I have to say that I was so excited for next Sunday so we could do it all over again. I loved my new family so much and it made me so happy to feel like I finally had someplace that I fit in.
Chapter Thirty Three
Carter
I couldn’t believe that it was the last day of the semester already. I felt like it all went by so fast, especially with everything that had been going on this year.
Jason and Nicole still hadn’t gotten their relationship together and, although they’d slept together a couple more times, they were still emotionally torturing each other. I was having lunch today with J, and I was going to try one last ditch effort to get through to him.
Maddy and I had been doing great. She’d been much more open with me and it had been wonderful. Not to mention that the sex had been fucking amazing. She’d really let her insecurities go.
When I pulled up to the diner, I could see that Jason’s pick-up was already there. He was so damn hard-headed that I didn’t think anything I said was really going to make a difference. I told Maddy I’d try one last time, though.
“Hey, J, what’s up?”
“You tell me, dude, although I have a feeling I already know.”
As soon as I sat down, the waitress made her way over and, when I looked up, I was shocked. “Alyssa?”
She smirked at me in that way that she used to when we were together. “Carter! It’s so good to see you.” She ran her finger down my arm and I moved away from her. “What can I get the two hottest boys on campus?”
Jason laughed and I kicked him under the table. “Shit, I’ll have a...uh…water and a double bacon cheeseburger.”
“And what can I get you, Carter?” She asked that in a way that let me know it wasn’t just the food that she was offering up.
“Just give me the same.”
“I’ll give you anything you ask for.” She winked at me, then walked off toward the kitchen. That girl just didn’t know when to quit. When I looked up at Jason, he was smiling at me.
“That girl never quits, does she?”
“You’re not kidding. Listen, she’s the last thing I wanted to talk about today.”
He groaned and shook his head. “I have a feeling I already know what you wanna talk about, Carter. Just drop it. She’s leaving today for the summer, and I’m going to be going back home.”
“That doesn’t mean you can’t get it all out on the table and tell her how you feel.”
“Can’t we just let it go already, Carter? I’m done. It’s not happening. I’ve been moving on, or at least trying. While I might like her, it’s not gonna happen. I’m going to go back home, work all summer and, hopefully, this will all blow over.”
“Whatever you say, dude. It’s your life. I got my last shift at the club tomorrow. Are you gonna come over?”
I was thankful that Jason and Shawn had helped me so much with keeping an eye on Maddy. At first I knew they were just doing it as a favor to me, but now she was a part of our family. Shawn hadn’t been around as much lately, though, and I wasn’t really sure what was going on with him.
“Yeah, I’ll be there, but I need to get my truck worked on before I drive home. Can I borrow your car and I’ll come pick you up when you’re done with your shift?”
“Yeah, that’s fine.”
“So, where’s my little sister today?”
Before I could answer, Alyssa was at our table. “Here’s your food, boys.” I could tell that she’d pulled her shirt down even more since the last time she’d been at the table. When she bent over to put our plates down, I swear I thought they were gonna fall out. I knew she thought that this was going to do something for me, but all it did was make me pity her. She still didn’t get that looks weren’t everything and I wasn’t interested. When I didn’t acknowledge her, she huffed and walked away while mumbling something under her breath.
“She went to campus to sell back her books and see a couple of friends.”
“That’s good. She’s really changed this year. I remember the first time you introduced us to her. She’d barely look us in the eye and seemed scared of everything. Now, she’s so open and gives us our shit right back.”
He was right, and I was so happy that I wasn’t the only one who noticed. “Yeah, she’s pretty amazing.”
We finished our burgers and when Alyssa dropped off the check, she continued the “in your face” approach. When she walked away, we both laughed. “So, what do you want to tip the lovely lady, Carter?”
“Truthfully, an adult sized T-shirt would be the perfect tip.”
“Have you noticed anything weird with Shawn lately?”
“What do you mean?” I knew he hadn’t been around as much, but I figured he was just busy.
“He’s been going to the gym constantly, and he’s always getting these calls on his phone from weird numbers. He goes into a different room to answer them, and then usually leaves after he gets off the phone.”
“Have you asked him about it?”
“Yeah. He said he just has a lot of study groups and shit with finals. C’mon, though, Carter. When has Shawn ever studied?”
Jason was right. Shawn had always pulled straight A’s without ever needing to open a book. He was pre-med now, though, so maybe he needed it. “I dunno, dude. It can’t be anything that serious. I mean, it’s Shawn.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
I hoped I was.
Madison
I just got done having lunch with my study group that helped me get through Philosophy this year. I’d really met some great people this semester and I owed most of that to Carter. He showed me that it was okay to be myself and that if people couldn’t like me for me, then they didn’t matter.
I’d definitely started to open up more to everyone, and it felt great not to have to carry everything on my shoulders. I was almost at the bookstore when one of the classroom doors opened and I was pulled inside.
Chris was standing in front of me, and my heart started to beat faster. This was the first time we’d been alone together since he’d snuck into Carter’s room while I was asleep.
He went to give me a hug and I took a step back. “What do you want, Chris?”
“You look good, Madison.”
I wasn’t going to do this with him right now, and I was really uncomfortable. “I need to go, Chris. I have things to do.”
I started to open the door, but he pushed it closed. “I just want to talk to you for a second.”
I turned around slowly. He was much too close for comfort right now. I ducked under his arm and walked to the middle of the room. “I can give you five minutes. What is it?”
“You’ve gotten feisty, haven’t you?” He was smiling at me in a way that made my stomach turn. I started to walk toward the door again. “All right, wait, I’ll stop. Listen, I don’t know if you know this but I’m transferring to NYU.”
He was leaving? Yes! I couldn’t let him know how happy I was that I’d never need to deal with him again. “Why?”
“This school just isn’t right for me. I’m actually moving to New York tomorrow. I figured I’d get used to the city in the summer before school starts.”
“That’s good for you, Chris.”
He started to move toward me and I started to circle around the classroom and make my way to the door, in case things got bad. “Come with me.”
“What?” Was he crazy? After everything that happened, he really thought that asking me to come with him would work? I knew that he wasn’t all there, but I was really starting to question his sanity.
“I want you with me, Madison. We can have a new life together. I already have an apartment for us. You have good grades too. I’m sure you could get into NYU.”
“Chris, we aren’t together anymore. I’m with Carter now, and I’m happy. This is something you need to accept. I think it’s great that you’re starting over in New York, but I’m not going with you.”
I saw his eyes darken. I was al
most at the door now. It was a look I knew all too well, and I knew I didn’t have long before things got bad. I just needed to reach the doorknob.
“So, was everything a lie then? Did you just pretend to love me so I’d take you here? How can you sit here and say that shit to me!”
My hand gripped the doorknob. “Chris, I hope you have a good life. Have fun in New York.” He seemed to realize I was leaving and, before he could reach me, I was in the crowded hallway.
I started to walk fast down the hallway, constantly checking behind me to see if he was following. Everyone was looking at me like I was crazy, but I really could care less right now. My phone chimed, which scared the crap out of me, and I reached around in my purse to find it.
How was lunch?
It was Carter. Should I tell him what just happened with Chris? He barely let me out of his sight now, not that I was complaining. If I told him about Chris, he’d insist on coming here, but I liked being able to have some independence. I knew Carter watched over me because he cared, but sometimes I felt like a child instead of his girlfriend.
It was good! On my way to sell back my books now, then I’ll be home. Love you!
Once I was done in the bookstore, I met Nicole at the dorms. She was packing up all of her stuff.
“Hey, mama! No watchdog today?”
I had to laugh. Nic got how I felt about the boys sometimes, and thought it was hysterical how they took shifts with me. “Ha ha ha…I can’t believe you’re leaving today. I’m really gonna miss you.”
“Ugh...me too. Listen, you need to come visit me at least one weekend this summer. We’ll go shopping, lie by the pool, watch chick flicks, and stuff our faces with junk food.”
“That sounds amazing.” I never thought I’d meet a friend like Nicole and, now that I had, saying goodbye sucked. Even if it was only for three months, I was still going to miss being able to have our girl time.
“All right, chick, come on and help me get all this crap in my car.”
Once we loaded her car, she dropped me off at home and left. I made a promise that I’d come visit her this summer, and I couldn’t wait.
Madison
Jason should be here soon and we are planning to pig out on pizza, and ice cream. I grab bowls and set out all of the things to make the sundaes. I ordered the pizzas about ten minutes ago, so they should be getting here any second. I text Carter to see how everything is going, I’m so glad that he has some time off. I hear a knock at the door, grab the pizza money, and open the door.
“Hey, here is the—” When I look up, the rest of the sentence dies on my tongue. Chris. I try to slam the door closed but he catches it and throws it open, causing me to stumble and fall on the floor. I crawl backward as I watch him step into the house and shut the door behind him. I spot my phone on the table and scramble to try and grab it, but he beats me to it and throws it against the wall, shattering it.
“Not happy to see me?” His voice makes my stomach turn, and all I want to do is run and hide somewhere. Chris looks absolutely crazy, his eyes have nothing but anger and hate in them. I start to scream but Chris grabs my hair by the ponytail and pulls me back to him, clamping his hand down over my mouth to silence my cries for help.
He pulls me back against him and I can feel his breath on my neck. I feel him press something hard against my side. “You scream one more time and I’ll put a fucking bullet in you. Do you understand me?” I nod my head. “I’m going to take my hand off of your mouth. Don’t try anything. I told you I wasn’t letting you go, Madison. I’m leaving town tonight, and you’re coming with me.”
“Chris, don’t do this, you don’t need me.”
He laughs at me. “You’re right, I don’t need you.” There is no way that is was going to be that easy. “But I want you and you are mine.” This was what it has always been about with him...control and being able to treat me like I am his possession. “You’ll pay for all the shit you did here, Madison. Once we get to New York, I’m going to have some fun with you.”
I start to cry, and I feel like I am going to throw up. He pulls me to him, intent on kissing me, but I instinctively turn my head. Chris grips my face so hard I let out a yelp.
“You won’t deny me what I want anymore, you little bitch.” He crushes his mouth to mine angrily, and then moves down my neck. At this point, I just want him to kill me. Anything would be better than this. Just then, he bites down on my neck so hard that I yell. He leans down to whisper in my ear, “I’m going to mark you so much that you’ll never forget you’re mine again. This is enough for now, though.”
He throws me to the floor, laughing as I yelp from the pain. He steps toward me, but I get to my feet and move so the kitchen island is now in between us.
“You can run all you want, Madison, but you know I will always get you. You can’t escape me, and this time there is no one here to save you.”
“Yes there is. Jason is on his way over. He’ll see your car and call the cops.”
He starts to laugh. “I had a hacker friend of mine forward me your messages. Jason is still twenty minutes away but nice try.”
My heart stops. I can’t do this alone.
“There is no one coming to save you this time Madison. Now stop prolonging the inevitable and just come with me.”
My heart speeds up, I can’t believe someone can be this deceitful and evil. He is my greatest fear—the thing that haunts me every time I close my eyes. I’m about to sink to the floor and give up when I see the look on Chris’s face. It’s the same look he has always given me when he hit me or degraded me.
I’m so sick of him thinking he can do whatever he wants to me. It’s like a switch inside of me flips. I’m not going to let him take me even if it kills me. “I’m not going anywhere with you.” I back up and feel the pot that’s sitting on the counter poke me in my back. I reach behind me, grab it, and fling it at his head.
Not even waiting to see if it hits him, I run for the bedroom, shut the door, and lock it. I go to the nightstand and grab the gun that Carter has been teaching me how to shoot, trying to remember how he showed me to load it. Chris is now screaming and pounding on the door, and I have no doubt that he’ll break it down any minute. I keep fumbling with the gun because my hands are shaking uncontrollably. I finally get the bullets in the gun and stand up as he makes it into the bedroom.
When he sees me standing there pointing the gun at him, he laughs. “That’s cute. You actually think you have it in you? Come on and just make this easier on everyone. If Jason does get here, I’ll have to hurt him, and it will be your fault.”
That’s it. “You are not going to hurt anyone I love ever again.” I squeeze the trigger, letting the shot ring out. The bullet strikes him in the chest, but he continues to come toward me. So I squeeze it again, and again, and again until it only clicks and nothing more comes out. He falls forward and lands on me, knocking me to the ground. I scream and try to push him off of me. It takes me a few tries before I can scramble out from under him. I crawl backward until I’m leaning against the wall.
Then everything goes black.
Carter
My phone rings and I see that it’s Jason. “Hello?”
“Where are you?!” He’s yelling and I can hear the panic in his voice. My stomach drops instantly knowing something is wrong.
“I’m working but I should be done in about twenty minutes, what’s wrong?” My voice shakes with fear that Madison is hurt.
“I need you to come to the house now.”
“J, what is going on?” He is being so vague and his tone tells me that he is trying to hide something.
“Listen, I can’t say right now. Just come here, okay?” Why can’t he say?
“Alright, just tell me, is everybody okay?” I need some sort of reassurance from him.
“Yeah, just hurry up. I’ll see you when you get here.” The phone clicks in my ear.
I tell my boss that an emergency came up and apologize, not waiting for pe
rmission to leave. As soon as I turn the corner, I see multiple police cars and an ambulance. I throw the car in park and race up to the house, noticing an expensive sports car parked in the driveway. I’m trying not to assume the worst, but the only thing I can think of when I see that car is that Chris is here.
I walk in and start yelling Madison’s name. I see everyone crowded around her She is sitting on the couch, covered in blood. Jason is sitting next to her and has her in his arms. I run to her, trying to see if she is hurt. I wrap my arms around her when I don’t see any noticeable wounds. “What happened? Are you okay?” She doesn’t respond. “Madison! Talk to me babe.” Still nothing. I look over at J. “What happened?”
“I walked in and found her and Chris in the bedroom. He had a bunch of bullet holes in his chest and she was crouched against the wall. She hasn’t spoken or moved since. One of the cops helped me move her in here so they could examine the bedroom.”
A paramedic walks up to us. “If she can’t communicate to us whether she is hurt or not, we’re going to have to take her to the hospital for a full examination.”
I look back at Madison. “Maddy, please talk to us. Talk to me.” She isn’t responding, and the paramedic mumbles something about going to get the stretcher and then walks away.
“Baby, please. Come back to me. It’s over now. You did it. You’re free.” Her eyes meet mine for the first time and I breathe a sign of relief. Her head crashes against my chest while her fingers dig into my skin. Sobs wrack her body and I swear to God if she didn’t kill the asshole I would have.
“It’s going to be okay babe. I promise.”
I rub her head hoping I can keep that promise.
Epilogue
Madison
3 months later
I walk onto campus for the first day of my sophomore year. This summer was not what I envisioned it would be. After what happened to Chris I needed some serious therapy. I have gotten a lot better and am finally starting to feel like myself again.
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