by KT Fisher
I’m running past doors, heading for the door which brings you into the garage on the side of the house. I risk a glance behind me and Troy’s right there, so I have to be quick. I reach for the door handle, but dread fills me as I find the door locked. I try my best, shouting when it doesn’t open. Troy stops in front of me, grinning that he has me trapped.
“Now, come with me, and I won’t have to hurt you,” he orders.
“Why do you want me?” I ask.
“You’re mine,” he points out, reaching out and grabbing onto my arm so hard I wince. “Don’t think I haven’t seen you and your boyfriend. That ends right now!”
Troy pulls me, but I fight against him. I don’t want to go anywhere with him. “I am not yours!”
Suddenly, a punch to my gut has me gasping for air. I begin to cry from the pain and my knees buckle, but Troy drags me up.
“No,” I shout.
He begins to pull me in the direction of Tate’s room which he calls his office. It has his computer in there which he sometimes uses, but it’s mostly used for his rock memorabilia. I don’t go in there because it’s his room, but I can remember him telling me it has a door at the back that leads to his room upstairs.
I could risk it, but what if the door is locked leading to his bedroom?
We pass a cabinet with some music awards on show. I don’t think, and grab one with my free hand and whack it over Troy’s head. It has the desired effect, and he lets me go. I don’t wait for a second and run to Troy’s study, spotting the door on the right, and breathing a sigh of relief when it opens.
“Fucking bitch!” Troy shouts while I close the door as quietly as I can behind me. Praying he didn’t see which way I’ve run. I climb the stairs as quickly and as quietly as I can hoping he doesn’t know where I am. A bang comes from the door at the bottom as I hear him throwing things in the study. My heart beats fast as I place my hand on the handle, giving it a try and I could cry when it opens. Another loud bang hits the bottom door as I close the top one behind me.
Across the hall is my room, I run over and find my cell on charge and dial Booker. I listen quietly to the sounds of Troy as the call connects.
Please, Booker, answer the phone! I think, knowing he’s recording in the studio.
“Hello?” I hear his voice and breathe a huge sigh of relief. “Crys? You okay?”
“Help me,” I cry. “I’m at Tate’s. Please, help me!”
“What’s the matter?” he panics, and all of a sudden I’m thrown down on the floor and my cell flies from my hand.
“No,” I scream as Troy storms over to me.
“You little bitch,” he bellows down at me. His fist connects with my face, and I’m in such shock from the pain I don’t block the next two. I know I’m crying and screaming. Troy calls me a little bitch with every blow to my body. I’m sure he actually kicks me a couple times too, but I don’t know the difference between a kick or a punch at the moment. “That fucker can’t have you!”
I try to kick my legs up, anything to get Troy off me because my energy is dwindling. He then drags me by my hair to the top of the stairs. To stop the searing pain, I try to crawl after him so he doesn’t pull too hard, but it doesn’t work because of the injuries he’s inflicted on me. We reach the top of the stairs, and I hear the voices of my friends. I have to say, I fear for them more than I am relieved they’re here. I don’t want anyone else hurt.
“Crystal,” I hear Booker shout.
“Where are you?” Tate adds.
Troy leans closer to me, and whispers in my ear, “I have to go now Princess, but I will have you again.”
With that, Troy pushes me with so much force I fall all the way down the stairs. I try to ease my fall with my hands, but it’s useless. I see the floor come into sight and hit it hard. As my head begins to swim and my sight blurs, and I watch Booker and Tate hover above me.
“Get Troy,” I whisper and as soon as I do I hear fast and heavy feet run away.
Booker’s hands support me as I look into his shiny wide eyes. “Oh God,” he whispers.
“Paige…” I cough, “…you have to find Paige.”
And with that, the last of my strength gives out and I surrender. The last thing I hear is Booker and Tate’s concerned voices.
As soon as I see Crystal’s bloody face, I feel a murderous rage soar within me. Cole and Mason have run after Troy because I can’t bear to leave Crystal’s side.
“Paige…” she coughs, “…you have to find Paige.”
Her eyes close and I feel my tears threaten to fall.
“What has that bastard done to her?” asks Tate.
“Ring an ambulance…” I order him, “…and the police need to be here.”
Nodding, he gets his phone out and rings them straight away. I hear shouting in the garden, but I don’t pay attention because all I can focus on is Crystal lying in my arms. Blood surrounds her face and drips down her neck. Looking at her terrifies me.
“They’re coming,” Tate announces as soon as he hangs up.
“We need to call the girls, let them know,” I add.
“What do you think she meant about Paige?” he asks.
I take out my cell, still clutching onto Crystal and call Lacey. “Hello?”
“Lace, is Paige with you?” I ask her.
“No, why?” she asks, and I tell her about Crystal. Straight away she begins to cry, and I fight to hold my own back. Once I know Crystal is safe, I’m going to fucking kill Troy. “Oh God,” Lacey whimpers, but then promises to get the girls together and look for Paige.
There’s a scuffle, and I look up to see Cole and Mason dragging in a beat up Troy. The fucker actually has the nerve to smile at us all. Tate jumps up and gives Troy a punch of his own.
“You fucker,” he shouts.
I wish I could jump up and knock the guy out, but I can’t move from Crystal as I hold onto her. The sounds of sirens beginning to come closer and Troy looks up.
“That’s right, fucker.” Cole pushes him to the floor.
My cell rings, it’s Lacey. “Booker…” she begins, “…we found her, and she’s not looking good,” Lacey cries. “Oh God there’s so much blood, and we can’t wake her up.”
“The police are here now, babe, just hang on,” I try to calm her, and when she hangs up, I turn to the guys and let them know what Lacey’s just told me. In reaction, Mason then kicks Troy, who’s now lying on the floor and Cole has to try and stop him as the police enter.
The beeping is giving me a headache, and I wish someone would put a stop to it. My body feels so sore as I try to wriggle around and open my eyes but I struggle to do both.
“Crystal?” I hear Booker, and when I open my eyes and feel how sensitive and sore they are, I begin to panic. “Hey, relax, you’re safe now.”
Safe? All of a sudden flashbacks from the house come together piece by piece, and I take a better look at where I am. White walls, uncomfortable bed, and a strange sterile room—I’m in the hospital.
“Troy?” I ask and a dark cloud settles over his features.
“The police have him,” he answers. “Look, I’d better go tell the others you’re awake. You have everyone scared shitless, babe.” He leans down to give me a kiss, and as soon as he pops his head out the door, all my friends start pouring into the room making me smile until I notice that Paige isn’t with them.
“Paige?” I ask and their relieved faces drop—all of them. “What’s happened?”
Everyone looks at me like I’m so fragile any news will crumble me. I have to know if Paige is okay, and by the looks on their faces, she’s not, which means it’s all down to me. Troy did this, and therefore it’s my burden to carry.
“Don’t do this,” I manage to shout. “Tell me!”
“She’s not doing too good,” Tate finally answers, sitting in the space beside me. He holds my hand, trying to calm me. “The girls found her in time before her condition was too serious. She’s a couple of rooms down from
you.”
“Just in time?” I ask. “What did he do to her?” I begin to cry.
“You should be resting, not worrying,” Roxie insists.
“No! I want to know if she’s okay…” I cry, “…this is my fucking fault. I want to know what’s happened.”
A nurse then barges in, demanding to know what’s wrong and to keep the noise down. “I’m afraid all of you cannot be in here. Three at a time is our maximum. I’ve told you this before.”
They begrudgingly leave, but not before giving me a gentle kiss, leaving Tate and Booker behind with me.
“Now tell me,” I demand from Tate.
“When they found her, she wasn’t conscious, and they couldn’t wake her,” Tate explains. “They said she was covered in blood, tied up, and gagged.”
I begin to feel sick and my tears quickly run down my face. “Oh God,” I sob. “This is all my fault.”
“No, don’t think like that,” insists Booker. “She will get better.”
“Has she said what he did?” I dread to ask and Booker and Tate share a look. “What?”
“She hasn’t woken up,” Booker replies and my body begins to shake.
My abusive ex has not only managed to hurt me, but he’s caused Paige so much more. She sounds in worse condition than me.
“I have to see her,” I announce, and both men look panicked.
“You can’t,” Tate orders.
“You have a broken rib and arm Crystal, you ain’t going anywhere,” Booker informs me.
To be honest, as much as I really want to see Paige I don’t think I can move. I have so many drugs pumping through my body, and paired with my injuries it’s just not possible, but I will go and see her when I can.
“What’s going to happen to Troy?” I ask them both.
“The police have him,” Tate replies, but he doesn’t sound too happy.
“What aren’t you telling me?” I ask him.
“I just wish we could have had him alone for longer,” Tate replies and then Booker agrees.
“I didn’t even get a chance to hit him.” He sulks.
“Hit him?” I ask.
“Of course,” he nods. “I wanted to fucking kill him after what he’s done,” Booker growls.
“At least, Cole and Mason got some punches in…” Tate laughs, “…and by the looks of Troy when they brought him in, they gave out some great payment.”
“None of you are doing anything,” I order. “I don’t want any of you in trouble. You hearing me?”
They both nod, but I have a suspicion that they’ll do whatever they want when it comes to Troy.
Later that day Lola comes by to pay me a visit, and I’m glad to see a new face around here.
“Her…” she peeks around the door, “…okay to come in?”
“Sure.” I try to sit up but the pain from my rib stops any movement, and I wince instead.
“Don’t get up.” Lola rushes to sit beside me on the chair Booker usually sits in. It’s brown and large and doesn’t look too comfy, but it’s his permanent spot. “How you doing?”
“Great.” I smile and Lola laughs.
“Here, I got you this.” She hands me The Game of Thrones disc with a portable DVD player and I look at her with wide eyes.
“Oh my God, thank you,” I scream.
Lola laughs. “That’s fine.”
“How’s your dad doing?” I ask her.
“He’s holding up, but from the results he’s gotten so far, it doesn’t look so good.” She frowns.
“Honey, I’m sorry.” I place my hand in hers.
“Stop worrying, you need to focus on yourself.” She places her gifts onto the table while scolding me.
“Don’t, you sound like the rest of them.” I roll my eyes and she laughs.
“Then they are right. Everyone loves you and they’re worried,” she answers. “When will you be out?”
I loudly sigh. “I don’t even know yet, but I doubt it will be soon. So thanks for the DVDs.”
We begin to laugh and then Tate walks in, his eyes land on Lola, and an intense look takes over his whole face.
“Tate?” I ask him, and he snaps his head to me.
“You need anything?” he asks me. “I’m going home to change. You want me to grab you a few things?”
“Tell one of the girls to bring what I need, they’ll know.” I smile to him. No question any one of the girls will know just what I need.
“Nice of you to come by.” Tate smiles at Lola.
“I had to,” she answers kindly, although I can feel a little nervousness creep into her voice. “Crystal’s a good friend.”
I watch as Tate smiles at her, gazing at her while we make small talk. I feel bad for him that he seems to really like Lola, but she doesn’t want anything to do with him. She can’t even try to be his friend because it’s clear he likes her more than that. Lola is very pretty, and of course, my brother wants to get close to her, but he’s going the wrong way about it. Poor Tate, he has no clue.
“I’ll see you later.” Tate kisses my forehead and waves bye to Lola. When he goes, I look to her with a broad smile.
“He really likes you,” I tease.
“Who?” she asks, and I roll my eyes. I’m not that stupid to not know she can tell my brother is hot for her. “I’m not interested in your brother.”
“I know that, and I’ve told him.” I giggle.
“I’m glad this is cheering you up.” Lola moans.
“He’s a good guy,” I assure her.
“I know that, but I will not date a musician. And especially not a rocker,” she insists.
“I know, besides he’s a player no matter how nice he is,” I point out and Lola nods.
“They all are. Well, not your lot,” Lola adds. “You seem to have found yourselves some good picks.”
“Yeah, I think so, too. But they were all the same, until they met us, of course.” I laugh. “We turned their worlds upside down.”
I begin to feel tired, and a big yawn escapes me.
“You should get some sleep.”
“I’m fine,” I lie, feeling my eyes becoming heavy.
I begin to hear voices and I snap my eyes open. Lacey and Cole are here, and Booker is in his usual chair.
“Hey…” Lacey greets me, “…I brought you some things.” She indicates to a bag at the bottom of the bed. I’m about to ask to have a look when there’s a tiny knock on the door.
It’s the doctor and he gives us all a warm smile. “Hello Crystal…” he approaches me, “…how are you feeling?”
“I’m okay.” I smile and the doctor tilts his head to the side.
“How are you really feeling?” he asks again.
“Well, my ribs hurt,” I admit, and he nods.
“Yes, fortunately, the X-ray revealed that you haven’t broken your left rib, it’s just badly bruised,” he delivers the information.
“That’s great news.” Booker grins at me.
“Yes, but you will still be in a lot of pain, Crystal. So take care when you breathe in, you may feel like you can only manage short and shallow breaths, but it’s quite important that you try and breathe as normally as you possibly can. You need to get as much air into your lungs to expand them correctly.” He then checks the area around my bruised rib to see just how sensitive is it. “Yes, I can understand why they initially thought it was broken, it’s very badly bruised and swollen.”
“Is that normal?” asks Lacey.
“Usually, there’s just the bruising and tenderness, but because her rib is very badly bruised there’s swelling which is to be expected,” he assures her. “Now Crystal, you’ll have to rest for around three to four weeks. And when I say rest, I really mean rest. I don’t even want you walking for the first week, it’s total bed rest for you.”
“I’ll make sure she doesn’t move an inch, Doc.” Booker smiles at me.
The doctor smiles at Booker, and then checks over the stitches to my face. Troy
did a great job on my face, and of course, the rest of my body, but I’m guessing my face is a total mess. My mouth even feels puffy as I talk and my cheeks feel odd. If someone offered me a mirror, I wouldn’t want to look.
“Now would you like to know about your friend Paige?” the Doctor asks.
“Please,” I beg him, the worries about myself forgotten. “Has she woken up?”
With a large smile, he nods. “She was awake for about an hour, and that’s a good sign.”
“How is she?” I ask him.
He gives me a kind smile, before delivering the news. “As you know, Paige has a stab wound to the leg. Luckily the knife didn’t seem to do much damage to veins or nerves, but we are concerned about bacteria, so she’s on antibiotics to help fight any risk of infection. Now, she did lose a lot of blood, but she’s had three blood transfusions. Paige’s head injury isn’t too serious, and she should make a full recovery within a couple of days, but until then she needs plenty of rest and to have someone stay with her, just in case she develops any new symptoms. I understand you two have been through a terrible ordeal, but she cannot be stressed or aggravated until she’s fully recovered.”
“Oh God.” I begin to cry.
“Crys?” Booker asks.
“This is all because of me.” I sob. “Paige was innocent and Troy used her to get to me. She wouldn’t be in this position if it weren't for me, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she never talks to me again and –”
“Pardon me for saying…” the Doctor interrupts, “…but apart from her injuries, Paige is all but worried about you Crystal. Rest assured, you two will come through this stronger, and as soon as you’re both fit to do so, you can reunite.”
“Thank you, Doctor.” I manage a smile.
He gives us all a final nod before leaving. “I feel so bad.”
“Crystal, when are you going to understand this wasn’t your fault?” Lacey asks.
“That guy is insane, Crys. You couldn’t have done anything different,” Cole assures me.
“At least you both seem to be doing okay.” Booker grips onto my hand. “Although you both have serious injuries, you’ve been given the best outcomes.”
