Obsessed

| Twelve

I was awakened by the sound of Jonathan's baritone voice. It sounded like he was on the phone. How long had I even been here? The days seemed to begin and end together, and I had lost all sense of time. I yawned before tuning in to the sound of the rain lightly tapping on the glass as my eyes adjusted to the darkness of the room. Jonothan walked through the cracked door, smiling at me.

“ I’m losin’ money ‘cause of you, baby. “

“ How is that my problem? “ I spoke very hoarsely. I swallowed my spit, attempting to lubricate my dry vocal cords. “ How long have we been here? “

“ Two weeks. “

I cursed underneath my breath. “ Can I get some water, please? “

“ Yeah. You want breakfast? “ he asked and I nodded. He sat his phone down on the table, leaving the room. My heart began racing as I knew this was the moment. I shuffled in the bed, maneuvering the bar from the pillowcase. I took it into my hands, reaching it over to the panel door. I grunted, moving the bar around until it had opened the latch of the steel covering. I reached inside, contracting the muscles in my hand to push the rough button. The latch finally clicked, releasing the shackles from my wrist. I eased out of the bed, stepping on the cold floor and limping over to the phone and dialing nine one one.

“ Nine one one, what’s your emergency? “

“ Yes, Detective Seemore, please? “ I rushed.

“ One moment. “

She pressed a button on the phone as the ringer vibrated against my eardrum. I shook my hand, anticipating her voice.

“ Seemore? “

“ Detective Seemore, this is David. I don’t know where I am, and I need you to come right away..... “

“ Okay, okay, just relax. Let me trace the call. “ she rapidly pounded the keys of her computer. “ Okay, you’re locked in. We will be there as soon as we can, David. “

“ Please hurry. “ I begged.

“ We’re on it, baby, find someplace safe to hide. “

As she hung up the phone, Jonothan walked through the door, holding the glass of water. He tossed it at me as I ducked, diving to the floor and crawling under the bed.

“ Please, Jonothan! “ I yelled as he reached for me, getting up and walking to the other side of the bed. I scooted across the floor before he knelt, lifting the white sheets. He got up from the floor, lifting the bed completely and tossing it to the other side of the room. He reached down for me, but I kicked him in his groin and his chest. He fell backward, holding his crotch as I shuffled from the floor. I ran out of the room, slipping and falling down the metal stairs. I winced at the pain that paralyzed my body. “ f**k! “

He limped out of the room as I pushed myself from the floor, taking in the sight of the large stacks of brown boxes, seeming to correlate a maze. I wasn’t excited about it, but I would have to take this chance. I rushed inside, moving quickly past the wooden pallets and the brown boxes. There was a small space I found to hide in. I squatted in place, crawling into the small space and waiting there.

“ David, you ain’t getting’ away from me! “ he bellowed. “ You’re mine, baby boy! “

Then everything fell silent. Eerily silent. The silence that fell right before something happened. He suddenly shuffled by the small space, stopping in front of the box I was crouched in. And he waited. And waited. And waited.

“ You know I enjoy the chase, David. “ he chuckled, jogging away. I contemplated staying put, but I knew better. I crawled from the small space and back into the warehouse area. I looked around seeing no sign of Jonothan. “ Uh-huh! “

He grabbed me, picking me up and tossing me into a heap of boxes. I held my side as I set up, looking at the dozens of pocket knives scattered across the floor. He stepped onto the unopened boxes, making his way over to me. I crawled over to the stairs that led up to the roof. I pushed the door open to the chilled air and the drizzle of the rain. I walked further along the roof, taking in my surroundings. Warehouses lined up like houses. I wanted to jump from this warehouse roof onto the next one, but I realized how dangerous that could be, especially when I gave the police the location of this warehouse.

“ Tired of runnin’ yet, baby boy? “ he yelled to me. His broad chest heaving up and down from the breaths he took. He was right though. My body was beat down. Broken. Everything from my head to my toes was throbbing. Begging me to not take another step.

“ You win, Jonothan. “ I cried. “ You win. “

The sounds of police sirens erupted through the air, and I grew more exhausted. Jonothan began walking over to me and I crawled over to the edge of the roof. His laughs grew louder and louder the closer he got to me. He stood over me, looking down with that satisfying smirk of his.

“ They can’t save you, baby. “

“ They don’t need to. “

I opened the pocket knife, forcing it into his leg. He screamed, holding the puncture as I crawled from under him, forcing him over the ledge of the warehouse. My heart sunk as his screams echoed through the air, replaced by the sound of glass breaking. I looked over the ledge to see he had fallen on top of a police car.

I wanted to cry, but I couldn’t. I knew this wasn’t over. I wasn’t relieved. I knew Jonothan could have died from the fall, but the man seemed immortal. He wasn’t dead. I would save the officers the trouble of telling me that news.

“ We’ve gottem’. “ the officer yelled and they all closed in on me, lowering their weapons. They helped me from the wet cement, guiding me from the warehouse.

I sat in the back of the ambulance. I was numb. Careless. Especially as I watched them put Jonothan on that stretcher. He was still breathing. They were beginning to wrap his wounds before they stuffed him into the vehicle and drove away. Detective Seemore looked at me and sighed before heading back to her fellow squad.

“ My baby! “ my mother yelped, rushing over to me. She stroked my arms, looking deep into my eyes. She knew. She knew I was dead inside. “ Oh, David. “ she pulled me into her, and that’s when I felt that urge. I cried. The ugliest cry I had ever heard, and I could do nothing to stop it. “ Just let it out, baby. “

“ Is he okay? “ Vinny asked, lowly. I pulled away from my mother, looking at him with my glossy eyes. Instinctively, he was suddenly filled with that over-protective anger but knew he had to compose himself. He walked over to me, embracing me tightly. It felt so good to be back in his arms. He sniffled, struggling to find the words to say. “ I’m so sorry, 'lil daddy. “ he apologized. “ I’m so sorry! “

Once I was cleared to leave the scene, I climbed into the car with my parents. I wanted Vinny, though. I needed Vinny. After everything that happened with Jonothan, I needed something real. He was real.

“ Dinner will still be warm by the time we get home. “ my mother told me. I nodded, looking down at my nails and cleaning the nothing from underneath them.

We finally made it to the house. I headed straight for my room, lying across the bed. I reminisced over my life and the choices I had made up to this point. I realized how important they were, and how each choice can yield consequences, and that we must be ready to face them at all times. This was a wake-up call for me to appreciate every single moment that I have. With my job. With my friends. Most importantly, with my family.

I flinched at the sudden knock on the door. My mother peeked her head inside.

“ Someone is here to see you. “ she smiled as Vinny walked inside. She patted him on the chest before walking out of the room, leaving us in silence.

“ I need you to know it’s not your fault. “ I started. “ I know you blame yourself, you can barely look at me, Vinny. “

” Easy for you to say. “ he mumbled. “ David, you are the love of my life and I allowed your safety to be compromised. “

“ Vinny, I.... “

“ No, David. “ he interrupted me. He was more hurt than I thought he would be. “ I was so fuckin’ stupid, bruh? How the f**k could I not see this s**t comin’? “ he forcefully pounded his fist against his open palm. “ How the f**k could I..... “

I stood up from the bed, grabbing his hands. He pulled me into him, hugging me tightly. “ It’s not your fault, okay? I’ll say it a million times if I have to, but what I need more than that is you. Just like you need me. We’ll get through this together, I promise, just...... “

“ Shhhhh. “ he kissed my forehead, holding me even tighter. “ I missed you, ‘lil daddy. God, I missed you. “

“ I missed you even more. “

We gathered at the dinner table, blessing the food and wasting no time devouring the feast my mother had prepared.

“ Mrs. Huff, you put your foot in this dressing. “ Vinny chuckled.

“ Thank you, baby. “ she smiled, confidently. “ Just making up for Thanksgiving. “

“ I was supposed to host this year. “ I wiped my mouth with the linen napkin.

“ You going back to that house? “ my father forked through the greens on his plate.

“ Of course. “ I nodded. “ I’ve worked too hard, sacrificed so much to give up that easily. “

“ We get that, but it will never be the same. “ Vinny sided with my parents.

“ Look, can we please talk about something else? “

“ No. “ my mother replied sternly. Everyone had dropped their forks, paying attention to the conversation that was about to take place. “ Your father can be a bit overprotective at times, but this is not one of them. The last time you went home, you were kidnapped, David. Taken away somewhere you weren’t familiar with. We could have lost you, and no one is taking that chance again. “

“ I knew this was gonna’ happen. “ I rolled my eyes.

“ Forgive us for caring, but David, trust and believe it’s for your own good. We’re not saying you have to move back in with us, but living alone is gonna’ be hard for a while. “ she preached.

“ I don’t wanna’ discuss this. “ I pushed my chair back, getting up from the table, and storming out of the house. I walked along the shaped path that led to the driveway, walking down to the street and away from the house. I folded my arms, attempting to shield myself from the chilly air while sorting out my thoughts and trying not to cry. “ They’re only lookin’ out for you, D. “ I told myself. I knew that was the truth, but I just couldn’t bare it. I had to though. I had to start thinking differently. I cursed myself for the millionth time for allowing everything to happen. Once I had reached the stop sign several blocks down, I turned around and made my way back towards the house. Vinny was waiting outside, posted up against my father's truck. He smiled at me. “ Whatchu’ kool-aid faced about? “

“ What would you say to buyin’ a house? “

“ Huh? “ I looked at Vinny with confusion written all over my face. “ It ain’t that simple. “

“ Actually it is. ‘Lil daddy, just listen to your people. They lookin’ out for you. “ he cooed, snaking his arms around my waist, planting a soft kiss on my neck. “ Now, you want somewhere close to work, school, the city, or what? “

“ You must’ve talked to my parents about this? “

“ Surprise, is it? “

“ Where we gonna’ get the money? “

“ Stop actin’ like we both ain’t got bank. “ we both chuckled. “ And you askin’ too many questions. Get on in that house and apologize. “

I rolled my eyes, walking up the driveway and back into the house as he followed me. We sat down and they explained how everything had played out, and that I wouldn’t have to spend a penny. They said because of everything that happened with Jonothan, and with him still being alive, the case already against him would work majorly in my favor. They already struck deals with the court, and they’re just waiting for the official court date.

“ Why didn’t you tell me anything? “

“ You didn’t give us time to explain it, David. “ my father sassed. “ We’re really just lookin’ out for you, baby boy. “

“ I know, I know. “ I nodded, assuringly. I sighed, thinking about everything I would have to re-pack. “ I still got stuff in boxes. “

“ Good, ‘cause first thing Monday morning, we’re packing it all back up. “ my mother yelled from the kitchen before walking into the dining room with the dish of peach cobbler. “ Now who wants dessert? “