Damaged Souls (Broken Man)

by Scott, Christopher

  He worried when she didn’t reply and he increased his speed as he approached the development. “Delaney, you still there.”

  “I’m here, Greg,” she reassured him. “I love you too, I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s okay, don’t be sorry,” he said as he turned onto Mitch’s road. “I’m here now. Where are you, Delaney.”

  And then he saw her as she stepped out from behind a row of hedges. It was a feeling he would never forget, the feeling of knowing she was going to safe as he pulled his truck over and ran to her.

  As he took her into his arms, Greg finally understood what he should have known all along. He was in love with her, and Delaney was in love with him too.

  Chapter Nine

  What is Greg doing here?

  Jack immediately knew something was wrong when he heard the sound of Greg’s truck pulling into the driveway. It’s after midnight, he realized as he jumped off the couch and sprang into action, running outside just in time to see Greg help Delaney out of the truck. Seeing her condition, Jack suddenly felt an anger he hadn’t experienced in a long time.

  Crying uncontrollably, her hair and makeup ruined, her shoes gone, a large bruise on her arm, Jack didn’t need to be told what had happened. His first reaction to kill someone, Jack consciously calmed himself down, knowing that wasn’t the answer, at least not yet. He needed to concentrate on taking care of Delaney.

  He scooped her into his arms and carried her to the house where they were met by Amanda, who immediately started to cry. The feeling of impotence both foreign and painful to him, Jack tried to comfort both of them as he led the way to their bedroom. Finding a calm sanctuary, he laid Delaney down on the bed and tended to her wounds as Amanda held her and she tried to tell them what happened.

  “It happened so fast,” she tried to explain. “Everything was fine at the club, but once we got back to his house, he started drinking and turned into someone else.”

  “Delaney, you don’t have to tell us now,” Jack tried to soothe her. “Just try to relax.”

  “It was awful. I was going to leave, but he forced me into the bedroom and his hands were all over me. I tried to scream but he wouldn’t stop. I don’t know how I got away,” she started to cry even harder.

  “It’s okay Delaney, you are safe now,” Jack tried to maintain his composure as he took her into his arms. “No one is going to hurt you, I promise.”

  Finally, after a few minutes, he was able to regain a little control over the situation as Delaney and Amanda somehow managed to calm down. Now it’s time to take action, Jack again sensed his anger as he walked into the hallway to consider his alternatives. I could easily do that, he suddenly pictured his hands wrapped around Mitch’s neck.

  “Jack, don’t do anything stupid,” Amanda’s words snapped him out of his murderous trance as he felt her hand touch his arm.

  “I’m not going to,” he replied as he realized they had too much to lose and reached for his cell phone to call the police. “Take care of Delaney, I’ll be back in a second,” he decided to step away so Delaney wouldn’t overhear his conversation.

  Then, he was overcome by a sickening feeling as a shot of adrenaline coursed through his veins. Oh no, he thought to himself as he quickly searched the house but didn’t find what he was looking for. “Oh shit,” he said out loud as he realized what was missing and knew right away this night was not going to end well.

  Greg was gone.

  * * *

  I am going to kill him, Greg understood his fate as he arrived at Mitch’s house. And nothing is going to stop me, he realized as he slammed the door of his truck.

  How could he have done that to Delaney, Greg’s anger boiled over as he thought of her crying. It’s like molesting a child. I should have never let her go with him, he thought of her innocence as he ran up the stairs.

  How am I going to do this, Greg asked himself as he arrived at the door and thought about Mitch’s protectors. He might be hard to get to. I’ll find a way, he decided he didn’t need a plan as he pushed open the door.

  This isn’t going to be hard at all, Greg surveyed the drunken scene in the living room. Where is that asshole. Im going to find him, Greg was determined as he made his way through the crowd, bypassing the kitchen in favor of the the game room.

  There he is, Greg located his victim in the corner of the room just on the other side of the pool table. Hasn’t he had enough, he watched Mitch groping another potential victim and again thought of Delaney. I hope she is okay, he lost focus for a second as his thoughts turned to her.

  He pictured her trying to get away as Mitch overwhelmed her. That wasn’t a fair fight, he is twice the size of her. I have no idea how she survived, he again thought of her crying and forgot for a second why he was there. But, Delaney is tough, Greg admired her courage as he refocused on his mission.

  “Mitch,” Greg heard his voice echo through the room as the seas parted between him and Delaney’s attacker. “Let the girl go.”

  * * *

  Never again, Jack thought to himself as he sped toward Mitch’s house and pulled out his phone to dial 911. Why did I let her go with him. Mitch is just like his father, that arrogant prick. This is my fault, he realized as the operator answered his call.

  “Operator 911.”

  “I need the police,” Jack was brief in his request.

  “Sir, where are you located.”

  “Tell them to go to Turning Palms.”

  “Sir, can you give me an address.”

  “No, I can’t, but they’ll know it when they see it,” Jack pictured the scene as he sped around the corner and understood what Greg was feeling. “And you better send an ambulance too.”

  “Sir, please stay on the line, the police and ambulance have been dispatched.”

  “Thank you,” Jack replied as he ignored her request and tossed the phone on the passenger seat.

  I hope I get there before he does something stupid, Jack laid on the gas as Turning Palms came into view. Maybe I’m in time to stop him.

  * * *

  “What the fuck do you want,” Mitch responded to Greg’s request with that arrogant smirk as he pushed his new girlfriend aside.

  Greg didn’t respond as Mitch walked around the pool table and grabbed a pool cue, as if it was going to provide some kind of defense for the beating he was about to administer. The girl and the pool table out of the way, Greg had nothing more to say as he simply stepped towards Mitch.

  His progress was quickly stopped by Jeff Gross, Mitch’s best friend and primary protector. I don’t want to waste my time and energy on this overfed asshole, Greg thought to himself as Jeff tried to intimidate him.

  “Why don’t you leave before I make you, you little pussy,” Jeff said loud enough for the entire room to hear.

  “It’s okay, Jeff,” a drunken Mitch dismissed his bully and slurred his words. “I’m sure Greg just wants to talk.”

  “I’m not here to talk,” Greg made his intentions clear and gave Mitch the opportunity to defend himself as Jeff reluctantly stepped out of the way.

  “What’s the matter, Greg,” Mitch still didn’t understand the gravity of the situation in his drunken state. “Are you mad because I popped your little girlfriend’s...”

  The words had barely left Mitch’s mouth when Greg hit him harder than any Defensive End ever had. As they sprawled onto the floor, Greg quickly regained the upper hand and decided to deliver on his promise to kill him. He didn’t know how many times he hit him as he for once lost control before his mind went entirely blank.

  Greg never even felt the crack of the cowboy boot as it crashed into the side of his head.

  Chapter Ten

  “I’m so sorry I lost your heels,” Delaney apologized for losing Amanda’s shoes.

  “I don’t care about my heels, honey,” she replied as she sat down and stroked Delaney’s hair. “I’m just glad you are okay.”

  “Thank God Greg was close by,” Delaney looked up at Aman
da, calm enough to speak after taking a couple sleeping pills. “Where is he.”

  “He’s just outside talking to Jack,” Amanda had to lie as she hoped the sleeping pills would take effect quickly. “I’m glad he was there, too.”

  “He really took care of me,” Delaney started to cry again. “I was so scared. I don’t know what I would have done if he hadn’t gotten there so fast.”

  “You’re safe now, Delaney,” Amanda reassured her as she worried about Jack and Greg. “Let’s get you ready for bed, you can stay here with me tonight, okay.”

  “Okay, Amanda, thanks,” she responded as she sat up and Amanda unzipped her dress.

  “Let’s get this off of you,” Amanda helped Delaney to her feet to undress.

  “I’m so tired,” Delaney said as her gown dropped to the floor and Amanda worried she had given her one too many pills. “Where are Jack and Greg,” she forgot what Amanda had told her as she stepped out of her dress.

  “They are outside, we needed some privacy,” Amanda made up a story as she helped Delaney into one of her nighties. “Why don’t we get back into bed.”

  “Okay,” Delaney didn’t resist in her exhausted state.

  I hope they are safe, Amanda remembered the concerned look on Jack’s face when he realized Greg was gone. Please God, let them be okay, she prayed as she got under the covers with Delaney.

  “Honey, can I get you anything,” she asked Delaney as she felt her head move to her chest and she put her arms around her.

  “No, I’m okay,” she yawned sleepily and repeated herself one last time. “I’m sorry about your heels.”

  “Go to sleep honey,” she responded simply as Delaney obeyed her wish and Amanda quietly started to cry.

  * * *

  I’m not on time, Jack quickly realized as he turned onto Mitch’s road and avoided the cavalcade of cars speeding in the other direction.

  “What has he done,” Jack asked himself as he parked behind Greg’s truck and quickly surveyed the landscape as he ran up the stairs, hoping to see Greg amongst a few stragglers fleeing the scene. This can’t be good, Jack thought to himself as he ran through the wide open front door and entered the house

  The apparently bombed out living room was eerily quiet as Jack searched for signs of life and was thankful to hear the sounds of sirens approaching in the distance. No one here. Nothing like the crowded parties Mitch’s father had hosted in the past.

  Maybe Greg ran like all the other kids, Jack found hope and tried to calm down as he entered the kitchen. Maybe he is safe. But why would his truck still be out front, Jack again realized why he was there.

  “Greg,” Jack exclaimed as he entered the game room and saw his lifeless body splayed on the floor. “Greg,” he yelled again as he tried to wake him, kneeling down and listening for his breathing as the sirens grew louder. Don’t touch him, Jack’s first aid training kicked in as he realized the paramedics would be there in a minute and he worried about the gaping wound oozing blood from his head.

  Oh my god, he’s not going to make it, Jack finally understood the extent of the tragedy as he touched his neck to check for a pulse.

  * * *

  “Jack, where are you,” Amanda was relieved after seeing his name flash up on her phone. “Is Greg okay.”

  “Try to calm down, Amanda,” Jack replied slowly and she immediately knew something was wrong.

  “Tell me what happened,” she whispered as she snuck out of bed without disturbing Delaney.

  “It’s going to be okay,” he reassured her. “I’m not quite sure what happened yet, but when I got to the house, everyone was gone.”

  “Where was Greg, what did he say,” Amanda panicked as she stepped into the hallway and quietly closed the door.

  “Amanda, I need you to stay calm. I am going to tell you what I know.”

  “Okay, Jack,” she did her best to follow his instructions.

  “Greg is going to be okay, but he is headed to the hospital.”

  “Oh my God, what happened.”

  “I’m not sure yet. I got there too late and when I found him he was unconscious and it looked like there had been a fight. Thank God the ambulance arrived right after me, and I think he is going to be okay.”

  “What do you mean you think he is going to be okay, did you talk to him,” Amanda again started crying.

  “I haven’t been able to yet, but he has regained consciousness and that is a good sign. The doctors are going to do some tests, but I need you to do me a favor and send me his mother’s number. Can you do that, Amanda.”

  “I’ll send it to you in a second,” Amanda regained control as she realized he needed her. “Jack, are you okay.”

  “I’m okay, don’t worry about me,” he reassured her. “I’m following the ambulance to the hospital, but I want to call and prepare Susan before I arrive. How is Delaney.”

  “She’s doing better. I gave her a couple of sleeping pills and she is sleeping,” Amanda decided she should get back to Delaney. “I’m going to go check on her, but I’ll text you that number in a second. Jack, promise me you will be careful.”

  “Don’t worry, Amanda. Just take care of Delaney and I will call you when I know something more. I love you.”

  “I love you too,” Amanda replied as she realized he was gone.

  * * *

  “He has a concussion and a serious laceration that is going to require multiple stitches,” the doctor told Jack what he already knew as he again experienced the sickening feeling he had felt after finding Greg unconscious and bleeding on the floor. “But the good news is that he is conscious and talking.”

  “Can I see him,” Jack asked, realizing his need to see Greg awake and alive.

  “Not yet,” the doctor denied his request. “He is heavily medicated and about to go into x-ray. We also need to check for a possible skull fracture.”

  “When will I be able to see him,” Jack altered his question, concerned about the possibility of a skull fracture.

  “It will be about an hour,” the doctor replied as he looked at his watch and followed procedures. “Sir, are you family.”

  “Not quite,” Jack said, unsure of how to reply.

  “I understand,” he responded, oddly compassionate for a doctor. “It would probably be best for everyone if you contacted his family.”

  “I’ll take care of it right away,” Jack replied as he realized he had forgotten about Greg’s mother. “But, do me a favor. I don’t care what it costs or what you have to do. You just take care of him, okay.”

  “We are doing everything we can. Try not to worry, I will let you know when you can see him.”

  “Thanks,” Jack replied and shook his hand before quickly heading to the exit.

  * * *

  Jack checked his dashboard clock as he turned into Greg’s neighborhood and saw it was 2:30. I wished she had answered the phone, he thought to himself and hoped Susan was sober enough to be of help.

  I’ll carry her to the hospital if I have to, he decided as he pulled into the driveway and got out of his car. What am I going to tell her, he asked himself as he prepared to knock on the door.

  No answer. She has to be home, Jack decided as he banged the door harder. Still no answer. “Wake the hell up,” he yelled to no one in particular as he practically knocked the door down with his fist and anticipated the problem he was facing.

  “Who’s there,” Jack was relieved to hear a voice behind the door.

  “Susan, it’s Jack Anderson. I need to talk to you.”

  “What do you want.”

  “I just need to talk to you. I tried to call.”

  “What about.”

  “Open the goddamn door,” Jack finally lost his patience.

  Jack heard the door unlock and watched as it opened a crack and she poked her head into the opening. “What do you want.”

  “Susan, let me in, I need to discuss something with you,” he repeated his request as calmly as possible.

 
; “Fine,” she opened the door in time for Jack to see her stumble away.

  Oh my god, Jack thought to himself as he entered the house and was shocked at what he saw. A half empty bottle of vodka sitting on the end table next to the couch where apparently she had passed out. An ashtray full of cigarette butts dangling precariously next to the remote. A once beautiful woman now unable to even stand up slumped on the couch.

  “What do you want, and where is that son of mine,” she finally seemed to realize why he might be there.

  “There’s been an accident,” Jack tried to be delicate. “Greg’s going to be okay, but he is in the hospital.”

  Susan was slow in her reaction, seemingly unable to process this information in her state. “What kind of an accident.”

  “He’s going to be okay,” Jack avoided the details. “But I need you to go to the hospital with me.”

  “What kind of an accident,” she finally registered what was happening and started to cry. “Is Greg okay.”

  “He’s going to be fine,” Jack reassured her as he sat down and took her hand. “But look at me Susan, I need you to focus. We need to get to the hospital, and I need you to come with me. Do you understand.”

  “Lets go,” Susan replied as she stood up and Jack realized his message had finally gotten through to her.

  * * *

  “I think he is going to be okay,” Jack provided Amanda relief when she finally heard back from him at four AM.

  “What did the doctor say.”

  “He has a concussion and a pretty serious laceration, but thank God, no skull fracture.”

  “Have you talked to him.”

  “Just for a minute. He is a little foggy and they have him on medication, but I think he knew I was there.”

  Amanda became emotional as she thought of what could have happened. “Thank God, Jack. I don’t know what I would have done if anything had happened to him.”

  “He’s very lucky. The doctors said it could have been much worse. They are going to keep him over night for observation.”

  “I’m glad, let’s not take any chances,” Amanda replied as she started to plan Greg’s recovery. “How is his mother.”