Break me

Chapter 3

Kacy and Trisha, each laid still on the plastic white bed, with a sheet covering three quarters of their bodies. The sheer terror plastered on my face had not yet dissolved away. It was just two hours ago that the horrible incident occurred.

Kacy, Kale and Trisha were rushed to the hospital, both girls were in the theater for an hour each but Kale was still being operated on. The surviving members sat restlessly in the waiting room waiting to hear news about our friends and family that were shot. Pale faces all around me. I must have been holding my breath a bit too long. Jai placed his hand over mine and I took in a sharp intake of breath out of shock. He didn't seem to be phased by my reaction. His brown eyes burning my skin with his affectionate stare. He continued to hold my hand. His warmth seeming to affect me in a way I have not felt in ages. A nurse in a forest green scrub entered the room, looking completely exhausted. She took a moment to inhale and exhale a few times before presenting us with either good or bad news. I gripped Jai's hand tight, in anticipation of her news. I had never been so relieved in my life when I heard the two words she spoke, "they're stable", and joy broke out in the room. Jai pulled me into a hug. I froze under his touch but after a couple seconds I melted into the hug. I broke away when Mama approached Jai. He hesitated to let me go. He still held my hand even though I tried escaping from his grip whilst he hugged the rest of his family. I was attached to every hug, standing awkwardly. I couldn't wait to see them. The nurse said we could see them in a few minutes, the staff just needed to move them to their rooms before we visited. I never sat back down after she said that and Jai obliged my excitement and stood with me until we could see them. I knew he was exhausted but he wouldn't release my hand. He seemed to not mind the torture.

Not long after, we eagerly made our way to their room, where their pale, still bodies lay. I couldn't hide the shock. I have seen them worse but I would never ever get used to their pain, their appearance was so different to my three friends that were walking lively earlier in the day. The memories of the past seemed to be a blurry panicked event. I remember when all three of us were being rushed to hospital, back home. We were all battered and bruised, less than normal. Kacy needed stitches and Trisha had to have a few glass shards removed from her abdomen. We were lucky that we made it out with such minor injuries in my opinion. The doctors would differ to that. I could barely look at them in that hospital that day. I couldn't see them so hurt by that monster. Now they lay in a bed unconscious due to another monster. I stared at the heart beat monitors, the beeps ring in my head, they seem so weak.

I stood there emotionless to their current predicaments. I should be crying now, right? but nothing came out. I watch the green line on the monitor increase then decrease. The pain, to see them that way, was so immense. I wanted to scream. I wanted to punch and fight and kill that man. I could not imagine a life without them. From the side of my eye, I saw Mama nodded to the person behind me, my legs began to tremble beneath me as my reeled on wards. The adrenaline was finally wearing off. He slipped his hands around my waist and pulled my back to his front firmly; He muscles encompassing me into him. His warmth radiating through my clothes and heating my skin. I feel my face changing shades. I had the sudden urge to hide through my weakened state. I turned around in his arms and sank into his chest. My heavy breathes pulsing against his chest. His musky smell calming me. His arms tightened around me, my hands clutching the back of his shirt but no tears came just shear pain and my spiral down from the shock. He held me tightly, warmly, giving me support to stand on my own feet. At that moment, he made everything seem okay and that bad never existed in the world. I looked up and caught two brown eyes, slightly swollen. I guess I was just as much comfort for him as he was for me. Jai stared at me with relief in his eyes. He seemed happy. Maybe to see that I had heart to show some emotion and that I was not some cold, uncaring girl or maybe it was just relief that his brother was okay. He gave me a small smile, and I immediately hid my melting face into his solid chest. I felt the rumble of his chest as he released a chuckle at my reaction. What is going on with me. I should know better. I stayed in his arms for a little while longer. When I could regain my composure again, I untangled myself from his spectacular muscular arms. Jai made a protestant groan as I pushed myself away from him. The loss of his warmth made me instantly regret doing it. That moment was quickly forgotten when Kale moaned and opened his eyes. We all rushed to his side and welcomed him back. Not long after did the girls awakened too. The girls, even though in a weakened state, still had their sassy personalities. Marcus was instantly by Trisha's side when she woke. After a moment of relief, they were locked at the lips. Mama, Jai and myself stood next to the bed awkwardly. Kale shouted from behind us, "if you suck her face that much, she will pass out again". Jai and myself burst out laughing, mama gave a disapproving look to Kale. Marcus detached and was completely red in the face, and shot a piercing look our way. I stopped laughing immediately and Jai flipped him off. Kacy smiling broadly at Kale in the bed next to hers and he was returning the smile. I was so happy that they were happy. Trisha looked at me sadly and said "who would have thought this would be happening again". Kacy and I took in a sharp intake of breath. Trisha's eyes widen and she covered her mouth with the back of the hand. The room went dead silent. All eyes on us. Kacy broke the silence with a nervous giggle and asked for water. We acted as if that did not happen, but it was clear on Kale, Marcus and Jai's face, that they heard us clearly and this was something they were not going to drop. After I gave Kacy her glass of water. I walked past Jai, to escape their silently deadly stares for a moment, and he grabbed my wrist. My face turned to look at him. He had an unreadable look on his face, it was intimidating, but I don't get intimidated that easily. He would have to try harder to rattle me. I tried to wiggle my wrist out of his grip but I failed. He pulled me to the other side of the room, opposite to the beds. He pushed me straight  up against the cold wall. I stood against the wall, avoiding his eyes at all cost. Jai closed the space between me and him. He lifts my wrist and places it securely against the wall next to my head. He was so close. Too close. I felt his breath on my cheek. He eyes piercing through me. Okay so he was trying harder. His whole body seemed to cover mine. I realized Jai was a lot bigger than me. I had no choice but to look into his eyes with his proximity. After a few minutes of our staring contest he commanded "tell me". I gulped down hard, why was he making me this nervous. I replied in barely audible whisper "No", I broke our eye contact and now I was staring at his chest. He used his finger of his free hand and lifted my chin so my eyes would meet his again. It almost sounded like a growl "now". I lost my voice and shook my head slowly. Placing my free against his solid chest. I pushed against it to avoid this whole situation. He didn't even budge at my efforts.

In the midst of our tension, mama received a phone call from Jai's dad. The ring of the phone, broke the concentration of Jai. He backed away from me realizing that we weren't actually alone in the room. Kale, Kacy and Trisha were propped up on their elbows staring at us. Marcus was also staring at us but with the most mischievous smile on his face. I don't think they heard our conversation but they sure looked curious now about what was happening between Jai and I. Just Great, I am never going hear the end of it from Kacy and Trisha, Stupid Jai. Mentally rolling my eyes. Mama stood in the doorway, and she told him what had happened, I replayed the events in my head as she spoke, then something weird happened. Her face turned pale, and she could only answer her husband with "yes" or "no". I had a familiar feeling, a feeling to grab everyone and hide them so that no one would get hurt. Almost instantly after putting the phone down. She grabbed Marcus and whispered something in his ear. He looked at Mama with a shocked face and then ran out the door. Soon the doctor appeared at the door, kind of distraught himself, with a bunch of papers in his hands. Mama signed them furiously, and then followed a series of unusual events. A group of nurses came in and started unhooking the machines from Kacy, Trisha and Kale and putting on Mobile ones. I am standing completely confused and waiting for an answer for all of this. They just came out of surgery, where are they taking my friends now. Chaos is erupting around me.

While these events were occurring, Mama whispered into Jai's ear. Instantly Jai grabbed my hand and pulled me out the room, down the corridor, into the elevator, out the hospital entrance and into a cab. Even through my resisting, Jai is a lot stronger than me, he easily dragged me away. In those few minutes there was no time to ask questions or take a minute to rest. Jai wouldn't speak a word to me until we got to our destination. An old looking house about 30 minutes away from the hospital was where we were dropped off. He left me to get out of the car by myself. He briskly walked in front of me. When we reached the door, he turned the brass handle and the door didn't budge, but that didn't phase him. I thought that he was going to break into the rustic house but instead causally kicked over a plant pot that was next to the door. Under it was a silver key which opened the door.

It was almost late afternoon by now and the old house seemed to glisten. Jai locked the door after I was inside. We walked into the room to the right. I was still stunned by what was happening around me. I didn't realize that Jai had left me in what looked like the dining/lounge room while he surveyed the house. I sat down on a brown leather sofa, and started observing slightly odd things. The outside of the old house must have been built in the eighties but inside was completely modern. It looked like this was a hideout or safe house. I've been in a safe house before but it was not as glamorous as this place. Jai then entered the room, let out a long sigh and leaned on a piano situated across the room.

He looked up and saw me. He then turned away from me slightly, looked at a wall and was mumbling to himself. He turned back around, made his way to the sofa and sat next to me. He grabbed my hand, and then he lowered his head so that he was looking at my hand. He seemed to be in deep thought. Then his face became stern. He stared straight into my eyes, I swallowed hard as if I knew what was about to come was something I wasn't going to like.

He began to talk softly to me to soften the blow of his words. "Listen I know we have a lot of things to talk about". I tried to pull away as a way to avoid this conversation but he held me tightly and made me look at him "I have something to tell you, and I know I probably should not be telling you but I think it is important. You should try to keep an open mind while I tell you this" I nodded slowly because I was too scared to speak at this point. "Ok, Our parents were married due to a feud that had been going on for centuries between these two families and yeah, I know that sounds old fashion but it happened. Back in the arranged marriages. Dad had a very unique job and mama still grew to love him. Dad inherited one of the biggest mafias in Italy, he stays as far as he can from us to protect us but he still looks out for us. Mama's family is also from Italy but she descends from royalty. It's a lot of family politics. We left it all behind to have some kind of normal lives. Unfortunately, every so often these politics find us and well as you can see it is not all what appears to be. I know this is a lot to chew on but you need to know all of this before anything else happens because you girls are now involved in our family and war that has found us here." The panic was rising in my chest. He took a moment to construct his words carefully before telling me the rest. I sat there like a statue unable to understand how all of this was happening; it felt like I was in a movie. I had so many questions but couldn't bring myself to ask. "Miles Pedro is a very bad man according to the information dad has given us and he has many bad "friends" who would not mind taking revenge, so all of our lives are in danger". He sighs heavily like this event has been following him around his whole life. "I would like to say that the police can protect us but that would be a whole lot of rubbish. Kacy, Trisha and my bro will be moved here later on, and our personal doctor is flying in, to make sure they recover. Marcus and Mama are making the necessary arrangements so that we are safe. Unfortunately, this house has limited rooms and you will be bunking with me for a while. I hope that won't be a problem. This is summarized version. There is a lot more to it than just what I am telling. I just wish I had more time to tell you everything before everyone else comes" I looked down at my hands and forcing myself to breathe. The only words that managed to pass my lips were, "I can't believe this is happening again".

He looked shocked like that was the last response he was expecting I was going to say. "What do you mean again?" he said sternly to me. I took a deep breath as the images of the events, that gave me nightmares, flashed in my head. I hesitated then realized that it would be better if I just told him straight out. I mean what could really happen if I told him. He would hate us, pity us and leave us in the lurch maybe. "Back home, not too long ago actually, a lot of bad things happened to Kacy, Trisha and me." I let out a deep sigh. " A lot of this things that are difficult to explain. To be honest Kacy, Trisha and I were amongst 8 other girls to begin with. We were taken from our normal lives but the kidnapping wasn't the worse we have been through. The abduction may have been seemed like a holiday compared to what we ended facing..." My voice slightly softened and cracked a bit. I gave him a moment to take in everything, but more to accumulate some courage. He squeezed my hand to continue. I had not even disclosed any of this to the therapist that was assigned to us. I always felt it was better to keep it in. His face showed signs that looked like he was preparing himself to hear the worst possible news. I opened my mouth to speak again and then the front door slammed opened and the conversation stopped right there. Jai let go of my hand, put his hand behind him and pulled out a gun. My eyes widen and I stood up, stumbling slightly. He signaled me to keep silent, I did exactly that as he held the matte black weapon by his side and walked out of the room, I closed the door after he left, as quietly as I could. I had my back against the door, trying to hear for any movement and my hands over my mouth; I slowly slipped down till I was on the floor. I pulled my legs to my chest and held them here. The silence was terrifying; I began praying for the first time in months that Jai was safe and that nothing bad will happen.

The handle turned and I jumped away from the door. I stood right in front of the door. A man not much taller than Jai, was standing in the door way. He was skinny and had stringy brown hair with green eyes. I couldn't move, couldn't breathe, and couldn't scream. I started to force myself to back away. My body was turning numb. It was happening again and Jai was nowhere in sight. I stepped forward toward the stranger. The numbness disappeared the moment he extended his arm out in front of him and said. "Hi I'm Doctor Thomas, Jai's uncle" he took a step forward and my body became rigid. Realizing his mistake, he moved back. He then turned to his side and called for Jai. Jai appeared next to him. The doctor explained his predicament then Jai slipped into the room, my body instantly relaxed and explained that he was the doctor that he had earlier told me about. He then chuckled and looked at him and said, "Can you believe a skinny creep like him broke the door". The doctor smiled guiltily then apologized. The doctor had a distinct British accent. I stood silently, watching them.

Jai said he needed to fix the door quickly or mama will have a fit. After about an hour or so the girls and Kale were brought in and taken upstairs, both girls were put in one room, and Kale and mama in another, Marcus and Doctor Thomas followed soon after, they would share a room until the Kacy, Trisha and Kale were well again. Which left me and Jai in the last room, in was a very beautiful room; it was done vintage style with a four posted double bed, dressed in blood red covers in the middle of the room. There was a dark wooden desk with a laptop at the side and a huge window at the back of the room with thick curtains hiding the light. On other side of the door were dark wooden cupboards. I stepped in the room, the floors were wooden too, the first thought I had was if there was a fire in this house, we would be beautifully screwed. I walked over to the cupboards and opened them. There were only shirts, jeans and shoes. Jai came in and said that, that the clothes were his, he had been here once or twice before. Unfortunately, I had no clothes here. Mama then came into the room, she smiled at me warmly, and I smiled back. Jai nodded then left the room. Mama sat me down on the bed and asked if Jai had told me about their family, I nodded politely. She then smiled and told me for now Jai would have to share his clothes with me, till they could get our luggage here. That was the most shocking moment of the day, right there. After a moment of silence, she said "I am shocked you didn't run after hearing our family history". I wanted to tell her that I may not know everything but the sadness in her eyes, halted me. I felt like she wanted to tell me more but Jai came back into the room; I looked over to the open cupboard of clothes and gulped. All he said was, "help yourself". Mama left me to it. Jai then made his way to the desk on the far side of the room, and started typing on the laptop that was on it.

I dragged my feet almost dreading that I had to change. I took out a shirt that was long enough to be a night dress. I left it on the bed and walked out of the room which was on the second floor of the house. I walked into the girls' room, which was next to ours and saw then lying awake on the bed. Drip tubes connected them to stands beside them. I jumped into the bed with them, I smiled at them, and told then I had missed them. They smiled back. Kacy took a moment before prodding. "So listen we had a very hectic day today, We hope you and Jai are not too loud tonight". Trisha burst out laughing, I playfully smacked her hand. I told them they had nothing to worry about. They both winked at me as if to say they were not believing a word out of my mouth. We chatted briefly about what Jai had told me and they confirmed Marcus and Kale had told them too today. A silence fell between us. Trisha in an almost whisper said "should we tell them what happened to us, I'm scared". I grabbed her hand and told I had started to tell Jai but we interrupted. Kacy chocked on her words "what if they leave after they hear". I looked at both of them with pain in my heart. "We would have to take that chance" I whispered to them. Trisha let a single tear fall from her eye which I wiped it away. We agreed when each of us had a moment we would tell the guys and deal with whatever resulted from that. They asked me to stay until they fell asleep. It was approaching nine in the evening when I left the room. I walked down the stairs into the kitchen, mama and the doctor were discussing something when they saw me they stopped, and I took the hint and retreated back to my room. Jai was still using the laptop; he looked busy so I didn't disturb him. I carried the shirt with me to the bathroom, I showered and slipped into it. It smelt of Jai, I smiled to myself, and then looked in the mirror to make sure I didn't look weird and not exposing too much. I folded my clothes and carried it with me back to the room. I put it in the cupboard. Jai moved closer to the screen, pretending not to be looking at me through the side of his eye. I smiled to myself and jumped into the bed. When Jai was sure the blanket was covering most of my body, he turned around and faced me, "so about our conversation earlier..." his words caught me by surprise I simply replied that I couldn't carry on just yet and I would tell him about it maybe the next day. He nodded then said that I can sleep, and that he was here if I needed him. He turned back to the screen and my eyes admired him a few minutes, then the exhaustion took me and I was gone.

All of a sudden there were slamming doors, shouts and bangs. It was pitch black and I couldn't see what was happening. The door opened and he stood in the door way with a gun in his hand. It was impossible, could that monster be out of jail and how did he know we were here. I looked around and Jai was not there. When I looked back around, he was no longer at the door, he was over me and he had his hands around my neck. He began to tighten his grip; I couldn't scream, I couldn't breathe and couldn't move. My eyes shut tight. Then a voice calling my name caught my attention. In an instant the monster disappeared and my eyes opened to the yellow light of the room. A shirtless Jai leaned over me in the bed. He looked like he had been woken up. He told me I was having a nightmare and I exhaled in relief. We both slipped back under the blanket and lay on the bed, my body still slightly shaking from the dream. Neither of us could sleep now. I threw the blanket off me then walked to the kitchen.

The kitchen was nice; it had granite tops and was very spacious. There were two big windows that let in the midnight light into the kitchen. I leaned against one of the granite tops and looked out the window; I heard some movement by the entrance of the kitchen. It was Jai, he walked over till he was next to me, propped himself onto the granite counter and asked if I wanted to talk about it, I shook my head and looked up at him. Every time I saw those brown eyes I felt like everything was going to be alright. His eyes shifted of me and in the direction of the window, his pupils widen and he seemed to be trying to force out words that wouldn't come out. I turned around, looked at the windows two guys dressed in suits at each window. They were staring at us. Their hands cupped around their eyes on the window looking in at us.

My breaths came out short and quick like I was about to hyperventilate, my body began shaking. Their eyes didn't stop staring at us. The scared feeling rushed up and down me. Jai managed to jump off the counter and grabbed me which released my voice, I screamed as loud as I could. Jai then pulled me and we were both running up the stairs. Everyone was woken up, Marcus, mama and the doctor ran out of their rooms holding guns. Jai left me, to get his own, as the others surrounded me. I had no more breathe in my lungs to tell them what had happened, just pointed down the stairs. When did I turn into this person. Jai then returned with his gun. Jai told them as fast as he could speak and I pushed my way through them to get to the girls' room. I went inside, closed the door and sat on their bed, shaking. I told them not to worry. We sat together hugging each other. Kacy began crying, then shots were fired and then a few shouts.

I heard doors opening then a thump on our door, then silence. There was no more noise. I got up, Kacy and Trisha now shaking and crying, I reached for the door handle and opened it really slowly. A body fell into the room, the body didn't phase me but I was relieved it was not someone I knew. I was only able to stare at the face. I backed away slowly and looked up and met the face of the shooter still holding the gun in his hand, smiling sadistically at me and our eyes met. My veins ran cold at the sight of him. Time slowed down at that moment. The Numbness encompassing my body like before. I hear Kacy scream to me through her cries "Please don't go away again,stay with us please". The numbness faded and I was face to face with this man.Unarmed. She shouldn't have stopped me.