Broken Revival

by Autumn Winchester

  Chapter 14

  Dawn

  Elijah was home most of the time the following week, making it more enjoyable. He left once to go to the grocery store, after having me help come up with a list of items we needed. It truly didn’t matter to me what he bought, as I would eat or try to cook just about anything. I normally cooked easy things that had the directions on the packages, since I had to teach myself how to cook. I had refused Joslyn’s help, not wanting to take up more of her time than she was already giving up to stay with me. She’d brought a couple of cookbooks that were fairly easy for me to follow.

  On the day he went out, Joslyn came over, along with Emily and Zack. I could tell something was up, as Emily was nervous and fidgety. Zack acted like there wasn’t anything to worry about, sitting in the living room and playing on his phone.

  Joslyn had brought a big dark green scrapbook full of pictures and was telling Emily and I some of the stories that went along with them. One set of pictures was of Elijah holding a newborn baby who was sleeping and wrapped in pink. She had a small bow on her head. Zack sat beside Elijah, pouting and looking off to a different direction. They both had the same color of dark hair.

  “Elijah was thrilled to finally hold you, Dawn. You were a week old, and he promised to protect you from the world that day,” Joslyn had said, as she pointed to the picture. “Zack wanted nothing to do with you, and refused to let me take one good picture.”

  Emily gave out a laugh. “Just like now, you know if he’s not happy if there’s something wrong.”

  Another picture showed Elijah pushing me on a tire swing. The ground was covered in white flowers. My eyes were bright with happiness. Elijah, at the age of twelve, was happily pushing me, as I sat on the black tire swing tied with a heavy rope to the tree branch high above.

  “You were about three here, and loved that tire swing. You would only let Elijah push you when we were all up at the cabin. Elijah said the swing was only for his girl,” Joslyn said with a smile.

  Another picture was of Elijah and Zack, with me sitting on a chair between them. Both boys had on matching Batman shirts, their hands in the pockets of their jeans. They didn’t look too thrilled about the picture. I was a tired looking ten-year-old—a thing that became normal for me.

  “You were upset because your father had died the night before, and your entire world was shifted. You wanted nothing to do with your mother, even though she was just out busy getting things in order for the funeral a few days later. Elijah stuck to your side, and helped you along so you weren’t so sad,” Joslyn said. “That was a tough time for all of us.”

  “Do you have any pictures of my parents?” I asked.

  Zack looked up at me, shocked I’d asked. I guess I hadn’t really talked much that day, and some days were quieter ones. And Elijah wasn’t there. He smiled happily at me before turning back to his phone.

  “Yes, of course,” Joslyn answered as she began to shuffle some pages. “Ah, here is one of the last ones I was able to get.”

  My parents stood side by side, but not touching. My dad wore a long flannel shirt and a pair of stained pants. He had his fishing hat on, covering his black hair. His brown eyes were filled with laughter, but I could see a sadness behind it. His hair was cut short. My mother looked tired, but full of life. Her green eyes hid secrets, but determination. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a messy side bun. I looked nothing like her. I was pleased with that, but not entirely sure why.

  “What was my dad like?” I asked, tracing his picture.

  “He was full of life. He loved fishing and camping. He worked hard, but always made time for you,” Joslyn answered, remembering better days. “I’ll have to get some of the things he left you out of storage. He wanted to make sure you got some things your mother would have sold, since they do hold some value.”

  “She was a great mother to you,” Elijah said as he entered the room and sat on the coffee table. “She made sure you came first. But when money got tighter, she got into some things that caused her priorities to change. She got into the wrong group of people; she had to pay off debts, and got in too deep. Quentin knew, and wasn’t too pleased. Not only did she lose her priorities, but she also lost track of who she was. Drugs can cause all sorts of issues, no matter the person.”

  “Oh,” I said, at a loss for words. I knew my dad was dead, but I couldn’t quite get my mind to wrap around the idea that she could ever do anything like that. “Is that why she was with Morgan?”

  “I’m not sure, but it’s a good possibility,” Elijah answered, laying his hand over the one on my lap. “And for that reason, I haven’t allowed your mother to know where you are. She knows you were found, but not by whom, and it must stay that way. You aren’t a slave to be bought and sold to whoever has the most money. Joan has changed from when I knew her years ago, so I personally don’t trust her, but if you want to call her, or even text her, I will be happy to get you a phone so you can. She’s still with Morgan,” he finished. His eyes were filled with worry and love as he looked at me.

  “I don’t know if I want to talk to her,” I said, with tears in my voice. I blamed her a great deal for my kidnapping, as she was spending so much time with the one that took me, and was still with him.

  “That’s perfectly fine,” Emily said, pulling me into a hug. “You have all the time you need.”

  “Well, until the trial comes up. You will have to talk and let the judge hear your side of things, and then, depending on how things go, you may want to go back to her,” Zack stated sadly.

  “No!” I said, eyes wide with panic. “I . . . I can’t go back to her.”

  “Why not?” Elijah asked calmly as he moved to sit beside me.

  “I . . . I think she had something to do with the planning for Morgan to take me. The week before my birthday, I overheard them talking about prices and methods of repayments. Could they have been talking about me?” I said in a near whisper.

  “It’s very likely. It’s something we’re looking into,” Zack replied with a grimace.

  “You are of age, so the state can’t force you to go if you don’t want to. You’re welcome to stay here with me for as long as you’d like,” Elijah said with determination.

  “You could just get married,” Zack laughed.

  “No way,” Elijah seethed. “I won’t force you, Dawn, into anything like that.”

  “I know Elijah,” I replied with a small smile. Although, I would, if it saved me from having to go with her. It was a gut feeling: I couldn’t go with my mom, no matter what happened.

  “Did you get your shopping done?” Joslyn asked as she closed the scrapbook and set it on the side table.

  “For the most part,” Elijah answered.

  “Maybe Dawn will have to go with you when it’s safe,” Emily hinted.

  “Hopefully that will be soon, so I can take her out and show her around,” Elijah smiled. “We really aren’t sure when that will be, since once the case is closed, it will go to trial, and then the news media will be all over her, wanting more details.”

  “We’ll have that covered so no one bothers you at all,” Zack grinned. “Emily will have to testify at the trial. So will you, Dawn, so you’ll be safest with us wherever we go.”

  “Okay,” I said, taking everything in. I was comfortable here. I didn’t want to see those men, but knew I’d have to face them sometime—either here or somewhere else.

  When I was first taken from Joan, I wanted her, begged to see her and go back to her. Now, after all this time, I wasn’t sure I wanted anything to do with her. From what Elijah had said, she wasn’t the same, and since I’d changed just by being here, things were different. I had a choice.

  “Could my dad’s murder be connected to Morgan, or even my . . . mom?” I asked, hating the idea as I said it. I didn’t think I could face my mother if she did have something to do with it, but it would explain why things happened the way they did.

  “That’s a good question—I hadn�
�t thought of that,” Elijah said, running a hand through his hair. “I’ll give the idea to Kaleb when I talk to him next, and see what he can find. The killer was found not far that night from where it happened, but it’s possible it’s all connected. Your dad’s body wasn’t found, but presumed dead, with the amount of blood at the crime scene.”

  “Morgan may be able to tell you something if you ask,” Zack said.

  “Yeah, but I don’t want to ask too many things. He may not be too bright, but since I’ve asked him a few things about Dawn already, I’m not sure how much will push him into suspecting something’s up.”

  “Kaleb may come up with something better,” Zack said as he helped Emily from the chair they were sitting on. “Come on, it’s time to go.”

  I looked over at Emily and her nervousness was showing again—more so now. I reached over and squeezed her hand.

  “I have a therapy session,” Emily whispered.

  “It was all her idea,” Zack stated proudly with a smile. “She needs someone who can understand better than me, and to help her get over a few issues I have no idea how to handle.”

  “Yeah, but now I’m not so sure I can do this,” she said, looking anywhere but at the people who were in the room.

  “Of course you can,” Joslyn said, just as proud. “You’ve been through so much, and you can do this.”

  Chapter 15

  Dawn

  The next few days flew by. We got into a nice comfortable rhythm; I did the laundry and kept the house clean, and Elijah helped to an extent. Mostly, he just watched and talked to me. It didn’t take long to make sure everything was in order. The items Elijah ordered, along with all the clothes Kelly had ordered for me, came in later that week. I was happy to have some new books I was actually interested in, and couldn’t wait to read. They were mostly young adult ones, and a few life lesson books that helped me deal with some of my confusing thoughts and emotions.

  I’d tried to help Elijah out a few times, sure he was in pain from his own hard issues, but he refused every time. I sure he wanted some sort of release from his morning wood. He made sure he was up and dressed before I was in the mornings, and by the time we went to bed, I was too tired to try too hard to give him some relief. I was scared to voice my thoughts but didn’t know what else to do. I wanted to maybe talk to Emily or even Kelly, but neither had been by at a time we were left alone without Elijah in the same room for me to ask.

  It wasn’t until the following week that Kelly and Lilly came by to visit again. Elijah took that time to call Kaleb about a few new ideas on the case, as he hadn’t had much of a chance since Kaleb had been busy and not in a place that he could talk about it over the phone.

  I was glad I was getting more comfortable with handling the baby—even able to change a diaper. It was something new, and I was slowly falling in love with the little one. How could I not?

  “You seem to be lost in thought today,” Kelly said as she sat down across from me.

  “Sorry,” I said sheepishly as I fed Lilly. Kelly had said she enjoyed the break, as she was a demanding little thing while at home.

  “Want to talk about it?” she asked, tilting her head to the side. She had her hair down today. She always looked perfectly put together despite the lack of care she said she took.

  “I don’t know where to start,” I shrugged.

  “At the beginning?” Kelly hinted. “That’s usually the best place.”

  “Okay,” I replied with a deep breath out. “I …. I didn’t think I wanted anything sexual, as the whole time I was there under those men’s watchful eyes, I didn’t. I fought as much as I could. But I’m . . . craving . . . more with Elijah.” I finished near a whisper. Craving more was only the tip of the list. I wasn’t even sure he’d be willing to do anything with me, as we still hadn’t figured out what we were.

  “Oh Sug, it’s totally normal. I’m guessing you haven’t talked to Elijah about this?” she asked, with no hint of anger or malice.

  “No!” I said, a little louder than intended. “There’s no way I can. He won’t let me help him out as it is. We haven’t really talked about our relationship, either.”

  “Well, this really should be something you talk to him about. I know he’s told you time and time again he will always listen to you. He is attracted to you, always has been, and would be willing to help and understand your place in this. But you do know his tastes are not what most people call normal, right?”

  “I know that,” I said. “I’m not sure I can do what he wants.” I looked up and met her eyes. I was sure my emotions were swimming in mine.

  “Just talk to him. You’d be surprised what he could do, and he might even be willing to give up that lifestyle when it comes to you, if need be. He’s good at what he does, or so I’m told. He knows you, and himself, so he would never push you into something you didn’t want to do, Dawn.”

  “I’ll try,” I said, looking back down. “I don’t think he’d be willing to give up something he’s worked so hard at for me. I'm just . . . . me.

  “That’s all you have to be,” she said with a smile.

  Elijah

  A dream. It had to be. I was hard as a rock as a faceless woman lay on the bed with her head hanging off the side. Her eyes were closed, her dark hair touched the floor. Her warm mouth was open and waiting; her hands lay folded on her stomach, and her legs were bent and spread.

  I entered her warm mouth slowly, teasing myself. I knew I wouldn’t be able to hold on for long, so I wanted to prolong my release as much as possible. She moaned as she licked my tip, making my eyes roll back at the feeling.

  I slowly pushed myself in, inch by inch, until I was fully sheathed by her warm heat. She sucked and ran her tongue on the upper side of my cock, initiating another loud moan from me.

  Unable to take any more teasing, I began to pump into her mouth, a little faster after her throat relaxed to take more of me in. At this angle, everything felt tighter.

  With one last push, I came, hard, and she swallowed everything with a loud moan.

  I opened my eyes to a mostly darkened room, with Dawn smiling up at me from where she’d just sucked me off. Breathing hard, I flopped my head back down on the pillow.

  “Dawn,” I said huskily, more amazed that she didn’t wake me up until now. I could tell she was pleased with herself. I ran my hands through her hair, where they’d somehow got tangled, down to her shoulders, where she only wore a tank top. I stopped my hands on the top of her arms, trying to wake my blissful brain up.

  Finally, once my eyes gained focus, and my brain came back to earth, I pushed myself up and reached over to turn the bedside lamp on.

  Meeting Dawn’s green eyes, I could see she was proud of herself, but worried—most likely what my reaction would be. I wasn’t sure if I should be upset at her for taking what she wanted, or to be pleased. Her light pink tank top showed her pointed nipples.

  “Thank you, but why?” I asked, not yet deciding on what to do.

  “You were moaning in your sleep,” she replied, blushing, looking down and away from me. I lifted her chin, making her meet my eyes. I wasn’t going to let her talk her way out of this one; I wanted to see how she felt.

  “Hmmm,” I replied, seeing what else she had to say. There was more.

  “And you were hard . . .” she whispered, glancing up at me through her eyelashes.

  “So you just decided to help?” I asked, half amused.

  “Yes, Sir?” she said, more of a question. I could see the worry in her eyes.

  “I see,” I said, not giving anything away and keeping my face calm and relaxed. “And what do you expect out of that?”

  “Um . . . to help you?” she asked, biting her lower lip. I was getting hard again, and she wasn’t even doing anything.

  “How do you think you should be dealt with?” I asked, watching as her eyes went wide, part in lust, and part in worry.

  “However you see fit, Sir,” she whispered, trying to look d
own again. I cleared my throat, making her look back at me.

  “Well, I’m undecided,” I replied, letting my other hand run down her arm.

  I knew she was at that stage where she needed something—anything—from me for her release. I wasn’t sure she knew how to please herself, but she was sure good at pleasing me. I’d been hoping she’d talk to me about this, but she did at least talk to Kelly, who called me on her way home today about Dawn’s fears. I wasn’t surprised in the least; I just didn’t expect Dawn to try while I was sound asleep.

  I’d thought I was clear that we’d talk about this next step when she felt ready. Apparently, she wasn’t comfortable enough to talk to me about it, but ready all the same.

  She didn’t need to be punished for taking what she wanted. I could help bring her pleasure, showing her how to do it herself. There were a number of possibilities.

  “What is it you want me to do?” I asked.

  She looked shocked and confused before acceptance ghosted over her eyes.

  “I don’t want to be punished,” she nearly whispered, her voice quivering.

  “Then what do you want, my sweet girl?” I asked, running my thumb over her lips, not able to help myself.

  I knew I was in love with this woman, who had captured my heart as a child.

  “I’m not sure . . .” she said. “I just need . . .”

  “You need something like you gave me? An orgasm?” I asked lightly.

  She only nodded as her cheeks turned red.

  “I can do that easily,” I said with a smile. “But first, we need to talk.”

  “Okay?” she asked, confused.

  “What do you want out of our relationship?” I asked.

  “What normal people have,” Dawn answered, her voice quiet and afraid I wouldn’t agree.

  “So, like a relationship?” I asked.

  “Yes. I want what Kelly and Kaleb have,” she answered, looking up at me for a moment.