by D. Griffith
Reveal
Secrets, betrayal and death, will their love survive.
A love & Beyond Novel
By D.Griffith
Dedication
I’d like to dedicate this book to my dear friend, Nicola Hooper, she literally kicked my ass everyday till I finished writing this book, I’d probably still be writing this if she didn’t.
Don’t let the fear of people’s secrets cloud your judgement, for them to reveal them to you is an honour and it’s down to you to choose what path you want through them. As you are, your own destiny.
Unknown
Chapter One
This place looks so familiar! I love the sound of the birds, the waves roaring, the warmth of the soft sand on my feet, It feels like peace. This white dress I’m wearing, where did I get this from? Not normally something I wear. What’s that I hear? I hear echoing through the waves.
“Danni, come on.” I look upon my shoulder, there he is, the man of my dreams, my saviour. I see him running towards me from a distance. I start to run towards him, too meet him half way. However he keeps getting further and further away, the distance is never ending.
Now I can’t see him, where did he go? “Right here, darling.” Smooth words are whispered in my ear, there he is, my angel.
“Where did you go? How come you’re wearing white too? And such a bright light, radiating off you.” He places his long soft hands on my cheek.
“Don’t worry baby, it’ll all be okay. Come, let’s lay down and stare at the stars together.” We lay down into the sand. Since when did it become dark? I’m feeling confused, there is something strange about this. I turn to face this beautiful man lying next to me, his tanned face and big bulging brown eyes, my Jared, a smile rises on my face. I remember these stares; they keep me lost for hours, he’s smiling back.
“Jared, I feel like I know this place, I’ve we been here before?” He does not answer me. He just places a kiss on my forehead.
“Danni, you’ve been holding this off, it’s time babe, you can’t stay here.”
“Why? It’s so peaceful here; it’s everything I could wish for. Jared, why would you want me to leave? Have I done something?”
“You’ve done nothing babe, but trust me, this is not where you belong.” I entwine my fingers to his.
“Please, Jared! Don’t! I’m not ready, it’s a safe haven here, do I have to go? Will you come with me? I’m scared.”
“Unfortunately, it’s not my time, I’m not ready and all this is my fault. All that matters is that it’s your time, you need to go.” I feel a bit of disappointment rush over me and I grab him to press my lips to his.
“Why are you being cryptic Jared? Don’t be silly, I love you, I won’t leave you.” He runs his hands through my hair. I can feel the hesitation on his breath.
“I love you too, so much more; you’re going to be so mad at me. Your Innocents complete me, you know. You don’t remember do you?”
“Remember what?” How are we standing up in the middle of a field right now? With beautiful flowers all around, how is that possible?
“Danni, you need to open your eyes and remember! You will hate me, but I don’t care, all you need to do is open your eyes.” I don’t understand why he is saying this, I’m glaring in confusion. What’s that coming from his chest? A red stain is appearing out of nowhere, through his white shirt.
“Oh my god Jared, what’s that?” I drop my hand to my chest, eww what is that soaked thick feeling? I look at my hands, there stained blood red. I’m confused, where did this come from? I go to call Jared, but he has gone, where did he go? Everywhere has gone pitch black. What’s happening? Oh no the flash backs, I remember.
Andi
It has been over a week now, still not awake, no one even knows what happened. I have to head down to the hospital today, to see if there is any progress. Andrew! I think his name is Andrew. He’s picking me up as it’s in a private location. Alex can stay in with the twins. Carl is coming over to sit in with him, just in case someone needs to come out immediately. Darla should be coming up with me. Seriously, I cannot believe all this again, it’s like a bloody rollercoaster, continuously going around and around. It’s déjà vu, all over again. Oh there is the door thankfully. It stops me drifting of in to bad thoughts.
“Hey Darla, how are you feeling?”
“Well considering what’s gone on, not to good, Carl is a mess too.” Carl walks straight past us with his head down; he doesn’t say a single word.
“Shall we get going then? I guess that’s Andrew waiting outside, he is also in a rush to get back.”
“Okay, let me grab my bag and jacket and we’ll head off.” I rush to the kitchen counter, grab my baby blue bag, and throw my black trench coat over my shoulders and we head to the car. It’s cold out here, I should have put my scarf on. “Hey, Andrew any word?”
“No mam, none at all, still the same as yesterday. We best hurry up back up there.” He opens the car door for Darla and I to get in. It’s not the limousine though, just the normal town car. I guess there trying to stay low key too.
Danni’s apartment should be free to go back too soon, as it took them a while to clean it up. Who thought crime scenes took so long! They never seem to take that long on CSI.
Sitting in the back, Darla places her hand on mine and says.
“So, Andi! How are you holding up? You look drawn, being a new mum can be stressful, especially with twins, but this tops it.”
“I’m okay, that’s a lie, I’m distraught, exhausted, but also guilty, because l can’t be at the private hospital all the time.”
“That’s understandable Andi, you have two new-borns and they need to be with their mother, so don’t worry about that and you know they’ll understand too. So don’t think like that.”
“I know! I think that’s why Adam has being with her and hardly left her side, in case she wakes up and is not alone. Also if Julie is there, he gets to see her more.”
“I see! Anyway, we should be there shortly. Let’s not go in with long faces, Danni would kill us.”
“Too true! Anyway, were pulling up now.” Once we stop, Andrew jumps out and very kindly opens the car door for us both.
“Thank you, Andrew.” We both say in unison.
This place is beautiful; every time I come here, it astonishes me. It is a large, what I call a mansion. All white, large arch shaped windows all around. They have a wonderful garden with a pound, flowers all around, little cherub baby ornaments, different animal ornaments and my favourite the water fountains. This is a private safe house plus care unit, they have private care here, the best of the best works here. It’s one of Hall investments.
We approach the double glazed doors. Andrew has to check us in. He knows the pin to open them, as there security protected, so not only does it need a pin but also a thumb print. It still shocks me every time; as well it’s something you don’t see every day, unless you’re watching a really bad soap or cheesy movie.
We’re in finally.
“Do you remember what room you have to go too mam?”
“Yes, thanks, I do! It’s the one across the corridor and up the stairs from room B, which I’m guessing that’s where you’re heading?”
“Yes mam, but I’ve got to sort some paper work out first, just remember room A, I will be in B, let me know of any changes okay?”
“Will do Andrew and same to you?”
“Will do mam.” He nods his head and walks of in the opposite direction too us. Darla links my arm and we head too room A. It is a calming atmosphere in this place, makes you feel welcome. Danni’s room is huge, she still all hooked up and she is looking so pale. I brought some make up with me to top her face up and
give some colour to it, I know she would appreciate that. She on a double bed with satin covers, a sofa on the left side and a two seated sofa on the right, a television in the far corner, an on suite bathroom. Living in luxury while on conscious, can’t be bad. I pace myself towards the two seater and go to sit by her side, Darla follows to sit next to me, just like before.
“Darla, I’m lost for words. I feel like I’ve said everything to her. I hate seeing her like this, she’s my baby sister.” I feel myself beginning to get worked up again.
“Darla, I’m going to get coffee, would you like one?”
“Firstly darling, you don’t always have to speak to Danni, just your presence here is known, that’s all she needs, so don’t beat yourself up and yes I’d like a coffee but I’ll get it, otherwise you’ll just beat yourself up for leaving her side, so sit.”
“I know, Darla! But I’d like to go and get it, seeing her like this it’s hard. I thought there would have been some progress; I just need five minutes alright? Black, with two sugars?”
“Sure hun I understand and no, white, one sugar thanks.” I nod and slither quickly out the room.
Why does this corridor feel like it’s never ending? I’m supposed to be heading to the cafe but I find myself outside room B, I should go in. I open the door slowly as if I make a noise it’ll be the end of the world.
“Hello Andrew, Is it ok to come in?”
“You can come in mam, take a seat.” This room is just like Danni’s massive, well I would say a little smaller. I’m guessing Danni got the best room in the house.
“Any change?”
“No mam, still the same, any change in Danni?”
“No, still the same. Trust these two getting themselves shot, there the death of each other. So did you speak to the police and find out anything?”
“No, not yet, they need Jared and Danni to wake up to get a statement on what happened, they found no finger prints or anything, so there the only witnesses really. All I know is what you know, which is that they were shot and they were not found till a day later, they’re lucky to be still breathing. They worked out that Jared was shot first, then Danni five minutes after, strange. That’s what the coroner said anyway.”
“Really? I didn’t know that part. Hey Andrew, I know this is really cheeky of me asking, but do you fancy going on a coffee run for me please? I know you don’t work for me, but I feel woozy and I need to sit down, I’ll stay with Jared.”
“Of course mam, sit! This stress must not be good for you, your body is still weak from giving birth, I heard it takes a couple of months to get back to normal. Well it did for my wife.”
“Thank you, Andrew.” As he walks out I sit next to Jared, he is all hooked up like my sister too, he still looks hot. My sister would so kick my ass for me thinking like that. Let me see if this will work. I get close towards him and start saying. “Hey Jared, it’s Andi, I don’t know if this will work. I’m not sure if this has something to do with you or my sister, but this has to end, you need to wake up, Danni is in a bad way and I don’t know if this is wishful thinking, but I reckon you’d be the one to be able to wake her up. Your presence, she will feel, it’s spiritual or whatever you want to call it. The connection you too have when together is something I’ve never seen before not even with me and Alex, you’re the one to get her through this. You have to wake up, please wake up.” I’m disturbed by a cough behind me, oh how embarrassing someone is behind me. I look over my shoulder, luckily its only Andrew. “Sorry Andrew, I thought I’d give it ago.”
“It’s okay mam, Julia did the same last night with Danni, but I agree with you if anything, there both the one person who could pull the other out of this, but unfortunately they’re both unavailable. His mum is flying in today, I kind of hoped he’d be awake by now, she’s crushed.”
“She bound to be, she’s his mother. He’s lucky she cares so much, our mother couldn’t give to rats about what’s happened.”
“You told her?”
“I tried to call her mobile but she didn’t answer, so I just left a message. Danni would kill me for calling her to be honest, but I thought she would actually care this time, but obviously not, screw her. Anyway, I best get back to Danni.
Chapter Two
“How did we get into this room? Is this the room from Rome?”
“Yes it is, this is the first time you finally learned to trust again. It’s a memory of what meant a lot to you.”
“How come it’s just my memory then and not yours?”
“I don’t know, but you can’t keep reliving these memories, you need to make new ones out there, that’s why you need to wake up.”
“I can’t, I prefer it in here and it’s too hard out there. Can I stay in here and be happy? Look, stop worrying about me, how about you wake up? See, you don’t even want too.” The room starts spinning again and now where in a different memory. “Ok where did my clothes go?” I squeak, latching my arms around my cold pale skin. I’m looking around and I recognize this place, I think it’s my room, ooh I know what this is, first time me and Jared made love.
“It was a good night.” He says, raising my head to meet his lips. We keep jumping from memory too memory. Why can’t I stay in just the one?
“Because you’re running out of time Danni, the longer you don’t wake up, the deeper the memories get and sooner or later, you’ll start reliving the bad ones.”
“I’m not blind sighted, Jared. I know I’m not waking up. Therefore, no matter how much you guide me, it’s going to be the same outcome. It’s not too late for you though. I would love for you to stay in my crazy head with me, but you can’t.”
“I’m not leaving till you do.” Grabbing me closer to him he wraps his arms around me tightly, the room is spinning around again, which means we’re switching. Its different this time, I’m looking at a tall man, who looks really familiar and a young girl. The man has short light brown hair; he only looks like he is in his thirties. He has green eyes, slightly tanned skin. The young girl he is sitting with, how do I know her? Oh my word, I’ve just felt a little jump strike my heart.
“Jared, that’s my dad! See he’s making the famous hot chocolate. This was after some girls at the park decided to be mean to me. They said I was a spoilt girl and my mummy didn’t love me and they pushed me over. If you see on the left side of my head, it’s has a cut from where I hit the floor. He tells me that mummy does love me and those girls are just jealous because I’m a special little girl, I’m his princess. He also said I will change the world one day.”
“He seems like a great man.”
“He was.” He holds me tight again and the room spins once more. Were just in a black room.”
“Danni, they’re getting deeper, the deeper you get, the harder it is for you to wake. Please fight this. Someone is talking to me in the air, I can’t make it out, I think it’s your sister.” We’re interrupted by a huge bang and someone screams.
“You whore, what’s that?” I know what that is.
“Jared, I don’t want to go back to that memory, please help me.” A gush of strong winds starts howling and I start to take off. Jared’s trying to hold on to my hand, but the wind is too strong. “No, I don’t want to go. Don’t let go Jared.” I’m trying to keep hold of his hands but my hands slip and I’m sucked into a black hole.
*****
“Ok Andi, I’ll probably pop in and see her later, can’t not go and see Miss Shaw now can I.”
“Ha-ha she has that effect on you too? It’s good to know she has so many people that care about her, only if she knew it.” Oh my god, what the hell is that? I’m jumped by someone’s hand grabbing my arm.
“Sir you’re awake.”
“Oh my god Jared, you almost gave me a heart attack, he’s trying to say something, Jared what is it? Andrew, go and get the doctor.” I turn back to Jared and grab his hand; he’s trying to catch his breath like something just caught him of guard. “Jared, are you ok?” He’s nodding
yes and pointing to the glass of water. The door slams open with the nurses and doctors, they come rushing in to attend to him and they need to remove the tube that’s down his throat. Yes, now I’m thinking, what an idiot asking him is he ok when he can’t speak.
They’re checking him over; his wound is on the left side of his chest, his pulse and whatever else they need to do. I turn to Andrew and say. “Andrew, I’m going to leave, let me know when there finished.”
“Stay mam, it’ll be nice for him to see someone other than me.” I roll my eyes to say, oh fine.
After about ten minutes they leave to order some tests, I grab the glass of water that’s on the bedside table and pass it to him, he looks extremely weak. He nods to say thank you. I need to help him hold the glass up because he is that weak, he’s struggling to balance it. “How are you feeling sir? Probably not the best time telling you, but now your awake, you’re going to have to do a statement to the police on what happened and while you’re at it, maybe explain to me what happened?” In a weak tone, he manages to slur out.
“Didn’t Danni tell them? Where is Danni?” Andrew and I, just glare at each other, trying to decide which one of us should tell him, or not tell him. I nod and tilt my head to the side to suggest that Andrew should fill him in.
“Well sir, she in room a, she got shot too. You both didn’t get found till a day later, it’s a miracle you both where still breathing, with the amount of blood loss.”
“What? How? Is she dead?” The worry in his eyes, I can see right through them, the fear of him losing her has scared him.
He starts launching the covers of himself, trying to get up, and he falls out of the bed doing so. Andrew and I run over to help pick him back up and place him back on to the bed.
“Jared, you can’t go and see her, you need to get your energy back first. Do you want to end up back unconscious? And no, she’s not dead, but she’s barely holding on. She got shot at the top of her chest; whomever it was who shot her, was in a rush to get out. Look, I know you’ve just woke up, but who was it?” He looks down in shame and then looks over at Andrew.