“You weren’t worried about me no?” I was joking but I supposed now wasn’t the time. “Do you know if they got Sarah and Pete?”
“I have no idea dude. Jane told me to ditch my phone and any other electrical device as they will track us to find you.” He said.
“So, none of you have a phone or anything?” They all shook their heads. It was us five in a secret cabin with no connection to the outside world.
Evelyn
I could hear people saying my name, but I couldn’t open my eyes. I was so tired. I felt like all my energy had been dragged out of me. I tried opening my eyes, but they wouldn’t open. I could smell blood. It was turning my stomach. Then I saw him coming towards me. I started to panic. He was going to hurt me again. He pulled me down onto the mattress and climbed on top of me. I screamed but no one was there. He put his hand over my mouth as he tried to pull down my trousers. Oh god please help me Aiden. I was screaming as he held both my arms down. He was pressing up against me. I started crying. No please don’t do this. I tried screaming Aiden’s name one more time.
“Hey Evelyn, it’s OK I’m here I’m with you. You’re safe.” I heard Aiden voice.
“Please help me.” I screamed.
“Look at me.” He demanded. I could open my eyes now and I could see him through the blurriness of my tears. He was holding my arms down but let go as soon as I looked at him.
“Aiden?” I sat up and flew into his arms.
“It’s okay I’m here you’re safe.” I felt him bury his head into my shoulder and kissed me quickly.
I looked down, and I was only wearing my bra and a jacket, which was completely open. I was covered in dry blood.
Aiden looked down as well and carefully did up the jacket for me.
“We’re not alone.” He whispered to me, but I couldn’t register what he was saying.
There was blood all over me. I felt my face and I could feel the blood. It had turned thick and crusty. I felt sick. I started shaking and the tears were falling down my face. He stood up with me still attached to him like a baby and carried me towards the bathroom. I started to realise where I was now. He had found our cabin. He put me down next to the toilet and I started throwing up. I couldn’t take the smell of the blood. Aiden turned on the shower for me, but there was a knock on the door. Aiden answered the door and stepped aside.
“Caitlin?”
I couldn’t believe she was standing there. My whole body buzzed at the sight of her. She came in and wrapped her arms around me. We were both crying now. I was so happy to see her.
“Evelyn I’m so sorry.” She said.
“What for?” I asked.
“Just for everything you’ve been through. I’m so glad you’re ok.” She smiled “Come on let’s get you in this shower.” She said lifting me up.
I could see that Aiden had left. Thank god I had Caitlin. I didn’t want to be alone, but I didn’t want him in here either. Caitlin locked the bathroom door and turned to me. She looked sad. I asked her what was wrong, but she said it wasn’t important. I was safe and that’s all that mattered.
She sat on the toilet and looked at the door to give me privacy. I removed the blood-soaked clothes and searched my body, but I couldn’t find any cuts. I searched around my head but there was only the one scar from a few days ago. I got into the shower and started to wash off the blood. There was so much of it. The water around my feet was bright red with chunks of black in it. I felt nauseated again but was glad it was coming off. I think it took 20 minutes to get all of it out of my hair. When I was clean I stepped out and wrapped a towel around me. I was about to tell Caitlin I was finished when my legs buckled, and I fell to the floor. I could feel the adrenaline rushing through my body and that image… Rottweilers covered in blood, the same blood that was on me, as they ripped him apart. I put my head in my hands and tried to get rid of the image, but it wouldn’t go away. I started screaming as I watched them tear him apart.
“Evelyn?” Aiden was shouting, but it didn’t stop the visions. I felt him sit behind me. He grabbed me around the waist and pulled me back against him.
Then the visions got worse. I saw him again coming towards me grabbing me and pulling my clothes off. I attacked him. I was ripping him apart. All those girls he raped and murdered, I could see what he had done to them and how much he tortured them. I couldn’t handle seeing all this. So young, just children. I was doing it for them. Causing him as much pain as I could, and I didn’t stop till he was dead.
“I did it.” I whispered. Aiden lowered his head to my shoulder and held me tighter. “I killed him.”
“It’s not your fault.” He whispered into my ear.
I couldn’t stop the guilt eating me inside. “I murdered him.”
Aiden was rubbing my shoulder with his thumb. He was trying to soothe me, but it wouldn’t work now. Not after what I did.
“He deserved it.” He said into my ear. His face was nearly next to mine now.
“That’s no excuse.” I snapped back.
He turned his face, so his lips were nearly on my cheek. “Better him than you.”
I turned to face him, our lips were almost touching. I could feel his breath on my lips and his eyes were clouding over. I thought it was the same reaction as the others that couldn’t control themselves, but the more he looked at me, I realised it was different. He didn’t just want to handle me. He was struggling with himself. I felt his hand on my leg now. He was moving it slowly towards my thigh.
Chapter 18
Evelyn
“Evelyn I’ve got you some clothes.” Caitlin called out from the door way.
We both jumped a little. Aiden stood up with me still in his arms and went to the door. He took the clothes off her and was about to close the door again.
“Don’t you think she needs a little privacy?” Caitlin shouted. He didn’t reply but he was bright red when he turned around. He put the clothes on the sink.
“If you’re not out in 3 minutes I’m coming back in ok?” I nodded in response and he walked out and closed the door. I walked over to the sink and saw she had brought me some pyjamas.
“What are you guarding her door now?” I could hear Caitlin saying to Aiden.
“Yes.” He replied.
I picked up the pyjama top, but there wasn’t much to it. I didn’t want to wear so little in front of anyone. It was a cotton strap top with a cat silhouette and had the word smitten on it. Wow where did she get these from? To match there was a pair of pink shorts. When I put them on I felt naked, I went to the closet and found a bathrobe. Mom always had clothes here for my size, but I’d have to go upstairs later to change. I wrapped the warm robe around me and opened to the door. Aiden was waiting for me.
“Cold?” He asked.
“No just very revealing pyjamas.” I laughed nervously.
“Do you want me to get you something else?” He offered.
“Who’s here?” I asked.
“Jake and Eli.” He replied. I started to turn a little red.
“What are they doing here?” I was getting anxious. Eli and Aiden together, wasn’t a good idea.
“They came with Caitlin. Are there other clothes I can get you?”
He was determined to get me more clothes, we went down the hall and upstairs to a large walk in closet. There were clothes everywhere both men’s and women’s. I used to joke that my mom had stolen a clothing shop, but she said it would be necessary one day, so we may as well be prepared.
I walked to the back and found a pair of black and purple leggings and a black sweater. Aiden turned around when I started getting dressed. I pulled my hair up into a pony tail and got a hair tie from one of the drawers. I felt more like myself now. Aiden had turned around now. He was watching me carefully. I could still feel the bump on my head, but it had mostly healed. I walked over to him.
“I don’t know how much more of this I can take.” I said, I felt so drained.
“I know we’ll get you into bed
soon, but we’ll have to talk to the others first.”
We made our way back into the living room. Eli was sitting on the couch with his back to me. Jake was opposite him smiling. Eli turned and when he saw me he looked so happy. He got up and pulled me into a hug and I hugged him back, so Aiden wouldn’t be suspicious. If Aiden knew he was like the other men, he would make him leave and I couldn’t do that to Caitlin. He kissed me on the head and told me he was glad I was ok. I could feel Aiden’s jealousy raging, but he stayed quiet. Jake didn’t though.
“Hey how come he can hug you and I can’t!” Jake was pouting now.
As I pulled away from Eli he looked me up and down. “You look so different.”
“Well it has been almost 5 weeks since I’ve seen you.” I joked.
“You look older somehow, well I better go see how Caitlin's doing.” He smiled.
“Oh, great now I’m aging faster.” I said as he walked away to join Caitlin in the kitchen. Apparently, she was attempting dinner.
I could see Jake standing with his arms out towards me with his lip pouting. I couldn’t resist so I walked up to him, jumped in his arms and he swung me around like he did the first time I met him. Even from that day I felt safe with him. I knew he wouldn’t do anything to hurt me, unfortunately I could still see that gleam in Eli’s eye that had me on edge, but Jake was different. He had a strong will. I knew I could be alone with him.
“Put her down.” Aiden demanded.
He might let it go with Eli to avoid more conflict but not with Jake. He was being an attentive big brother looking after me, but I didn’t want him looking after me. I wanted him to want me. Then I remembered the hostess on the plane and the pain it caused me came rushing back. I hadn’t had a chance to even think about it. I felt a little angry and my childishness was surfacing again.
“So, Jake you never guess what?” I said playfully but spitefully. Aiden could sense what was coming and was starting to look a little worried.
“What?”
“Aiden hooked up with an air hostess on the plane.” The words sounded happy on the outside but bitter on the inside. I hated that he was trying to push me away. Jake was laughing now, and Aiden had sat down hanging his head in shame.
“What’s funny?” I asked.
“Aiden hooking up with someone!” Jake could barely breathe now.
“Why is that funny?” I asked.
“Aiden has never been with anyone… ever! Oh. Err, sorry dude.”
Jake was looking at Aiden now, and I understood then why Aiden was sitting like that. He had never been with anyone. I knew he had the same issues as I did, but I thought being a guy it wouldn’t be nearly as hard.
“You’re kidding” I said. Aiden got up and walked out of the room towards the kitchen.
“Nope he said he’s never seen anyone he was interested in. I thought maybe your mate was the girl for him, but I guess it was just a twin thing.” He said. Now I felt like a bitch for embarrassing him.
“Oh my god that’s so weird.” Caitlin said.
I didn’t hear her come into the room, but I knew now it was my turn to be embarrassed. I’m just glad Aiden had left.
“Evelyn says exactly the same thing. Shame they are related, or they would have been perfect for each other.” Caitlin said with a sneer, but Jake was watching me intently. I tried to pull a disgusted face even though I could feel the blood rushing to my face. He came over and put his hand on my shoulder.
“So, what’s for dinner?” He asked her.
“I don’t know. I was kicked out of the kitchen. I’m rubbish at cooking.” She said and plonked herself down on the couch.
Jake still had his hand on my shoulder. I knew he only asked that to get the attention away from me. I was starting to think maybe he could see something was up by the way we looked at each other and how intimate we were together. It was nothing like Caitlin with her brother. I’ve never seen him kiss or cuddle her in the way Aiden has done with me. I wonder if it’s because we never knew each other growing up. We can only look at each other in the way friends do. Jake took my hand and led me into the kitchen. Having him this close me didn’t bother me anymore. I knew I could trust him and I knew Aiden trusted him.
As we entered the kitchen I could see Aiden sitting at the table staring out the window. When he turned to look at us his eyes moved straight down to where Jake was clutching my hand.
“I told you not to touch her.” Aiden said calmly to Jake. Jake started to pull away from me, but I held onto his hand tighter.
“It’s fine Jake I make the decision about who can hold my hand, not Aiden.” I said defiantly.
Everyone was in the room now watching Aiden and my little spat. Jake and I both jumped a little as Aiden got up from the table and came at us.
“Dude its cool I’ll let go.” Jake tried to stop him, but he didn’t listen. He walked straight up to me and threw me over his shoulder.
“Aiden put her down!” Eli shouted at him, but he kept walking.
I tried to kick him and punch him, but neither worked. “Put me down jerk!”
“Nope.”
“Why are you such a butthole.” I said flatly.
I could almost hear him laugh a little as he walked with me up the stairs and into a bedroom. He threw me on the bed and turned to lock the door. I could see the others following but it was too late. I was locked in here with him.
“Come on open the door. You’re over reacting, and it looks creepy.” I said standing up and walking towards him. I wasn’t scared of him and never would be.
“No.” He said crossing his arms over his chest.
“Why are you doing this?” I asked him. I knew the others could hear so I had to be careful with what I said.
“I’ve already almost lost you twice. I can’t handle a third.” He said.
“And what you think Jakes going to hurt me?” I could see now his anger was misdirected from when Eli had hugged me. And now it was starting to sink that it was his brother who he trusted.
“No of course not, I just–” He paused. “I just don’t like it when people touch you.” He said quietly.
I walked up to him and put my hand on his face and looked up to him.
“Don’t you think I can handle myself now? It’s all because of you. Before I hated most contact, but since being with you. It doesn’t bother me as much. It just seems to be bothering you instead. Trust me if I don’t like something I will do something about it.” I said. He nodded at me, unlocked the door and moved away. As soon as the door opened the three of them fell in.
“That’s what you get for being nosey” I laughed as I walked over them.
When I got downstairs I could see Eli had made a lasagne and I was a little hungry. I don’t think I’d eaten in days. No wonder I was so tired. They all walked in behind me except Aiden and sat down. Now I needed to find out what they were all doing here. Caitlin smiled at me from across the table.
“I’m so glad to see you again Evee I’ve missed you so much.” She said while dishing up the food.
“I’ve missed you too, but why are you here? And why are you here?” I said pointing to Jake.
“So, you don’t want to know why I’m here?” Eli faked disappointment.
“Well you’re here because Caitlin is here and because you know how to get here, but Jake doesn’t and where are Sarah and Pete? Are they still at the hospital? Wait, how did you even get here? You were near death when I last saw you Jake, and where are your mom and dad?” I said pointing to Eli. I couldn’t believe I was only thinking all of this now, it hadn’t occurred to me.
“Why haven’t you said anything to me?” They were all looking at each other now awkwardly.
“Eat your food and I’ll explain after ok?” Caitlin said.
“No, I want to know now.”
“Ok I’ll tell you.” Caitlin said.
That’s when she told me about her mom and dad. How they always knew we were in danger. How they kept the docume
nts safe and sent them into the police. How they had to go on the run when Jake had phoned them. How the agents now had Sarah, Pete and their mom and dad, but they managed to escape capture and were told to meet Jake at this place in Michigan and they came here.
So, this whole time my mom had known we were also in danger. Caitlin’s mom and dad knew, as well as Sarah and Pete knowing. I was starting to realise this was a massive plan set out to protect Aiden and me. How could they have known all this? Did they know this before our dad was taken? Did my mom know where Aiden was? Did she know he was adopted? How could she just leave him alone out there? Why didn’t she bring him home? Everybody knew but Aiden and I were clueless. How could they do this to us? Now everybody’s lives were ruined. I felt guilty and angry. Fuck this. I got up and went over to one of the cupboards. Right at the top there were bottles and bottles of booze. I have no idea why as my mom never drank. I found them while I was looking for cake one summer as she normally hid it. I never found the cake but found the booze instead. I hopped onto the counter and pulled down a bottle of vodka. I don’t normally drink, but I needed to forget the collapse of my life for a little while.
“Evelyn do you think that’s a good idea? You haven’t eaten anything.” Caitlin said as she walked over to me.
I got down and went into the front room. Oh, great. Aiden was sitting on the couch looking at the bottle in my hand. He got up and tried to take the bottle off me.
“Don’t fucking touch me!” I shouted at him, and he actually backed off.
I opened the bottle and started downing it straight. It burned my throat but that was better than what I was feeling already, and it took the edge off my pitiful existence. I walked back into the kitchen and hopped up again taking down about 10 bottles of different alcohol.
“I think we all need some of this.” I said to the room.
“Evelyn that’s isn’t going to help.” Eli said to me.
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