Science Fiction Romance: Biomechanical Hearts (Space Sci-Fi Love Triangle) (New Adult Paranormal Fantasy)

by Olivia Myers

  “Where were you today, Gabrielle?”

  “Uh, I just drove around trying to get acquainted with the neighborhood. Is everything all right?”

  “You don’t expect me to believe that, now, do you?” Cory stood up and walked over to the study’s door and quietly shut it. He turned to face Gabby, but she rigidly faced his desk for fear of turning her head toward an open palm.

  “I know that you went to the hospital, Gabrielle.” Cory walked to the front of his desk to lean against it and stare down at Gabby with an intensity that she could feel penetrating her skull. He flashed his phone, showing her the navigation system tracking Gabby’s cell phone. “You see this little dot? That’s your phone. I know exactly where you went today.”

  Gabby didn’t know what to say. She felt cold and detached from her body. Was this how she survived eight years with Cory? By distancing herself mentally from everything that he did? If she just floated away every time something happened, she could get through it.

  “So, why would you lie to me? To my face?” He leaned down to level his face with hers, and she could smell bitter scotch and cigarettes on his breath. “You remember what I do with liars like you, right, Gabrielle?” He lifted her chin up, forcing her to meet his gaze.

  Gabby tried to look away, but Cory held her chin and smacked her with his other hand. Then he put his foot on the edge of her chair and violently shoved it, tipping the chair back and spilling Gabby against the bookcase behind her.

  He swaggered around the chair as he lit up another cigarette. “You don’t really think I’ve bought this bullshit about you losing your memory, do you?” He cocked his head back, blowing out the smoke, and quickly took another drag. “I know you’re faking it. I mean bravo, woman. You nailed that little act of yours; I should award you an Oscar. I was almost convinced myself, but I know you remember that night. When you tried to leave me? Is it coming back to you now? How I caught you running off to that piece of shit lover of yours? Obviously, I couldn’t have that. I just wish I didn’t waste my twenty-year-old scotch pouring it all over your pathetically limp body to make you look wasted.”

  Gabby slowly sat up straight, pressing her back against the bookshelf. She looked frantically around the room for some sort of weapon and tried to plan her escape route. Cory squatted down in front of her and blew smoke into her face.

  “You lie to me again, and I will ruin that pretty face of yours. Your precious Logan won’t even be able to recognize you.” Cory stood up and took one last drag of his cigarette before flicking it toward Gabby, just missing her shoulder.

  The cigarette burned a hole in Cory’s rug before dying out. Gabby just sat there, paralyzed with fear. She could remember thinking Cory was the whole package when they met and how excited she was when he asked her out on a date. She also remembered the first time Cory hit her. She left without batting an eye, but he tracked her down and sweet-talked her into giving him another chance. The second chance was going well; everything was fine until their wedding night. Cory had too much celebratory champagne when he had the bright idea of having sex in the hotel elevator. Gabby laughed, thinking that Cory was joking, but he suddenly became eerily reticent. When they got to their hotel room, Cory walked straight inside and poured himself some scotch, leaving Gabby waiting at the threshold. After downing his scotch he asked, “So, you wanna do it, or what?”

  “Are you kidding me? It’s our wedding night, and that’s how you want to start our marriage off? What’s wrong with you?”

  Cory threw his glass at the wall. He stumbled over to Gabby and started kissing her. She told him she didn’t want to have sex with him drunk and acting so crudely. But he didn’t stop. Cory ripped Gabby’s wedding dress off, completely ruining it, and had his way with her.

  Sitting against the bookcase, Gabby put her head in hands and sobbed, only finding solace in finally knowing the name of her secret admirer. “Logan,” she whispered to herself, just to hear the name again.

  ***

  The rest of the evening, Cory stayed downstairs in the entertainment room, playing video games. Gabby wanted to be as far away from him as possible, so she stayed in the upstairs living room and attempted read one of her novels. But she couldn’t focus on anything. Every little sound caused her to shrink further into her fear.

  Around 10:00 pm, Gabby was going to try to get some sleep when Cory materialized from his man cave. Without saying a word, he grabbed his keys and left. Gabby tiptoed to the window as Cory sped down their driveway.

  Gabby didn’t waste any time. She ran out back to see if Logan had left her a note in their box. It was already pretty dark out as Gabby stumbled through the trees and bushes that scratched up her legs and arms. She groped around in the dark until her fingers finally reached the square shape she was searching for.

  It was too dark to read the letter outside. She wasn’t even sure it wasn’t the one she’d left for Logan earlier that day. She stuck the note in her pocket and made her way back through the trees. As she reached the patio, Gabby anxiously pulled out the note, bracing herself for whatever it said.

  My Beloved Gabrielle,

  I was astonished to see your note tonight. I was beginning to think I’d lost you forever, but I’m so glad to hear from you--even just to know that you're alive.

  And there’s no need to apologize. I know this must be very difficult and frightening for you to face, but I believe you’re strong. I understand if you don’t want to tell me why you didn’t show up at the airport that night, but anything you can tell me about the last seven months would help me piece things together. Whatever you tell me, I’ll listen and be as supportive as I can.

  Yours Eternally,

  L

  Gabby was overjoyed. She turned the paper over and immediately began writing her next letter, detailing everything she knew or could remember from the last seven months, including what she learned from her recent trip to the hospital. She didn’t detail what Cory had done to her afterward. Instead she just wrote that she was scared and wanted to leave her home for good.

  By the time Gabby had finished her letter to Logan, it was after midnight, with no sign of Cory. She snuck back out to the rock, placed the note inside the box, and wearily trudged up the stairs to go to bed.

  ***

  She woke up the next morning unsure if Cory had ever come home. He undoubtedly dabbled in shady business deals if he was out all night; either that or he had some mistress in the city. Gabby didn’t care, though. All she was concerned about at this point was escaping this nightmare.

  She went down to the kitchen to make some coffee but stopped in her tracks when she saw Cory sitting at the breakfast table casually reading the newspaper. He glanced at Gabby’s frozen figure and calmly folded the newspaper and set it on the table.

  “Won’t you sit down with me to have some breakfast?” he asked, taking a sip of coffee.

  His eyes didn’t leave her as she grabbed a coffee mug and poured herself a cup. “I was thinking of having my breakfast out on the patio today.”

  “What a lovely idea. I’ll join you.”

  Cory picked up his newspaper and coffee and went out to the patio before Gabby had even finished adding cream to her coffee. She contemplated going upstairs and getting dressed or even skipping that and getting in her car to get the hell out of there. But she needed a plan first. If she wasn’t careful, Cory would find her. Seven months ago, she learned what happened when she tried to leave him. She grabbed a steak knife from one of the kitchen drawers and tried to carefully tuck it up her sleeve before joining Cory.

  “How was your night, baby? I’m sorry I didn’t get home until so late.”

  “Well, you did leave pretty late for work.” Gabby regretted saying that and quickly moved on, “I didn’t ever hear you come in. What time did you get home?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. Work went really late, and a couple of guys and I went to the bar to blow off some steam with a few brewskis.”

  “Well, good.
I’m glad you were able to blow off some steam.”

  “Yes, well, as you know my work can be very stressful, but I do it for you. I want you to have the lavish lifestyle you’ve always dreamed of.”

  “Well, thank you, but I don’t really need…”

  “I wasn’t finished,” Cory firmly interrupted. Gabby noticed he was clenching his fist on the table. Her heart was pounding in her ears. Gabby started fishing for a good hold on the knife without letting Cory see her fidgeting.

  “As I was saying, I work as hard as I do to provide for you, to make sure you never go without. And in turn, there are things that I desire, things that a husband is entitled to.”

  Cory stood up and walked around the table behind where Gabby was sitting. He put his hands firmly on Gabby’s shoulders, digging his fingernails into her plush robe. “Gabby, it’s been a very long time since I’ve been able to exercise my rights as your husband. I’ve been patient and more than understanding, but I think it’s time for you to do something for me.”

  He started pushing Gabby’s robe off of her shoulders. The cool morning air bit into her skin.

  “Oh. Okay. We can do that.” Gabby held the front of her robe closed. “Why don’t we plan on tonight? I haven’t showered or shaved yet, and I know you probably need to go to work soon.”

  Gabby tried to stand up and shake off his hold, but he gripped her shoulders more tightly and pushed her back down into the chair.

  “I have time. Right. Now.” Cory ripped Gabby’s robe open and slid his hand into her bra. “What’s the matter, baby? You don’t want it?”

  Tears welled in her eyes and her heart felt like it would pound right out of her chest, as Gabby tried to wriggle out of his grasp. Cory kept one hand firmly pressing down on Gabby’s shoulder as he scooted around the chair and started undoing his belt.

  She felt herself detaching again, pretending like this wasn’t happening to her. If she could just endure it, she could survive.

  There was nothing wrong with that, she decided. But where had it gotten her? Stuck here, being raped and abused by this sadistic man. No, she wasn’t going to detach and just take it anymore.

  Gabby stood up and tried pushing past him, but Cory grabbed both of her wrists. His pressure pushed the knife into her forearm. Gabby shrieked at the pain, and Cory looked into her sleeve to see what his hand was on.

  “Oh, I see how it is. You want to play rough, do you?” He squeezed his hand tighter around her wrist, pushing the knife deeper into her skin. His eyes were wild with rage and lust.

  Gabby screamed as the sharp pain grew into cold shocks that traveled up her arm. Tears now flooded her vision as he relished in causing her pain, having this kind of control over her.

  He turned around, dragging Gabby behind him. It sent another bolt up Gabby’s arm as the knife tore into her flesh. He dragged her into the house, Gabby stumbling behind him and trying to keep up so the knife wouldn’t go any further.

  He pushed her into the kitchen and bent her over the counter with his hand still squeezing the knife into her arm. With his free hand, he ripped her underwear down to her knees and lifted up her robe.

  “Stop! Please. Don’t do this! Stop!” Gabby screamed and sobbed.

  He twisted the knife deeper into her wrist, making her shriek once again. The blade felt like it pierced all the way through her arm; her fingers were tingling yet immobile.

  This was really happening. Trying to fight hadn’t helped anything. She felt herself giving up and floating away, when she noticed a large pot that had been left out on the counter. The handle was facing her, just within reach.

  She only had one shot at this, so she endured a second of Cory’s frantic grappling behind her, waiting for just enough leeway to spring forward for the pot. His grip on her wrist loosened just enough as he was trying to get his pants down with one hand. Gabby lunged for the pot, pushing him off-balance. She grabbed the handle and swung around with all the force she could muster. The pot sailed forward, but just barely caught Cory’s face.

  He let go of her wrist, but the knife was still sticking out of her arm. She didn’t dare move it. Cory stumbled back a few steps, stupefied at what had just struck him. He looked at Gabby and then down at the pot she still held in her hand. He felt his nose and mouth as if checking for blood.

  “You bitch!” He charged back at Gabby.

  She raised the pot, ready to hit him again, when all of a sudden someone shouted, “Freeze!”

  Gabby and Cory turned and saw Raja aiming a gun at Cory.

  “Are you fucking kidding me?” Cory said. “Raja, put the goddamn gun down before you hurt someone.”

  Gabby looked at Raja, who was intently focusing on Cory’s head. She felt like she should say something, like, “Don’t do this. Let’s just call the police,” but she couldn’t find the words. And she was tired. So tired. Tired of Cory, tired of hurting.

  Cory held his hands out in a placating gesture. “Come on, Raja. I wasn’t going to hurt her. Things got a little carried away, but we were just fooling around. Don’t be stupid. Just put the gun down.”

  “No,” Raja said. “Don’t move. Gabby, go.” Raja nodded her head for Gabby to leave through the living room, but Gabby stared at her, not understanding. “Gabby! Now!”

  Gabby backed out of the kitchen and into the living room. She ran to Cory’s study to call 911. She could hear Cory trying to talk to Raja, but couldn’t make out what he was saying. Gabby was trying to explain to the dispatcher what was happening in her home, when she heard a shot. She dropped the phone and stood unmoving at the desk. She could hear the dispatcher raising her voice into the phone asking if everyone was all right, but Gabby couldn’t pick it up. She couldn’t even breathe. She stared at the door, waiting for either Raja or Cory to appear. Without dropping her gaze, Gabby felt around the desk for something to use as a weapon. Her fingertips felt something long and somewhat sharp. A letter opener. It would have to do. She hovered by the door, waiting for Cory.

  It was still silent downstairs. Cory would have come up by now, she decided. After what felt like an eternity, she exited the study and crept back toward the kitchen. The first thing she could see were blood spatters in the kitchen. As she moved closer, she saw more blood pooling on the kitchen tile. The air felt humid and too close, and sweat trickled down her hairline. Legs stretched out on the floor from behind the kitchen island. Gabby looked away, closing her eyes and stifling a scream. When she looked back, she realized that there were pants around the ankles; it was Cory. Still hesitant, she looked around for signs of Raja or anyone else that might be in her house.

  “Raja? Raja where are you?” she whispered.

  Gabby quickly peeked into the garage, whispering for Raja to come out. The garage was empty. She returned to the kitchen to check if Cory really was dead. She kicked his foot and there was no response, so she yelled out Raja’s name. She covered the gash in her arm with a kitchen towel. Then she searched the entire house, hoping to coax Raja out of hiding, but Raja had vanished without a trace.

  Gabby examined Cory’s lifeless body. There was a bullet hole in his head and his pants were looped around his ankles. An appropriate ending for such a jackass, she thought to herself. She sat down on one of the stools at the counter, waiting for the police to arrive. She couldn’t look away from Cory’s body for fear that he might somehow come back to life. She was too overwhelmed to cry or even move. Then she realized that her purse had been placed on the counter, and an envelope was carefully balanced on top.

  She opened the envelope, which was stuffed full of dollar bills. She couldn’t tell how much money was there, but it seemed like a lot. She pulled out the money to count how much she had, and a little white piece of paper slipped out. There was no letter, just an address and a little “R.” What does this mean, Raja? Gabby pondered where the address might lead her, but the pain in her arm was still as sharp as ever, and Gabby felt faint. Sirens wailed outside, so she stuffed the envelope in her purse
and went to open the gate for the police and ambulance.

  After taking one look at the crime scene, the police called the CSI unit in. The police briefly questioned Gabby as she sat in the back of the ambulance. She told them the whole story, minus the part about Raja being the one with the rifle; instead, Gabby claimed that she didn’t recognize the person because of her memory loss, but it may have been a neighbor because the guy knew her name. Gabby was taken to the hospital in the ambulance to stitch up her arm and check for any other injuries.

  A detective showed up in the ER and questioned Gabby more thoroughly about her alibi. Once she was finished, the detective didn’t seem too convinced of her story. Gabby didn’t blame him; the whole things seemed outlandish to her too. The detective recorded her contact information and said he’d be in touch soon. Gabby could see legal proceedings in her near future, but right now she didn’t care about that. She’d been through enough today, and when her body finally stopped pumping adrenaline, all she wanted to do was sleep.

  After several hours of waiting, sleeping, numbing and stitching, Gabby was finally discharged from the hospital. She had no choice but to call a cab since she didn’t know any of her friends, but that was just fine with her--she didn’t want to explain how she’d ended up in the hospital or where Cory was, anyway.

  When she got in the cab, she almost asked the driver to take her home. But there was still a mystery to solve. She gave him the address Raja had left her. She at least wanted to check out the place Raja had instructed her to go to. Thirty minutes later, they were in the suburbs, and the cab driver turned onto a quaint neighborhood street lined with trees that towered over her. This was the kind of neighborhood she’d expect on 50’s sitcoms with little kids riding their bikes or even playing soccer in the streets. Gabby found it charming.

  The cab driver pulled up next to a small house and announced that they’d arrived. Gabby stared at the simple house. Nothing looked familiar; no memory rose up from her subconscious. After everything that had already transpired today, she told herself it wasn’t smart to go up to this stranger’s door.