Lonely Life #8
I used to think he was quite handsome. Now I saw the face beneath his features, and I didn’t care for it. Luke was an ugly soul and I judge myself for ever thinking he was attractive. My ex screamed as blood spurted out of his mouth.
The fight was intense, but it wasn’t going to work out in my favor. I knew I couldn’t take them since it was eight on one. I really did know that, but I did my best. It didn’t feel like bragging to say my best was pretty darn good given the circumstances.
I’d taken several hits and been grabbed, but Melanie taught me how to use that. If your arms are held or tied that’s ok because your legs are a powerhouse. My head was pounding with pain. Meanwhile my ribs were on fire, but I didn’t give up.
Luke hissed, “You know this is hopeless! You can’t take us all, Odette. Lay down and take it! You deserve it.” I spat at him, not surprised to see the blood on his cheek. I told him, “I did nothing to deserve this. You are sick, and I will fight you as long as I can.”
Luke muttered “Damn mutt blood.” I frowned at him. What the hell was that supposed to mean? Suddenly a howl rang out, followed by more. Yet again I felt an odd sensation I should not feel at this moment: relief.
Wolves coming should not relieve me. That was a problem, big one in fact. Wild animals did not need to be added to this situation. It was already all these guys versus me. Wolves probably wouldn’t understand I was the victim and they shouldn’t eat me.
One guy threw me over his shoulder and started to run. I kicked him in the stomach and we went down together. I hit my head on a rock causing the world began to spin. I saw a wolf jump on one of the men who hadn’t gotten far enough away.
The wolves seemed to stop at a line. As if it were a boundary they wouldn’t cross. They snarled in anger. Luke and his friends hissed back at them. I managed a weak laugh, “Sure, hissing will scare a wolf and you think I’m stupid, Luke. You’re such a psycho.”
This was easily the weirdest Thanksgiving of all time.
I heard someone scream, “TESS!” That sounded like Roxie.
I whispered, “Get out of here. My ex is literally crazy and now lying in wait to jump me. It’s not safe here, Rox…
.” It was far as I got when she knelt down in front of me and my world faded to black.
I dreamed of a pack of wolves. Not the ones I’d just seen, but a group of five wolves. They were all black. One was clearly the dad though. This was a family of massive black wolves. Bigger than I pictured dire wolves would be.
The other black wolves were so striking. They were free in a way I wished I was. Other wolves joined them. One by one the female wolves went to a black wolf. I don’t know how I knew they were female wolves, but I did.
To my surprise a human woman went to the biggest wolf. That I somehow knew wasn’t the dad though the dad was closest to him in size. The human woman was incredibly beautiful. People said my mother was gorgeous, but this woman surpassed her.
This lady had auburn hair and green eyes. I gasped as the largest black wolf purred under her touch. The previously fierce looking wolf was putty in her hands. I whispered, “He loves her.” All their eyes shifted to mine.
The second largest wolf, who had no one beside him, whined at me. It was as if he was asking me to join him. The beautiful woman held out her hand to me. I smiled reaching for her, then a hissing sound filled the air from behind me.
I looked around then reached towards the woman again. Her eyes began to blaze gold. Out of nowhere she disappeared from sight then popped right next to me. She had almost grabbed me when I was pulled back screaming.
I heard snarling now. I saw that the wolves were all trying to get to me, but I was too far away. Had that woman teleported? This was a strange dream. Clearly, I needed to read another fantasy book. Maybe that woman was a Fairy and she was with a Werewolf. OHHH, drama! That would be a good book.
I heard beeping and arguing as I forced my eyes open.
My jaw dropped when I saw my mom yelling at a man she would normally be seducing.
The guy was strikingly handsome. I asked, “What happened?” Mom hissed, “I had to cut my trip short, and deal with these people. All because you couldn’t do what I asked you to do. ”
I frowned asking, “What did you ask me to do?” My mother grabbed me by the hair, but my hand gripped her arm by reflex. I didn’t cry out, but she did as I squeezed her hand. Mom let go as if I’d burned her. Mom’s eyes narrowed in anger as she hissed at me.
I glared at her, semi-growling as I said, “People really need to stop hissing at me. It’s annoying.” Mom announced, “We are leaving.” I sighed, “I'm pretty sure this is a hospital. Which means a doctor has to agree to me leaving.”
Mom sneered, “I signed the AMA forms.” The man beside her said, “Unfortunately, that’s true. Somehow this woman is your guardian and since you’re a minor we can’t stop her.” A stronger sense of safety than Rex had exuded seemed to flow out from this man. What was that?
I smiled at him explaining, “She’s my mom. You must be Roxie’s dad. Thank you. Since I’m guessing you found me.” The man answered, “I was in the group that did, yes. Call me Beck.” Mom snarked, “She’ll do no such thing. Get dressed, Tess. You’ve embarrassed me enough as it is. We are leaving.”
I asked, “How did I embarrassed you? I was attacked, and I hung on long enough that some….” I trailed off because I’d almost said wolves saved me. I amended, “that Roxie and her family found me. Aren’t you proud of me? I fought off a group of men long enough that I was found.”
Melanie would be proud of me, and honestly that meant more than my mom being proud. I just wanted everyone here to know how low my mom was. Why? I don’t know considering they’d probably guessed based on her general demeanor.
Beck smiled at me saying, “I am proud of you. It was impressive. Ten on one is hardly fair odds, but you did quite well.” Was it ten?
I thought it was eight. Were there more lurking?
! Jeez. Beck’s pride felt like a balm to my soul.
What the hell? I didn’t even know him. Why did it make me so happy that Roxie’s dad was proud of me?
Mom said, “Luke told me how you started a fight.” My jaw dropped as I explained, “That’s not true at all. They were the ones who followed me! I didn’t even know Luke was here. AGAIN! He’s a stalker. We need to report him, and I need a restraining order. Clearly.”
Mom yelled, “You will do no such thing!” I gasped, “You can’t be serious. Luke is stalking me and trying to beat me up with his friends! He could’ve killed me!” Mom sighed, “You’re so dramatic. Luke wouldn’t kill you.”
Beck said, “As I told you already, you’re wrong.
Your daughter has been unconscious for a week.
Tess had a serious concussion and cracked ribs.
That blow to the head could’ve killed her.
” Mom waved him off, “Luke told me they were trying to help her. They were simply trying to get her out of the area and the silly girl caused the fall.”
I asked, “Are you seriously blaming me right now?! Luke and his cronies attacked me! Have you ever heard of a trauma response?! I HAVE ONE! I will not be kidnapped again! I will fight with every breath in my body because GOD knows you won’t come save me.”
“You’ve already told me the only person I can count on in life is myself.
So, believe me I already know that I have to fight for myself because no one else will.
You took everyone away from me that cared, and now it’s just me.
It’s ALWAYS just me since we left my first home. ” Since Lux’s dad got custody.
Beck asked, “You’ve been kidnapped?!” Mom tried to charm him with a smile “I already told you she’s dramatic.” I shrieked, “YOU DID NOT JUST SAY DRAMATIC! Woman, you’ve not seen anything dramatic. I’m about to perform a whole Broadway musical for you.”
I pointed my finger at her, “It’s not dramatic to be terrified when men in masks show up, break into your apartment, and hit you.
They threw me in the back of a van! My friend saved my life!
She didn’t even know me at the time, and she came for me.
Those guys were mentally disturbed talking about how they were Demons and… ”
Mom yelled, “ENOUGH! Get out of this bed and get dressed. You’ve laid around long enough.” I retorted, “I was UNCONSCIOUS!” Mom sneered, “We are leaving. I met someone new, and we are going to…” She glanced at Beck then said, “None of their business. The point is that we are leaving.”
Beck said, “Let’s step into the hall and discuss this like adults.” I scoffed, “Best of luck, she’s no adult.” Mom rolled her eyes but Beck winked at me, and that safety feeling he exuded got stronger. I got out of bed and found some clothes. Someone must have gone to my place for them.
I went into the bathroom to change. I searched through my hairline for the cut I must have had from the rock, but I couldn’t find anything. I found my pills. I heard someone whisper, “No, don’t.” I smiled even though the voice in my head shouldn’t be comforting.
I whispered, “I’m sorry. I can’t go back to that place.
I miss you though, Tatum. Maybe when I’m eighteen and mom doesn’t control me, we can try this thing called life together.
” Tatum tried to talk fast, “I’m not just a voice in your head.
I understand your worries, but I’m your wo… .” She faded as I swallowed my pill.
Tears filled my eyes because I missed her already. Which was just ridiculous. I was losing my mind. I should’ve let Tatum finish what she was going to say though. Poor Tatum. I forced myself to walk back into the hospital room I’d been in.