Worth The Risk_A Lesbian Romance

by K M Leach

  "You saved me," Lucy said simply. "You got to me before he could.... Thank you."

  Bonnie grabbed a couple of tissues from the glove box and started to wipe Lucy's face. The cut wasn't bleeding too badly, but Bonnie wanted to get Lucy somewhere so that she could assess how hurt she was.

  "Switch places with me. I will drive us to a rest stop so you can get cleaned up and I can check your injuries."

  Bonnie didn't wait for Lucy to respond, she shoved the bloody knife in the glove box and got out of the car. Bonnie watched as Lucy chose to just climb over the gear shift into the passenger seat while she walked around to the drivers side. Bonnie climbed behind the wheel, started the car and pulled back out onto the highway.

  They drove in silence, both lost in their own thoughts. Lucy thinking about what would have happened if Bonnie hadn't gotten to her when she did and Bonnie thinking about what she had done and how she hoped that the bastard that had tried to rape her best friend was dead.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Derek knocked on the ambulance door and the vehicle took off towards the hospital with the victim inside. He wasn't dead, but the paramedics had told him and his partner Holden that it would be touch and go on whether he would survive or not.

  Lexi was standing with the growing crowd of onlookers and she listened intently as the sandy haired detective continued to call the piece of shit in the ambulance a victim. She had seen what had transpired from just a few moments before Bonnie had found and rescued Lucy. She had been leaving when she had heard the blonde call out Bonnie's name. I should tell them what really happened, she thought as she continued to eavesdrop on the two detectives. They were observing a lab tech scraping some paint transfer from the car Lucy had hit on her way out of the parking lot. The cute African American detective in the fedora had looked her way several times in the last few minutes and she had a feeling that he would approach her at any minute to see if she had witnessed anything. The question was whether she would tell the truth or lie to save her own ass.

  Bonnie and Lucy would realise soon enough that Lexi wasn't the nice and friendly girl that they thought she was. They would soon notice that Lexi had relinquished them of their money and cell phones. She couldn't afford to be arrested again. If she was caught again, she would see the inside of a jail cell.

  Just as suspected the detective tapped his sandy haired, scruffy partner on the shoulder and motioned to her. He nodded and Mister Fedora came walking on over to her with a reassuring smile on his face that he presumed would put her at ease. It didn't. Because she still wasn't sure what she should do. I barely know them. I don't owe them anything, she thought to herself even though she was riddled with guilt at the thought of what her two victims had just gone through. They had been made victims twice in one night, even if they didn't know it yet. It's the survival of the fittest, Lexi, she said to herself. There should be plenty of evidence to tell them what really happened out here tonight, they don't need me.

  She smiled as the detective came to a stop in front of her. "Hello, Miss. My name is Detective Holden and I was wondering if you saw anything that could help us fill in the gaps of what happened here tonight?"

  "I'm not sure if I have any information that would be of use to you, Detective," she replied sweetly.

  To Lexi's surprise, he frowned and cocked his head to the side as if he wasn't sure if he believed her. She was an adept liar and the fact that he didn't believe her, gave her more respect for the man standing there, but not enough to open her mouth and protect a couple of strangers instead of her own ass. Much to her good fortune Holden's partner called him back over as he held a pair of ruined white panties in one gloved hand and a cowboy hat in the other.

  Before returning to his partner, however, he fished out a card and turned it over and wrote something on the back. "If you think of anything please call," he said before turning his back and walking away.

  Lexi looked down at the card that had the precinct number under his name. She flipped it over and on the back of the card it read : When you are ready to help. Followed by a cell phone number. He looked back and she gave him a small nod and put the card in her pocket with her ill gotten gains and walked away.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Lucy seemed to be calmer by the time they reached a rest stop with a bathroom, but she still hadn't really talked. Bonnie knew that it was still probably the shock, but it still scared her that the blonde was so quiet and withdrawn.

  Bonnie turned to Lucy and said, "Perhaps you would like to change clothes and you are usually the organised one that is prepared for emergencies so would I be guessing right that you have a small first aid kit packed in one of your bags."

  Lucy nodded, "Can you pop the trunk?"

  "Sure," Bonnie said with a nod and a soft smile. Lucy's eyes were dull as she gave a small smile back before getting out of the car. Bonnie popped the trunk with the lever and stepped out of the car as well. Lucy handed Bonnie a little first aid kit and then pulled out some jeans, panties and a T-shirt. Bonnie followed Lucy silently into the bathroom. She waited while the blonde went into a stall and came out a few minutes later in her new attire.

  "Just getting changed has made me feel a little less exposed and vulnerable. Thank you for suggesting it." Finding no paper towel in the dispenser she went into the stall that Lucy had just exited and grabbed a wad of toilet paper.

  "Will you let me help clean up your face?" Bonnie felt silly asking, but she didn't want to cause Lucy discomfort of any kind.

  The blonde nodded and allowed Bonnie to clean off the dried blood and place a small butterfly bandage on her cut after disinfecting it. The brunette appraised her handy work before nodding and giving her friend a smile. "All done. How are you feeling? Is there anything else I can do?"

  "Perhaps you could grab me a couple of aspirin. I have a bit of a headache."

  "Sure. I'll be right back." Bonnie rushed out of the restroom eager to help. Lucy stared into the mirror at her reflection. Everything that had happened was a blur except for Bonnie coming to her aid. Whether it was the punch to the side of her face or the shock, she had seemed to block out and distort her memories until they were nothing but a blur of garbled disjointed memories. Bonnie was treading lightly around her not wanting to say the wrong thing, but she just wanted to forget it all.

  She wanted Bonnie to forget it all. She wanted it to never have happened. She wanted to have been smarter and not gotten so drunk and out of control that she had allowed it to happen in the first place. She had made herself a target hadn't she? She had made a spectacle of herself in front of all those people. In front of Bonnie. Did Bonnie think that she deserved it? That she had it coming?

  Lucy hadn't noticed that Bonnie had returned until she spoke. As if reading her mind, she said, "This wasn't your fault, Lucy. He was a sick fuck and I know for sure that his attack on you wasn't his first. I could see it in his eyes."

  "But the way I acted. I made a complete fool of myself in that bar, Bonnie."

  The brunette walked over to Lucy and handed her a couple of aspirins and took a couple for herself and her sore knee. Lucy popped them in her mouth and then scooped up a handful of water and swallowed them.

  "You were having a good time and it got a little out of control. It happens to the best of us, Lucy. But that doesn't mean that you invited him to attack you and violate you."

  "He didn't..."

  Bonnie came closer. "I know he didn't, but he would have.... I should have been with you. I should never have left you alone. I knew how drunk you were. I let you down. I'm sorry."

  Lucy reached out and cupped Bonnie's face with both hands. "No! You didn't. I am a grown woman and you are not my babysitter. How could you possibly know that there was some sicko watching me and waiting to get me alone. You saved me, Bonnie. You rushed to my rescue with no concern for your safety and you protected me. You are the greatest friend a girl could have and I am grateful that I have you every day." Lucy leaned in and kissed the brunette
on the forehead. "I will never forget what you did for me. Thank you." Lucy dropped her hands from Bonnie's face.

  The brunette moved forward and hugged Lucy hard before stepping back and giving the blonde a lopsided smile, "How is it that you ended up comforting me. I was supposed to be comforting you."

  Lucy returned the smile and this time it showed in her eyes, "You are a comfort to me every day. I always feel safe when you are with me. Now come on, we still have a few hours drive left till we get to the cabin," Lucy said with a wink. She picked up the first aid kit and her dress and exited the bathroom. She threw the dress in the trashcan by the picnic table before getting into the car.

  Bonnie understood why she had thrown the dress away. It would have been a constant reminder of what had happened and she sensed that the blonde wanted nothing else but to forget about this night. So Bonnie was determined to make the rest of the trip as memorable as possible so that this night would be just a distant memory compared to all the rest that they were yet to make.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Bonnie pulled into a tiny gas station with only two pumps. It was in the middle of nowhere, with wilderness surrounding them on all sides. Its sign was crooked and everything about the small, run down building screamed 'end of the world zombie apocalypse' but the simple fact was she needed fuel. Her car was running on fumes and wouldn't make it to the last town that was about twenty miles before the final few miles to the cabin. The lights were on inside and she saw the guy behind the counter peering out towards the car through the dirt streaked windows.

  Bonnie turned her attention to the blonde sleeping silently in the passenger seat. Her heart ached at the sight of the discolouration that was coming out around the small cut on her cheek, marring her flawless, milky complexion. She went to reach out and stroke the cheek, but stopped herself, her hand hovering in the air. She moved her hand back to her lap as she continued to watch Lucy sleep. They had talked a little about the incident outside the bar and when Bonnie had suggested they go to the police Lucy had shaken her head and said that she just wanted to get to the cabin away from everyone and everything.

  Something must have shown in Bonnie's eyes because the blonde's voice had softened and she had reached out and squeezed her arm comfortingly before saying that everyone didn't include her. She said that there wasn't anyone who witnessed the attack or surely they would have helped and if he was dead, she certainly didn't want her getting in trouble for that. She reasoned that Bonnie had saved her before he had managed to finish what he started and all she wanted was to be alone with Bonnie and the solitude of the cabin. Bonnie would agree and do whatever Lucy wanted. All she wanted was to be there for her and be whatever her friend needed. So Bonnie had just continued to drive towards the cabin and away from the nightmare behind them. Lucy had fallen asleep shortly after that and as Bonnie continued to look at her friend she decided that if she didn't wake up soon, she would wake the blonde up herself. She wasn't sure if Lucy was a little concussed from the blow to her face so she wanted to be safe.

  As if sensing Bonnie's scrutiny Lucy stirred and opened her eyes to find the brunette staring at her. "Everything all right?" she enquired as she rubbed her eyes, letting out a hiss of pain when her hand connected with the sore side of her face. She looked away from Bonnie and at their surroundings for the first time. "Where are we?"

  "In the middle of fuck knows where," she responded. "The beast was running on nothing but dregs so I had to stop. We are about another hour away from the cabin I think. We should get there by dawn."

  "I see the sign for the bathroom around the side of the main building. It is probably infested with a billion kinds of bacteria and animal life, but I don't think I can hold out," Lucy said making a face which prompted Bonnie to laugh.

  "Okay. I will fill her up while you fight with the local wildlife in the toilets," she teased with a wink.

  "If I'm not out in ten minutes come rescue me."

  Bonnie nodded in the direction of the man who was still glued to the window staring in their direction. "That goes double for me when I have to deal with that creepy guy," Bonnie said with a disgusted look of her own.

  "Deal," the blonde said with another laugh as she got out of the car and headed around the side of the building.

  Bonnie filled up the tank and tried to ignore the fact that she could feel the service attendant's eyes glued to her as she did. Jesus! Just take a picture already, she thought as she made her way into the building. There were a few fridges holding liquor, soft drinks and milk and several rows of shelves holding miscellaneous groceries and snacks. She decided to grab a few things piling them onto the counter. She got a good look at the middle aged man behind the counter and instantly wished she had avoided eye contact as he openly ogled her from head to toe. His small pig like eyes were visible under his cap that read, 'RUDE CRUDE DUDE.' His frame was skinny under his dirty T-shirt with stains under his arms, and his saggy, green camo pants.

  He rang in the items and told her the total owing. She reached into the inside of her leather jacket and frowned when the contents of the inside pocket were devoid of her phone and money. All she found was a small folded piece of paper that turned out to be the receipt from the bar. She turned the paper over and found a message in bold black writing that read: Sorry. Nothing personal.... Lexi.

  Fuck!, Bonnie thought to herself as she reread the inadequate note over and over again. So not a serial killer, but a thief.

  Bonnie gave the now frowning clerk an awkward smile as she started heading towards the front door. A clearing of the man's throat and the appearance of the shotgun from beneath the counter had Bonnie raising her hands in the air. "You are not going nowhere till I get paid for that gas, Missy."

  "Well, if a tiny, little thieving hitchhiker hadn't taken my phone and money you'd already have it," Bonnie responded sarcastically.

  "That ain't my problem and no sob story is gunna work on me," He responded gruffly.

  "I was just going to get some money off my friend who went around back to use the facilities. I'm sure you saw her... tall, blonde and beautiful?"

  "Aye. I saw her. Nice piece of ass she is, that's true, but I still ain't letting you out that door. She will come looking for ya when you don't show up for a while and when she does you can ask her for the money. Do we understand each other?" He motioned with the gun for her to move away from the door. He gave her a bucktoothed grin when he sensed her hesitation as Bonnie contemplated making a run for it. "Don't test me, girly. Sexy as you are, I won't hesitate to blow a hole in you and drag you out back for the coyote's."

  Bonnie sighed and walked over to one of the shelves and leaned against it waiting for Lucy to come looking for her. It didn't take long and five minutes later the blond entered the room, the bell tinkling with her arrival.

  Lucy eyed Bonnie and the man holding the shotgun as it lay on the counter beside the bagged up groceries. "What's going on? Are you all right?," she asked Bonnie nervously.

  Bonnie silently handed Lucy the note from Lexi. "I found this where my phone and money should have been."

  "Oh," Lucy said with a frown as she read the note. She turned to face the man behind the counter, "Let me go out to the car and check my jacket.... um.... I'm sorry, what's your name?"

  "Chuck," he answered in surprise. "But don't think that you being all polite will change anything. I am sick of being taken advantage of by people. They are always stealing or doing the old pump and run. No one cares that I need to make a living, you know, and times are tough. I'm out here every day on my own. It gets lonely." He once again leered at Bonnie making her shudder in disgust.

  Is this the weekend of the full moon or what! Because it seems like all the sicko's and crazies are out in force, she thought to herself.

  "Well, Chuck. I'm sorry to hear that times are tough. As you can see from my face, we have had a hell of a night as well. I'll be back in a moment. Hopefully with what we owe you."

  Bonnie knew Lucy and the
look she gave her as she exited the store told her that she wasn't expecting to find any money in her jacket either. And it's all my fault! Lucy didn't want to pick Lexi up. I convinced her too. Just as expected, she returned moments later with just a napkin showing the same note that Bonnie had found in her pocket. Lucy gave Bonnie a small smile to show her that she wasn't blaming her for any of this, but Bonnie felt the need to apologise anyway. "I'm sorry."

  "Well, you two seem to be in quite a pickle and while I am sorry that you both seem to have been swindled, I can't allow you two to swindle me out of being paid for the gas you have pumped into that muscle car of yours. So I am open to suggestions on how you would like to pay me for my goods."

  Bonnie didn't like the look of almost glee that their current predicament seemed to plant on his face. "You are enjoying this, Chuck. A little too much, I think, because I don't know how we are going to give you your money when we don't have any!" she said in frustration.