Dark Hearts

Chapter Three

Melia's pov

My eyes snapped open and I shot up from the bed. I would've loved to sleep in but the night was already over and I’d grown so used to waking up in the wee hours of the morning. My body had its own in-built alarm system at this point.

There were moments in our lives where we felt deliriously happy over the littlest things. For someone who had little to no idea of what those moments felt like, I wanted to cherish this moment forever.

Lying on his side, I felt Bastian’s chest pressed against my back, legs slung over mine and his breaths tickling her hair. I didn't want to get up and shatter the moment but I had to.

I 'd be damned if Beatrix got home before me.

I looked at the clock on the nightstand in front of me, 6:00am it read.

Shit. I had to move.

I crawled out of the bed, and his arms tightened around me for a moment before he let me.

Nobody had ever held unto me like that my whole life. It made tears threaten to spill.

His arms bulked as he lay on his back, covering his eyes.

“He’s a deep sleeper.” I smiled to myself.

I stood slowly, gathering my belongings thrown across several parts of the small room.

I searched the small room for my blouse and found it crumpled on the floor on Bastain's side of the bed.

Picking it up, I found the gruesome tear Bastain had left when he ripped it off me last night.

“Shit.” I quickly put on his shirt, my barely surviving jacket and my shoes, leaning down to whisper.

“Thank you.” And then I was gone.

******

The walk back home was very humbling and numbing. I couldn't believe I'd slept with a stranger.

A hot one.

But a stranger nonetheless.

A couple of feelings battled for dominance in my chest.

Happiness, that I'd at least lived for myself even if it was for one night.

Sadness, that I'd never get to see him again and that I'd soon return to my personal hell.

My confidence flickered and died as I reached the front door.

I fumbled through my purse for the keys and opened the door.

I heard the sound before the sting on my cheek registered. “You b***h. Where have you been?”

I didn't feel inclined to give Beatrix an answer as I walked past her to my room.

“I'm talking to you, girl. Where were you all night?”

I really hoped she wouldn't stop me again.

Something hard crashed into me, shattering that hope.

“I had an overnight shift.”

It was an answer that I'd saved for this day. Beatrix would never question my means of getting money, as long as the money was coming.

Melia turned and watched as Beatrix's frown transformed into a gleeful, cheery smile, too bright to be genuine. “That means you'll give me money soon for my next fix, right?”

“Yes, Mom.” Calling Beatrix mom had lost its flavor. It was a way of protecting myself more than anything else. A defense.

Beatrix’s eyes softened the way it always did when she heard the endearment and she wrapped her thin arms around me.

“I love you, Mia cara.”

I felt the nausea creep up and tears well up in my eyes. I hated this s**t.

I pulled away, pushed the door to my room and closed the door gently so as not to snap Beatrix out of her daze.

I ran to the bathroom, opening the toilet lid and spilling the remainder of last night's drinks into it.

I sat down on the cool tiles, taking deep breaths to calm myself.

I thought I'd gotten used to the sick shitshow called life but it hit a little harder everyday.

Once upon a time, Beatrix had loved me, like genuinely loved me. I'd had my dad too.

They were inseparable and I wish it would have remained that way forever.

Unfortunately, Dad died in a hit and run accident fifteen years ago. Since then, Mother had spiraled through different phases. She began seeing different men and going out to parties. One of them, Johnny, introduced her drugs as a means of escape.

I watched my mother become a shadow of herself slowly over the years. I understood that a part of her had died with Dad in that accident but I couldn't help but feel hate towards her for not being there for me when I really needed her.

I really wanted to rest from the night I'd had but I couldn't remember the last time in my own bed.

This house suffocated me.

I exhaled sharply. I needed to get to work. Dad would always say this all those years ago as he left for work.

I'll sleep when I'm dead.

Funny cos he really was dead.

Swiping the tears that had fallen down my cheek, I began working on autopilot. I took a bath, wore her clothes and her work bag from her little desk in the corner of her room. I didn't bother putting any makeup on. Nobody was going to notice me anyway.

I picked up Bastain's shirt off the floor where I'd taken it off and pressed it to my nose, inhaling his scent.

Memories of last night flooded my mind and my core clenched.

This really wasn't the time.

I placed the shirt in my dresser and walked out of the room.

I found Beatrix sniffing a line from the table.

Barely glancing at me, she sniffed. “Come home early, I have a surprise for you.” She said, giving me a wide smile that made her lips almost touch her ears.

I wonder what that is about. I walked past her, her creepy grin touching my back as I walked to the front door.

“Okay.”

******

The Trench was packed, full of rowdy spectators and eager betters. The familiar stench, sweat and anticipation filled my nostrils as I walked in from the underground staircase.

This place was tight. There were security agents mounted at the stairwell for protection in case the fights got too intense and also to serve as whistleblowers for the cops.

Working in this fighting arena was honestly my least favorite job but it paid the bills in the best way. I usually wouldn't stomach violence but working here had made me toughen up a bit. Serving drinks to thirsty patrons hungry for both blood and victory would do that to a girl.

Thank goodness for Rob, my employer who didn't make us wear tight uniforms to appear sexy or anything.

I could actually work in my clothes and that put me at ease.

I approached the bar, grabbed a tray of drinks and began serving. Nobody really noticed me, probably because I usually kept my hoodie on. I hated the attention, not to mention from people like this.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I'd like to introduce you to the fighters for tonight.” The announcer boomed.

The music stopped and the crowd quietened.

“You know him, I know him, everybody knows him. Make some noise for….. Jude Danger!”

The crowd roared, some hooting, others straight-out yelling as “Jude Danger” walked up to the caged ring.

“Silence!” The announcer yelled again

Immediately, the animalistic roars were reduced to only light laughter and conversation. This part was always hilarious to me.

“One of our own who has finally returned to us. His name………..”

The crowd seemed to hold their breath. Watching and waiting.

“Hades!”

The uproar was wilder, crazier and I knew that things were about to be bloodier than they'd ever been.

A bulky man in a red cape and hoodie seemed to glide towards the ring. The crowd parted for him.

He reached the ring, pulled down the hoodie and took off the cape with the stealthiness of a panther. His shoulders bulged and my breath stuttered.

I knew those shoulders, my legs had wrapped around those shoulders.

Bastian, if that was even his real name, turned and I got a full view of that sinfully, handsome face.

What was he doing here?

What was happening?

He wasn't supposed to be here.

But there he was, looking as if he belonged in the ring rather than on the sidelines.

As he made his way to the ring, our eyes met for a brief moment, surprise, recognition and heat flaring in his gaze.

I couldn't dwell on it for long as the fight began, the sound of fists meeting flesh filling the air. But as I watched him move with skill and determination, I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of pride. His back muscles rippled as he fought, making memories flash behind my eyes.

“Melia.” Sophie stepped up behind me.

“We need to get the drinks to the others.” She explained, “They're waiting.”

“Oh, ok.” Time flies when you meet the eyes of the man you slept with the previous night.

Walking back towards the counter for drinks, I turned briefly to look back at Bastian in the ring. Sophie stood there, staring too.

I guess she liked what she saw.

I shrugged whatever that thought was off and got back to work.

The fight ended with the announcer pronouncing Hades the winner. Spectators ordered more drinks and my mood lifted slightly.

I would have enough money by the end of the night.

Sophie and I worked quietly clearing up the place.

With my back turned to the counter, I hadn't known someone was waiting as I arranged drinks neatly in the fridge.

“Can I have my shirt back now?”

I whirled around, eyes widening when I saw Bastain standing there, hands in his pockets looking relaxed like he hadn't just battled with an actual human being.

“I know you took it when you left this morning. I was awake the whole time.”

Stupid me, thinking he was a deep sleeper.

“Umm.” I hadn't expected him to strike up a conversation.

Maybe that's because he wanted his shirt back, stupid.

My inner voice chastised.

“I'll get it to you. Just give me your address. I'll wash it and send i-”

“I don't want you to wash it.”

I stared at him in surprise.

“Then what do you want me to-”

“Come home with me.”

I choked on my swallow, choking on my spit, coughing rather violently.

“What?” It came out on a wheeze.

“Come home with me.”

Why would someone say something like that with such a dead, impassive tone?

“May I ask… why?” I was so confused.

“Because you owe me. I saved you from that guy last night.”

“Oh.”

Why would he bring that up?

He wasn't even bringing up our night together.

“B-but…”

“I always like people to return my favors. I did you a favor so now you owe me. I want to cash in on it now.” He rattled off, taking a sip of the whiskey in his glass. I didn't even know we served whiskey here. Maybe he'd brought his own bottle.

Focus.

“So… what do you want?”

“I've told you already. Come home with me.”

The shrill ringing of my old Nokia broke the tense silence that had settled around us.

Most of the spectators had shuffled out and the arena was almost empty. It was just me, Sophia, Bastian and a few guys here and there calculating their wins.

“This is Melia, right?”

I pulled the phone away from my ear at the unfamiliar voice.

Bastian's eyes furrowed in concern.

“If you could come home right now, I'd appreciate it.”

“I'm sorry but I'm at work. I can't go home right now. If you could tell me the problem, that'd be great.”

There was silence for a beat.

“Don't let me tell you again, b***h. Get in a bus, train or whatever and get your ass here. If not, your mother will be in danger.”

The line went dead. I stood frozen with the phone in my hand and a feeling of death crept up my spine.

Beatrix was a monster to me but she was still my mother and I cared about her.

I remember her words this morning

Come home early, I have a surprise for you.

Something didn't feel right but I couldn't risk it.

One of the patrons stomped his foot and that was enough to spur me into action.

“Hey, I have an emergency. Can you clean up here?” I squeaked to Sophie as she walked out of the store.

“I'm so sorry. I'll pay you back somehow. I have to deal with something real quick.”

I couldn't wait to hear his response, rounding the counter, walking quickly out through the underground stairwell.

The heat of their stares burned my back all the way up.