Save Me From the Dark

by Edward, Réna

  “I was just trying to give you something that would mean more to you than anything I could buy,” he stammers.

  Smiling, “I love you so much. This was the best gift I could ever ask for. I’m just not sure if I’m ready for that yet. Small steps for me.”

  “That’s understandable baby. Come here and open your gifts though,” he smiles then kisses me on the lips.

  “Gifts? As in more than one? As in more than what you’ve already done for me?”

  “Yes,” he says uneasy.

  Groaning, I flop on the nearby chair and cover my face.

  “What’s wrong beautiful?”

  “All I got you was one gift. I’m sorry.”

  “Baby, one gift from you is like an infinite amount of money,” he winks and digs around in the gifts. “Can I open it now?”

  Nodding my head, I bite my lip nervously. It is pure torture watching him slowly unwrap my itty bitty present. His hand freezes as he looks at the gift in his hands. Slowly, he lifts his head to meet my eyes.

  “See, you love music and you express so much through it. I couldn’t figure out what to give you for Christmas since you have everything. So, over the week I was gone, I worked on this for you.”

  My cheeks heat with embarrassment at the stupid CD that sat in his hands right now. How could I have possibly thought something like this would be good enough to give him?

  Next thing I know, the music from the first song fills the room. He stands there with his head down, bobbing it slightly with the beat, seemingly listening intently.

  After a few songs, he looks up at me with tears in his eyes. “This is the best gift I’ve ever gotten. And by the way, I didn’t have everything until the day you entered my life. Wow, this is fantastic. You’ve got some serious talent.”

  He walks over to me, wraps me in his arms, kissing me passionately.

  “I love you beautiful. Merry Christmas!”

  “Merry Christmas and I love you too.”

  It’s back to business as usual. We’ve been in Saldotna for a few days now. Today, Ace has been gone for a lot longer than planned. I’m bored. Gary had to go with him because of the amount of people that were going to be there. So I’m under strict instructions to stay inside and away from the doors and the balcony.

  Two days after Christmas, I called my Nana and Uncle Darrell up and we talked for a long time. After opening their envelopes and finding all the proof I needed to know what they were telling me was true, I decided to not let ten more years go by with that same pain.

  We’ve agreed to take it one step at a time. We are sticking to phone calls for now to give me time to adjust to the fact that I have family again, flesh and blood family. Nana reminds me so much of my mom that sometimes it hurts too bad to look at her.

  Aside from that things have been going really well with Ace and I. He listens to that CD I made him all the time. Right now, he’s trying to convince me to record a song with him, but I just can’t do it.

  Today, however, here I am stuck in another hotel room, for another day. I’m so tired of just sitting inside.

  Looking at my homework one last time, I shrug. It’s about time for a break. Grabbing the spare key from the table, I grab my coat and gloves and head out the door.

  Leaving a note for Ace, I decide it’s time to spread my wings a little further. We are states away from my father. I have no fear. No one knows that I’m Ace Jergens’ girlfriend either, other than the kids at school, but shockingly no one has released that information.

  Greeting each person that passes by me, I’m in a great mood. Just as I step outside, my phone rings. Glancing at the caller ID, I smile.

  “Hey girl, how have you been?”

  “Bella, I need your help,” Dawn whispers.

  Stopping in mid-step, my heart starts to race. “What’s wrong?”

  “Meet me at the Angel Rock Park on Fifth and Elliot. Please hurry,” she pleads.

  “I’m on my way. I’ll call Gary and get…”

  She cuts me off. “No, please don’t call Gary. Jarrett would kill me if he finds out. Please just keep it between us.”

  “Okay,” I say nervously. “I’m on my way. Are you okay?”

  “No,” she sobs. “Please hurry.”

  The phone goes dead. My heart hammers rapidly in my chest. Dawn has been going through some stuff that the guys have not been told about and I worry that it’s finally coming to a head. Quickly, I hail a cab and give them the address. The whole ride there, I’m panicking. My heart is telling me I need to let Ace know. Or at least Gary.

  Pulling out my phone, I text Gary.

  To: Garebear

  From: Bella

  Hey, hope everything is going well. I just wanted to let you know that I’m going out. I’ll be back before y’all get home. I couldn’t stay in that damn hotel another second.

  Hugs

  To: Bella

  From: Gary

  No, do not go out without us. I know it sucks staying in the hotel, but we’d lose our minds if something was to happen to you. Please stay in. Ace is done with meetings after today.

  To: Garebear

  From: Bella

  I’ll be okay. I’ve been stuck in a room my whole life. I can’t handle it anymore. Please understand. Hugs!

  Placing my phone back in my bag, I ignore the text message chime that comes in almost immediately. They don’t understand what it’s like to be cooped up your whole life, never seeing the outside world other than for school. I need this time out. Once I have Dawn squared away, I’m going to take her to lunch and we’re going to have a girls day.

  The cab pulls up to the park and I hand him the fare then walk into the park. This park is incredible. The statues they have that dot all over the park are breathtaking. Many of them are Angels. Ace and I walked this park when we first got here. It was so romantic.

  Today, it is really cold. I reach into my pockets, pulling out my gloves and slipping them on. The skies look like there will be snow. A shiver runs through my body at the thought of snow. Winter is always so depressing. No life in anything. Well, there never used to be anyway. Now there is.

  I’ve been walking for a few minutes before I realize that I have no idea where in this park Dawn is. Not wanting to pull my phone out, I look around for Dawn sitting on the benches. Thankfully, there is only one path through the park and one that rounds the outskirts. There are a few dead end paths here and there, but only one that allowed you to pass through.

  The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as I continue my way through the park. Looking from side to side trying to not miss Dawn, it is freezing. I didn’t want her to get sick. Dawn and I have become really close since I left Ace almost two weeks ago now. She’s like the sister I’ve always wanted, but never had.

  Just then, I’m yanked to the side and a cloth of some sort is placed over my mouth and nose. Struggling against whoever holds me, I fight to free myself. My traitorous eyes grow heavy. My arms grow weak and soon all the fight leaves me.

  Looking around, I try to make sense of where I am. Nothing around me looks familiar. Nothing is mine. Taking a deep breath, I gag as the stench of mold and something else fill my senses. What the hell has happened to me? There is muffled noises coming from somewhere behind that door.

  My heart begins to hammer in my chest. The throbbing pain in my head seems to only be building. The chair I am tied to is old and rusted. It’s so bad that I am scared of what I’d be infected with if I were to cut myself. It’s almost enough to keep me from trying to escape.

  Groaning, I try to pull my hands free, but they wouldn’t budge. The rope and the chair dig and cut their way into my skin. My head is killing me and I can’t remember anything. I try hard to recall how I would have gotten here, but it doesn’t make sense.

  A noise sounds from the other side of the door, and its close. I stop breathing. My whole body tenses as I wait for who comes walking through that door. The door opens and it seems to be going in slow
motion. I can’t handle this much longer.

  My stomach begins to turn. The nauseating feeling that you’re about to meet your death fills me and I gag again. The light is bright on the other side of the room and all I can see is the silhouette of a person. My eyes are following their every step as they cross the room towards me.

  “Hello, Bella, so nice of you to finally wake up. You know, I worried that I put too much on that rag…”

  Just like that, everything comes crashing back on a collision course with my already throbbing head. Dawn calling for help, telling Gary I’ll be fine, getting abducted at the park. The only question unanswered is who and of course why.

  “Who… are… you?” My voice is hoarse and scratchy.

  “We met once. But I’ve seen you far more times than you’ve seen me. You have something that belongs to me and I want it back.”

  Slowly shaking my head not understanding what is going on. “I don’t understand.”

  Finally, they step into view and my confusion deepens. The reporter… Why?

  “Ace and I have been dating for a long time. Then you come along and think you can force my man to cheat on me. I don’t think so.”

  Again, I find myself with the need to shake my head. “He’s not been with anyone in a long time, before me.”

  “See, I didn’t know who you were. But one day, I’m walking into Ace’s hotel and I see him and Gary protecting you against this man. So, I waited. When he was thrown outside, I bailed him out of jail. He helped me and I helped him.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  Maybe it is my chloroform clogged brain, but nothing is clicking right now. All I know is that my head feels like it could explode at any moment. The ache in my body is the one thing that keeps me from passing out again.

  “She’s talking about giving you to me and in place taking her man back, you whore!”

  My head snaps up at the sound of my father’s voice. No, this can’t be happening.

  She starts laughing. “That look is priceless. Well, Roger, you can have her now. I need to go and collect my boyfriend so we can move on with our lives.”

  Turning, she walks out of the room, her laughter trailing behind her. My heart sinks. All the happiness I’ve known is gone. I’ll never see Ace again. Tears start falling down my cheeks.

  “I’m going with you. I won’t fight you, but please let me say goodbye to Ace. Please.”

  He continues to stare at me not saying anything, but keeping that damn smirk on his face.

  “Be a decent damn human being for five fucking minutes!” I yell.

  “Like you’ve been a decent daughter? Every time I turn around you’re running away,” he hisses.

  “You beat me!”

  “You deserve it,” he roars back in my face.

  “Why? How can you treat your only child like this?”

  “I never wanted your fucking ass, but your mother had to have you. Look where that got her. Look what you did to her! That is how I can treat you like this.”

  Closing my eyes, I remember that day as if it was only just happening. The sounds, the fear, the smell, it all hit me anew. Her screaming at me to hide…

  “If you think that was my fault you’re wrong. That day has stuck with me and probably will for the rest of my life. I was eight! To see all that happen…” I shake my head. “I lost my mom and you on the very same day. You became the very person to give me pain rather than take it away,” I say quietly.

  “And you do the same for me every day. Why couldn’t you have died that day?”

  The venom behind that voice sliced me deeply. In all these years, I thought that he wished that, but to hear him say it now… It hurt more than I thought it would.

  “Please let me say goodbye,” all fight leaving my voice and body.

  Tossing a phone in my lap, he cuts the rope my arms are bound in, leaving the rest of me secured to the chair. “Make your call. You have thirty seconds.”

  Even though he didn’t deserve this kindness, I still find myself saying, “Thank you.”

  He leaves the room and I hear a lock slide in place. Quickly picking up the phone, I dial Ace’s number and I wait. Please let him answer. Please let him know I’m gone. Please.

  Before the first ring finished sounding, my father walks back into the room. Hitting end, I hold my breath, waiting to feel the pain. To my shock, he cuts my ropes free.

  Pulling me up to a standing position, the first hit lands hard across my face. Each hit after is harder than the last. His foot makes contact with my stomach causing me to heave. Just as quick as he starts hitting me he stops.

  “I can’t do this anymore. I took your mother’s life away; I can’t take doing it to you anymore. Your mom did not die because of you, but because of me. I wanted you gone. You took up too much of her time. They were supposed to kidnap you. Go live your life. Believe it or not, I loved you when you were born. Now you’re just a reminder of what I lost. You always will be.”

  Before I can register what’s happening, I watch my father put the gun in his mouth and pull the trigger.

  I scream as the sound reverberates off the walls. My mouth hangs open as I stare down at my father’s lifeless body. Moving backwards until my back hits the wall, I slide down to the floor. My eyes would not leave the scene before me. Tears stream down my cheeks.

  In a daze, I pick up the phone and dial Ace once again. This time, I’m not sure what to say.

  Ace

  If these people don’t shut up so I can get home to my girl, I just might fire them all and leave.

  “I understand what you guys are hoping for, but what I’m telling you is that I will not change my style of music just to make a few extra dollars. Eventually, I want to have kids and will not have my kids looking back on their dad in barely there outfits because my record label wants him to be a sexier eye candy. I’ve never been that way and will not start now.”

  “You understand that this is terms for termination of your contract right,” snotty ass Bacherd says.

  That guy always rubs me the wrong way. He is always looking for the quick buck and doesn’t care by what means he has to do it. The man once did a stint as a sperm donor just for the extra cash. Not the donate type of sperm donor either and he has a wife. Yet the money some woman would pay to get pregnant without having to… Shaking my head as the images kept playing over in my head. Gross!

  “We also hear that you’ve got a girlfriend,” Stansen adds. “That too violates our stipulations.”

  “I’m fully aware of what this means, but I will not change me. As far as my girlfriend goes, I’m not breaking it off. I plan on proposing to her soon. If…”

  My sentence is cut short as Jarrett storms into the room with security right behind him.

  “Please tell me you’ve seen Dawn,” he says panicked.

  “No, what’s going on?” My stomach turns.

  Gary walks in then, whiter than a ghost. “I just got a call from Ethan. Heath beat the crap out of him trying to get Bella.”

  My heart stops beating completely. “Where’s Bella?”

  Gary’s head drops. “She’s gone. Ethan watched him take her from the park. He’s in the hospital being treated.”

  “Who is…Heath or Ethan?” Jones – another security member – asks.

  “Both will be when I get a hold of them,” I hiss.

  “Ethan is in the hospital. I still have him on the ph…”

  “Give it to me,” I say cutting Gary off.

  Snatching the phone from Gary’s hand, I start walking out.

  “You have a lot of explaining to do,” I hiss.

  “I tried to stop him, Sir. I had no idea what he was doing until the last second. We watched her leave and followed her. Heath told me he was going to park at the other end and we’d meet back up. So, I hopped out and followed her. We get about halfway in and a woman needed help catching her loose dog that was at my feet. Then when I looked back up, I watched him carrying her ou
t. When I met up with him, we got into it when I tried to get her out of the car. I don’t know what he’s doing, but he said that you were already taken and this home wrecker wasn’t ruining that or breaking your wife’s heart.”

  “I’m not married you fucking idiot!”

  “I know and I told him that. That’s when we really started fighting. I know I was less than thrilled about being put on her guard, but man I would have never done that to you. Never!”

  Screaming at everyone around me just as I step outside, “I don’t care who did what or does what. I want my girlfriend back safe and sound. If a single hair on her head is harmed, you’ll all be unemployed!”

  Pushing through the paparazzi, I quickly climb into the car. Gary follows right behind me. For the first time in as long as I’ve known him, I didn’t even want to look at him.

  “Angel Rock Park, step on it.”

  Gary sits unusually quiet next to me. It only serves to push me further and further over the edge. My world is hanging in the balance and he’s saying nothing!

  “How the hell did this happen, Gary? You promised me that she’d be safe,” I hiss quietly. “Why did you have to allow Hansen to go on vacation?”

  “I don’t know. She was texting me telling me that she’d been cooped up her whole life she couldn’t do it anymore. I was telling her to stay put and you’d be done soon and take her out. That it was your last meeting. She didn’t write back after that. Hansen’s little girl is finally well enough to leave the hospital. Neither of us were taking that from him.”

  My head snaps in his direction. “You mean to tell me that you knew she was leaving and never came to tell me?”

  “I was headed down to get your attention when Jarrett came barreling in. Look, she’s like a daughter to me. I love that girl. If you think this isn’t killing me too you’re wrong!”

  My heart broke even further. “If we don’t find her…”

  Before Gary has a chance to reply, we’re pulling up to the park. Honestly, I don’t know what I expect to find when I get here. It’s not like we are going to run across a trail of clues to find her. My soul was deflating. Feeling as though it could just blow away at any moment.