by Brenda Ford
“Sorry,” I mouth to a terrified Seth who is now sobbing like crazy. “I’m so sorry.”
“Ellie, we are truly worried about you,” Auntie Amelia calls through the door, making my heart bleed. “I’m scared for you and Seth. I want to come in and talk to you. Oliver and Rosie can wait out here…”
“Bitch,” Dad hisses, spittle flying everywhere. “I hate her so much. Fucking Amelia.”
“Yep, they have just agreed to wait out here,” Auntie Amelia continues. “They are mature enough to know that you need space. Even if all of you have been acting like kids recently. I know why as well. I have finally found out the truth of what’s been going on. You all could have just talked to me.”
Her words touch me deeply. I know now that I probably could have done that all along and made this easier, but I was scared. Stubborn too, probably. Idiotic. And now we have ended up in this mess.
“Shut her up,” Dad growls to me. “Shut her the fuck up before I kill her.”
“You want me to go out there?” I jump up probably showing too much excitement.
“Oh, hell no. I’m not letting you anywhere. Sit the fuck down. Don’t try to outsmart me!”
I do as he commands because I don’t have any choice. Thankfully, he pulls the knife away from Seth’s throat, but it’s only for long enough for him to snort another line of that white stuff. His nose sounds blocked as he does it, I’m sure that he must be damaging himself, but I’m not worried. I would rather him pass out. Drop to the floor and harm himself so me and poor Seth can join the rest of our family outside.
“Fucking bitch,” Dad mutters again while sorting out another line for himself. “I fucking hate her.”
As he snorts, I spot my cell phone sticking out from underneath the couch. I know the screen is smashed because Dad stomped on it hard earlier on, but that doesn’t mean it won’t work. I know that I can’t call anyone, but I might be able to do something. I could text! I could send a message to someone outside.
I try to catch Seth’s eye, so he knows that I have a plan, but he’s too busy sobbing hard and clinging on to his knees like they are the only thing keeping him together. He’s a wreck. If we get out of this, he will probably need a million hours of therapy, but he’ll be alive and that’s the main thing. I need to keep him alive.
I slide slowly on my ass, trying not to make any noise at all, which seems to work because Dad remains distracted by his drugs. I slide a little further and slowly reach my fingers forwards to grab the device. I hate the way that the screen remains black as I pull it to me. I really hope it isn’t completely destroyed.
“Have they gone?” Dad asks, spinning back just as I slip back to where I was before. “I hope so.”
My heart thunders but thankfully he doesn’t seem to even really look at me. His eyes are glazed over and blood shot. I don’t know much about drugs, but I doubt he can even see me right now. Still, I don’t risk actually using my cell phone because he has the knife clutched between his fingers all over again. He isn’t letting that go no matter what happens. He needs it to keep me and Seth right where he wants us.
“You could have just written me a check,” Dad murmurs. “Then none of this would have happened. If you had just let me have what I wanted, then we would be fine right now. We would be all good.”
“I can…” I start, prepared to offer him anything now, even if we lose everything, I just want him gone. Auntie Amelia will take us back. We can live back in that house. It wouldn’t seem too cramped now, it would be nice. To have all of them around us… it would be good. I’d welcome it now. Me and Rosie can figure it out.
“I want more. I want all of it. I want everything now. That bitch stole my life and you…”
“I will give you all of it. Whatever you want. Just take it, will you? This is dumb.”
“I’m dumb now.” The tip of the knife touches my cheek causing me to suck in a panicked breath. I can’t move backwards because he’ll lurch at me again and I can’t move forwards either or it will pierce my skin. I need to remain still as a statue like a wasp has landed on me. Only this wasp could kill me. “I’m stupid?”
“N… no, I didn’t mean that,” I stammer, fear bolting through me. “Just the situation.”
“You need me to scare you more? Because I can?”
He pushes the blade in a little harder, making a little squeal of pain fly out my mouth. A hot trickle runs down my skin which means he’s pierced me and I’m now bleeding. Yet he doesn’t care. I seriously hope that my family outside can hear some of this even if it’s all happening far too quietly.
“I don’t… I don’t want anything,” I insist. “I just want to help you out.”
“It’s too fucking late now. You blew it. You wrecked it completely. Do you understand that?”
He’s just about to go in on me, really letting me have it, when he’s distracted by yet another bang on the door reminding him that there are people outside. His mood darkens even further, which I didn’t even think was possible, and he turns away from me. He walks over to the door as if he’s about to act…
“Ellie?” Oliver’s voice stops him in his racks. “Ellie, I’m sorry. I know that I have said that, we all have, but I really am. I don’t want to lose you. Not for anything. You mean too much to me.”
Dad cocks his head to one side, listening to the words, probably as something to use against me later on, which gives me the chance to get my cell phone out once more. I just about see a message from Oliver, but I can’t make out any of the words. I also don’t know how long I have to reach out to him, so I type the quickest thing I can think of. I hit the nine button, then the one twice before firing it off to him. It will signal an emergency surely? It will let him know that I need the police here right away to put an end to this once and for all.
Now I just have to hope that he doesn’t say anything about the message through the door.
I pray to whatever deity might be listening and squeeze all the tension inside of me while I wait, but thankfully it just goes silent outside. I hope this means that my message has been received and it makes sense. I half consider sliding my cell phone back under the couch just to get rid of any evidence, but decide against it in the end. I might need it again if this doesn’t work out as planned and I need to contact someone else.
“Seth,” Dad hisses. “Sethy boy. Come over here a minute.” Seth doesn’t move. He’s paralyzed with fear. Dad probably enjoys that too. He seems to enjoy inspiring fear in those around him. He must be sick in the head. “Get here now, Seth. I want you to come here. Don’t forget that I have a knife. I am the one in control here.”
“I’ll come.” I jump up quickly, needing to save my brother. “You need someone, take me.”
Dad grabs me and for one brief moment I think he might be about to turn another corner to hug me, but he slams me to the floor yet again. This time he holds the knife against my chest and with a sick smile on his face, he starts to push down on it. He wants to kill me; he wants me dead. This might be the last second of my life. At the hands of my father, and in front of my brother, I might be stabbed and killed. I can’t just lie here and take that. I need to find an ounce of strength to fight him off. I can’t give up like this. This is what he wants.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Oliver
I show Rosie and Amelia the message that basically demands I call the emergency services. It doesn’t specify which one I need, but at least it lets me know that she’s alive enough to text me. Of course, nine-one-one also means that she’s in serious danger, but I’m trying hard not to get too hung up on that part, I don’t want to fall apart. I need to hold it together for just a little longer, just to save the woman that I love.
“I’m just going outside to call,” I mouth to Amelia and Rosie. “You stay here.”
I know that I’m about to freak out and scream in a moment because Ellie is in danger but having her face in my mind and the knowledge that I could save her keeps me going. I a
m the only person who can get her out of whatever mess she’s in right now, so I need to do it. I run back outside the building, dialing as I go.
“Hello? Hello?” I yell to the operator. “I need the police… and an ambulance as well.” I call out the address quickly. “I need them both right away. There is a real emergency here. It’s really God damn serious.”
“Okay, sir, please calm down. Tell me what’s happened so I can assist you properly.”
I don’t know how the hell I am supposed to be calm in this situation, but I try. “Er, well we are at my… my girlfriend’s house.” That seems like the most rational explanation for what me and Ellie are right now. “Me and her family because she and her younger brother have not been responding to any calls. She hasn’t been in work or anything either. We’ve been worried about her. So, we went to see her and… well, she isn’t answering the door, but we can hear noises inside. Then she sent me a text asking me to call the emergency services.”
“Right okay, so you don’t know exactly what is happening? You haven’t seen anything?”
This question frustrates the hell out of me. Did she not hear what I just said? “I don’t know but it’s an emergency. I know that much. She’s in real danger and I don’t know what it is, but if someone doesn’t come soon… well, something really bad could happen.” I gulp, realizing the severity of this. Something really bad could happen. We don’t know how much danger she is in here. “Please send someone. Send them right away.”
The operator continues talking to me, but I don’t hear what she says. My brain has turned in to a scrambled mess. I’m nearly knocked off my feet thinking about what state Ellie could be in. What if she’s… no, I can’t even think it. I can’t even begin to imagine her dying that’s far too much for me. I can’t hack it.
“I… I will wait outside the building,” I finally gasp out. “Send someone soon. Please.”
I bend forward and grab on to my knees as I try to stop my head from spinning. I need air in my lungs as well, and lots of it. If I don’t start breathing soon then I might fall in to a heap on the side walk and stay there. That way I won’t be any use to Ellie at all. The first time she really needs me, and I fuck up? No way.
“Hey, Oliver.” The soft voice behind me makes me jump. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“What’s going on, Rosie?” I beg. “Has something happened? Have you seen her?”
“No, no, it’s still the same as before. Mom is still at the door trying to communicate with Ellie. I just wanted to come and check on you. See if you needed any help. Have you called the cops yet?”
“I have.” I nod rapidly. “And I told them to send an ambulance too, because… well, we don’t know, do we?”
Shit. Before I even realize what’s happening, tears stream down my face. I’m not usually a crier, but the idea of Ellie dying has flooded me and I can’t let it go. I keep thinking of her hurting, suffering, struggling, and she’s alone. One of us should be in there with her, but we aren’t. We’ve allowed her and Seth to be by themselves.
“You are really scared, aren’t you?” Rosie rubs my arm reassuringly. “Me too, but she will be fine. It isn’t like she’s been in there for ages or anything. We can hear a few noises. At one point, I think I heard whispering as well, but it wasn’t clear enough for me to make anything specific out. But Ellie is in there, Seth too, and we will get them out. As soon as the cops get here and they break in, everything will be fine.”
“How can you be so sure?” I plead with her. “How do you know?”
“Because I have faith. Ellie is strong and resourceful. More capable than you think.” She rubs her forehead hard looking regretful before she speaks again. “You know, I feel really bad for the way that things went with me and her. I was supposed to be looking after her after she lost her mom and I fucked up. I need her to come out of that apartment so I can make things up to her. I can’t leave things as they are.”
“Does that mean you want to make up with her?” Now that is something to be hopeful about.
“Both of you, actually. I have been an asshole to both of you.” She pulls me in for a hug. “I was a complete dick to you before and I can’t apologize enough. I can’t tell you who not to date because it isn’t anything to do with me. I mean, you didn’t tell me to keep away from Tristan, even though I bet you wanted to?”
“Oh, I did,” I half chuckle, trying to get in to the conversation so I don’t worry more.
“Exactly, and you didn’t. Although…” She looks up at me through her eye lashes. “He broke up with the other girl and wants me back which is fun… but don’t panic. I will never go back there. My next boyfriend will be a nice one. Not you, of course, because you are in love with Ellie, but someone nice.”
“I… I didn’t say anything about love.” Why does everyone keep assuming that?
“You don’t need to.” She pats me on the back. “It’s written all over you. You love her and she loves you. If it wasn’t for me getting in the way, you would be happy together. So, I’m very sorry about that.”
“You didn’t… I got in the way, panicking about her age and stuff.”
“I said that she was too young for you as well. Over and over again.” Rosie purses her lips together tightly. “But I was wrong about that as well. Age doesn’t mean anything. Not when it comes to love. I stood in your way and I don’t want to do that anymore, don’t you stand in your own way.”
I glance up the building towards Ellie’s apartment. “So, are you saying that we should be together?”
“I am.” She nods. “And I’m also saying that me and you should be friends just like we were before. Or maybe in a new way, however we can make it work. I don’t want to lose you, Oliver. You have been my support through so much. I can’t not have that anymore. I need you in my life. Don’t go anywhere.”
I pull her to my chest and hug her some more. “I’m not going anywhere, Rosie. I never wanted to stop being your friend. I never wanted to do anything to upset you, I hope you know that. Causing you any pain was never what I wanted. I just wish… well, I don’t know, I wish that everything could have been different.”
“But it isn’t.” She shakes her head and smiles. “And that’s okay. It can be good just as it is.”
An unspoken agreement flows between us. I just know that we are going to be okay after this. It’s been a long time since everything has been good and now… well once we get Ellie and Seth from that house, we will be back there. Me and Rosie just as we have always been. I’m glad about that and I know Ellie will be too.
This really could turn out to be everything that I have ever wanted and more. If we can just rescue Ellie, then life will be good at last. No more worries about age, no more love triangle, just me and her and a happy ever after that I’m pretty sure could come to us if we just let it. God, I love that idea. Me and her forever, exploring that chemistry, allowing the love to flow freely between us. The drama all over. It’s perfect.
“I wish that the police would turn up already,” I say stepping back from Rosie. “This is dreadful. They seem to be taking forever, don’t they? Aren’t they supposed to get here at a certain time? In under ten minutes?”
“It has only been a few moments since you made the call. Give them a chance. They will get here.”
“I can’t.” I shake my head. “It makes me want to bolt up there to tear the door down myself. The only reason I haven’t yet is because I’m scared about putting her in an even worse situation than she’s in.”
“I know. Me too. We need to be strong for her and Seth. Get the police here as quickly as we can.”
I dart my eyes left and right, trying to work out which way they will be coming from, as Rosie takes a seat on the side walk. Her head falls in to her hands as she tries to come to terms with what’s happening, and I do the same in my own way by pacing up and down, refusing to be still. The moment my body stops moving will be the moment those horrible images of Ellie come back
in to my mind and I can’t allow that.
Instead, I need to think of the good that could come our way in the future now that things are better. A real relationship, living together, loving one another forever more… we could have all of that for sure.
You are just thinking this because you know she’s going to die, my brain spitefully jumps in, ruining it for me. You are never going to be happy because everyone that you love dies.
I can’t think that way just because I lost my parents. My brothers are all still here and so are my friends. Ellie will be too. She will. She has to be. God, life really is too short to not go for what you want. I am learning this all over again. It might be a cliché but it’s the truth. I won’t ever let anything get in the way again. I’m going to start living every day as if it’s my last and focus on my own happiness. Of course, I will still people please, I don’t think I will be able to turn that side of me right off, but it won’t be all of me.
“Blue flashing lights!” Rosie jumps up suddenly. “They are here!”
Relief floods me. The officials have finally arrived which means that we can get moving. I can’t wait to get back inside that building and to save Ellie’s life. That’s the only way that I’m going to be able to get out of my head and on with things. Then I’m not going to hold back any longer. Once she’s in my arms I will finally confess all and tell her that I love her at long last.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Ellie
“What the fuck is that?” Dad yells as he finally tugs the knife away from me. He’s been taunting me for the last ten to fifteen minutes, threatening to stab me then slightly moving away again, giving me time to breathe before torturing me all over again. He’s definitely getting some kind of sick kick from it. “What’s happening?”
