

  Riley~

  Amelia keeps taking books from the shelf and shoving them into my arms.

  Her excitement is electric and totally contagious. This is a side of her I haven’t seen before and I like it much more than the serious medic side of her.

  She taps the tip of her finger against her lips and scrunches her nose while going through the books.

  “Ah, here it is. Start with this one and then work your way through those.”

  My eyes dart from the books to Amelia. “It’s going to take me forever to read all of these.”

  She smiles and then walks back to the couch she left her book on. “That’s what you say now.”

  I place the pile of books on a nearby table and take the one she told me to start with.

  I sit on the couch closest to Charlie and look at the cover of the book.

  It’s an old book, and I can see it’s been read a couple of times. There are tiny cracks in the cover. I read the title, ‘A Walk To Remember by Nicholas Sparks’, and I could swear I’ve seen a movie with the same name.

  I open the book and start to read and when I get to the sentence that talks about rolling back the clock so he can take all the sadness away, my eyes flood with tears.

  Like leaves falling from a tree, time slowly drifts by, and night becomes morning.

  When I reach the end of the book, I have to use my sleeve to wipe the tears away so they won’t blur the words too much.

  I close the book and try to regain control over all the emotions it’s stirred inside me, when Amelia places a toilet roll down next to me.

  “That, my friend, is only the beginning. Welcome to my world.”

  I look up at her and when I see the red blotches around her nose and eyes, I start to laugh.

  “This one was a shredder.” She places the book on my pile and then walks over to the shelf again.

  “You don’t sleep?” I ask as I carefully go to place A Walk To Remember back on the shelf.

  “I drift off every now and then, but I find that I get more rest by reading than when I’m sleeping. Dreams are a bitch.”

  I know exactly what she means.

  “Time to go fix breakfast.”

  I frown and get up. “I thought Skylar did all the cooking?”

  We walk out of the library together. “No, she’s most creative in the early hours of the morning. She’s either writing or painting right now. She takes over making lunch and dinner.”

  I feel hesitant asking, but I really like being around Amelia. “Do you need help?”

  She laughs and then rolls her eyes. “I can always use some help. These men eat a ton of food. Besides, if you help, then I’ll be able to get to my next book sooner.”

  At the thought of reading another book, excitement whirls in my chest. I’ve found another light to break into the darkness.

  The books, Amelia, Charlie, Griffin and Miles are chasing the shadows away. Even Camden and Skylar help in their own silent ways.

  Maybe, just maybe my life can be filled with light again.

  Making breakfast for a bunch of men is not as easy as it sounds.

  Just as you think you’ve made enough bacon, Camden sneaks in, stuffs his face, and leaves with half the plate.

  The backdoor opens and Skylar comes in. She looks half frozen and she’s covered in streaks of paint.

  She’s carrying a canvas and holds it up to us with a look of pride on her face.

  I take in the vibrant colors and my eyes widen with awe. Wow, she’s good. I walk closer, drinking in the beauty she’s captured of the silver forest out back and the carpet of red and brown dead leaves.

  “Wow,” I whisper, unable to put into words how amazing it looks. “You’re so talented, Skylar.”

  Camden comes walking into the kitchen, making a bee-line for the bacon. He starts to load his plate again and then pops a piece in his mouth. He looks up and when he sees Skylar, I can see him swallowing hard on his bite.

  “That one’s mine, right?” he asks, and then proceeds to load his plate some more.

  He walks over to Skylar and takes a good look at the piece of art while shoving another piece of bacon into his mouth.

  Skylar lifts her chin defiantly and walks around him. She almost shoves the painting into my hands and then mutters, “Not on your life. This one is for Riley. Go stuff your mouth somewhere else.”

  I hold onto the painting for dear life and wait for Camden to go off at Skylar, but instead he just laughs as he walks back to the monitor room.

  I start to hand the painting back to her when she shakes her head, grabs a piece of bacon and starts to nibble on it.

  “I’m serious. You keep it.” She leaves the kitchen with a bounce in her step and all I can do is look at Amelia, hoping she can tell me what just happened.

  Amelia scrambles some eggs and shrugs. “That my friend, is what it looks like to fall in love. They’ve been doing this same routine for two weeks now. My bet is on Camden breaking first and declaring his undying love to Skylar.”

  I raise my eyebrows and I’m just about to say something when Miles comes in.

  “My bet is on Camden being a dead man if he touches my sister.”

  Oh, things just got super complicated.

  Amelia points to Miles with the spatula.

  “Miles, I’ll hand your ass to you if you interfere with them! Skylar is a grown woman. If she falls in love with Camden, then the least you can do is thank your lucky stars that she chose such a good man.”

  Miles scowls at Amelia but there’s no bite in his look.

  “I’d like to see you try and hand my ass to me.”

  My eyebrows pop up again and my eyes dart between Miles and Amelia. Could it be?

  “Any time, any day. I’ll have you flat on your back before you know it.”

  Miles throws a few pieces of bacon in Charlie’s bowl and winks at Amelia. As
he leaves the kitchen I hear him say, “Promises, promises.”

  With a huge smile, I look to Amelia and say, “My bet is on Miles declaring his undying love for you first.”

  Her mouth drops open, and she sputters, actually looking offended at the idea.

  “Hell will freeze over first,” she mumbles as she goes back to scrambling the eggs.

  Griffin comes into the kitchen, carrying the empty plate Camden has been loading. He places it on the counter behind me and then leans in really close to me.

  He looks at the painting in my hands and then says, “She’s really good. I’ll take you out there so you can see it for yourself. It’s quite the view.”

  He walks over to the other counter and makes himself some coffee. When he’s done, he starts to load a plate with bacon and eggs.

  I watch him eat and then realize all the bacon is almost finished.

  I place the painting on the side of the table and start to grill another pack of bacon.

  When it’s done, Amelia takes the pan from me. She dishes up three plates and then hands one to me. “Could you take this one to the living room upstairs? You’ll find Mr. Perry up there.”

  “Sure, where is it?” I take the plate from her, as well as a glass of milk.

  “Next to the library. Thanks, Hon.”

  I walk quickly, not wanting the food to get cold.

  The door is slightly open and I nudge it open some more. I walk in and see an elderly man sitting in front of a huge television. He’s watching an old program on weapons used in war. Dad loved those.

  “Is that for me?” Mr. Perry asks cheerfully.

  “Yes, Sir.” I take the plate and glass to him and as I get closer, his whole body comes into view.

  In shock, I spill some of the milk over my hand. “I’m sorry.” I quickly hand him the plate and glass.

  Both his legs are amputated just above the knee.

  Before I can turn away, Mr. Perry takes hold of my hand.

  “Some of us lose people and some of us lose body parts. It’s the same thing. But, child, it gets better.”

  I start to nod, not even knowing what to say to that. It’s the last thing I expected to hear from him.

  I pull my hand free and nod again. I rush from the living room and go straight to my room.

  Charlie’s made himself at home on my bed and I almost run to get to him. I crawl under the covers and then hug Charlie to me.

  Mr. Perry is right. Whether it’s a body part or a loved one, the void the loss leaves in your life is devastating to the point that you’ll never feel whole again.

  Riley~

  I walk down a path. There are silver trees on both sides, and the ground is a deep brown.

  I see a bench and walk over to it. As I take a seat, I notice someone else sitting there.

  The person keeps his head turned away from me but I get the feeling that I know him, like he’s someone I loved and lost.

  I lean a little forward to try and catch a glimpse of his face. He turns away from me, hiding his profile from my view.

  “Why won’t you let me see you?” I ask. My voice echoes as if I’ve shouted the words from a mountain top.

  “I’m sorry…”

  I wake up, gasping for air. My hair is clinging to my skin that’s covered in a thin layer of sweat.

  I kick the blankets off of me and scramble to get out of bed. I rush through a shower, washing all the sweat away.

  When I’m done brushing my teeth and hair, I slip into a pair of black leggings and a warm top that reaches to just below my butt. I put on some socks and then pat Charlie on the head. “Let’s go, boy.”

  I normally only leave the room after ten, when I’m sure everyone’s sleeping, but after that dream, I won’t be falling asleep anytime soon.

  I walk down the passage and slip into the library. Amelia is asleep on the couch with a book sprawled open on her chest.

  I notice the painting Skylar gave me. Amelia must have brought it here after I left to take Mr. Perry his food.

  I take the next book from the pile, grab a throw so I can cuddle under it.

  I stretch out and lie back, and then Charlie jumps on, making space for himself by my feet.

  The cover is totally different from the previous book. It looks like a fun book, maybe a comedy. I could really use a comedy. I read the title, The Fault In Our Stars by John Green, and turn the pages to page one.

  Ten minutes into the book I’m sending dark scowls at Amelia’s sleeping body.

  Twenty minutes in, I grab the toilet roll and pull it closer. I hold the damn thing like a teddy bear. Charlie is giving me weird looks and when the first tears fall, he gets up with a huff as if to say, ‘Crazy women who read books that make them cry.’

  An hour in, I’m a sobbing mess. I have balls of used toilet paper decorating me like a Christmas tree.

  “What’s wrong?” Griffin asks suddenly and then he rushes over to me.

  Confused, I look up at him, trying to blink the tears away. “Huh?”

  “What happened?” he asks again, looking seriously worried. He crouches in front of me, a dark frown on his forehead.

  “There’s nothing wrong. She’s reading. You’re spoiling the story for her. Go on, get out,” Amelia says, chasing a confused Griffin from the room.

  I blow my nose and mumble, “Some friend you are. This is the saddest story ever.”

  “You’ll thank me later.” I notice that my toilet roll is almost finished and quickly run to my room. I grab two from my bathroom and when I come out, I run face first into Griffin. “Shit, sorry.”

  His hands immediately frame my cheeks and he tilts my head up. His eyes search mine and then he frowns.

  “I’m fine,” I blurt out. “It’s the book. It’s so sad.”

  He drops his hands from my face and looks confused again. “Why do you read it then?”

  I smile widely. “Because it’s so good!” I rush by him with a quick wave. “See you later.”

  I sigh contently when I sit down on the couch and pick up the book again.

  “There’s a whole stash of toilet paper behind my couch,” Amelia mumbles, totally absorbed in the book she’s reading.

  Now she tells me! Oh well, two more rolls is a bonus.

  It doesn’t take the book long to reduce me to a puddle of snot and tears.

  It’s late at night when I finish the book with sobs hiccupping over my dry lips.

  “Damn, that was so good,” I sniffle.

  Amelia places her book on the coffee table next to her couch and gets up. She stretches and then says, “I’m going to go look for something to eat before settling in for a night of reading.”

  I feel all wrinkly and smelly so I head back to my room. I take a quick shower and then get dressed in another pair of comfy leggings and t-shirt. I grab a knitted sweater and remind myself to thank Amelia for the clothes. She definitely had comfort in mind when she got them.

  I decide to go sit by the pool for a little bit before taking on the next book. I need a few minutes to digest the last one I read.

  I notice Charlie has stopped following me. When I walk by the library I see him curled up on the couch.

  I triple down the stairs and walk into the living room but come to a sudden halt when I see Mike standing by the fireplace.

  I’ve totally forgotten about him.

  The light-hearted mood I’ve been in from all the reading just up and vanishes.

  He hasn’t noticed me yet and I start to turn so I can leave, when he throws another piece of wood into the fireplace.

  My mind screams at me to go … now!

  I watch as he takes the matches and then he strikes one against the side of the box. A tiny flame jumps to life. He throws the match on the wood and horror creeps into my veins as the fire spreads, filling up my vision.

  Mom…

  I was tied up the first time. I couldn’t help Mom then, but I can now. I hurry towards the flames as a strangled sound rips loose f
rom somewhere deep inside me.

  “Mamma-No-Mamma.” I cry and scream for her. She has to know I’m coming to help her. I won’t let her die.

  I hear her screams … her wails of agony as the fire eats away at her.

  Arms slam into me and again I’m stopped from saving Mom.

  I fight with everything I have, but the arms are so much stronger, pulling me away from the flames.

  More arms come and they’re all so much stronger than me. I hear voices but all the sounds blur together.

  Someone sprays something on the fire, and as the flames die out, my legs give way and I sink back into the person who’s still holding me. I wrap my arms around my middle and crouch forward. The pain is too much. It’s a physical, living, breathing monster inside of me.

  Griffin~

  I walk into the monitor room and take a seat next to Camden.

  “You’ve been living in here. Are you hiding from Skylar?”

  He doesn’t even remove his eyes from the screens to acknowledge me.

  “None of your business,” he mumbles.

  My eyes fall on the screen that shows the living room and it shows Mike throwing some wood into the fireplace.

  Camden points to the screen that shows a wide view of the stairs. “There’s your girl.”

  I give him a hard look, telling him to not even go there.

  Riley is beautiful and under normal circumstances I wouldn’t hesitate in pursuing her, but things are far from normal so I have to keep my dick in place. There’s no time to fuck around.

  My eyes go to the screen and I watch as Riley practically skips down the stairs. It’s weird how all that reading and crying over fictional shit is actually doing her good.

  I lean back in the chair, thinking how I miss our nights by the lake. It was only for a week or so that we did it, but I enjoyed it. In some weird way it helped me cope with all this shit.

  The screen of the kitchen shows Amelia making a huge sandwich with some of the leftover chicken.

  “Fuck!” Camden yells, shooting up out of his chair.

  My eyes dart wildly over the screens, looking for whatever danger Camden sees.

  Just as I see Mike grabbing hold of Riley, Camden makes a run for the door. I jump up and race out of the monitor room.

 

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