When To Fear The Living

by B. L. Brunnemer

"I don't want your help! Fuck off!" I shouted back. A hand let go, I grunted with the impact. As pain shot through my face, my anger drove to the surface helping me focus. The fucker had just hit me!

  "You don't need to talk like that anymore," He snarled in my face. Big fucking mistake, I grabbed his ear and twisted through the fabric, he cursed, both his hands instantly went to loosen my hold. I yanked him off me to the side, my knee made contact with his gut. I rolled, scrambled, and made it to my feet. I ran towards the bar as fast as I could.

  "Asher!" I screamed again just before I hit the cement near the door, my head bounced off the ground. The world spun, a heavy weight was on my back pinning me to the gravel. I blinked and tried to focus.

  "You're going to be safe from those assholes who keep hurting you." He shifted his weight off me then I was on my back again as the world spun.

  "You just hurt me, you dick." I pointed out as the world kept spinning. Another hit, my eye felt like it was going to explode as the world tilted even more. I raised my hand to my head, there was something hot and wet.

  "You gave me no choice," He bit out. He gripped my arms, then yanked me up, dug his shoulder into my stomach, and lifted me. I tried to drive a knee into his chest, to hit something, but my world was spinning, and my limbs felt like lead.

  "Asher!" I screamed again my voice cracking. A door slammed open.

  "Hey!" Asher's voice shouted, feet were running towards us.

  "Get your fucking hands off her!" Zeke's bellow was unmistakable. Relief instantly ran through me.

  "You're in deep shit now, pal," I muttered. His grip loosened as he hesitated. I drove my knee into his chest then shoved myself sideways off his shoulder. I landed hard on my side in the gravel, hitting my head again. My head throbbed, my body ached, and I felt every scrape I had. Feet were running away. Run bitch, run. I groaned and tried to push myself up, it didn't work. Hands were on me, I smelled limes and opened my eyes.

  "Lexie?" Isaac demanded an answer as he leaned over me. I didn't care if I hurt, I was just so fucking happy to see him. I groaned, rolled over, and tried to sit up. He reached out, wrapped an arm around my back, and helped me up. I wobbled so Isaac pulled me to his chest so I could lean against him. He felt perfect right now.

  "Someone kill that mother fucker," I grumbled as the spinning finally started slowing down.

  "Zeke and Asher are on it. Are you okay?" Isaac bit out, his voice boiling. Huh. The twins got angry the same way, never noticed that before. A car peeled out somewhere.

  "I'm fine. I... was dizzy, it's getting better. I hit my head on the ground, twice." I blinked hard, the world was slowing down, it was almost still again. Isaac brushed my hair off my forehead. "I just hit the ground hard again, be good in a couple minutes," I promised.

  "You're bleeding." Isaac's voice was still furious. "What happened?" Isaac asked as he pressed his face into my hair. I reached up and wrapped a hand around the back of his neck. My body was so tired it was all I had.

  "Fucker tried to grab me, said he was taking me somewhere safe," I said, dazed. "I told him to fuck off. So, he hit me, saying that you guys were hurting me. I pointed out that he had just hit me. He didn't see the irony." Isaac snorted into my hair as he rocked me. Running feet on the gravel came towards us.

  "Is she-?"

  "I'm fine," I assured Asher.

  "Let me see her," Asher demanded in his hard voice.

  "I'm calling the cops." Isaac's voice was still boiling. He gave me a squeeze, kissed my hair then let Asher pick me up out of his lap. The world spun as Asher stood up, cradling me against his chest. I closed my eyes and rested my cheek against his shoulder, I looked up at him. His eyes were wide, his face pale. He was freaking out. I reached up and stroked my fingers along his jaw. His rough ocean eyes met mine, then he took a deep breath.

  "I'm okay. You guys got here in time," I reminded him. He dropped his forehead to mine and took another deep breath.

  "I barely fucking heard you, Ally," He whispered, his voice shaking. I cupped his cheek and rubbed his cheekbone with my thumb.

  "I need cops here at the back of Vegabond, some fucker just tried to kidnap my friend. Her forehead is bleeding so the EMT's would be a good idea," Isaac snapped into his phone.

  "But you did. And you got here in time," I pointed out. I was weirdly calm. I knew I should be upset, but strangely I wasn't. They had me, I was safe.

  "Let's get her inside, we'll stay backstage," Asher said as he started carrying me towards the bar.

  "I'll call Rory after I get off with them," Isaac told us. Asher held me tight and kissed my forehead.

  "Where's her coat? She's shivering," Asher demanded.

  "He grabbed hold of it, so, I slipped out of it to get away," I answered him as we reached the back doors of the bar.

  "Good thinking, honey." Asher carried me into the backstage area; Ethan's band was still playing.

  Isaac was talking on the phone just outside the door. It was much warmer inside than it was outside. Asher stood just inside the door, so it was warm but not too loud for me. My head was throbbing as I watched outside. Zeke finally stopped pacing back and forth, he picked up my coat, then headed back toward the bar. He was furious, it was in his long stride, and rigid posture. Someone moved the curtain.

  "What happened?" Riley's voice came from behind us. "You guys took off like a bat out of hell."

  "Some guy just tried to take Ally." Asher's voice was hard and sharp. Riley cursed. Isaac finished on the phone and came back in before Zeke reached us. Isaac's face was dark as he moved to the side of the stage.

  "Where is she?" Zeke growled as he came back. I waved at him. Zeke's eyes were glowing as he strode over to us with my coat in his hand. "Give her to me." Zeke wasn't asking. Asher handed me over to Zeke, who turned and headed for the private bathroom for the musicians.

  "Zeke-"

  "Hold on," He bit out through clenched teeth. When we reached the bathroom, Zeke gently set me down on the counter and hit the light. His eyes ran over me before he yanked out the small flashlight on his keys and turned it on. I closed my eyes as he examined my face. There was nothing I could do but wait. "He hit you?" He growled.

  "Yeah, twice." I didn't bother lying, I'm sure I was bruising already.

  "Asher!" Zeke shouted. Asher and the others were already standing in the doorway to the bathroom. "Get her some ice and a first aid kit. Riley, tell that manager what happened." They both nodded then hurried off. Then Zeke's gaze was on me again. "What else did he do, Lexie?" Zeke demanded. It took me a second to process what he was saying, the world was kind of fuzzy.

  "He grabbed me, said he was saving me, I bit the fucker's fingers, got away, he got my jacket. I slipped it, I ran, he tackled. He said he was helping me, I told him to fuck off, he hit me for cursing. I got away again. He tackled me again, that time my head hit the ground, and the world was spinning. I cursed at him again, he hit me again. He picked me up, and you guys came out." I didn't bother pausing, I just hurried through it. Zeke wouldn't be okay without all the details. "He said he was taking me somewhere safe, away from you guys." Zeke's exam moved onto my arms, my hands, my back, and even my knees. He found every scrap, every bruise, and every cut I'd gotten out there. I just let him, he wouldn't be calm down otherwise. Asher was back, he handed Zeke the ice and first aid kit. Zeke took the ice, held my face in one hand, and pressed the ice to my other cheek. Sirens were coming closer. Zeke's gaze ran over my face. I saw the fear in his eyes, there was a lot of rage too, but I saw the fear he could keep hidden from everyone, except me.

  "Zeke..." I whispered before I crooked my finger at him. He leaned down and rested his forehead against mine. I wrapped my hand around his big wrist and gave him a squeeze. His hands shook on my face as he took deep breaths. I rested my other hand on the middle of his chest so he could feel and know I was there.

  "Baby..." He whispered, his voice shaking. It got quieter.

  "I'm okay Tough Guy, I'm a little banged u
p, but you guys got there in time," I assured him.

  Asher's footsteps moved away from the bathroom door, he knew Zeke was having a freak out. So, he left to give Zeke privacy to deal with it. Zeke straightened a little then held me against his chest. I wrapped my arms around his waist as he buried his face into the hair on top of my head. Light footsteps came to the bathroom door. "I'm fine, I'm here, I'm okay. I even yanked on that fucker's ear really hard." I kept my voice soft and soothing trying to help calm him down. Footsteps moved away from the door again. His hold was loosening when there was a shout.

  "Where is she?" Ethan snapped

  "I'm okay," I mumbled against Zeke's chest. Isaac started explaining what happened. Feet shuffled as the guys moved out of the way.

  "My turn, Zeke," Ethan snapped. Zeke grew tense around me, I gave him a squeeze. Zeke took a deep breath, let it out, kissed the top of my head, then moved out of the bathroom. Ethan strode in, his face dark, his eyes ran over my face. "Did you recognize him?" He asked.

  "No, fucker was wearing a ski mask and all black. He was tall and broad shouldered." Ethan pulled me to him, his face burying into my neck. I held him as I breathed in his spicy cologne.

  "I'm okay. Asher heard me," I reassured him. He held me tighter. "I'm here, I'm all right, I even yanked the fucker's ear." Ethan snorted, his grip tightening. I just held onto him as he took deep, calming breaths.

  "Lexie, are you okay?" Ryan's voice came from the doorway. I gave him a thumbs-up as I looked over Ethan's shoulder at him. His face was hard, his mouth a tight line, his hands were clenching into fists, then unclenching. Hell, he looked like he wanted to hug me too, but Ethan wasn't letting go. He was still holding me when the cops pulled into the parking lot.

  It was almost an hour later, and I was in the back of the ambulance. No, I wasn't going to the hospital, but the cut on my forehead needed strips to keep it closed. I was wrapped in a blanket. Once the cops showed up, the signs of shock became more apparent. I was still shaking, but it wasn't so bad now, just a tremor. I'd given one of the officers my statement and was just waiting for the guys to be done. Ethan was sitting in front of me, holding one of my hands in both of his.

  "What happened?" A husky voice drifted from the crowd.

  "I don't know... guys. It's Lexie." Jake's voice reached me. I cringed.

  "Lexie!" Dylan shouted. There was movement out near the back of the ambulance. I blinked and looked out the doors. Dylan and a couple of his friends were hurrying over. My guys moved fast, blocking them from reaching me.

  "What the hell happened?" Jake asked. "Is she okay?"

  "Get the fuck out of the way Zeke, let me see her!" Dylan's voice shouted as he tried to get to me. Derrick’s wasn't far behind. The shoving and shouting had the cops breaking the boys up. Ethan just looked at me as Asher explained who Dylan and his friends were to the police.

  "What do you want, Beautiful?" Ethan asked quietly. I wanted to go home.

  "Let Jake through, he's a sweetie. That'll calm the others down." My voice sounded tired, even to me. Ethan nodded, he wrapped another warmed blanket around me before he went to the back of the ambulance and got out. It wasn't long before Jake was climbing into the back, his eyes wide, face pale.

  "Lexie, are you okay?" He asked as he sat down. His eyes ran over my face. "What the fuck happened? Who did that to you?" He reached out to lift my chin so he could see my full face.

  "Yeah, I'm okay," I assured him. "Some guy tried to kidnap me. I broke free, and Asher heard me. The guys chased him off. That's all that happened."

  "Shit, what the hell is going on?" Jake asked.

  "We don't know yet," I admitted.

  "What can I do to help?" He asked. He was such a sweetheart.

  "You can get Dylan out of here," I said, bluntly. Jake nodded, his eyes understanding.

  "No problem, sweetness." His eyes ran over my face. "Until they find this guy, stick to those hotties like glue." I smiled, which made my lip hurt.

  "I'm planning on it," I assured him. His worried gaze ran over me again.

  "I'll go get Dylan out of here," He said. He leaned in and gave me a gentle hug. "Stay safe, sweetness." I squeezed him back. He pulled away and went out the back of the ambulance.

  The world was fuzzy as I listened to Jake tell the others what happened.

  "Lexie!" Rory's shout had me looking out the doors. He was running across the lot to the ambulance. A cop went to stop him, and then the officer noticed Rory was in uniform. He let Rory pass. The world came back hard and fast, my insides shook as he climbed into the ambulance. I started crying and I don't know why, I've been through worse. Rory sat next to me and pulled me into his arms, I clung to him as I kept crying. He pushed my hair out of my face and looked at the damage. He cursed then held me tighter. "You're okay, it's going to be alright. I've got you, kid." Warmth washed through me as he held me, and kept telling me he was there. It was different than when the guys did it, but still familiar. The ambulance dipped as the scent of leather and engine grease reached me. "What happened?"

  "It looks like a guy made a grab for her," Zeke answered, his gravelly voice hard. "She fought back and managed to keep getting free 'till she was close enough to the bar for Asher to hear her. She was over his shoulder when we got out here." Rory cursed. Zeke continued. "She broke free again, and he ran for it. Asher and I went after him while Isaac went to her. He had a car waiting, a white Camry." Zeke sounded so angry that I couldn't stand it. I reached out and grabbed his hand on his knee, he took it and held on tight. I pulled back from Rory a bit and wiped my face.

  "When did he hit her?" Rory asked. I snorted.

  "When I told him to fuck off," I admitted, looking up at Rory. "Apparently, he didn't like cursing, so, naturally I did it again." Rory shook his head, keeping his arm around me. He looked at Zeke, his face serious.

  "You were right, Zeke," Rory said quietly. "I should have listened." Zeke looked down at the floor, his shoulders tense. Shouting started outside the ambulance.

  "Is that-?"

  "Yeah, Dylan was at the bar, and now he won't leave," I grumbled holding the ice pack against my face again. Rory got to his feet and went to the back of the ambulance.

  "Knock it the fuck off!" Rory bellowed, the scuffling stopped. Rory got down out of the ambulance and stood between Dylan and the doors. "Dylan, she's fine. Banged up but fine." Rory sounded like he was holding on to his patience by a thread. "Go home."

  "I just want to see-"

  "Well, then you shouldn't have dumped her, huh?" Rory snapped.

  "You dumped her?" Derrick's voice was shocked.

  "Yeah, you didn't know that either?" Aaron snapped.

  "Leave her alone. Go home." Rory wasn't asking. Dylan took one last look at me before walking away. I leaned forward and hide my face in my hands, Zeke's big calloused hand wrapped around the back of my neck, his fingers massaging gently. I just wanted to go home.

  Zeke drove me home in the Blazer, he'd given his keys to Asher and asked him to drive Riley home. The ride was quiet as I held the cold pack to my face. Zeke was probably quiet because he was thinking up ways to kill whoever hit me tonight. I didn't mind, I was thinking up a few ways of my own. It wasn't long before we pulled up to Rory's. By the time I got out, Zeke was at my door looking up and down the block. I bit back a smile. He kept my keys as we walked to the door. There was a large manila envelope on the front step with my name on it. My stomach knotted as I picked it up.

  "What's that?" He asked as he unlocked the door.

  "I don't know," I mumbled. Zeke stuck his head in the door and flipped the light on. When he saw that it was clear, he let me go in. Hades jumped off the couch and ran to me, I gave him a halfhearted pet before I walked over to the table and opened the envelope. It was full of pictures. Black and white pictures of Zeke and I dancing on the night of Winter Formal. Written in white on one was 'I know he made you.' "Zeke," I called, not quite believing what I was seeing. Zeke stopped playing with Hades an
d came to my side. He cursed. He went through the pictures and found all the ones of us dancing together. He folded them and tucked them into his back pocket, leaving the ones of us just talking on the table. He pulled out his phone.

  "Rory, there were photos of Lexie waiting for us when we got here," Zeke snapped into the phone. I sank down in a chair as I tried to grasp what was going on. "Yeah, on the front step." My phone vibrated. It was a text.

  Secret Admirer: Alexis, I'm sorry I had to hit you tonight. You weren't acting like yourself, you were talking like them. What those 'friends' are doing to you isn't right. They are changing you and not in a good way, you need to get away from them.

  I blinked and read the message again. It pissed me off.

  Alexis: You hit me you mother-fucker, I'm looking forward to returning the favor.

  I hit send. I was satisfied for about two seconds. Then I wondered if I should have done that.

  "Zeke," I said. He looked down at me as I held my phone out to him. He took it, read it and cursed.

  "He texted her, Secret Admirer guy said he hit her," He growled into the phone. I sat in my chair, pulled my knees up to my chest, and fumed. I wanted to tear this guy apart. "I'm not going anywhere," Zeke told Rory. It wasn't long before Zeke got off the phone. He dropped both our phones onto the table, then knelt in front of me. His fingers lifted my chin so he could look at my black eye and bruised cheekbone. His face was hard as he met my eyes. "Let's get some more ice on that," He mumbled before getting to his feet and heading into the kitchen.

  "I think the ice has done all it can," I said, my voice sharp. Zeke came back, pulled a chair up in front of me and sat down.

  "Talk to me," He said, his voice was not asking. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly before meeting his eyes.

  "I wasn't paying attention," I admitted through clenched teeth. "I was in my head and not looking around as I walked out to the truck." Zeke's eyes flashed.

  "He would have come after you even if you were paying attention," He pointed out. "You might have had more warning, but that's about it." I shook my head.