Puzzle Pieces

Chapter 10

I froze as I watched the scene in front of me. They both scramble to put their clothes on. I laughed to myself. This is exactly what I need right now. What more could I want? I mean having nightmares of little girls who actually end up getting abducted, a creepy man around town, getting grounded, and now a cheating boyfriend. What’s the icing on the cake? That I should have known better?

“Annabel!” Xavier shouted as rapid footsteps came from behind the bleachers. I shook my head and bit my lip.

“No,” I said, crossing my arms in front of me.

"We weren't-" Xavier started.

"Don't," I said, putting up a finger, shaking my head at him. "You see, I would believe you, only I don't. You're a lying, disgusting, over overrated, pig.” Leslie came to stand behind him. She didn’t even seem upset that I caught them. I met her beady little eyes before I continued. “And Leslie, you already know what you are."

“Oh yeah? And what’s that?” she asked, looking at her fingernails.

“A walking STD who does nothing but flap in the wind. Tell me, Leslie, is there anyone you won’t spread to?”

“What the hell did you just say?”

“You heard me. You’ve had more wieners than a barbeque on the 4th of July,” I said with a smile. She attempted to walk to me, but Xavier stopped her. He held her arms, but watched me. I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

“You guys can have each other. Xavier, we’re done,” I said, starting to walk past them.

"Wait, wait! Let's talk about this," he said, trying to hold me still.

"Let's not," I said, bringing up my knee so it hit his private area. He fell over holding himself. The guys that were watching burst out in laughter from behind me.

Once I got to the front of the school, the tears burning my eyes made their way down my cheeks. I held my chest and fell to the floor. Two years! Two years and for what? For him to give himself away just like that? I know that I wasn’t ready, but couldn’t he have waited for me? Didn’t I mean more to him? The clear answer is no.

"Are you okay?" Cara asked as she, Amber, and Mikayla came up to me. How embarrassing. Cara has told me from the beginning he was a jerk and I didn’t believe her. I wiped the tears from my face and stood up from the ground. Mikayla offered a hand to help me, which I gladly took.

“Even if I’m not, I’ll be fine,” I said with a shrug.

“He’s a jerk. I’ve been telling you.”

“Did you know?” I asked, burning my eyes into Cara’s. Her eyes widened a bit, but she shook her head.

“No, of course not. He just always gave me that vibe.”

“You deserve so much better. Don’t let him get to you,” Amber said, wrapping an arm around me. I let out a sigh.

“I’ll be fine. I just need some time,” I said, wrapping my arms around myself.

“If you need anything, let me know. I’m here for you,” Mikayla said, giving me a hug.

“Of course. Thanks. I have to go, but I’ll talk to you guys soon,” I said, walking down the entrance of Sierra Hills High School.

My phone started buzzing from my pocket. Xavier flashed across the screen. Ugh. No! I hit the reject putting and stuffed the phone back in my pocket, only for it to vibrate again. Xavier flashed across the screen. I clicked reject and the phone vibrated again.

"Ugh! Hello?!" I answered.

"What's wrong?" Noah asked. Right. Twin telepathy at its best.

"I'll tell you when I get home," I said before hanging up. I put my phone back in my pocket. Tears fell down my cheeks again. A bulge of something buried itself in my chest. I took deep breaths before breaking down and falling on my hands and knees. Memories of the past two years flashed through my mind. When Xavier first asked me out to our first date. The first time he held my hand to the first time we kissed. The first time he said "I love you" to school dances.

I pulled myself together, wiping the tears from my cheeks and stood up. My phone vibrated and again Xavier’s name flashed. I guess if I don’t answer, he’ll just keep calling.

“What?” I answered, putting a hand on my hip. A figure moving from the corner of my eye caused me to turn and drop my phone. A man got into a dark tinted car and drove down the road. I couldn’t recognize who it was from where I stood, but with everything going on, I watched as the car drove away from me. I picked up the phone and Xavier was asking if I was there. I ended the call and put the phone back in my pocket. I'm not one for revenge, but a pair of pliers and very sharp scissors come to mind.

Once I got home, Noah waited for me on the arm chair in the living room. "Okay. You're home. Now tell me," he said, sitting back on the couch. I took a deep breath and walked over to the sofa.

"I caught Xavier cheating on me,” I said, but Noah had no reaction. “He and Leslie Silverman thought it was smart to hide under the bleachers. I broke up with him and told her she flapped in the wind and that she’s had more wieners than a barbeque on the 4th of July."

Noah laughed, holding his stomach. “You did not!”

“Oh, but I did. I had more words for that walking STD, but I chose to be nice.”

"Wow. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned," Noah said with a laugh. I nodded and bit my lip to keep from crying. Noah’s laugh cut short and he leaned in front of me. "Look, the guy's a jerk. You’re better than that. Let the trash take itself out and move on with your life.”

"Thanks. I just don't understand why of all people he had to choose Leslie Silverman!"

"Right? She's not even that great. Been there, done that."

"Noah. I really don't need to know that," I said, shaking my head with a laugh.

"Just saying, right equipment, but she just wasn’t it,” he said, shaking his head with a pout. “It won't last long, but then again, he’s not very smart."

He shrugged and got up from the chair. He quickly rubbed his hand on the top of my head like he was petting a dog before walking to his room. I laid down on the couch and flipped the TV on. The news was on and was still showing images of Katrina. I wanted to roar like a lion.

"I can't help you, Katrina. I want to, but I just don't know how," I whispered to the TV screen.

I’m in a dusty room that’s lit by a single lantern in the corner. I shiver as goose pimples spread all over me. My eyes scanned the room, finding Katrina. She sat on a twin bed that had dirty pink covers. Her dirty hands covered her face. There was a small nightstand next to the bed that held a ballerina music box that played swan lake. I walked towards her, but the ground creaked under my feet. Her head shot up with her eyes wide.

"Help me! Please! I just want to go home," she cried, getting into the fetal position. She no longer wore unicorn pajamas. She now wore a red and black dress and long socks. Seeing her now, she didn’t look as dirty as the last time I dreamt of her. How much time has passed? The bed was just a mattress before, and there was no nightstand or music box. I ran to her, wrapping my arms around her small shoulders.

"I'll get you out of here!" I whispered, grabbing her hand. She shook her head and tried her best to get away from me.

"No! Wait! What if he catches us? I don't want to get punished again," she cried, sinking into the mattress once again. I bit down on my lip to keep from crying. This poor, precious, little girl. I think I know what your "punishments" are.

"How can I help you, Katrina? What can I do?" I asked, my voice came out shaky as tremors went through my body.

“Find a way out. You have to try to find a way-“ she said, getting interrupted by a dog who started barking aggressively somewhere outside. "No! He's back! Get my mom! I want my mom!"

I shushed her, bringing her small face into my chest and gently rocking her. If she doesn’t be quiet, he will hear us and she will get punished. Suddenly, the door bursts open and the man now wearing a gray suit walks in carrying a couple of fast food bags.

"I brought you some food, Katrina. Your favorite, hamburger and some fries," he said with a big cheesy smile. I hold my knees even tighter and involuntarily shudder. "Ah. ah. ah. I thought we were going to be friends. If you don't eat, I won't be happy, and you know what will happen if I'm not happy."

He placed the food down on the ground. Dark hair fell over my shoulders as I crawled to the end of the bed. Small hands reached out for the food and the man kneeled down in front of me. I am Katrina again. He kissed my forehead then pulled back slowly, allowing me to eat. Tears gathered in my eyes as I took a bite of the burger.

"When can I go home?" the small voice escaped from my mouth.

"You are home Katrina," the man answered, caressing my cheek. Soft sobs started to escape me and my lip trembled from the growing pain inside my heart. I wanted to yell "let her go you sick bastard!", but I couldn't. The words won’t come out.

"Now, Katrina, you know I don't like you crying. You didn't even say thank you for the food I brought you. Isn’t that inconsiderate?"

"I-I m-miss my m-mommy," I struggled to say through the tears. The man closed his eyes and let out a sigh.

“Enough, Katrina. We have a plan and we’re going to stick to it. The woman you know as ‘mommy’ gave you to me. She said you’re mine now. Why do you want someone who doesn’t want you anymore? I want you. Seeing you crying because you don’t want to be with me hurts my feelings, Katrina.”

“I-I’m sorry.”

"No. It's too late for that Katrina. You're going to have to show me how grateful you are now, but first do as I ask and stop that crying," the man said, standing from where he was kneeling.

He undid his coat and set it on the railing of the small bed. His hand ran down my back as he sat next to me. I cringe, but continue eating the burger. Maybe if I don’t look at him, he’ll leave me alone. He had smoothed my hair, and I realized he’s petting me. His hand came to my chin and slowly turned my head to look at him. I wanted to turn and bite him. Fight him off of me in any way, but Katrina wouldn’t move. There’s a pit rising in my throat and my stomach turns.

“Ready to make it up to me now?” he cooed at me. He lowered his head, bringing his lips to mine.

NO!