Revival

by Kirkpatrick, S.

  “Did you come in here to insult me, or did you need something?”

  “Sorry.” At least he has the decency to actually look apologetic. “To be honest, I’m walking on eggshells around Abel and Dex and don’t know what to do. You’re the only one who can get Abel to stop screaming and to get Dex out of his room. I was hoping you could tell me what I could do to help.”

  I sigh, knowing he’s right. Abel only calms down for me and the babies. He doesn’t want to stress us out and I think he’s scared that I’ll think his anger is directed at me when it’s not.

  Even though it probably should be.

  I don’t know what to say about why I’m the only one Dex listens to. I mean, I’m officially moved in so I wonder if it has something to do with me living here. No, if that were the case then he would come out when Abel tries right? Ugh, never mind. I’ll ponder this later, it’s making my head hurt. I slide the baking tray in the oven, close the door, and give Brody my undivided attention.

  “Just being here is helping. Helping take shifts with the other girls, helping me with Ollie… None of that goes unnoticed or unappreciated. Being their sounding board, and being willing to do anything they ask of you, that’s more than enough.”

  He snags one of the muffins I’ve already made off the cooling rack and picks at it, pondering over what I just said. He opens his mouth to speak a few times but then closes it again without uttering a word.

  “There’s no handbook on what to do when a friend gets abducted, Brody. As fucked up as it sounds, I wish there was so I could give you better advice, so we could all be out there right now trying to do more to find her. We’re all just taking these steps as we go, hoping it’s for the best.”

  “I know.” He says, but he won’t meet my eyes.

  “Is something else bugging you?”

  “I saw Bree walking to her car alone and I just turned back to the bike I was working on and didn’t say anything.” He whispers.

  “This isn’t on you Brody. Abel knew she was leaving to get lunch and didn’t remind her to take Dex. Dex was her assigned escort and he didn’t even realize she’d left. Do you blame either of them?”

  “Hell no, I don’t!” He practically shouts.

  “Exactly. All of you need to realize something. Bree was going to leave DRAB by herself no matter what any of you would have said or done. She was pissed off and needed to get away. Not a single one of you would have stopped her unless you physically chained her to her desk. And even then, she would have found a way to break free.”

  He doesn’t say anything back, he just walks around to me, places a kiss on my cheek, and walks out of the kitchen. I have no idea if I’ve upset him, offended him, or helped him. A few moments pass and I hear the front door open, close, and then hear his truck roar to life in the driveway.

  “You should take your own advice ya know.” I hear Abel’s voice coming from the other end of the kitchen. I turn to see him walking towards me.

  “What do you mean?” I ask him as his arms wrap around me.

  “I heard your little talk with Brody.”

  “I think I may have upset him.” I admit.

  “No, you set him straight and he knows it. If you upset him, he would have said so.”

  “Then why did he leave?”

  “Because he wishes you were wrong. Blaming himself would mean there would have been a way to avoid all of this. That’s easier to accept than to know that we’re completely helpless to this situation.”

  “Does that mean you’ll stop blaming yourself?” I ask, hopeful at the prospect of him no longer punishing himself for something that I caused.

  “I’ll tell you what beautiful, I’ll stop blaming myself when you stop blaming yourself.”

  “Abel…” I say as I try to disengage. But he doesn’t let me. He just pulls me even closer, both his hands hold my hips against him.

  “Answer me this baby. Did you let Rob out of prison early? Did you convince Bree to leave the shop without someone? Did you tell Rob to follow her, to abduct her? No. You didn’t. Therefore you aren’t responsible. The sooner you believe that the happier I’ll be. So please, stop blaming yourself okay?”

  “I’ll try baby. No promises, but I’ll try.” I lean up on my tiptoes and seal my words with a kiss. I don’t know if I can ever truly do what he’s asking, but logically, I can understand his plea.

  “That’s all I can ask of you, my love.”

  ***

  “You sure are a mouthy little bitch you know that?”

  “Fuck you!”

  “Now, now, now. I thought we already established that you will not disrespect me. Your life means very little to me. It’s just a means to an end. And your end will come much faster than planned if you can’t keep your fuckin mouth shut. I’m here for Maxine. You’re just leverage. But I don’t need you alive for that.”

  “Just fucking kill me already then! It’s better than having to spend one more second with you.”

  “Don’t tempt me you little slut. I will slit your throat without remorse, you’d be smart to remember that.”

  “Do what you need to do. It won’t matter in the end. She’ll never be yours. Do you hear me? NEVER!”

  Rob plucks the knife off the table and strides over to where Bree is bound. He’s always had a penchant for sharp blades.

  He holds the knife against her throat. Her arms are tied to a pole above her head and she’s dripping blood from her forehead and her mouth. Bree’s body is sagging, only being held up by the restraints. She looks defeated, her body bloody and bruised.

  “This is your final warning. Don’t let your mouth write a check that your ass can’t cash. And trust me, from where I’m standing, you’re not in the position to do a fucking thing about it.”

  “Go to hell.” She spits in his face. “Do whatever you have to do to me, just know how happy she is with my brother. She’s pregnant with his babies. They’re gonna get married and he’s gonna make her so fucking happy every day of her life. Him. Not you. You’re nothing to her. Do you hear me? NOTHING!”

  “You had your chance.”

  In one swift movement, he pulls the knife across her throat, slicing her open. Bree’s eyes go wide as blood pools from her throat and cascade down her body. She goes completely limp as her head falls to the side. I watch as every ounce of life is drained from her bright blue eyes… Just like the blood pooling at her feet.

  “Nooo!” I jolt upright, screaming. My body is covered in sweat and my limbs are shaking. I take a moment to take in my surroundings to see that I’m in mine and Abel’s room. The sun is still shining, reminding me that I came in here to lay down earlier after I made several dozen muffins. Growing two humans apparently makes you tired all the time.

  “Max?” Abel shouts, running in the room with Ollie keeping speed right beside him. “What happened?”

  He’s touching every inch of my body, checking to be sure I’m okay. Ollie whines, shoving Abel’s hands away and lays across my lap. Even though my body is fine, my mind is a war zone. I’m trying to catch my breath, but I can’t seem to stop shaking. I have bile forming in my throat, recalling the powerful lifelike coppery scent of the blood.

  “I had a nightmare. Gosh, Abel, it seemed so real.” I start sobbing. I’ve never had such a vivid dream before. Even though I’m awake, the images of Bree dying are burned into my mind. Abel sits on the bed and takes my hands in his, rubbing soothing circles across my knuckles.

  “Do you want to talk about it?”

  “No. I can’t. I don’t want you seeing the same images I’m seeing right now.”

  “Tell me what to do baby. Tell me how I can fix this.”

  “It can’t be fixed, Abel. Not until she’s home.”

  “It was about Bree?”

  “Yes.” I confess, barely above a whisper.

  “Fuck, I’m so sorry. I can only imagine what’s going through your head right now.

&n
bsp; “Please don’t… Don’t imagine. It’s awful.”

  “You shouldn’t have to go through this alone babe.” He says as he pulls me to his chest and holds me, kissing me on the head and slowly rocks me as I continue to cry.

  “Well, neither of you should have to go through this at all. I’m so sorry Abel. So fucking sorry.”

  “Hey now, remember what we talked about earlier? This isn’t your fault. You were just as blindsided by this as the rest of us. And if there was anything you could have done to keep this from happening, I know you would have. No one, and I do mean no one, blames you for this. When we find her, because I won’t stop until we do, even Bree will tell you this isn’t your fault. You can’t carry around the weight of something you didn’t do. This is all on Rob. He had four years in prison where he could have chosen to get the help he needed, or at least make some attempt to become reformed. Instead, he let his obsession with you fester. For him, taking Bree is another way to hurt you.”

  I promised him I would try not to blame myself anymore so I just nod my head, remaining speechless.

  “Can I get you something? Water, Sprite, anything?” he asks?

  “No, I’m fine, I just need a shower. I’m covered in sweat.”

  “Okay, baby. I could use one too actually.’

  Abel leans in for a kiss, centering me back to earth, and steadies my racing heart. He is the healing balm that my soul craves, the one and only thing I need day by day to be whole. He stands and goes to the bathroom. I hear the water start and a few seconds later he’s back, taking me by the hand, and guiding me to the steamy shower.

  He closes the door and then stands before me, cupping my cheek with one hand, and running his fingers through my hair on the other side of my head. He makes no move to get in the shower, and I need his touch so much at this moment that I don’t dare move, soaking in every ounce of love that’s pouring in my body through the light touches of his hand.

  “Tell me what you need baby.” He says.

  “You Abel. I just need you.”

  Still holding on to me, he tilts my face upright so that he can hold on to me with both hands, and kisses me so passionately that I feel myself start to grow wet.

  “Abel.” I breathe.

  “Shh, just let me take care of you okay?”

  I nod, allowing myself to let go and drown in his love.

  He grips the bottom of my shirt and peels it over my head, undoes my bra, and drops them both on the floor beside us. His lips find my collarbone and lightly kisses his way from right to left, down the center of my chest, and on my bare stomach, nuzzling in, to show that he’s thinking of the lives growing inside of me. The beautiful lives we created with the love that’s flowing between us at this moment.

  His hands find the elastic band of my shorts, and removes them, along with my panties, with a delicacy that seems impossible for a man of his stature. Next, he removes his clothes quickly and quietly, tossing them at our feet where they join mine. He wordlessly takes my hand and guides me in the walk-in shower, ushering me in first, following right after I enter. I walk toward the stream of warm water and allow it to pelt down on my chest as Abel wraps his arms around me. My back is to his front and he peppers feather-light kisses across my shoulders.

  “I love you so much, Max.” He whispers.

  I turn my head slightly so I can see his lips descend on the top of my shoulder blade, and a smile plays on my lips.

  “I love you too.”

  He gently shifts me so that I’m facing him, my back being gently massaged by the water coming down. He wraps a hand around the back of my head and gently pulls me against his mouth. His lips are so soft, and inviting, coaxing me to open for him. To return his love, and show him how much he means to me.

  My hands go to his hair and I gently thread my fingers through, loving how it’s the perfect length to hold on to. His other hand rests on my ass, gently kneading at the same pace that he makes love to my mouth. I sigh into him, not realizing how much I needed this connection between us. This silent communication, the way we meld together like one, breathing life into the other from the inside out.

  Abel turns me so that my back is pressed against the wall and he hikes my leg up on his hip, gently gyrating against me, letting me know how his body responds to mine. I hum my approval as he removes his hand from my ass and places it between my legs, lightly pushing two fingers into my opening, finding me wet and ready for him. He pumps them in and out several times before he pulls back and places his fingers in his mouth, licking my essence off of them like it’s a savory treat, making me blush in return. He often tells me that my blush is his favorite color on me.

  One he’s licked his fingers cleaned, he leans in and captures my mouth in a sweet kiss, my taste still lingering there. I feel his hard length at my entrance and he eases himself in with agonizing slowness. My breath hitches as soon as he’s fully seated. He remains wordless, eyes on mine, as he pumps in and out of me, expelling all the tension out of my body.

  He picks up the speed and I moan. Nothing in this world feels as good as when I have Abel inside of me. He picks me up and wraps both my legs around him, one hand under my ass, holding me up, the other hand on the wall, bracing himself as he thrusts into me.

  He makes love to me until the water runs cold, forcing the nightmares and fears out of my body, leaving only pleasure, love, and clarity instead. Reminding me with each thrust, that we’ll face whatever happens together, and that he loves me in spite of it all.

  ***

  By two o’clock the next day we finally have an update on what the hell is going on. Shane, our attorney, immediately started taking action to file a laundry list of charges to throw at Rob as soon as we find Bree. An arrest warrant has already been issued and there’s a city-wide manhunt underway, with volunteers pulling signing up for all shifts. I hope we can put an end to this soon, but Deacon Hill isn’t a small place…

  He could be anywhere.

  Rob grew up here in North Carolina, there’s no telling the resources he’s tapping into now.

  When we arrive back at the house after meeting with Shane and the District Attorney, there’s a package waiting on the front steps, addressed to Abel. We share a look, silently expressing that we both have a feeling of what’s inside.

  Sure enough, inside we find a DVD with Rob’s chicken scratch instructing us to watch. Abel calls the police and Shane to the house so we can all watch it together and then immediately hand over the evidence. Abel has me go get Dex out of his room, and together, we wait for everyone to show up.

  “And the punches just keep fucking coming.” Dex mumbles, taking a seat on the couch across from me.

  I have no idea what to say to him to try and comfort him right now so I just nod to acknowledge his words. I’m struggling to maintain a semblance of hope as it is, I don’t know how to offer him any when I can’t offer it to myself.

  The hairs on the back of my neck stand up, as we wait for them to arrive. I’m fighting an internal battle because as much as I don’t want to see what’s on the DVD, I need to know what’s on it. I’m afraid to see my nightmare come to life, terrified that Bree is dead…

  This will be the first time in over four years I’ve seen Rob’s face. Even though it will only be on a screen, I’m sick to my stomach just thinking about it.

  As soon as the police and our attorney arrive, we go straight to the den, not wasting time with small talk. The screen comes to life with Bree strapped to a chair in a dark room. Her hands and legs are bound, her mouth is gagged, and she’s blindfolded, but otherwise, she looks okay.

  I let out the breath I’ve been holding since we discovered the DVD, sending a ‘thank you’ to the universe for small miracles. It could always be so much worse…

  “Here’s your proof of life. She’s unharmed and will remain that way as long as I get what I want. As long as I get what’s mine. I want Maxine. Let her go. She doesn’t belong to you.
She’s always been mine. I want to see that Maxine and all her belongings have been moved back into her house by the end of the week. Then, and only then, will I send instructions on where we can meet. I propose an even exchange. Maxine for your baby sister. The clock is ticking.”

  The video cuts off.

  “No fucking way, don’t even think about it!” Shane says looking directly at me.

  “If it saves Bree, I don’t really think we have a choice, Shane.”

  “We will find another way! She’s unharmed, he gave us until the end of the week at least. And he’s obviously watching your house or else he wouldn’t know if you’ve moved back in or not. Give the police until then to find him.”

  “He could fucking kill her by then! Do you not understand that? Do you realize if he doesn’t get what he wants, that’s exactly what he’ll do? I have the scars on my body to prove what he’s capable of, Shane!

  What happens if the police don’t find her in time, huh? Let me tell you. He. Will. Kill. Her. Do you want her death on your conscience? Her blood on your hands? Because I don’t! He just told me how to save her and that’s exactly what I’m going to do! We just have to make him think he’s won. And then when we go to the meet and exchange for Bree, you take him down. It’s a win-win.”

  “It’s not that simple Max. It never is! Just give the police until the end of the week. You think it’s so simple, it’s not. He knows Abel would never let you go. He’ll know it will be a setup. He’s expecting it. He will have precautions set in place for that. And you would be the only one to walk away from there alive and that’s if he even lets you live at all.”

  Hot tears well in my eyes because I know he’s right. I know Rob is already several steps ahead of us. He has been the whole time. But how am I just supposed to sit here and do nothing when there’s a potential way to save Bree? She would do the same for me…

  “Thank you, officers, you can go now. Shane you too. Give us some time. Just work fucking fast. My sister is out there with this sick bastard.”