Testimony of the Blessed

by K. G. Reuss

  Chapter 41

  “What about this one?” Corbin asked, peering over my shoulder as I scrolled through dresses online, desperately hoping there was something I could get in town. The dance was tomorrow, and I had nothing.

  “Ugh, I don’t know. I don’t really look good in green,” I muttered.

  “I don’t know if you know this or not, but I’m pretty sure you’d look good in anything,” Corbin stated matter-of-factly, causing me to blush. I didn’t say anything. I continued to scroll down the page of dresses.

  “Purple?” Corbin asked, making me stop on a purple dress that looked like it belonged on a stripper somewhere.

  “Are you serious?” I hissed at him. “That one would make me look like I should be dancing for dollar bills on a Friday night!”

  “Here.” He handed me a five-dollar bill, a grin spilling onto his lips. “First in line.”

  “Get out of here!” I laughed at him, shoving him away. “You’re the worst to shop with!”

  “Ah, technology. Instead of going out into the world, we sit in your bedroom at one in the morning while you scour the web for a Homecoming dress. How very modern of you,” he said, flopping down onto my bed.

  “You know me. Always the life of the party,” I muttered, going back to my online shopping.

  “I could take you shopping, Maggie. I’ll even pay for the dress. You only have, what? A hundred dollars for this? And just under twenty-four hours? You can’t get a decent dress for that much, but I guarantee I can take you somewhere to buy a dress.”

  I swallowed hard, knowing he was right.

  “Let me tell you what’s going to happen.”

  I turned to him as he sat up on my bed and looked me in the eye.

  “You’re going to pick one of these dresses, thinking it’s perfect. Then you’re going to get the dress. It’s going to actually be a bag with beads on it because you got it from some rip-off retailer in town that only deals with low quality items. Then, in a rush to have something, you’re going to end up at a hand-me-down shop where you’ll proceed to purchase something made in 1985, complete with puffy sleeves and ruffles.”

  “Way to kill my vibe,” I grumbled.

  “Sorry, princess. I only speak in truths.”

  “And riddles,” I muttered.

  “Of course.” He smirked at me.

  “I-I can’t afford anything out there.” I frowned at him. “This is all the money I have for the dress. And I can’t ask Alan or my mom for any. So a bag of beads is going to have to make do.”

  “Let me buy you the dress,” Corbin stated without batting a lash.

  “I’m not letting you buy me a dress.” I shook my head at him and went back to my online shopping. A moment later, Corbin closed my laptop and stared pointedly at me.

  “Let me rephrase that, Maggie. I’m buying you a dress. Tomorrow. School gets out at lunchtime. Coach is giving a pep talk and going over more game footage, so lover boy will be occupied. It’s the perfect time to go. Are you going to come willingly, or am I going to have to go buy the damn dress and bring it to you? You’re, what? A size four?”

  “Corbin, I-I can’t let you spend your money on me.” I shook my head at him frowning. He knelt in front of me.

  “You’ll pay me for it, Maggie. With a dance. How does that sound?”

  “All I have to do is dance with you?” I asked, biting my bottom lip. I wanted to have a beautiful dress to wear at the dance with Lance. He’d never seen me in anything beautiful before. And then there was Brax. I knew if I looked beautiful, he’d smile again. And, God, how I wanted to see him smile. It lit up my whole world. I blushed at the thought.

  “Yes, just a dance… to start with. I’ll come collect what I really want later,” Corbin added, a smile curling his lips up.

  “What else do you want?” I narrowed my eyes at him.

  “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there,” he said. “Don’t worry. It won’t be anything you won’t be willing to give me.”

  “OK.” I nodded slowly. I mean, what could he possibly want from me? Dinner? A movie? Maybe by then everyone would be friends, and we could all go together.

  “Great!” He grinned at me before pausing. A strange look flashed across his face. “Alan’s coming.”

  “What?” I looked around fearfully. A click of the front door closing drifted from downstairs. “You-you have to leave…” I hadn’t even finished the sentence. Corbin was gone. He’d vanished. “What in the world?” I whispered, looking around for him. He’d definitely make one heck of a good hide-and-seek player.

  Alan’s heavy footsteps thudded up the stairs, and he paused outside my door. I dove into bed and pulled the covers up fearfully, holding my breath and waiting for him to pass by.

  Please go to bed. Your bed. Leave me alone! Please, God, don’t let him come in here!

  My prayers failed me because a moment later, my door creaked open, and Alan’s menacing form stood there.

  “Maggie,” his deep voice rumbled. “You’ve been a very bad girl.”

  And like always, the fat tears leaked out of my eyes as he approached my bed, ready to unleash hell on me.

  Chapter 42

  “I’m sorry,” I whimpered as Alan pushed my cheek hard into the mattress. “I-I’m sorry. Please, Alan!”

  I let out a shriek of pain as Alan’s belt tore at my back, the crack of it on my skin making my body shudder violently.

  “The floor wasn’t scrubbed in the entryway. You didn’t leave me any dinner. You’re a filthy, rotten, little whore, Maggie. Just. Like. Your. Mother!” His belt connected with my back with every word he spat out at me. I wailed uselessly, my throat aching from the pain.

  “P-please,” I cried out. “P-p-lease! I’m-I’m so-so s-s-sorry.”

  He fisted my hair tightly, tugging my head up painfully. I let out a yelp as he wrapped the belt around my neck, tightening it. I struggled, terrified, as the pressure began to grow in my head. He was going to kill me! I thrashed wildly beneath him, my vision darkening as I gasped for air.

  And just as fast as it had started, it ended. There was a crash behind me, and Alan released the belt from around my neck. I sucked in breath after breath of air, weeping uncontrollably. I chanced a terrified look behind me. Alan was frozen in place, his eyes wide, mouth slack. He stumbled back and disappeared from my room without a backwards glance. There was another crash from downstairs followed by him screaming. I flinched, rolled tightly in a ball, and cried. A moment later, the front door slammed shut, and the roar of his engine sounded as he sped away.

  I squeezed my eyes together tightly, sobbing into my pillow. A moment later, there was a warm touch on my arm.

  “Are you OK?” Corbin asked softly. I didn’t move. He must have been in the room somewhere. Maybe in my closet or beneath my bed. He’d seen everything! I was mortified. Humiliated. I jerked away from him, but he was relentless.

  “Oh, no you don’t, princess,” his voice sounded strained as he reached out for me. I fought him for a moment before realizing it was a losing battle. I wasn’t strong enough for anything. He tugged me roughly into his arms and held me. It felt familiar, yet strange. An angel. The one I prayed for?

  “Please don’t tell anyone,” I whispered through my tears as he pulled me onto his lap and held me like a helpless child, rocking me against him.

  “Who would I tell?” he asked softly. “It seems you and I have a lot of secrets, huh?”

  “Please,” I begged softly, my chest aching. My back was still on fire from the hits. And my neck hurt. I pulled away from him and looked into his green eyes. He stared back at me, turmoil rolling throughout his body. His apprehension was apparent in the stiffness of his body as he held me. I reached up and stroked his cheek gently.

  “Corbin, please,” I begged softly. “Promise you won’t tell anyone.”

  “I swear,” he answered just as softly, his green eyes tormented as he gazed back at me. Suddenly, he didn’t look like the strong,
mysterious man I’d come to know. He looked younger. More vulnerable. “Are you OK?” he asked again.

  “No, but I never am, so it’s not like anything’s changed,” I whispered, leaning down and resting my head against his shoulder. He was still rigid as he held me. He must have been terrified watching what happened. I was surprised he didn’t rush out of the room the moment it had started.

  “What will make it better?” he asked.

  “If you could just keep holding me,” I replied, my voice small. Another tear leaked out. I tried to blink it away. Corbin reached down and tilted my chin up, so I was looking at him again.

  “Is it always this way for you?” His eyes searched me, a frown on his lips.

  “Yes,” I whispered.

  “You’re so strong. How haven’t you broken yet, Maggie?” He stared in wonder at me.

  “Who says I haven’t? Maybe I just hide it well,” I replied, my lip trembling as I tried to keep my tears at bay.

  “No more tears,” his voice became stern. “You need to rest. We have a big day tomorrow.”

  “I-I don’t think I’ll go—”

  “Like hell you won’t,” he growled, placing me in my bed and pulling my covers up around me. “You deserve it. One night just for you. Now sleep.”

  “I-I can’t…” I shook my head but was silenced when he placed a pill to my lips, his eyes dark as he stared down at me. I opened my mouth willingly and let him drop it inside. He disappeared into my bathroom and returned with a glass of water that he held for me while I drank.

  “Sleep. Tomorrow we’ll go get your dress. And we’ll talk. OK?”

  “H-hold me?” I ventured weakly.

  “What?” He crinkled his brows at me.

  “I need to feel safe. I’m afraid.”

  “I’m not your angel, Maggie,” he said softly. “I’m your demon.”

  “You’re my friend, Corbin,” I whispered. “No matter what you think you are. You’re my friend.”

  He stood staring down at me for a moment, so many emotions flashing across his face. A moment later, he slid in beside me. I leaned into him as he tentatively placed an arm around me.

  “Sleep,” he whispered in my ear. “Please.”

  “Thank you,” I answered back, wiping my eyes once more.

  “Don’t thank me yet,” he murmured as I began to doze off. I could hear his voice as I started to slip into unconsciousness. Or maybe it was just a dream.

  Why did you have to be so perfect? I can’t let you go. I can’t. I’m sorry, Maggie. Forgive me, for I have sinned and will do it again…

  Chapter 43

  “What do you think of this one?” Corbin asked, holding up a short, red halter dress sometime mid-afternoon.

  “I think I’d rather wear the purple one we saw online last night,” I mumbled listlessly, half-heartedly going through the racks of dresses at a store an hour and a half away from my house.

  “We could get it,” Corbin teased, nudging me. I gave him a wobbly smile.

  “Damnit, come on, Maggie,” he sighed in exasperation. “You’re really fucking bumming me out here. I might have to go find someone else to harass if you don’t brighten up.”

  “Sorry,” I tried the forced smile again, but it didn’t work.

  “Listen, Alan’s a jerk. We both know it. Don’t let him ruin your night. You know you’re excited for this. Forget about him. Can you do that?”

  “No,” I sighed.

  “For fuck’s sake,” Corbin growled, grabbing my arm and tugging me to the dressing rooms. He pulled me into one and closed the curtain behind us.

  “Listen, I don’t deal with chick problems, OK? In fact, everything that’s going on with you and me is totally new territory for me. And I’m going to be honest with you, I really fucking hate it. Now, I know you’re not this emo girl you’re portraying. I know you like to smile and laugh. So, pull the stick out of your ass and smile for me.”

  “Go to Hell.” I shoved at him. He pushed me back against the wall, his body close to mine.

  “I come from Hell,” he whispered dangerously. “And this is worse than there. So please… Let’s do this, OK?”

  “I just want to go home,” I mumbled, looking down.

  “Maggie, you don’t want to go home. You want to look like an angel. You want your boy toy to get excited to see you. You want Shepherd to look at you like you’re the only girl in the world. Tell me you don’t want that? I know deep inside of you, you care for Brax. You like that dipshit Beckett too, but you seek Brax’s approval above all else. Right?”

  “I-I,” I stuttered, not wanting to admit it. It made me a horrible person.

  “It’s our secret, Maggie. Look at me.”

  I looked up into his green eyes.

  “Tell me, doll. Don’t lie to me.”

  “Yes,” I whispered painfully. I did care what Brax thought. I wanted him to look at me and smile.

  “Then get your ass out there and get your dress. You’re a beautiful, intelligent, sweet girl. You-you deserve a bit of happiness…” his voice trailed off, a frown marring his handsome face. “You deserve this night, Maggie.” He seemed to gather his thoughts. “Dance. Smile. Laugh. Maybe fuck Beckett. I don’t know. Tell Shepherd how you feel maybe? Whatever. Just do something. OK?”

  “You’re the worst motivational speaker.” I laughed softly as I wiped my eyes. “But OK.”

  “Can’t be the worst if you’re motivated.” He gave me a sad smile then tugged my hand, pulling me out of the dressing room. A few girls in front of a large mirror snickered as we came out of the room together.

  “Sorry, ladies. Don’t mind us. I can’t keep my hands off her.” Corbin winked at them, making them giggle louder.

  “Stop it,” I hissed at him, my face reddening.

  “You need to lighten up.” Corbin grinned at me. “Have some fun. Maybe make-out with someone once in a while. I think you’ll like it. And just so you know, I’m available nights and weekends.”

  “No,” I mouthed at him, walking back to the rack of dresses. He laughed at me.

  We ended up searching eight stores. My feet hurt. I was tired. And I still hadn’t found anything remotely close to nice.

  “Let’s just call it,” I sighed, walking beside Corbin down the street. “I’m tired. Lance will understand—”

  “Shut up and look at this.” Corbin silenced me and tugged to the storefront of an upscale shop. My mouth opened in an O of surprise as I took in the dress in the window. It was white with a fitted corseted bodice. The white of the ball gown faded away into black. It was like the black of the bottom of the dress was slithering its way up the skirt, trying to take over. It was beautiful.

  “Come on,” Corbin commanded, steering me into the shop.

  “Good afternoon!” a salesgirl greeted us, her eyes raking over Corbin. “How can I help—”

  “We want that dress in the window. Size four. Now.”

  “Uh, yes, of course,” the salesgirl sputtered, rushing to get the dress.

  “You aren’t being very nice,” I commented sourly.

  “I’m only trying to hurry,” he replied.

  “Here you go. Why don’t you go try it on really quick in the fitting room?” the girl said, coming to us with the dress. “I’ll take it back there and help you.”

  I looked at Corbin whose eyebrows were raised.

  “Go!” he mouthed at me. I quickly fell in step with the salesgirl as we went to the fitting room.

  “Your boyfriend’s really handsome.” She cleared her throat as she hung the dress on the hook in the fitting room. “You’re a lucky girl.”

  “Uh, Corbin isn’t my boyfriend. We’re just friends,” I replied. “You should go talk to him. He’s single.”

  “Really?” Her eyes lit up.

  “Yeah.” I smiled kindly at her. Corbin could use a nice girl in his life.

  “Thanks,” she squealed, rushing away from me. I chuckled softly, shaking my head, and put the dress on. It
fit like a glove.

  “Wow,” I breathed out. It was perfect. I felt like a princess. This was it. This was the dress. Excited, I stepped out of the dressing room to find Corbin standing with the salesgirl. His eyes traveled over to me immediately, his lips curling up into a beautiful smile.

  “What do you think?” I asked nervously, trying to pat down the fluffy gown.

  “You look like a fallen angel,” he said softly. “Beautiful.”

  “It’s gorgeous! And on sale!” the salesgirl chirped.

  “Perfect.” Corbin’s eyes were glued to me. “I love sales. You want it, princess?”

  “I-I don’t know,” I murmured, fingering the soft material. I looked down at the price tag and shook my head. “No. It’s-it’s really expensive. I’ll just get that red dress we saw—”

  “No,” Corbin growled stepping up to me, his hand coming out to touch my face gently. “Tell me you don’t want it. Tell me the truth.”

  “I-I want it,” I managed beneath his intense stare.

  “Then it’s yours. Go get dressed so I can buy it for you.”

  “It’s a lot of money Corbin—”

  “Then you can start paying me back at the dance,” he said softly. “You’re beautiful in it, Maggie. I want you to wear it.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Yes, now please, hurry. It’s getting late.”

  “OK.” I bit my lip before hurrying back to the fitting room. I quickly changed and brought the dress back out. Corbin took it from me, hauled it to the front, and paid for it. He even carried it out to the car for me.

  “I had fun,” I said as we drove back to my house.

  “As did I,” Corbin answered, a faraway look on his face.

  I was going to say more but thought better of it. He seemed like he was lost in thought. Letting my head fall back against the head rest, I closed my eyes. I hadn’t even realized I’d fallen asleep until Corbin pulled into my driveway.