No Where to Run (The Story of Alexis Rose)

by Raven K. Asher

  Duncan steps up to me. “We aren’t really anywhere, sis.” He looks around. “You’re not really even here with us, it’s almost like a dream, but you’re going to have to go back soon. You can’t stay with us forever.”

  “No, I want to stay here with you. I don’t want to go back. I have nothing to go back for.” I complain half heartedly. I know deep down I can’t stay.

  “Pumpkin’, you have a whole lifetime to live. We will see each other again, I promise you that. Right now you have a wonderful guy down there that loves you and he’s fighting for you.” My father states proudly. “Treat him right pumpkin’ and he will never leave your side.”

  “But daddy, I have three men who love me, who’s the right one?” I whisper trying to puzzle it out in my mind.

  “Sweetheart, we can’t tell you that, what I can tell you is to follow your heart. It won’t ever steer you wrong.”

  Duncan looks to the sky before looking back at me. “Sis it’s time to go back, you need to wake up.”

  “Will I remember any of this?” I gesture to them and the beach.

  “Yes, but it will only be remembered as a dream, sis. Remember we are always with you, if you need someone to talk to we will always be around. I love you sister bear.” Duncan grabs me into a hug, and then pulls back as my father takes his place.

  “I’m so proud of you, pumpkin’.” My dad whispers in my ear. He lets go and my mother takes his place. I hold on to her the longest not saying anything. When she pulls back I hold on to her hand.

  “I love you, mom.”

  “I love you too, sweetheart. Be strong.” I let go and she steps into my father’s embrace. I stare at my family all dressed in white. I take in every detail I can, from their happy smiles to the twinkle in each of their eyes, my heart fills with peace. I know now that they are in a far better place.

  Soon the beach and my family begin to fade. The last thing I hear from my brother as he places his hand over his heart. “You’ll always have me in here, sister bear. I love you.” Then everything fades to black.

  Chapter 18

  Day 56

  I open my eyes to a dark world. I hear gunshots all around me. I light flashes over my face and I quickly close my eyes. I hear footsteps coming close and I feel my body being lifted. I reopen my eyes to find Ryder carrying me. He looks down at me and I see the shock in his eyes as he realizes mine are open.

  “Can you speak?” I can’t answer him. “Shit, I guess not.” He curses some more. I want to laugh. He has no idea what to do with me. He kneels down quickly as more gunshots ring out. Where in the hell are we, what the hell is going on?

  “Keep your ass down, Ryder.” A loud voice booms beside us.

  “I need to find Jax, now. Her eyes are open. She still can’t speak or move.” Ryder looks back down to me. Soon another face comes into my line of sight.

  “Well damn, I don’t know where he is but I’ll find him for you. Sit tight and keep her safe.” The man runs off. A few moments’ later two dark shadows run toward us. I want to scream with joy when Jax’s face comes into my view.

  “Hey baby, can you move?” His hand slides into mine and I squeeze it once. I pause and squeeze it twice, then once again. He laughs out and looks to Ryder.

  “She can squeeze my hand, that’s more than she could do before. It confused her. She squeezes once for no and twice for yes.” He lifts my hand to his lips and kisses it. More gunshots ring out and I give his hand a sharp squeeze. He sighs.

  “I know, don’t worry about the gunshots babe, we are almost to a military base that can help you.” He points to the man next to him. He’s tall and slim with short buzz cut hair. Its dark in color but I can’t be completely sure which. His eyes are dark too, but look friendly. I can’t take much more in because of the lack of light. “Cowboy here is helping us get past this group of scavengers. He’s a medic and has been traveling with us for the past week.” I squeeze his hand once and it’s almost as if he reads my mind. He nods. “Yes, it’s been a full week since we left the farm. I took you away the same night. You haven’t responded till now, I was starting to get worried.”

  The other man comes into my view. “Can I ask a few questions, Lex?” I squeeze Jax hand yes. He passes my hand over to Cowboys. “I’m going to press on different parts of your body, I want you to squeeze my hand every time you feel it, ok?” I squeeze twice. “Good girl.” A few moments pass and his brows knit together. I haven’t felt anything yet. When he presses on my forearm of the hand he’s holding I squeeze. His brow knits further. He lifts my other hand into my line of sight. “Can you feel anything with this hand?” I answer no.

  “What’s wrong, Cowboy?” Jax asks with concern written all over his face.

  “I’m not sure. You said she was shot in the stomach?”

  “Yes, could it have done more damage than we thought?” Cowboy nods.

  “It could be that a piece of the bullet hit her spine. If she’s lucky it might be fixable.” He looks back down to me. “Can you feel any pain?” I answer no. Ryder pushes his way into my view.

  “I bet you can still kick ass though, can’t ya?” Ryder smiles and I squeeze Cowboys hand twice, which causes him to laugh out. He looks down at me and takes my hand from Cowboys. He leans down to whisper in my ear. “You know my brother loves you, right?” I squeeze his hand twice. He nods silently. “I hope you will learn to love him back someday. He needs a good girl like you.” I squeeze his hand twice again and he pulls back smiling. Jax hits him on the back of the head playfully.

  “What did you just say to my girl?” Ryder grins.

  “I just asked her if when this is all over if I can have my turn with her.” He ducks as Jax’s tries to hit him again. They laugh and turn their attention back to me.

  My eyes grow heavy. “She’s probably getting tired guys. I think she’s used up all her energy for now.” States Cowboy while studying my eyes. I squeeze my hand once. I’m not ready to fall back into the darkness. Ryder looks down at me sadly.

  “You won’t be alone Lex, one of us will always be by your side.” He hands my hand back to Jax. He stands and nods before walking out of view. Cowboy stands next and places his hand on Jax’s shoulder.

  “Don’t keep her up much longer. The more rest she gets the better. We will be at the base before you know it. If you need me, just yell.” Jax nods and Cowboy walks off. He turns his face back to mine.

  “I miss you, baby girl.” I squeeze his hand letting him know I miss him too. “Close your eyes and rest babe, I’ll be right here when you wake back up. I promise.” He leans in and kisses my forehead. “I love you.” He whispers as I shut my eyes. I feel my body being lifted, my strength fails and I drop his hand. I hear footsteps and then voices surround me.

  “How’s she doing?” An unknown voice asks.

  “She was awake for a few minutes. She’s still not much better, I’m just thankful she woke up, and that’s got to be proof that she’s fighting.”

  “I really never thought that you or Ryder would ever be the type to fall for a girl but damn man, you got it bad for this one, don’t you?” The voice whispers.

  “Yeah, I really do. Just wait till you get the chance to meet her, you’ll fall for her too Jake.”

  “Nah, not me you know me Jax, I’m not a one girl type of man.” Jake laughs out and Jax joins in.

  “Yeah, your right about that but you’ll still like my girl.”

  “I hope your right, Jax. I hope she can be saved, for your sake and Ryder’s.”

  “Yeah, I better keep my eye on him huh? I think he’s getting a bit attached.” Laughs Jax.

  “Let’s roll out men!” Yells, another oddly familiar voice, I try to place the voice but my thoughts quickly fade away.

  Chapter 19

  Day 58

  “What do you mean? She may or may not have memory loss?” Jax yells. I can hear his footsteps as he paces.

  “We have to go in and remove the last piece of the bullet. It’
s lodged in a place that takes a long time to heal properly. When we are finished with the surgery we will have to induce a coma. It is possible for her to wake up with some memory loss. It will come back with time, mind you.”

  “Do we have any other options, Doc.?” Jax sighs.

  “No we don’t if we leave her in this state she will die. I honestly don’t know how she’s made it this far.”

  “She’s a fighter, Doc.” Jax states proudly. I open my eyes and will them to focus. I feel someone’s hand in mine so I give it a squeeze.

  Ryder jumps into my view and smiles. “Hey, my sweet girl, you’re awake.” Jax and the doctor rush into my view. I smile at them and shock registers on Jax’s face.

  “She’s smiling.” He laughs out and pats Ryder on the back. His face turns serious and he takes my hand in his. “Babe, I have to ask you something really important. I need to know if you still want to fight.”I give his hand two squeezes. “Good girl. Now comes the hard part for me, at least. We were right about there being another piece of the bullet still inside you.”He pauses. “They can get it out but you’re going to have to be put in a coma after to heal. There is a possibility you won’t remember me or anything when you wake up. Do you still want to go through with this?” I squeeze twice. “I figured you’d say that. I hope you won’t forget me but if you do I’ll just have to make you remember.” I smile and blush as the few memories of us together, flood my mind.

  He smiles back. “Get your mind out of the gutter, babe.” He laughs and I squeeze his hand tightly. “This is Doctor Matthews, he going to be the one looking after you for a while. Ryder and I are going to have to leave you for a bit but we will be back before you wake up.” I squeeze his hand once and I frown. He doesn’t say anything and it worries me. My eyes look over to Ryder and he nods knowing I want him to watch over Jax.

  Ryder leans in and whispers. “Don’t you worry your pretty little head, I’ll keep him safe.” He steps back and Jax gives me a kiss on my forehead.

  “I love you Lexi, I’ll be back soon.” He steps back and exits the room with Ryder.

  I look to the doctor and he smiles at me. “Are you ready for this?” He holds up a needle but I have no way of communicating to him without using my hand. I frown and he quickly picks up my hand. Thank god. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. It won’t hurt, I promise. When you wake up you will feel good as new.” He pokes me with the needle and I soon feel my eyes grow heavy. The last thing I see is the doctor smiling down at me. It hits me where I’ve seen him before. He was my dad’s best friend in college. I remember him coming to the funeral. I drift off into the darkness of my mind once more.

  Chapter 20

  Day 146

  I open my eyes to a cold white room. I blink them a few times, trying to adjust to the sudden brightness. I glance around at the nearly empty room. I spot two men sitting side by side on metal chairs, talking quietly to each other. One of them looks up, his soft brown eyes meeting mine. He smiles and nudges the other man with his shoulder. His eyes meet mine for a brief moment before he jumps to his feet and rushes over to me. He tries to grab my hand but I shy away from him.

  “Who are you?” I look to him in confusion. Then glance around the room again. “Where am I?” My voice cracks with each word. The man’s face falls and he steps back, turns around, and leaves the room without another word. I turn my attention to the other man after the door slams shut.

  “I’m Ryder and that was Jaxen.” He points to the door where the other man left. He holds out his hand and I shake it. “You are in a hospital, sweetheart. You have been in a coma for three months.” I shake my head, it can’t be true.

  “No, I was just at home with my family. What happened? Why am I here?” I try to stand up but my legs give out. Ryder grabs me before I hit the floor and helps me sit back on the bed.

  “Damn it.” He mutters quietly to himself before looking at me in the eyes. “What is the last thing you remember, sweetheart?” It takes me a moment to answer.

  “I was home watching TV with my brother Duncan, my mom and dad were just coming back from a night out. My boyfriend Lucca came by that night after everyone was asleep.” I smile at the memory.

  “Shit.” Ryder curses and begins to pace.

  “What’s going on and where is my family?” Ryder looks to me then sighs.

  “Where do I even start?” He smiles sadly to himself, and sits down.

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