No Second Chances

by Beverley Hollowed

  When she emerged from the bedroom, she smiled at Cole and Dan, who were both sitting waiting for her to come out of her room. She could see Cole had tidied around the room. No doubt removing all evidence for the night before.

  Dan examine her forehead and her lip and he said she had a mild concussion. He tried to persuade her to go to the hospital but she refused to even discuss it. The same with the police.

  He gave Cole a look of concern and Cole gave him a knowing nod. Dr Dan prescribed her some sleeping tablets and gave her one to take straight away insisting she needed to rest.

  As Cole walked Dan to the door, the intercom sounded. It was Caitlin and Hannah. Cole had called them, too. He knew Ally would freak out, but the truth was he felt so lost and helpless. He needed some advice.

  Dan said his goodbyes, telling Cole he should keep a close eye on her and call him if he was concerned about her at all.

  Cole was right, Ally freaked when Caitlin and Hannah appeared in the apartment.

  “I said I didn’t want anyone to know,” Ally barked at Cole, but before he could reply Caitlin intervened.

  “Oh wow, so after all this time,” she exclaimed, knowing the best way to handle Ally was guilt. “Hannah and I are ‘just anyone’. Thanks, Al.” It worked.

  “You know that’s not what I meant,” Ally replied, completely backing down.

  Cole had asked the girls to stop and get some milk and bread, so he could at least make Ally some tea and toast. He went to the kitchen and left the girls talking. Cole couldn't help but eavesdrop; Hannah crying and Caitlin swearing she was going to murder Jason.

  Not if I get there first, Cole thought as he walked into the kitchen.

  He returned a short while later to find Ally already fast asleep again on the sofa. Caitlin and Hannah each sitting in the two armchairs. He set the tray with the tea and toast down on the coffee table.

  “Can you stay with her for a while?” Cole asked, never taking his eyes off Ally.

  “Sure,” Hannah smiled at Cole.

  “Where are you going?” Caitlin asked.

  “I think it’s time me and this Jason asshole finally met,” Cole replied, picking up his jacked and car keys from the sideboard.

  Something about Cole's tone in his voice and the expression on his face set Caitlin on edge. She leapt out of her chair and dragged Cole to the hallway so they didn't disturb Ally.

  “Cole, please don’t do anything stupid,” Caitlin pleaded when they were far enough away from Ally. “Don’t you think she has been through enough, you getting yourself locked up is the last thing she needs?”

  “I can’t sit here and do nothing,” Cole said. Glancing back in at the sofa and a sleeping Ally “This asshole needs to learn a lesson and I am just to man to teach him it.”

  Without saying another word he turned and walked out of the apartment. Hannah appeared quietly behind Caitlin.

  “I don't like this. I'm afraid he's gonna kill Jason.” Hannah said to a panicking Caitlin. Caitlin grabbed her bag and fished her phone out. She pulled up a number on the phone and pressed call.

  “Hey, gorgeous,” Nathan’s cheerful voice boomed down the phone.

  “Oh god, Nathan, we need help; something has happened.” Caitlin blurted out in panic. “You need to hurry. We think Cole is going to kill Jason.”

  Chapter 22

  Cole sat outside Jason’s apartment block. He still had the address from when Nathan ran a check on him. He was waiting for some sign of life, but it was 10:30 am on a Sunday morning. He figured that the asshole must still be sleeping off a drunken stupor from the night before.

  He waited another half hour, but he wanted to be back before Ally woke up and decided he couldn’t wait any longer. He climbed out of the car and walked quickly to the door of the apartment. He stood for a moment and read the names on the intercom. He was just about to press Jason’s buzzer when the door opened and a girl walked out. She looked at Cole and gave him a bright smile. Cole nodded and thanked her when she held open the door for him.

  Instead of waiting for a lift, he headed straight for the stairs. He climbed to the third floor in record time and made his way quickly along the corridor. Finally he stood in front of Jason apartment.

  He paused for a moment thinking about how best to approach this. But anger over took him as Ally’s bruised and beaten face flashed into his mind. Without missing a heartbeat he began banging on the apartment down.

  Finally, he could hear someone grumbling from the inside and the chain slide open on the door. Cole didn’t wait for the door to fully open. As soon as it was opened a crack he kicked it full force connecting with the asshole on the far side.

  “JESUS!” Jason cried out as he stumbled back and hit the floor. “I think you broke my nose.”

  “Sorry,” Cole replied sarcastically as he walked in and stood over Jason, glaring down at him. “Wasn’t aware I need to wait for an invitation in. After all you didn’t wait for one when you forced your way into Ally’s.”

  “Pretty boy!” Jason exclaimed as he realised exactly who was standing over him. He quickly tried to scramble up off the floor but Cole was quicker.

  “Scumbag!” Cole growled as he swung his foot and connected with Jason’s ribs. Jason coughed and groaned as he curled into a ball in agony. “Come on tough guy. Get up and fight me. Hit me like you’d hit a girl.” He landed another kick.

  “Nothing happened,” Jason cried out, barely able to breathe.

  “Well the cuts and bruises, not to mention her state of mind, say differently,” Cole replied as he reached down and taking hold of Jason by the shirt, he dragged him up to his feet.

  “Come on, asshole,” Cole roared pushing Jason. “Hit me! Scare me!”

  “I’M SORRY!” Jason cried out as Cole grabbed hold of him by the shirt and swung his fist.

  Thump.

  “Too late!”

  Thump.

  “You have destroyed her!”

  Thump.

  “You will never lay another finger on her again!”

  Jason legs buckled as he tried in vain to block hit after hit Cole delivered down on him again and again.

  “Cole, enough!” Nathan said suddenly appearing behind Cole, He grabbed hold of Cole and dragged him back but not before Cole landed one more kick to the ribs. “Cole, stop!”

  “LET ME FUCKING GO, NATHAN!” Cole shouted as he struggled to break free from his friends hold. “I AM GOING TO KILL HIM!!!”

  “Buddy, he isn’t worth it,” Nathan replied in a calm voice hoping by him staying clam he would help defuse the situation. “Cole, Ally needs you. You can’t do this.”

  Just the mention of her name made Cole stop struggling. He stared down at Jason with so much hate and contempt. He really wanted him dead. But he knew what that would do to Ally.

  “Fine,” Cole let out a deep, cleansing breath and he stopped struggling completely. “Fine, I’m done. You can let me go. I won’t touch him again.”

  Reluctantly Nathan released Cole from his hold.

  “Okay, buddy? We good?” Nathan asked watching Cole closely.

  “We’re good.” Cole replied taking another deep, calming breath. He eyed both a worried Nathan and the worthless, bloodied mess that was curled on the floor. Cole realised he had never felt pure hate before until this very moment.

  Jason, struggling hard to breathe, tried to sit up but it was taking every ounce of his strength.

  Cole step forward again and bent down over Jason one more time. Grabbing hold of Jason’s blood stained shirt, Cole pulled him to him so that he was barely inches from his face.

  “You are still alive right now because I love Ally, and I know she wouldn’t want this,” Cole explained, he voice eerily calm and even. “But you so much as look at her again. I will be back here; and next time, they won’t even find the body. Have I made myself clear?”

  Cole didn’t wait for a response, he released Jason, from his grip letting him slump back to the floor. Without an
other word, he turned and walked out of the apartment followed closely by Nathan.

  “Cole, what the fuck where you thinking?” Nathan demanded when they both stepped outside the main door of the apartment block.

  “I was thinking I wanted that fucker dead!” Cole exclaimed turning back to Nathan. “He hurt her Nate, he held her down and terrified her. He humiliated her and broke her.”

  “And killing him would have helped how?” Nathan asked.

  “I WOULD HAVE MADE ME FEEL BETTER!” Cole hollered back in frustration. “Nathan, I should have been there! If I had have been there like I promised, he would have never got near her!”

  “Cole, you can’t blame yourself,” Nathan replied. “You can’t be with her 24/7. This was always going to happen. Just be grateful it didn’t end worse.”

  “I need to get back to her,” Cole said, the need to see Ally consuming him.

  “Okay, I’ll follow you back there in my car,” Nathan nodded. “I want to make sure you get back okay but first let me look at that hand.”

  Cole held up his blooded hand for Nathan to check.

  "What the fuck, dude? How hard did you hit him?"

  "This wasn't all him,” Cole sighed. “I punched a glass, too.”

  Without saying another word, both men head back to the cars and headed back to Ally’s apartment.

  When Cole reached Ally’s apartment he waited for Nathan before heading up. He need a moment to calm himself.

  Nathan’s words ran through his head again and again and he knew Nathan was right. It could have ended much worse and he would have lost her.

  Cole felt sick. It was all his fault. She was mad at him because he had behaved like a coward. He used the excuse he didn’t want to tell her everything over the phone, but the truth was he didn’t want to tell her, period. He was afraid he would lose her. And in the end he nearly did anyway.

  He turned and pressed his head against the wall next to the main door and let out a deep sigh.

  “Cole, you need to pull it together,” Nathan said when he climbed out of his car and saw his friend almost slumped against the wall. “This is about that girl up there. She needs you. She needs you to help her through this.”

  Cole looked at Nathan. He was right. He need to sort he damn head out and be there for Ally. He could still make this right. He typed in the code for the main door and He and Nathan headed up to Ally’s apartment.

  Caitlin opened the apartment door and Cole was relieved when she said Ally was still sleeping. She asked Cole what happened with Jason but he didn’t reply. All he wanted to do was see Ally.

  The moment he saw her he just wanted to hold her. But he didn’t charge straight in. He walked over to the sofa and knelt down next to her and softly brushed her hair back from her face. Despite the cuts and bruises she was still the most beautiful creature he had ever seen.

  “Ally,” he whispered softly. She sighed but didn’t wake. “Hey, sleepy head.”

  Ally instantly jumped with fright as her eyes shot opened but her face brighten when she saw Cole looking down at her.

  “Let’s get you home, gorgeous girl,” he said as he softly kissed her forehead.

  “Okay,” she replied with a smile. The first genuine smile he had seen all day.

  “I love you, Ally,” he said as he softly brushed his lips against her forehead.

  “I love you, too,” she replied and softly touched his face. “Thank you.”

  Cole kissed her hand. He was going to make this right and would never let her down again.

  It was almost five in the evening when they reached Cole’s house. Rosie’s face said everything she could not. Cole had called her before he left Ally’s. He thought it was best that she was forewarned instead of asking Ally a million questions.

  But as soon as she saw Ally, the tears danced in her eyes. Without even thinking she pulled Ally into her arms and hugged her tightly.

  “I have dinner ready for you may dear,” she said holding a still groggy Ally at arm’s length, taking in every inch of her face. “Have you eaten at all?”

  “I am not really hungry,” Ally smiled weakly. “I am just tired.”

  “How about I run you a bath?” Cole suggested taking Ally’s hand. He was still nervous touching her. She was jumpy and stiffened every time anyone got too close to her.

  “I would really just rather sleep.” Ally said, turning her eyes up to Cole’s and smiled. “Is that okay?”

  “Of course,” Cole smiled at her reassuringly. He took her by the hand and led her to his bedroom. Once there, Cole pulled back the bed clothes as Ally removed her shoes, socks and sweat pants, choosing to just sleep in her t-shirt.

  When Cole turned and saw the scratches in the top of her leg, he could feel his blood boil.

  “Please, don’t look at me like that,” Ally pleaded when she saw the expression on Cole’s face.

  “This is all my fault, Ally,” Cole said closing his eyes. “I should have been here. He would have never gotten near you.”

  “You’re here now,” Ally whispered as she reached up and softly touched his face. “Nothing else matters.”

  “I’m sorry I let you down,” Cole replied, leaning into her hand, opening his eyes and meeting hers. “I will make this up to you.”

  “You already have,” she smiled. She kissed him gently on the lips before she walked to the bed and climbed in.

  “I’ll wake you in a couple of hours,” Cole said as he cover Ally with the covers. “You will have to eat something.”

  “Don’t leave me.” Ally said, suddenly grabbing Cole’s hand. Without missing a heartbeat, Cole kicked of his shoes and climbed into the bed behind Ally. Finally able to wrap her in his arms, Cole realised just what he’d almost lost and he could hold back no longer. Hot, stinging tears pooled in his eyes and broke free.

  “I love you, Ally Brody,” He whispered as he softly kissed her head.

  He could feel her relax in his arms and he knew she was asleep. He kissed her once again on the top of the head and closed his eyes. He was exhausted. He pressed his body against hers and gave in to the darkness of sleep.

  ***************

  When Cole woke a little before three a.m., he felt a little disorientated. He felt panicked but had no idea why. It was the second blood curling scream that fully woke him, and he realised it was Ally. She was asleep but was far from at peace; she was soaked with sweat crying quietly. Once again she screamed out. When Cole tried to wake her she began to fight with him, her arms and legs swinging wildly.

  “Ally, “Cole called out, holding her firmly by the shoulders and trying to stop her from hurting herself. “Ally, you’re safe. It’s just a dream, I have you baby, it’s just a dream. “

  Ally’s eyes snapped opened and relief filled her face when she saw Cole above her. He quickly pulled her into his arms and help her close to him.

  “I have you, gorgeous girl,” he said scooping her into his arms and holding her tightly to him. She sobbed softly into his chest until she could fight the tiredness no longer and drifted back into a restless sleep.

  Cole spent the rest of the night awake, holding her in his arms ensure she had no more bad dreams.

  It was just passed six o’clock the last time Cole remembered looking at the clock as he eyes finally grew heavier. Unable to fight the tired, he pulled Ally closer to him and drifted off to sleep once again

  Chapter 23

  Much to Cole’s surprise, Ally put up no fight when he suggested she took some time off work. In fact it troubled him how quietly she agreed with him. It was like her fight was gone and this worried him.

  He called Dan and asked him what he suggested he might do to help pull her from this funk. Dan said that depression often follows traumatic events like the one Ally had experienced and that keeping her busy and getting her to talk was the best way to help her.

  Cole tried everything but Ally’s mood didn’t seem to lift at all.

  When Ally woke up on Wednesda
y, she was surprised to learn that Cole wasn't planning to go back to work even though he had said he had meetings he needed to attend. She lay in bed and watched him and he wandered between his wardrobe, the bathroom and the wardrobe again.

  Ally could hear water running but she just turned over and closed her eyes, deciding to go back to sleep again. But her eyes snapped opened when Cole pulled the covers back without warning.

  “What the hell are you doing?” she snapped and Cole smiled. It was the first bit of fight he heard from her in days.

  “You are getting up and joining me in the shower,” he announced, taking hold of her hands and pulled her from the bed.

  “I don’t want a shower, yet.” She tried to crawl back into bed, but Cole grabbed her legs and pulled her to the edge of the bed. Then, taking her by the hands he pulled her to her feet.

  “Tough,” he replied and laughed. Keeping hold of her two hands. He walked backwards and led her to the bathroom.

  “Lift your arms up,” he instructed her once they reached the bathroom.

  “Cole, this is ridiculous,” she protested.

  “Lift,” he repeated and with a loud sigh she did as he instructed. He slid her oversized t-shirt over her head and she instantly covered her breast with her arms.

  He hooked her panties with his fingers but, before he removed them, he looked at her waiting for permission. She hadn't been unclothed in front of him since Jason’s attack.

  Ally swallowed hard before she nodded giving him permission. He eased them down her legs and held them out as she lifted one foot at a time.

  He stood back up and smiled at her warmly.

  Then to Ally’s horror, he removed his own clothes too.

  “"I'm just going to help you in the shower. Nothing more,” he explained sensing her reluctance. “You can trust me.”

  His words made Ally realise just how guarded she was behaving and it made her felt sad. Of course she trusted him.

  But she just felt dirty and she couldn’t bear to have him touch her. She no longer felt good enough for him.

  He reached out and offered her his hand. She reached up and nervously took it. Opening the shower door, he stepped back and allowed her to step in before he did.