Resuscitate (Annihilate #1)

by S. Morayla

  Slow, steady breaths. It’s okay, Natalee. Count to five as you breathe in, hold it for three, and slowly let it out.

  I do as the voice instructs. After the second time, my lungs expand, letting the precious air enter. Slowly, my heart calms. With each passing second, my eyesight becomes clearer. I’m finally able to get back up and I stumble back across the parking lot. The crowd is too thick to see what’s happening, but, above the yelling, I hear sirens.

  Twenty minutes later, Adriana and I stand in the parking lot of The Corral, staring at the back of the police wagon taking Leif, Chance, Zayne, Chris, and a few other guys I don’t know away. Leslie’s brother came charging in with his Armani suit, yelling commands at people. He gave Adriana a hard look before going off to find his sister, who the paramedics were bandaging up. He roared at them, grabbing Leslie and leading her away. Minutes later, Adriana is in tears for her friend, her boyfriend, and the chaos we are standing in.

  The police officer told me the boys will be booked for disturbing the peace and disorderly conduct. I call the only person I know who can help, scared they will charge the guys while letting Chance and his slimy friends go.

  “Fuck, Nat,” he breathes out. “Don’t worry, alright? Let me make a few calls. I need their names. I have a friend in the police department, maybe she can give me some information. I will call you back,” my uncle tells me. After giving him the info he needs, I sit on the curb with my head in my hands. Adriana sits next to me, her face red and eyes swollen from the tears she’s shed.

  “I called my uncle. He’s going to get info for us. Do you want to go back to the dorms?” I ask, my voice just above a whisper. She shakes her head. “No, I want to wait and see what’s happening with Leif.” More tears fall from her eyes.

  “Want to go to the station and wait, or…?” I trail off. I honestly don’t know what to do.

  “Let’s just sit here for a bit. I’m so pissed at myself. The guys can’t be fighting. They can get sent back to England. I’m so scared.” Her voice is hoarse and soft. “What if they send Leif away?” She bites her lip and leans her head on my shoulder when I take her hand in my own.

  I don’t know how to answer that. “What’s fucked up is Chance’s ass started this with Harrison and I bet he will walk away scot-free because of who his parents are and the money they have.”

  “Who’s Harrison?” I ask, confused.

  “The guy Chance was yelling at. He calls him Sterling. That’s his last name.” She sniffles.

  I nod in understanding. We just sit.

  Staring out into the street.

  Cars pass by, unaware of the hurt.

  We must look defeated and incomplete.

  I wish I could erase the pain and make us more alert. If only I could find a way, to erase and delete. But the cars still pass by, unaware of the hurt.

  We sit like this for a long before when my phone starts to blast Drowners. “Uncle Vic,” I answer, almost breathless.

  “Yeah. Alright, well, no charges were pressed. Apparently, your friends started the fight, says the other guys. But because there were enough witnesses saying they were just defending their friends and you girls, they are not being charged. Although, McCormick’s lawyer wanted to press charges. I really hope this kid isn’t of McCormick Enterprises.”

  “Why?”

  “Let’s just say if he is, his family has more money than most and he walks on gold. Anyway, Quinn said they’ll release them in an hour or two. Want me to send a car for you?”

  “No, thank you. We have a car. Can we just go to the station and wait?”

  “Yeah, if you want.”

  “Alright. Thanks, Vic. I owe you.”

  “No problem, kid. Call me anytime. You might want to call your dad.”

  I cringe at the thought. “Please tell me you didn’t call him.”

  “Nope. I think it’s best you tell him all about college life.” I can hear the humor in his voice.

  “You’re an ass, Uncle Victor.”

  “I love you, too, Natty. Be good, and no more drunken street brawls over colors or turf.”

  “Har-har. Goodnight, Vic.”

  “Awww, man. I really wanted you to say ‘you’re not my dad, fucking ugly ass noodle head’.” His laughter is loud and boisterous.

  “What are you talking about?” He keeps laughing, trying to talk. Finally, after what feels like forever, he calms down enough to say, “Oh, Natty, haven’t you seen that Vine? Or ‘we have to sit out here a long periodically time’?” He continues to laugh, which makes me shake my head and smile.

  “No, Vic, I haven’t. I swear, for someone who runs a record company, you sure do have a lot of time on your hands.”

  “I can’t help it, Joe shows them to me.”

  “Wow, when I grow up, I want to be just like you. Watching Vines and YouTube all day.”

  His laugh goes up a few decibels, then he’s silent as his laugh grows harder.

  “Oh, God, I...can’t…breathe…Nat…”

  I want to start laughing with him, but I turn toward Adriana, her elbows on her knees, head in her hands, and eyes downcast as tears fall silently down her cheeks.

  “I gotta go, Vic. I’ll look up the Vines.”

  He continues laughing while I hang up. Sometimes, I swear he’s a twelve-year-old boy.

  * * *

  Pacing, up and down.

  My eyes follow and track.

  Making me feel like I will drown.

  I’m on the verge of having a panic attack.

  Feral.

  Brutal.

  Tameless.

  She continues to pace as though in a cage.

  Pent up aggression that can’t be contained.

  She walks and walks, never getting relief from the rage.

  While I stand here, stressed, yet very much constrained.

  Finally, the door groans open. Adriana and I both look to see who is coming out. Half an hour ago, we came to the station, anxiously awaiting the release of the guys.

  “Mr. McCormick, your parents are requesting your presence in the morning. No further action will be taken in this matter, but in the future, please refrain from drinking and driving as well as being involved in a parking lot brawl. Oh, and the Merciers said you can go by the house tomorrow, but Leslie will be staying with them for the weekend.” The older gentleman with silver hair tells Chance.

  “Yeah, whatever.” Arrogance is clear in Chance’s voice as he waves off the man in the suit, whom I can only assume is his lawyer. I grab Adriana’s arm to restrain her, knowing damn well she wants to charge at him. Feisty, protective, pissed off Latina is not something one should ever see. Chance’s eyes connect with mine and his lips slide into a jovial smirk, as if the whole incident was nothing but a big joke.

  Chance pulls out his phone and leans against the building. Adriana and I sit back on the hood of Leif’s car. She picks at her nails, which seems to be a nervous habit of hers. I look over when I hear a car coming to a stop a few feet away. A black Audi A7 pulls up next to Chance. The door opens, revealing a pair of long, tan legs. Long brown hair blows in the breeze. When she turns, I stand shocked, my eyes unblinking. Is Lexi really coming to pick him up? Wouldn’t it have been smarter if he’d had one of his frat brothers pick him up? He really is brazen. Looking to Adriana, her face is in a scowl, giving Lexi and Chance a dark, threatening look. She looks ready to beat someone’s ass.

  Lexi must feel the intense burn from Adriana’s menacing eyes, because she turns toward us and sneers. “Pinche perra sucia,” Adriana spits out with disdain. My ears are quick to pick up the Spanish words, fucking dirty bitch.

  Lexi looks back, smiling. “Sucia, pero tan buena por que no le preguntas a tu novio?” ‘Dirty, but so good. Why don’t you ask your boyfriend?,’ she asks, raising her eyebrow before flipping Adriana off with her perfectly pink manicured finger. Adriana tries to run at her, but I grab her before she gets close enough.

  “She’s not worth it. You don�
��t need to end up in jail for assault. Leif needs you,” I tell her, trying to calm her. Adriana glares after Lexi. If looks could kill, Lexi would be ash. We watch as Lexi swishes her hips and saunters toward Chance.

  “Hey, baby, here is your car,” she purrs.

  “Oh, this bitch is gonna die,” Adriana exclaims, trying to step forward again, but I grip her arm harder.

  “No!” my voice rings with such finality, she stops dead in her tracks.

  “Thanks for bringing me my car.” Chance walks away from her as she reaches for him. “I gotta go see my girl. I hope you have a ride.” He jumps into his car and peels away. Shock mars her beautiful face. Adriana begins giggling and Lexi turns toward us. She glares at us for a few seconds before walking away. Karma is a great bitch.

  Night is clear,

  Moon is bright,

  Trash blows in the breeze.

  Adriana and I sit on the hood of the car, waiting for the boys to be released. We are both silent, locked away in our own thoughts. An officer comes out half an hour after the Chance and Lexi incident.

  "I’m looking for a Natalee Rodriguez?”

  “Uh…yeah, I'm Natalee.” Sliding off the hood, I step toward the officer.

  “I’m Officer Quinn Sandoval, Victor's friend. I just wanted to inform you we are releasing the boys shortly. We just wanted to clear out the other party first.”

  I nod as she speaks. So, this is who my uncle is currently banging. At least she’s prettier than the other one. “Thank you for the update.”

  “You're welcome. Have a great night."

  "Who's that?" Adriana’s light voice asks from beside me.

  I shrug. "A friend of my Uncle’s." I look toward the door Officer Sandoval walked through.

  "If she's the officer, does that mean he's a gentleman?" I laugh, looking back at Adriana.

  "Pfft, far from it. He's an eighteen-year-old trapped in a twenty-eight-year-old’s body. He's kind of a slut. She's probably one in a line of a dozen." My eyebrows furrow.

  "Ew, that's kind of gross. Don't guys ever grow up?"

  "Beats me. He's not a bad guy. After his divorce, he decided to sow some more oats or some shit. His divorce hit him hard. Can't blame him, but he just drowns his sorrow in pussy instead of a bottle," I say nonchalantly.

  "OH. MY. GOD. Did you really just say that?" Her laughter chimes loud in the calm, muggy air. "I didn't know you talked so dirty," she exclaims, shoving my shoulder with her own. "I like it. You're going to fit right in."

  I shake my head, smiling. If only she could see the darkness surrounding me. It can get so bad, I feel like I’m scratching, trying to climb my way out. All I want is a normal life—one where I'm not reminded of the betrayal and the hurt left in their wake.

  Adriana and I talk about how she met Leif and the guys. I've met all them except Harrison. I knew her boyfriend was in a band, I just had no idea that they were all in it. Three of the five guys live together. Harrison lives in the dorms on campus and Lennon is moving in with this girlfriend, Amaris, soon. The guys have played all over England. They met a few years ago while doing a talent show.

  My ears perk up when she begins telling me Harrison and Leslie dated, which is why Chance hates him. Leif and Adriana began dating a bit before Leslie and Harrison broke it off. She looks up and stops mid-sentence, taking off in a full sprint.

  "Baby," she yells as she flies into Leif's arms. "I’m so sorry.” She peppers his face with kisses “I was so worried." I look away from their private moment, smiling. My eyes slide over to the guy next to Leif—Zayne.

  "Shorty, we meet again." His dazzling smile draws me in, making me forget the world around me.

  I am trapped.

  Absorbed.

  Ensnared by his amber eyes and the way they penetrate deep into my cold soul, as if his warmth is surrounding and unleashing itself, pushing out the chill. The air around him is mysterious.

  Dangerous.

  Alarming.

  My laugh is a bit off. My nerves getting the best of me again. "Too bad it's under these circumstances," I sigh.

  "What circumstances would be better?" His eyes dance with playfulness, then they change, burning into mine with such intensity, I find it hard to fill my lungs with air. He brushes a strip of my hair over my ear. Before I have a chance to answer, Harrison walks over with Leif and Adriana.

  "Harrison, this is Natalee, Les’ roommate." The guy in front of me is tall and sexy. His emerald eyes stand out against his fair skin. His brown wavy hair is longer, but he has it styled back away from his face. When he smiles, dimples peek out and I about die right there at his booted feet.

  "‘Ello, Natalee," he says, extending his hand to me. I take it and smile, feeling a bit shy.

  "Hi, Harrison."

  "Natalee," a gruff male voice away from the group calls my name. I look past Adriana to see James, my uncle’s lawyer. Everyone turns to see who it is.

  "I'll be right back." Adriana’s eyes snap to mine, questions burning in her gaze—ones I can’t answer without dredging up my past. I swallow and give her a ghost of a smile before walking over to James.

  "It's been quite a while since I’ve seen you. How are you?" he asks. I shrug, worrying my bottom lip.

  "Trying," I say, looking to the floor.

  “I spoke with George. He said all the issues with the money have been taken care of. If you find any other discrepancies, let us know. Your uncle wants to make sure no more problems arise. The new account should help. Is the money being transferred as it should?” I nod my head and a pang of disgust hits me, thinking about how much I hate the past.

  I earned some money in my early teens. Recently, my mom thought she was entitled to it and began withdrawing money. When I noticed, I told my dad, who contacted my uncle. James put a freeze on my account. Because I was a teenager when the money was earned, my parents are allowed five percent. We had to go to court; it was a big mess. Eventually, the judge ruled in my favor. George is my new financial consultant, making sure my money stays safe and out of her greedy hands. He made me a new account and now every month, I’m allotted a certain amount. It keeps me in check, not that I spend like crazy.

  "We miss you. Everyone does. Maybe you will be back someday,” he says, but all I can offer is a shrug. “Your uncle wanted me to handle this situation." He looks over to the group standing three feet away. "I hope this won't be a common occurrence for you, Natalee. If you ever need me, just call." I nod again, feeling like a damn bobble head.

  "Thank you, James, I appreciate that." I look into his eyes. He nods and walks away. I blow out the stagnant air in my lungs. Sliding my phone from my back pocket, I send my uncle a quick text.

  Besitos

  “How did your weekend go, Natalee?” Dr. Winchester inquires. I squirm in my seat not wanting to talk about it. I’ve been here for the past half hour, answering his questions. But this question...I don’t want to get into how my Friday night turned into a crazy soap opera or how I ran into someone from my past on Saturday that caused me to stay in bed the rest of the weekend. Here it is, Thursday, and I’ve contemplated not going to class this week, or even coming to this session. I stare out one of the picture windows to the world outside. The breeze causes the leaves to quietly sway to and fro.

  “Natalee?” he says, with a little more conviction, causing me to turn back to him. I swallow a few times before I can answer.

  “It…well, it was interesting.” My voice falters at the end, the lump in my throat grows.

  “How so?” Dr. Winchester cocks his head to the right. I let out a breath and chew on my lip for a few seconds.

  “I decided to try going out to a party, but it didn’t end to well.” I stare down at my damp palms lying flat on my lap. I know he wants me to go on, but maybe if I drag this story out, I won’t have the time to tell him about what’s really causing the wetness on my hands and building anxiety.

  “Were you hurt?”

  I shake my head slowly. “My frie
nd and her boyfriend had an argument that led to a fight between him and her ex. Cops came and it was just a big mess.” When he doesn’t say anything after a bit, I raise my head to look at him.

  “Knowing your past and the association with the police, is this the reason for the tension building around you? It’s okay, you’re in a safe place. Take a few deep breaths.” His eyes stay glued to mine as I take air into my lungs before exhaling. My shoulders loosen and my heart rate begins to calm.

  “It wasn’t the cops that had me on edge. I went to lunch with my uncle and ran into my Nana.” My voice comes out soft and withdrawn. My eyes refocus on the trees outside.

  “That’s a bad thing for you? I thought you were close to your grandparents?” he inquires. The clacking of the keyboard drives me crazy. I want to know what he’s writing.

  “My dad’s parents yes, my mom’s…not so much anymore. After…” I stare at a bird soaring through the air, making me wish I had wings and could be as carefree. “I haven’t really talked to them after what happened. I couldn’t bear it. They remind me too much of her.” I inhale deeply, trying to keep my tears at bay. “It’s hard to be around them.”

  “You know it wasn’t their fault. They couldn’t have known what she would do.” His voice is calm, soothing. I can only nod as the memories of my Nana and Papa scroll through my head. I know they love me and could have never known the havoc Mom would create, the lives she would impact, and, most of all, Rhys leaving.

  “I know,” I say, nodding. My silent tears fall onto my open palms.

  “Do you want to see them again?” Such a simple question, but the answer is too complex even for me, so I do the only thing I can. I shrug.

  “Words, Natalee.” What I’ve learned about Dr. Winchester is he won’t allow me not to answer. “A shrug or a nod is fine, but follow them up with your words,” he’s told me every session we’ve had. My last therapist was satisfied with my non-verbal communication. She was also okay with seeing me once a month, but with Dr. Winchester, he wants to see me weekly. Sometimes, I have nothing to report, but he is slowly bringing out of me the shadows. I let out a deep sigh, turn my palms down, and wiping them on my jeans. If only I could wipe my mind as easily.