Edge of Darkness Box Set

by Margaret McHeyzer

  I can’t believe my Mom hit me tonight. She slapped me so hard, and then Dad pulled my hair trying to drag me inside the house. What is wrong with them? Why do they have to be so horrible?

  Another car whizzes past, and I peek out to see if it’s Edgar. It’s not. Hurry up, I miss you.

  I sit, cradling my knees, just waiting for the love of my life to show up. I hear another car approaching, I look out and see it’s Edgar’s. I make sure no one else is nearby, then jump up, grab my bag, and run toward the car.

  It stops abruptly, and the back door opens. I dive in so fast because I don’t want my Dad to find me. The car takes off quickly, and the force of it makes the door close on its own.

  “I’m so sorry,” I cry when I see the anger on Edgar’s face.

  “Didn’t I tell you not to leave your room?” I nod my head then drop my face in shame. “What have you been doing?”

  “I got arrested.”

  “Don’t lie to me, Hannah. Were you out hooking so you could get drugs?”

  My head shoots up to look at him. The anger on him is fierce. His nostrils are flared, his jaw is tight and his hands are made into fists. “No! I promise, I haven’t done anything like that. I love you, I wouldn’t do that.”

  “Bullshit.” He slaps me across the face. The sting of his hand shocks me. “How much money did you earn?”

  “I didn’t do that.” I keep crying while cradling my face. “I promise you. Look… ” I take out my grandmother’s ring and give it to him. “My grandmother died, and she left me this ring. I was going to give it to you for looking after me.”

  He keeps turning it over in his hand. Gauging it from all angles. “Your grandmother died?” he asks in a calmer tone. I nod my head. “Oh, kitty. Come here.” He shoves the ring in his pocket, then pulls me toward him. “Sorry, baby. I just missed you so much.” He places gentle kisses on my head. “You just made me so mad. I was worried about you when you weren’t in your room.”

  “It’s okay,” I huff in relief.

  “When was the last time you had some?” He reveals the pipe, and instantly every part of me sings with joy.

  “When you gave it to me.”

  “Oh, baby, that was yesterday. Here you go.” He empties a few small rocks in the bowl of the pipe, and holds it out for me.

  When I inhale, the high takes over immediately.

  Yes, old friend. Here I am, in your company. God, I missed you so much. It feels so good being at the top. Flying so high I can almost feel the air rush beneath me. My body trembles, but not because I’m craving more. Because the rush is so great.

  “Hannah, are you okay?” Edgar nudges me.

  “Yeah,” I say slowly.

  “You’ve gotta get out of the car. We have to get you inside.”

  “Okay.” I follow him out, not forgetting the bag of clothes I brought with me.

  “When you called me, where did you call me from?” he asks.

  “Oh.” I begin to giggle. “I stole my Dad’s phone.”

  “Do you still have it?” I try to focus on unzipping the bag I brought, but my hands and my brain won’t coordinate. Edgar places his big palm over mine, and moves my hand away. “What’s in here?’ he asks gently.

  “I brought some clothes with me. I think I stuck the phone in there too. You know, after I called you.”

  “I’ll have a look when we get inside. Come on, kitty. I missed you today.”

  Aww, he’s so sweet. He takes me by the hand, and has my bag in the other hand, and we walk past the hamburger-looking guy. I start laughing again, unable to stop. When we get to my room-room sixty-nine- I continue laughing. “That’s so funny,” I say as I collapse on the bed and stare up at the patchy ceiling.

  “What’s funny?” Edgar asks.

  I turn to look at him. Why’s he asking me what’s funny? I’m not laughing. “Huh?”

  “Never mind.” He sits on the edge of the bed and unzips my bag. “What have we got here?” He takes out some clothing. “You brought this with you?”

  “Hey, that’s mine. Where did you get it?”

  “You brought them with you. From your parent’s house.”

  “Oh yeah, I did,” I say remembering. Man, what’s wrong with my brain? “I think I’m having a brain fart.” I start to laugh again. “Brain fart. That’s so funny. Like farting, but it’s my brain.” Edgar takes something out of the bag and slides it into his pocket. “Hey, what’s that?” I ask.

  “You know what I think you need?”

  “What?” I ask sitting up on the bed cross-legged.

  “I think you might need a bit more of this.” He takes out the pipe.

  “Yay!” I squeal with delight.

  He places some rocks in it, lights it, and holds it out for me. As I’m inhaling, he’s talking to me. “Tomorrow we’ll need to go meet some people. I’ll be here early.”

  “Can’t you stay with me tonight? I miss you so much.”

  “I can’t tonight, I’ve got some work to do. But, tomorrow I’ll be able to.” I give him a pout as I move to my knees on the bed and he stands to leave. “You’re such a good girl. Now, don’t leave until I come back in the morning.”

  “I won’t. I promise.” I cross my heart.

  “Good girl. Try to get some rest, because tomorrow we’re going to have a lot of fun.” He pats me on the head.

  “Yay!” I can’t wait to see what tomorrow will bring.

  He leans down and kisses me on the cheek. “Remember, don’t be naughty, and tomorrow I promise to reward you.”

  “I love you,” I call as the door closes behind him.

  I hear him faintly replying, “I love you, too.”

  Oh, life is so good. What could go wrong when the world is so high?

  Chapter 19

  I don’t feel well.

  My stomach is rolling, and I think I’m going to throw up. Maybe I’ve been overdoing it lately. Edgar’s been taking me to lots of parties, and I’ve been having the best time.

  Since I ran away from home—for the second time—I’ve kinda been smoking the pipe a bit too much. Maybe, that’s why my body is reacting this way today.

  Edgar took me to another party yesterday, I was introduced to so many people, but I got to see Ginger again. Man, she looked wasted. She was so off her face, I could barely talk to her. But then again, we didn’t need to do a lot of talking, we were doing other stuff. Edgar likes it when I’m with other men and women. He says it turns him on. He says he likes it so much, which is why he records it. I don’t mind. I don’t have anything to be ashamed of.

  Oh, crap, my stomach. Yep, definitely going to throw up. Lunging up off the bed, I run to the bathroom and hug the toilet bowl. I must be coming down with something. I vomit another time, and then once more.

  Standing, I flush the toilet, and wash my mouth out. Yuck. Spew. I hate being sick.

  But surprisingly, I feel better once I’ve thrown up. I head back out to my bed, and grab the pipe Edgar’s left for me. Last week he told me I’m now responsible enough to have my own pipe. But he still rations out how much ice I can have.

  I think he was so worried he’d lose me if I left the room that he decided to leave me a pipe so I had no need to leave. It’s only because he loves me.

  God, I love him more than my own life. I’d literally do anything for him. Anything.

  Lighting the crystals, I inhale and immediately feel so much better. I lie on the bed, letting the crystals take me wherever they want. “Oh man, this is the life.”

  Oh shit. I think I’m going to throw up again. I run into the bathroom, and repeat what happened a few minutes ago. Maybe I’m just hungry. I rack my brain, trying to think the last time I ate. I think it was yesterday, after Edgar brought me to that party with Ginger and that other girl… what was her name? I can’t remember, but she was weird. Ginger and her got it going on, and Edgar had a camera there, recording them. I don’t know.

  Standing, I flush the toilet again, brush my t
eeth and go straight for the pipe. I need some more to get through this stomach bug I have.

  I lay down, turn on the TV and flick through the channels. I’m spaced out, so nothing is catching my attention. I wish Edgar would hurry up and get here. I’m bored. And lonely. And I think I’ve caught something.

  My eyes droop closed, and I’m dozing, bordering on sleep. The high from the pipe is quickly dwindling. But I also know I’m on rations. And I know I have to make this last ’til Edgar returns.

  Oh crap, I’m gonna hurl again. I run to the bathroom, and huddle over the toilet. I hear the front door open.

  “Kitty?” Edgar calls. My head’s in the toilet, vomiting. This is how he finds me. “Shit,” he says.

  “I’m sick. I think I have a stomach bug.”

  He turns to look at the bodyguard and gives him a small nod. The bodyguard is gone in a matter of seconds. “Get up,” he says quite frustrated with me.

  “Sorry I’m sick.”

  “Just get up.”

  Standing, I brush my teeth again, then head to my bed. He’s pacing back and forth, while he’s on his phone. I listen to the conversation. “Did you bring me some more? I think that’s all it is. Or I’m hungry.”

  He turns his back to me. “Yeah, today’s shoot is off.”

  What shoot? Who’s shooting who? Does he have a gun? Can I see it?

  “I think she’s knocked up.”

  “Who is?” I ask.

  “Stupid bitch.”

  “Who is?” I’m becoming more and more frustrated with him.

  “Yeah, I’ve got someone else. She’s not as good, but she’ll do.”

  I wish I knew what he’s talking about. Wouldn’t be me. He loves me, and he wouldn’t talk about me like I’m nothing to him. He hangs up, let’s out another sigh and turns to look at me. “What’s happening?” I ask.

  “Nothing.” His face is impassive but bordering on anger. “I can’t stay long, I have somewhere to be.”

  “Oh, I thought we were going out today.”

  “I’m going out, you’re staying here.”

  “Is everything okay?”

  He runs his tongue over his teeth, and stands over me. “Not really. But I’ll make it okay.”

  I smile, happy to know he’s going to make everything better. “Okay.” I reach for the pipe again. He stands back, and watches me light it up.

  “You need to calm it with that.” He pointedly looks at the glass pipe in my left hand.

  “Are you saying I have a problem?” I snap at him. “Because I don’t. I can stop anytime I want.”

  He smirks at me. “Of course, you can. But I’m saying you need to calm it down before you overdose.”

  I roll my eyes and take another breath.

  The bodyguard returns. His cheeks are pink, like he’s been running, and he hands Edgar a package in brown paper. “What’s that?’ I ask. The bodyguard closes the door and stands in front of it. Guarding it. My gaze travels between Edgar and the bodyguard. “What’s happening?”

  “I need you to go and pee into this.” Edgar opens the packaging and holds out a small cup.

  “But I don’t have to pee.”

  “Get up!” he shouts at me which makes me flinch. “Get up, now.”

  My skin covers in goosebumps, and my heart leaps into my throat. “Okay.”

  Tears brim in my eyes, but I stand and take the cup. “Leave the door open,” he commands as he paces back and forth. I go and sit on the toilet and try to pee. I manage to get a few drops out. “Done?” He barges into the bathroom, taking the cup from me. Ewww, it’s got pee on the side. But he takes it from me, not caring about the pee, and sets it on the counter. He places a white stick in it, grabs me off the toilet by the upper arm and pushes me out and onto the bed. “You better not be pregnant,” he says to me through a clenched jaw.

  “I’m not.” How could I be?

  He keeps pacing, and I’m too terrified of him to get up and go hug him. The bodyguard has been quiet the whole time, but now he clears his throat. We both look over to him, then Edgar disappears in the bathroom.

  “Shit!” he yells angrily.

  “What?” I ask.

  I look to the bodyguard, and he shakes his head at me.

  “You’re fucking pregnant.” Edgar emerges from the bathroom.

  “I’m what?”

  His steps are long and deliberate. He comes straight to the bed, grabs me by the shoulders and pulls me up. He slaps me hard across the face. “You stupid bitch, you’re fucking pregnant!”

  “How?” I start to cry.

  “Really? You’re so stupid you don’t know how the hell this happened?” He smacks me again across the face, then again with the back of his hand, and once more.

  “Stop!” I cry as I try to cover my head so he stops hitting me.

  “You’re no longer a worthwhile investment for me, you stupid pregnant bitch.”

  “Stop, you’re hurting me.” He punches me in the stomach. I collapse to the floor and try to bring my knees up to protect myself. But he’s angry, and his anger is driving him. “This is your baby!”

  “We haven’t had sex since I moved you here. You stupid, dumb bitch.” He keeps hitting me. I try to move my hands to protect the parts he’s striking, but if I move them to my head, and he lays into my stomach. If I move my hands to my stomach, his shoe connects with my head.

  My crying is doing nothing to stop him. “Stop! Edgar, I love you!” I struggle to say as he keeps beating me.

  “Edgar, enough,” I hear the bodyguard finally say.

  Edgar backs away from me. The pain throughout my body is extreme and much worse than the pain from not having the pipe. Every part of me hurts. “You are by far my biggest disappointment,” he says and spits down at me.

  “We’ve got to go, we’ll be late to the shoot,” the bodyguard says.

  Something lands next to my head, it’s a small bag with a lot of rocks in it. “That should be enough for her to kill herself with,” Edgar says.

  I’m huddled, trying to hold my stomach, which is seizing in pain. My head is about to burst open, and there’s a stabbing pain in my back. Every part of me is hurting. The pain is so extreme, I can barely move for fear that I’ll tear open.

  The door slams shut and I’m left crying and in pain. “Come back,” I try to say. “Please, I love you.”

  I don’t hear anything more. Instead, my body spasms with what feels like hot sharp knives being driven, over and over again, into every part of me. I’m hurting. No, it’s more than hurt, it’s agony.

  “Please, Edgar.” I try to reach for the bag he’s thrown by my head, but my arms won’t cooperate. The pain is on a level I’ve never felt before. Moving slightly, I look down and notice the blood seeping onto the ragged carpet. Something thick drips from my temple, into my eye, running down and across the bridge of my nose. “Help,” I try to call. My voice is small. I’m losing the battle to stay awake. The pain is so great, I don’t think I can cope.

  Please…

  Chapter 20

  “Fuck, she’s still alive,” Edgar’s voice says. I catch a tone of disappointment.

  “Look at her, you nearly beat her to death. What do you want to do?” I know it’s the bodyguard. I can tell by the deep drawl of his voice.

  I’m not sure how long they’ve been gone, but I do know I’m hurting.

  My body is aching from how Edgar hit and kicked me. And I’m hurting because I can’t get to my pipe. If I can have just a little bit, I’ll feel so much better. Just one inhale. That’s not unreasonable, is it?

  “I’m not leaving her here; I need the room. I’ve got another girl nearly ready.”

  “Dump her?”

  “Yeah, I think so,” Edgar replies.

  “You love me,” I say as I try to hold onto hope.

  “Did she say something?” the bodyguard asks.

  “I don’t know. But look at the mess she’s made. What a joke. She lasted all of five months. I thoug
ht I’d have her at least two years before this shit happened.”

  “Should’ve gotten her fixed when she first got here. Then you would’ve had her ’til she died.” The bodyguard laughs as if what he’s saying is funny.

  “Bring the car to the back exit, and open the trunk. I’ll bring her out.”

  “On it.”

  I try to move my head so I can see what’s happening. But as it turns out, I don’t have to move much. Edgar squats down in front of me. He looks so handsome in his suit. His hair is brushed back, and his dark eyes are staring right at me. I blink and try to talk, but nothing is coming out of my mouth.

  “I can’t believe you, Hannah,” he says and tenderly wipes a few strands of hair away from my forehead. “You’ve brought this on yourself. All you had to do was not get pregnant, and now… ” His gaze travels the length of my body before he chuckles. “… well, let’s put it this way, I highly doubt you’re still pregnant. But you’re also damaged goods. You’re not worth anything to me now.”

  “I love you,” I plead with him as a tear falls from my eye.

  “My biggest disappointment to date.” He shakes his head at me, then lifts his chin when he hears someone at the door. “What is it?” he asks.

  “Sorry, I thought you were out. I was coming in to clean the room and get it ready for you.”

  “I won’t be long.” Edgar stands, and searches around the room. “Grab her pipe from over there,” he instructs someone. I hear the footsteps, but don’t know who he’s talking to. Edgar grabs me like a rag doll and holds on to me. “Jesus, look at the mess she’s made. Shit, I’ll have to get the carpet replaced. Can you rip it up and burn it? There’s too much blood for me to have it cleaned.”

  “Yeah, I can do that.” The unknown guy walks past me, and I notice it’s the hamburger guy from the front desk.

  The door closes, and I’m carried down the corridor. Where’s he taking me? I want to protest, but I’m so tired, not to mention the intense pain all over my body. I close my eyes and try to let the gentle motion of Edgar’s walk soothe me.