The Devil's PlayGround

So Many

*Brie POV*

Most of the ride to the station was quiet. Blaze would ask an occasional question, but that was it. He was just as nervous as I was, and most of it was because he wasn’t sure what to expect.

Blaze wasn’t there that day. He didn’t experience what we did. So he is walking into the unknown. Me, I'm just strolling deeper into the nightmare.

He parked his truck, and he just sat there. Up until that point, he had never expressed how he really felt about the situation, but I had a feeling that is where this was going.

“Have you told me everything? Like, everything, everything? I don’t want to be surprised going in here. Not for your case. Otherwise, I may end up in the cell next to him,” he asked.

“I’ve told you everything. If I haven’t, I’m sure Flynn has. No surprises on my end, big brother,” I replied, but the truth was, I couldn't remember everything he and I had discussed. Everything has began to blur.

He took my hand and squeezed. “I will protect you at all costs, sis. Until the day I die, you will be protected. Even if you find a million mates, I will make sure you are good,” he said softly, and I knew that he meant it.

I told him that I knew that. I knew he would always be my only constant. No matter what. He always had been. Even when he was struggling with his own life.

We finally made our way into the station, and were met by the female detective that talked to me at school. With her was Erik and Principal Vandenburg.

“You must be Mr. Spicer. I’m Detective Felicia Nolan. Brie, it’s good to see you. I just wish it was under better circumstances. How are you holding up?” she asked.

I smiled and told her I was as good as I could be, and then glanced at Erik. As soon as he saw me look at him, he was on me with his arms around me.

“I’m so happy you’re here. They’ve already asked me things about that day. Even about Tawny and the girls jumping you,” he said. Ugh! Not that again.

Blaze cleared his throat, and I quickly broke his hold on me. I was waiting for him to freak out, but surprisingly he didn’t.

“Brie, who’s your friend?” he asked. Erik quickly approached him, and shook his hand.

“I’m Erik Green, sir. I’m a friend of Brie’s. I was with her most of the time that day. She’s a pretty special girl, and she didn’t deserve what happened to her. I’ll help her however I can,” he said as he introduced himself.

I watched as Blaze sized him up. He was trying to figure out if Erik was being legit, or trying to play him.

“I’m her brother, Blaze. Nice to meet the infamous Erik. Thanks for helping her. She hasn’t had much luck with finding kind people in that f*****g place. Her birthday is Sunday, but we are celebrating tomorrow. You should come. Bring some friends, but make sure they aren’t going to give her a hard time. My friends will also be there, and it wouldn’t be wise to f**k with her,” Blaze smirked.

Erik smiled and nodded. He didn’t look intimidated by Blaze at all, and that was important. If he was, Blaze and the others would eat him alive.

“OK, guys. They are ready for us. Please, follow me,” Detective Nolan said. Erik took my hand, and we followed her down the hall.

When we turned the corner, we came face to face with Flynn, whose eyes went straight to mine and Erik’s hands. Then, without saying a word, he came and took my other hand. Things just got very awkward.

Blaze shook his head, and took me from both of them, and took me into the room with the detective. He wasn’t dealing with the guy's bullshit today, and I was so thankful for that.

The five of us were directed to an empty table, and as I looked around the room, I was amazed at how many girls were actually there. There had to be at least thirty girls all together, and I knew at least eight of them.

“This is crazy,” I whispered to Blaze. He put his arm around me for comfort, and gave me a squeeze.

The door opened, and another girl came in, and I nearly cried when I saw her.

“No! Erik, it’s Heather,” I whispered to him. He began to look around, and when he spotted her, the two of us got up to go and see her. Her eyes never looked up, and she kept her head down. I needed to talk to her, so I got out of my chair and rushed towards her.

I stood before my best friend, and she couldn’t lift her head to look at me. I had talked to her about what had happened, and she still didn’t tell me he had done things to her too. I didn’t understand why.

I wanted my friend to know that I was here for her. I didn’t judge her, and I never would. I wrapped my arms around her and told her that I loved her.

“I love you Em, I love you so much. I didn’t know. Why didn’t you tell me?” I whispered. She finally hugged me back, and began to sob.

“I was afraid. Brie, he had me fully believing that it was alright, and I was the only girl he wanted. He played me so badly. He took everything from me. My innocence and my integrity. I had no idea he was hurting people. I should be the one who is sorry,” she cried.

My heart broke for her. Her experience was so different from mine. Hers was far more twisted, and even if I didn’t get justice, I would make sure she did.

“I have to go back and sit with my brother. Please, wait for me before you leave. Please,” I said softly. She nodded and hugged me again before I left.

I had just made it back to my seat when the group of detectives walked in. I looked across the room at Heather. She couldn’t hold her head up to look at anyone, and I told Blaze what she had told me.

“He made her believe they were in a relationship. She said it went on for a while. I can’t help but wonder how many others he made believe that lie too. From the looks of it, I got off lucky,” I said.

“Don’t you ever f*****g say something like that again. None of you got off lucky, Brie. So, don’t ever say those words again,” Flynn snapped.

Blaze put his hand on Flynn's arm. I wasn’t sure how to respond, so I nodded. Blaze calmed him down, and he quietly apologized to me for his outburst.

"I'm sorry. This has just got me so worked up. I don't understand how just one man could consciously do this gross s**t to so many young kids. I should have just, well, you know," he said.

I got out of my seat, and stood behind him. I wrapped my arms around him from behind, and told him that I appreciated him caring so much.

"Thanks for being an amazing man, Flynn. Knowing you are on my side, on our side, means a lot," I said softly. I felt his body physically relax, and once I was sure he was calm, I sat back in my seat.

We listened to what the police had to say. I had a feeling this was going to be a long evening. Detective Felicia started everything off, but then this male cop took over.

He talked to everyone as if they were lying about their experience, but how could so many be lying and have similar stories? It made no sense to me.

When they started the questioning, one girl in particular stood out to me. Not because of her striking looks, but because of the way my brother and Erik reacted when she stood.