by D. Griffith
I’m stood in the middle of my room and it feels like the entire room is spinning in front of me and voices in the background are echoing throughout the whole room, words from Jared, my brother and sister and Darla. It’s like my life is being projected in front of me. I can’t make out any of the words, it’s all a jumble, it’s on fast-forward. Until I see a figure, I know it’s a figment of my imagination because it’s Carl and he cannot be here. I smile, it’s like a sign he’ll always be with me, and this figure is telling me to do it, go, and puts his hands out. I go to grab it and I’m snapped out of my illusion to my brother shaking me.
“ Danni, Danni! Are you ok? You’ve been stood still for the past half hour.” I flinch and fall back to reality.
“You made him go away, why?”
“Who are you on about, Danni? No one is here but me and mum.”
“It was, Carl!” My tone drops,
“It’s ok, you’re bound to see him here and there, it’s your subconscious.”
“I need to get out of these pyjamas quickly and go after Jared.” I start to scatter around my room for some clothes.
“Danni, slow down, you’ve just told him to basically fuck off and now you want to go after him? I think you need help, like seriously.”
“Adam!” Mother snarls at him.
“Dear, stop for a moment and explain to us please, and then we won’t get in your way.”
“I made a mistake, I shouldn’t have said them things to Jared, I need to fix it, I just hope it’s not too late. I’m giving you a second chance mother and I mean that so thank you for being here. I just hope Jared could find it in his heart to give me one. Now both of you please leave, I need to hurry.”
“Ok dear, you can take my car, it’s fast.”
“So is mine, mother.” Adam quips,
“Son, mine has the ability to be a race car, I think mine would be better.”
“You race? I did not know that, you always look so lady like” I state,
“There is a lot you don’t know about me then, which in due time, we’ll talk about, but for now move your ass and go to him.” She hands me her keys and she grabs Adam and walks out, leaving me to get dressed ready for my act of love, as people call it in the movies.
*****
“I’ve finally reached his house; it took longer than it was suppose to, as I got stuck in traffic. I swear it was signs telling me to give up, but obviously I never. I hope it is not too late. It’s dark and the gates are shut. I go to the security hut that is outside near the gates
“Hi Josh, you remember me right?”
“I do mam.”
“Good, let me in, as Jared took off?”
“I can’t let you in, I’m under specific orders not to let anyone past without his permission.”
“That doesn’t mean me. Call him then, I tried but his phones of and I’m in a hurry.”
“Ok, give me a moment and I’ll try and get a reply from the intercom in the house.” I stand there impatiently tapping my feet, this is taken forever, come on. I’m fiddling with my fingers on edge, this is ridiculous.
I notice lights switch on from the back, oh no, they’re the ones from the runway, that must mean he’s already on the jet.
“Josh, let me in now. He is on that jet, let me in. I need to stop him, please.” He gives in and buzzes me in and I start to run, I’m running as fast as I can, but it’s not fast enough. This place is far too big just for legs but I won’t give up, I can’t. I know he cannot hear me but I shout his name continuously. “Jared, stop.” I’m out of breath and am starting to sweat, my legs want to drop but no, I won’t give up, I run and run till I hit the back oh no it’s already going off. I start to run after the plane shouting again knowing he won’t be able to hear me but it won’t stop me. “Jared stop, I’m sorry.” But as I thought it was useless, he can’t hear or see me. I was too late. All I do is watch him fly off into the sky.
I fall to my knees exhausted, the disappointment flows through me, I couldn’t do it, I didn’t make it, I’m absolutely gutted, what have I done? The tears start to flow again, as I watch my love fly away. I’m to blame for this, no one else; perhaps this is what karma had in store for me for what I said to him. I want to tear my heart and stamp on it, over and over again as it does not deserve his love and I don’t want to feel the pain. I’ve lost my best friend and the love of my life all in the space of a week.
I stand and slowly wonder of, I am my own enemy. Will I ever learn my lesson or will I continue to destroy my own happiness. No, this isn’t my fault. My anger boils, and darkness fills my insides. This is all her fault, Sabrina is the problem, I will not sit back any more, that bitch will pay; she wants a fight, well now she got one.
Chapter Twelve
I get back to Adams place after a long walk; I needed to clear my head. My mother and Adam are waiting in the lounge to hear what happened.
“How did it go, dear?”
“Well, he’s not with me, so obviously not well. I got there as soon as he took off.”
“Oh peanut, I’m sorry.”
“It’s ok, it just wasn’t meant to be.”
“Would you like a hot chocolate?”
“Please!” As he walks off into the kitchen, I’m left with my mother. “Mum, when you said pick them off one by one, you meant them didn’t you? How much do you know?”
“Yes I did, Adam and Andi filled me in with the lot and yes, I know Jared secret, before you say anything.”
“What, they told you? You shouldn’t know that, it’s a secret.”
“Don’t worry darling, it will go to my grave. By the look in your eyes, I can tell you want to go off and find answers. But you’re unsure how to go by it, right?”
“True, I want to gut the bitch who is involved in all of this. I just don’t know where to start.
“Look darling, I’m happy to help, but you can’t say anything to your brother, he will not accept this. I have taken down a few people in my time, it’s all about being smart, you need to be a step ahead. I’ve known people like this Sabrina; they’re nasty pieces of work, she’s smart.”
“Ok, I guessed that, so what shall I do?”
“You need answers, someone who was working with her, but can’t do anything now, they’ll know everything. That’s where you should start.”
“You really are not what I expected.” I quip; shocked at what she is telling me, there really is, so much I do not know about this woman. “How am I suppose to find them, they’ll be in hiding. Sabrina, will be with Phillip, after what he did to Carl they’re not that stupid to come out just yet, like you said, she’s smart.”
“Think about it, Danni! Whom, was she originally working with? But is now put away?” My jaw opens as I have clicked on who she is on about.
“Dillon.”
“Cleaver girl, you’re catching on, she would never expect you to visit him.”
“You know, mother. You’re supposed to stop me from being reckless, as it could be dangerous.”
“I know it is, but I’d rather help you, then you go off and do it by yourself, because we both know, no matter what I say you’d go ahead and do it anyway. You’re strong minded like me and I have only just got back into your life, and I would like to stay in your life. If It’s this way, then I’m happy.” Just as I go to reply, Adam walks back into the room.
“Is everything ok?” I nod as he hands me my hot chocolate.
“Thank you, Adam.” I take a swig and try not looking in his eyes, because I know as soon as I do, he would know what I am up too. I will get straight onto this tomorrow. “Why don’t we have a little catch up, it’ll be nice.” I suggest,
“Really? Do you mean that?” Adam asks, shocked.
“Yes I do, fresh start, remember.” He smiles; you can tell he has been waiting for this, for years. I’ve only suggested this to keep him occupied, so he doesn’t know what I’m really up to. Come tomorrow, I guess its game on.
*****
&nbs
p; I cannot believe I’m here, it was a long journey. I got here yesterday, but it was late, so I had to get a hotel. Today couldn’t come quick enough. I’m at the prison, waiting to go in and see him. I’ve not seen him since last year; this is going to be intense. I’m nervous as well. Also, a little proud, it’s took a lot of courage to come here and face him finally.
I’m told to sit and wait, for him to come out. There is a glass barrier in front of us, so he cannot come near me and a phone on my left to communicate. This is it, I can see the guards bringing him out, deep breaths Danni, you can do this. There he is, he looks as evil as ever, he has a huge smirk on his face and he grabs the phone on the other side.
“Well, you’re the last person I’d have thought would come and visit. Miss me already?” The hatred I have for him comes rushing back when everything he’s put me through comes flashing back, and there is that dark feeling I keep suppressing and the fear disappears.
“You wish, Dillon! I’m only here for answers and you will give them too me.” He smirks, once again,
“Why in hell would I give you answers, you put me in a fucking wheel chair.” I grin with pleasure, knowing I caused him that pain.
“You deserved it.”
“Well they’re moving me to reside in a special facility because of you.”
“Boohoo, I don’t care. Now will you tell me what I want to know?”
“Or what? What are you going to do from all the way over there? I’m in prison, what more can you do?” I laugh, because he has no clue.
“I can make your life hell in prison, if I wanted.”
“And how can you do that?”
“You see that guard over there, the big one. Do you really think he got this job on his own? Being with Jared, came with lots of benefits, I’ve even become close with some people he works with. Him over there is one of them. Jared, wanted him in here to keep an eye on you, keep tracks on who visited you etc.. So all I have to do is give him a signal, and he can make your life hell and beat you senseless.”
“I don’t believe you, you’re bluffing. No one would take orders from you and I know you, you don’t have it in you, you’re too nice.”
“Not anymore.” I glance over towards the guard. His name is Henry. I roll my eyes at him and towards Dillon to signal him to take him away and give him a beating. He walks straight to Dillon and wraps his arm around his throat.
“Come on, let’s take you back.” Henry says dragging him back in his wheel chair.
“Ok stop, I’ll speak.” Henry looks towards me and I nod to say let him go. Dillon picks up the phone again. “You weren’t kidding where you?”
“Nope!”
“What happened to you?”
“You, Sabrina and Phillip, all happened to me. Now speak.”
“I’m impressed, I like this side of you, It makes you more sexy.”
“Do I have to call the guard again?”
“No, I don’t want to be someone’s bitch boy, what do you want to know?”
“Everything, where is she? And why did she go for Carl and why did Phillip betray Jared and I?”
“Sabrina is not here, I don’t know where she is and that’s the truth. I’ve not spoke to her, since she came to me, asking what and who would be your weak spot, the one who would truly break you down. She wants Jared to suffer and as you know, you are the key to that. Destroying you destroys him.”
“You’re the one who told her who to kill, you bastard.
“Hey, I did you a favour. I could have said Andi, but I knew that would have been worse.”
“Oh, so you thought to spare my feelings, so you don’t go for my sister, just go for my best friend instead, you knew what he meant to me. What else did you tell her?”
“She knows everything.”
“What about Phillip? Where does he fit in to all of this, because I can’t make sense of this.”
“He has been working with her for years, nearly as long as Andrew has been working for Jared.”
“You’re lying.”
“Hey, you hold all the cards here; I have no need to lie. After what Jared did to her, Phillip took her to a private institute, to help her recover. Andrew did not know. Phillip told him she died, but to leave it to him to sort everything out, so he can show Jared his loyalty. It is a great cover up, really. It took her months to recover; she lost the baby because of him. Once she recovered, she was dead set on revenge, she told Phillip to keep her updated on everything. So obviously, when you come along he was the perfect one to get close to you and told her everything, from when you and Jared met and everything you guys did.”
“Hang on, she told me that she stalked him, that makes no sense.”
“Do you really think she told you the whole truth? She was protecting him; otherwise, the whole cover would have been blown, it was him that tracked down the information on you and that’s when they both found me. She didn’t plan on Phillip falling for your charm though. She originally wanted Phillip to kill you, but he couldn’t, he made up some excuse, saying it’s not worth it. He was the other guy watching you at the lake house, he was pretty obsessed too.” This is ridiculous and shocking.
“Wow, ok, so how do you know all this? You’re in here, not like you’re much help anymore.”
“Actually, I’m a big help, as I am the key to everything they want to know about you. I’ve been inside your head, we were together for a few years, I know everything. I know how to push your buttons, what can break you. Look, they’re not going to stop, Danni. They won’t until you are fully broke down and Jared has nothing left worth living for in his life and you’re the key to all of that.”
“I’ll stop them; they can’t get away with this.”
“You can’t stop them, Danni! Put it this way. You’ve been looking for vengeance, for what, a few months, when she put Andi in hospital? That’s nothing. Sabrina has been holding on to this for eight, nine years and the more that goes on, the stronger it gets. Darkness within, does not go away, it gets stronger and stronger each day that you hold onto that anger and that is what will make Sabrina win. She will get what she wants and there is nothing you can do about that.”
“Mine may only be a few months, but once Carl’s neck got snapped, it brought out a whole new side of me. Yes, it may not be years, but its strong enough to help me through this. I may have vengeance in my soul, but I also have the love I feel for each and everyone in my life and I know they are not safe until she has being brought down. There is one thing stronger then darkness and that’s love, so we’ll see who has the last laugh.”
“You’ll lose, Danni! You know how I know that? Because you’re alone. Now, you wouldn’t have told Jared because he’d have stopped you coming here and so would have your siblings. She has people backing her, you can’t take them all on by yourself.”
“I’m sure I can take on Sabrina and Phillip. It’s only two people, and it’s not like you’re out there with them. They’re a man down.”
“You are way over your head; do you really think Sabrina is the master mind behind all this? You are a silly girl. Open your eyes, Danni, surly you’re not this thick. She’s just the face and Phillip is there lackey. They are working for someone else, who is much bigger than they are and much scarier. I’ve not meant this person, all I know is he likes to stay in the shadows. I do know that he hates Jared as much as Sabrina does, possibly more. He’s evil and he couldn’t give a rats ass if you lived or died. You should be scared Danni, he won’t stop until everyone you care for has gone and once they’ve taken you down, Jared would’ve lost all that he’s lived for and it’d be easier for them to finish him off. You thought I was bad? This dude is ten times worse. Good luck to you Danni, you’ll need it.” He smirks, and then shouts, “Guards, I’m ready to go back.”
“You think it’s funny, I’d watch your back in here, you never know when your time is up. Thanks for the information.” I hang up the phone and signal the guard, giving him the free pass to do whatever he l
ikes to him. I don’t care if he beats him to death, suppose that is one down, and just three to go.
Chapter Thirteen
It’s been two weeks and the trail seems to get colder each passing day. I’ve had a few leads, but when it comes to me confronting her, she has gone and she is never alone, Phillip is always by her side. She always seems to be a step ahead. I followed her around, for a while taking pictures, hoping to find out who this other person is, but I got nothing. I’ve gone from hotel to hotel, I won’t give up.
Today, I’m actually going to rest and recharge my batteries; my brain has gone to mush. I’ve not spoke to anyone, since I left to go to see Dillon in prison. I thought that’d be best. I’m sat in a cafe waiting on some food but my mind keeps wondering off to, what I’m I going to do next? My thoughts are interrupted by a deep voice.
“Danni, is that you?” Who the hell knows me around here? I look up and I am stunned to see an old friend.
“Tyler, wow, I’ve not seen you since the lake house, when I had dinner with you and your family. How have you been?” He is as handsome as ever, short, mousey brown hair, short back and sides, lovely green eyes, a bit of stubble going on, medium built, as you can see the broadness of his body through that tight T-shirt he has on and a black pair of jeans that go perfect with the black leather jacket he is wearing. He comes over, and gives me a hug and then sits next to me.
“I’ve been ok thanks, how about you? I heard about Carl, am so sorry about that, I know how close you guys where and sorry I couldn’t make the funeral, I had issues back home and I couldn’t make it.”
“It’s ok; I know you would have been there in spirit. How is everything? Are you married yet? Last time we spoke, you were engaged to your fiancée Nicola.”
“We’re not together anymore, we where kidding ourselves. We tried, but we both where miserable.”