Somewhere in Between

by Lynnette Brisia

  “I’ll explain a little about what’s going on,” Detective Thompson began after everyone was seated. “We decided to expand our parameters after coming up empty within the local area as well as the state. First we sent out requests hoping for some form of DNA match in surrounding states. We sent out the sketches and a screen capture of the video hoping someone close by recognized the three.” He cleared his throat, his fingers playing with a file. “We got a hit, but it wasn’t anything substantial like we’d hoped. When that came up empty, Detective Vasquez and I decided to take it throughout the whole US.”

  “And you found something?” Andrew asked, his face in lawyer mode.

  “We found a big something,” Detective Thompson answered.

  “There was an assault, a young girl, not much older than Gemma, raped and beaten in Chattanooga, Tennessee. She said it was three men who attacked her. The description she gave is near identical to Gemma and Elliot’s. Then there was a college student in Duluth, Minnesota. She unfortunately did not survive. But,” Detective Vasquez said softly, “the DNA evidence left behind, because she fought back, pinged onto Chattanooga and another case, almost a decade old. They’d already had evidence on file for their case. And when yours came through, it was discovered at least one of the men was matched to that decade old DNA.”

  “They’ve done this how many times?” Leighanna asked quietly.

  “We have evidence that points to at least four.”

  “But you suspect many more.” Caroline wasn’t asking.

  “We do. Right now, we have an APB out. And the FBI has been contacted due to the crimes being spread throughout much of the country.”

  The detectives went on to explain a little about how they came to the conclusions of who, and how the FBI will now work. There was going to be a visit from an agent within the coming weeks to discuss the case. Everything was adding up and quick.

  It almost seemed amazing how there was no breaks for so long and the bam! Everything was falling into place.

  And then their names were said. And no one knew what to say or do.

  Jim Kenton. Evan Clallum. And Quinten Marshall. All from Boise, Idaho. All members of wannabe punk rock band Boise Storm.

  Each were in their thirties. Each had been married only to divorce not long after. Each believed they were rock star Gods, though the music they made never went anywhere and so they worked odd jobs here and there to pay for rent. Each had been arrested several times for disorderly conduct, and Quinten, for sexual battery. He’d served four years before being released. They had no respect for anyone, and felt women were merely made for sex. They’d also never met a woman who said ‘no.’

  Of course, that just meant there were probably many more women out there who had been taken advantage of or assaulted.

  When Andrew questioned why nothing had been done to prevent more attacks, there wasn’t much Detectives Thompson and Vasquez could say. Somehow, they had slipped through the system. Especially since the Minnesota girl had been attacked before Gemma. There was a repeat offender on their hands, and he got away.

  “We are doing everything we can though to bring them to justice. I promise you that.”

  “Why… they’re not local, not even from this state! Why were they in Broomfield?” Gemma asked, her mind finally playing catch up.

  “We think they’re hard-up for money and had originally tried to get in on some of the oil field crews throughout the northern part of the state and in Wyoming, but when that didn’t work, they changed direction and were looking for bars that would let them play. Every bar owner we talked with described a small group that wanted to play their stage but none agreed.” Detective Thompson smiled sadly. “It’s unfortunate that it was so dark in these establishments, that no one really got a good look at them. We probably wouldn’t have needed this much time to pass, and other victims to come about if not for that fact.”

  “The fact that we now know who we’re working with is good news. Have hope,” Detective Vasquez encouraged.

  Long after the detectives left, everyone sat silent, still at the table. The only sound that could be heard was the grandfather clock ticking in the living room.

  “They have names now,” Gemma murmured softly. “I don’t… I don’t know how I feel about that.” For the last few months, they were monsters in her nightmares. They had faces, and she held fear, but she didn’t know anything more about them. But now, now they had faces and names attached to them. They had backstory and cruelty. She almost wished she could go back in time to when she didn’t know anything more.

  “They’re going to get them. I know it,” Caroline said firmly. She was nodding her head, determination on her face. “And when they do, those assholes will be so lucky that they’re protected by the jail bars.”

  Gemma wanted to leave the conversation after that. She didn’t want to think any more on any of it. Standing from her chair, she smiled at her family, and then quickly left the room. She rushed upstairs trying to push the thoughts of what it all meant and how long it would take to finally catch them. One thing she did know, after they’d hurt her, they’d left town. But did that mean they wouldn’t be back?

  They lived, or were from Idaho. It didn’t matter if that was more than a state away. They were still in the same country, still on the same continent in the same hemisphere. That was too close as it was.

  “Gemma?” Elliot was standing at her bedroom door, watching as she rubbed her temples, her body rocking slowly back and forth on the edge of the bed.

  “I hate this,” Gemma mumbled. “First everything at school, and now this? I hate this.”

  “I know, sweetheart.” He stepped into the room and sat beside her. He didn’t know how to make this better for her. While it was so good to know the cops knew who had done this, it didn’t really bring any peace. Perhaps once they were caught and prosecuted, but until then…he didn’t’ know what to do.

  As she leaned into her friend, Gemma let everything she and Dr. Archuleta had talked about fill her mind. It was a good distraction for the time being even if it set her on edge in a different way.

  “I don’t know what to do,” she begins, her fingers twisting the ends of her shirt. “I mean before I was…before, I really liked Elliot. I liked him so much and he liked Trisha. I never told him how I felt, and he still doesn’t know now, because I just didn’t want to feel the rejection, you know?” She’s embarrassed but doesn’t stop. “And then…and then I was…raped…and I just stopped thinking about how I felt. It hurt too much to even consider liking anyone because I’ve been so terrified of everything. And I didn’t want to taint anything.”

  “That’s understandable. What are you asking?”

  She huffs, keeping her eyes away from her doctor. “I noticed that Elliot is more affectionate toward me. A lot more. He calls me pet names like ‘sweetheart’ when he never has before. Though I don’t know if he knows he does, or if it even really means anything. I mean he never did anything like that before so…. He always holds my hand, and keeps close.” She looks up, finally making eye contact. “I wanted to explain it away thinking it’s because I was attacked, and because he found me. But sometimes the things he says, friends don’t say those things. At least not to those they are just friends with. And my sister, she said she can see that he’s different with me. And Trisha, she’s not even on his sphere anymore. Almost like she never was. And she seems to think we’re dating or close to so I don’t know.”

  “What does he say?”

  Gemma feels her cheeks warm. “He tells me I mean everything to him. He tells me, he’d be lost without me and that I’m the most important person to him. He says he would do anything for me. And the way he says these things, there is so much passion behind them.”

  Dr. Archuleta is quiet, her pen scribbling away. After a moment, she speaks, “Do you want him to like you?”

  It is a question she knew would be asked. “Yes. I mean, it’s what I wanted before. But what if I’m too dam
aged for him to like? Or what if he likes me because he feels sorry for me?”

  “Oh Gemma. For one, you are not damaged. You were hurt, but you are healing. That does not equal damaged. And these things take time. You can’t expect to just be able to have normal relationships immediately because your mind is not ready.” More scribbling. “Do you like Elliot?”

  Here it is. “I believe I still do. I mean I know I do. I just don’t know if that’s acceptable.”

  “Why wouldn’t it be?”

  “Because of what happened. I was hurt. I shouldn’t like anyone! That’s like saying it’s okay what happened.”

  “Feeling affection for someone, after a traumatic experience does not mean what those men did to you was acceptable. In no way, shape or form will it ever be acceptable,” Dr. Archuleta’s voice is sharp as she says this. “Being raped does not mean you can’t still have romantic feelings for someone. Being raped doesn’t mean your life is meant to be empty, devoid of love and affection. Just look at me. I was attacked, but I am someone’s wife now.”

  She lets that sink in, lets it crowd her mind. “So what do I do?”

  “Let things go at their own pace. Don’t try to rush anything. Just let each day come, and take each as they come. You may like Elliot, but if you try to rush it, you may end up setting yourself back. And if he likes you in turn, he may just be waiting for you to give him a sign that you are accepting of his affection before he proceeds any further.” Dr. Archuleta smiles kindly, her note pad no longer in use. “You have both been through something very traumatic. It is likely to bond you tighter together, or pull you apart. I believe you two will be bonded well. But let it come naturally.”

  Gemma still wasn’t completely sold on the idea that it was okay for her to have these feelings, regardless of Dr. Archuleta’s story, but she left the appointment promising to try to not be so hard on herself. Besides, like Dr. Archuleta said, if she could be married, what made Gemma different-other than the circumstances of both of their attacks? It was just something else she knew she needed to work on, getting her mind back to knowing what was okay and what was just her fear tricking her into thinking wasn’t.

  “You did better, you know?” Elliot broke into her thoughts.

  “What?”

  “With Detective Thompson. The first time you were around him, your whole body was stiff, I could feel the tension rolling off of you,” he smiled reassuringly. “But tonight, he walked into the room, and I didn’t notice any change in you at all.” He blushed slightly at the idea of mentioning that he was paying attention to her body, but didn’t comment further.

  “Huh. I hardly noticed.”

  “You are making amazing progress, Gemma. One day you’ll be able to see it too.” Glancing at the time on the alarm clock, Elliot let out a heavy sigh. “I should probably get going. I said I wouldn’t be gone long.” He stood pulling Gemma with him as he wrapped his arms around her small frame. She felt warm and right against him. And if not for the theme of the night, he would have allowed his mind to wander a little and imagine holding her without something bad happening to cause it. And because it was so very easy to see, to allow his brain to travel, Elliot knew he needed to clamp down on any and all thoughts that were anywhere close to affectionate toward Gemma so that he could walk away from her without looking like a moron. “I’ll call you in a bit.”

  “Okay, drive safe.” Gemma reached up on her toes, and lightly brushed her lips against Elliot’s cheek. It felt right, and she wanted to show him how grateful she was without saying the words again.

  “I will. I lo-” His mouth went dry and his brain nearly fried. After deciding he wasn’t going to let his imagination roam into anything more than a friend offering a supportive hug, his tongue decided it needed to change the game up, especially with her mouth so close to his. There was no way he could tell Gemma he loved her, even though just the thought of it made him feel warm inside. There was no way he could do that because he knew she wasn’t ready for it, and saying it, he wanted her to believe it, to know it, and to hopefully return it. But holy shit, he needed to get his filter checked. And take another cold shower. “I’ll uh, see you tomorrow.”

  Gemma watched Elliot walk out of her room, a frown on her face. He had started to say something, something she had a feeling she’d both like and fear, but then he stopped. And the look of terror on his face made her wonder what was going on. Running a hand across her face, she knew what it sounded like he was going to say, and part of her really wanted to hear it. A part of her really hoped she wasn’t just reaching for something that wasn’t there.

  Falling back onto her bed, a heavy sigh left her lips. Tonight was rough. Her mind was full of words of wisdom from her doctor, and now news of who had hurt her. She wished she could just turn off her brain for a while and not have to think about anything too serious. Rolling onto her side, she gazed out the window, seeing the moon breaking through the clouds. “Why does everything have to be so complicated now?”

  LtB

  He drove as fast as he could to get home. His mind was full of chaos. He was so close tonight. He was so close to telling Gemma he loved her, the words begging to fall from his lips. And when she brushed her lips against his cheek, it would have been so easy to turn his head and feel them brush against his lips. And he’d wanted to. God, how he’d wanted to. While his heart was working love out of his mouth, his brain had decided it would be okay to kiss her right then and there. But he didn’t do either. He’d stopped himself.

  And stopping himself was so hard to do. It was like denying his lungs air to breathe.

  It was ridiculous really. He knew Gemma didn’t have this problem when liking him. He knew she couldn’t have been fighting off these desires, these overwhelming urges once she discovered her feelings for him. And thinking about why that was made said desires fade. She didn’t act on or have these type of thoughts because he was mentally unavailable to her and she wouldn’t put herself out there like that when she truly believed he couldn’t see past an illusion. The fast beat of his heart at his feelings for Gemma plummeted as his heart dropped into his stomach.

  He wanted her so badly. And not badly as in sexually, because although the idea turned him on exponentially, and being that he was a teenaged boy who did want to have sex, he just wanted to be with Gemma. And his stupidity was making that so very hard to accomplish.

  “What are you thinking so hard for?”

  It was his mom, standing in the doorway to the kitchen, a sandwich in her hand. He hadn’t even realized he was home and inside the house. He had no idea how he managed to get home let alone get out of the car and walk inside. “What?”

  She just laughed at him. “You look like you’re trying to concentrate really hard on something.” The light left her voice suddenly. “Wait, what happened?”

  Shaking his head, Elliot focused on his mom. “They uh, they know who hurt Gemma.”

  “They do? Were they arrested?”

  “No. I guess she’s not the only girl they’ve hurt. There is a manhunt going on with the FBI to find them. There are a couple states involved,” Elliot responded quietly. “But they at least know who now, so I guess that’s good.”

  Grace nodded, but cocked her head to the side. “That’s not what you were thinking about though, is it?”

  Damn moms always knowing things. “No.”

  Motioning for him to follow, Grace disappeared into the kitchen. She set a plate down in front of him of cookies once he was seated. “Start talking.”

  LtB

  Friday was a half day. No one noticed the unmarked police car sitting in the parking lot, or the one sitting at the entrance to the road that lead to the school. No one noticed them and if they did, no one knew they were there as a protective measure to keep Gemma, and everyone else safe. No one knew the cars followed Gemma everywhere she went, not even Gemma, because Andrew had made it a point to have someone keeping an eye on his daughter until the three were caught. He wasn’t t
aking any chances.

  However, Gemma was too distracted to notice anything.

  “What do you want to do this afternoon?” Elliot asked as he sat in the driver’s seat of his car, his eyes staring straight ahead. Since talking to his mom the night before, he knew he needed to say something to Gemma before he did something he regretted, like let his hormones hijack his pants in front of her.

  However, things were already feeling strained. Especially since Gemma had barely uttered a word to him from the moment he picked her for school, all the way to now. He wanted to believe it had everything to do with the Detective’s visit the night before, and the information they brought with them, but Elliot knew. He could feel it in his marrow that this was more than that, that the strain ran deeper. He just couldn’t figure out what had brought it on. Unless he had become obvious in his feelings….

  For Gemma, she knew, given the way her mind was playing with her emotions and confusing her dreams in regards to Elliot that she needed to tell him at least something. It was weighing too heavily on her mind, and if she could release this stress, maybe the other stresses wouldn’t be so bad. Although she was terrified of actually losing Elliot, so there was that to contend with. Still, she didn’t want to drag this on to the point where she accidentally pushed him away and ended up losing him anyway. “Is anyone going to be at your house?”

  He was slightly befuddled her request as he thought for a moment. Christie was heading to the shelter. His dad was at work, and his mom…. “No. Everyone is out. You wanna go there?”

  Gemma nodded, her nerves spiking. “Yeah.”

  Swallowing hard, knowing he would be completely alone with Gemma, and in his home where there were beds and privacy and too many fantasies playing through his teenage mind. Elliot started his car, and started driving toward his house.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  The house was quiet. And the silence seemed to be deafening. He knew. He knew this wasn’t just a regular visit, that there was something going on. He knew it in their phone conversation the night before as they spoke before bed, in their drive to school this morning, and during their shared classes during that morning. There was a look of determination on Gemma’s face that he didn’t understand. But he knew it meant she needed to say something because she only ever looked that way when she was working up the nerve to say something, especially if she thought it would be embarrassing. But she didn’t need to worry, because he needed to say some things too. He just hoped what she had to say wouldn’t completely kill his ability to say what he needed to.