Fury

Wounds of Wisdom

Taylmia Pov~

Dolly and I spent our Sunday at he city park with a few friends and some coworkers. Once a month we set out to spend Family Day as we called it to help flush the bad images from our jobs. I smiled to Dolly as she caught a football and Mark grabbed her waist in a touch tackle.

She giggled and swatted at him as they continued to shamelessly flirt throughout the picnic. "Kind of weird isn't it." Jake bumped my shoulder as we watched them. 

I looked over to him and nodded but didn't elaborate. He and Mark where college friends and now bachelor roommates. They were humans and the best men I could say I had met out of my years. Both caring and protective. They knew a little about Dolly and I's pasts but didn't bring it up or share pity looks. They gave us a sense of reassurance and it was nice. 

We were captured and our lives where turned into a dirty smut film or gang r**e scene but they never made us feel like helpless victims now. Mark was sweet and had made it public a few times he was sweet on Dolly. She was not like me though ,she had really came out of her shell. I was reluctant to touch anyone really. 

Many thought that Dolly and I was together, it made things easier for both of us when we shut down advances.  We just never corrected them, should we ever need or feel the want for comfort we went out of town a few states over to find a few males to spend the week with. Girl trips we would call them. Even then I couldn't find a male to satisfy me. 

The spring air caressed my exposed shoulders and my hair ruffled in the breeze. I could feel my beast purr as the sun warmed my skin. It was almost mating season and we were going to be in heat soon. I grumbled a s**t and looked over to Dolly who was so immersed in her flirting she didn't notice me.  

I sighed and Jake bumped my shoulder again attempting a conversation. He was shorter than me at 5'6 and was stocky. His chestnut brown hair was tide back with a band and his tattooed hand was wrapped around a red solo cup. 

"Dolly has the right to choose someone if she wants to. Jake you know we aren't really together in that way right?" I arched my eyebrow at him and watched him blush.

"Oh, uh yeah sure. I mean" he cleared his throat and I smiled. "I think we all just assumed that you two were since yall are both inseparable and live together." He played with an imaginary rock under his shoe and kept his head down.

"Ah I see now, you wanted an invite to see our kitties cuddle huh" I bumped his shoulder and winked. 

His blush deepened and he stammered out a "N n no no that not what I meant." I belly laughed at his flushed face and couldn't help but slap his arm as he finally came to the realization I was only teasing him. 

"You are terrible." He grunted but smiled to. We spoke for a while longer enjoying the business of the crowd. Dolly had disappeared and I snorted at the thought she dragged Mark somewhere for a quickie.  I shook away the thoughts and helped clean up before saying our goodbyes. It was well into the late afternoon and it was time for us to all go home. 

On the walk home as we didn't live far, my phone dinged from a text. 

Dolly: Be back later sweet cheeks just having a drink with a friend. Maybe a moonlit stroll as well after dinner. Don't wait up could prove to me a long night. :)

Me: The lies in that sentence will send us both to hell. :)  Have fun for me and don't forget ill need the details later. 

Dolly: I never lie, only evade truth. However I will inform you if it is anything worth telling. 

I rolled my eyes as  I walked but decided to check my voicemail as I haven't done so lately. This case is weighing on me and the countless calls from families was hurting me to tell them we had no news.  The one voice I did hear did intrigue me enough for a call back , he mentioned being a large business owner and could pay me extra for my help in finding his sister. So as I called his number I continued down the street. 

"Speak" his deep voice came on the line and I lost my sweet compassion and he lit a fire.

"First off I am a Federal Agent and expect to be addressed with Agent you flamboyant entitled prick." I shut him off when he cleared his throat. This arrogantly high an mighty vibe pissed me off. "Second I am the only one who knows enough about this disgusting bullshit to help you so show the the respect I have earned." 

I heard his clenched jaw through the phone as he finally got the chance to speak and I regretting allowing it. "Ms. I have not met you nor have you met me to give that mutual respect. Not to mention I have been waiting for over a week for your response. At this point I couldn't care less if you where a diseased ape, I want my sister back and need answers. You are the only one that seems to know enough to be of use to me."

I did what I could do. I hung up. Was it childish and highly unprofessional but damn him. He obviously didn't know my struggles and I wasn't about to enlighten him. He reminded me off all those bastards who laughed at my suffering and gave hints of what more to do or how hard to hit.

I always got back up and damnit I wasn't going to keep getting knocked down. His sister be damned I was going to save everyone I could but I was not going to stop to find just one when there was hundreds. Especially when he was such a jerk to me and hasn't even spoken to me properly. 

"to be of use to me" the words echoed in my mind and it only served to anger me more. Delilah stretched her skin in my mind. She wanted to put him in his place as much as I did. We were done being ordered when to eat, s**t and sleep. Overly done being told when, how and where to be used. 

I was so angry I hadn't realized I was standing outside our condo and shaking on the doorsteps my hand on the knob. "Miss" a hand on my shoulder and I swung at instinct. 

" Ow s**t. Sorry" I reached down to help up the burly guy I just throat punched. Why was a random guy at my house anyway. He struggled to breathe and patted at his throat. 

I smirked at him but helped him up as I tapped my foot waiting for him to speak. He didn't seem bad but not all the monsters came off evil at first. Delilah was on guard and I thanked her. 

He cleared his throat a few times and slumped over to his knees catching his breath. Did I really hit him that hard? I thought inwardly when he spoke. "I am Mr. Arcenaux and I came to formally apologize and ask for your help." 

I growled, actually let it slip out and I watched as his face morphed to a smirk. This jerk, Ill hit him again I think. Why is he smirking?

"Maybe we can carry this conversation on in your home, instead of out in the open." He motioned to the house and I turned a glare to him. 

"To hell with you and your ideas. I am not stupid, some strange man is not going into my home with that bullshit story. If you want to speak to me you can come to my office tomorrow morning." I gritted my teeth, his nerve coming to my home.  The wind blew and I caught his scent in the breeze. Damnit. He is a high ranking Lion. Just my luck to deal with a hot headed male.

"I would be happy to come to your office. I apologize for my rash remarks, I am extremely worried for my sister. I am also sorry to trouble you at home." His smirk fell as did his eyes when he spoke of her and my heart pulled tight. 

" 9am sharp at Bringleton square 442 in my office number. Tell the reception your name and she will show you into the conference room. Bring a photo ID for yourself and I will need everything you have on your sister, her last were bouts and a DNA sample for references. Along with I will need a current photo of her. Can you bring all these things?" I question him in a softer tone now.  

"Yes, yes of course. Um miss I mean Agent Reaux thank you." He smiles at me and I nod to him as I walk inside locking my door. I watch him turn from my lawn and head down the street hands in his pockets as he slumped along. 

My heart broke a little more at the sight. I wished I had someone who looked for me like that. I remembered the day like yesterday and shuttered as the memories flooded my mind. 

I was out with a few friends from college and we were drinking at a local place called Martha's. It was the eve of my 21st birthday. I was only my mom and me when I had grown up, she had passed away two years ago. I struggled to keep myself afloat through school and work but i managed to do it. She died but had left me a house and a few hundred dollars. She died from an aggressive form of breast cancer. They found it when she was already stage four and we couldn't afford the extensive medical care at the time. She accepted it fast and I was worried but understood how she was tired of suffering. 

"Turn your wounds into wisdoms my love" Where her last words to me before she passed. 

Julia and I were sitting at the bar cosmos in hand and toasting to the DJ as he dropped a great beat. She bounced on her seat as another song blared to speakers wanting us to dance so I did. My 21 crown was lopsided and my tiny dress was riding higher not to mention my feet ached. It was my big day my official legal drinker and I was taking it to the fullest. 

I felt hands roam my body and i swayed on my feet as I turned to look over my shoulder. A skinny lanky male had his hands on my hips and was pushing close to me. I snorted a laugh in his direction and shoved his hands off me. "Back off bud. I'd break you." 

Julia laughed and hugged me from the back as we continued to sway she whisper yelled in my ear "YEah he was way to little for you huh". I snorted at her but kept dancing. She wasn't wrong about his small stature. I had a type, I was afterall not a petite woman. I was full figured with hips that required a shimmy to get into my jeans. 

Another few guys approached and I shoved them all away the only one I wanted was at the bar with a brunette hanging off his large round arms. I looked back over to him and Julia caught my stare and patted my butt. "Go just go tell him, I'm sick of this soppiness." 

I gulped down another patron shot and made my way over to him.  He smiled to me as I approached him. The brunette glared at me and I ignored her. "Tom can we talk for a sec?" I asked sweetly. His deep green eyes sparkled when the lights flickered into them. His black hair was short but curled around his beanie. 

"Sure Tay, Becky wait over there" he unfurled the girls arm and whispered in her ear as he motioned for me to sit beside him. The petite brunette left him with a giggle and wobbled to the northside of the bar towards the booths.  "What's up Tay".

My name on his lips made me sigh. I had been in love with Tom since I first met him 3 years ago. When mom died he stayed with me every night for weeks and held me as I cried myself to sleep. Besides Julia he was my best friend. I kept hoping something would progress here but he never made a move and I was just drunk enough to have the courage to go for it. 

"Tom I have been wanting to tell you how I feel for a long time. Since mom died you have been the one keeping me together and every night in your arms felt so right. Tom I am in love with you and I want to be yours." I breathed out and watched as his face seemed to change from one of concern to amusement. 

He full belly laughed and placed his hand on my leg and patted it like a grandpa would his child in comfort. "Tay, I was there as a friend but you also needed a warm body so I was there. But only as that, yeah we had a great run as f**k buddies but that is where it ends. I am not interested in more with you. I want a girl like Becky and she has the body type I prefer. Sorry I'm just not that way towards you. Hope our friendship is still there." He shrugged and took a sip of his beer. 

On instinct I reached out and slapped him as hard as I could the tears blinded my vision. He used me, in my most vulnerable state he used me like I was a toy. I turned from him without another word and ran from the bar and down the street. I had no idea where I was going but I couldn't stay there. I gave myself to that selfish prick and I was disgusted but more ashamed. 

Tears poured down my face as I continued to run. I slipped in a puddle and fell hitting my head on the curb as my heel broke. I sat in the street with tear soaked cheeks and in unfamiliar surroundings. I tried to backtrack my way to the bar to find my car at least but I didn't know how far I walked until a voice caught my attention. 

"Hey pretty lady, you lost?" His gruff and slurred speech made me walk faster to outrun him. I didn't bother to turn around scared of the horror I might see. I reached the corner and pushed myself harder pulling the heels from my feet and dashing in the direction of a gas station. I reached to far light when I felt arms around my waist. 

I screamed and struggled against the man holding me. His hand came around my mouth and I spit in his hand he pulled away to wipe the spit from his hand and I took the opportunity to headbutt him. Bad idea, my brain felt like it sloshed around and I woozily wobbled towards the lights when he let me go. His cursing and yelling made to sense and when I felt a sharp pain in my back the concrete greeted me fast. 

He rolled me over to look at my now busted lip and I spit in his face. "w***e" he yelled and slapped me so yard my brain sloshed again. At this point I was sure I had brain damage. He picked me up and dragged me into a van. I was still screaming and thrashing, I clawed at whatever I could.  

"Darren just dose her already all this commotion in going to draw attention." A man yelled beside me as he kept pulling on me. I felt a prick in my neck and the scream died in my throat as I my consciousness faded. That was the beginning of my nightmares. 

"Turn these wounds to wisdom" I heard her voice and was pulled from my thoughts. Thankfully, I had no idea how I would face anyone Tomorrow if I slipped back into them. 

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