Chapter 9 Blair
I awakened slowly, sitting up as the absolute silence in the room unnerved me, and rubbed the sleep from my eyes. How long had I been out?
It was still dark. I could tell from the gap in the curtains that hung over rectangular panes, allowing the twinkle of numerous stars to peep through the opening.
I slid from the bed and slowly stood, testing my balance before I tried to walk.
The dizziness from earlier was gone. I felt sore, and everything still ached, but I could move without difficulty.
When I reached the window, I pulled back the drapes, wondering how I had ended up in what appeared to be an old casino. Creature wasn’t in the room. I didn’t expect him to stay while I slept, but it still surprised me to wake up alone.
From what I had learned about him so far, I didn’t think it would be long before he checked on me.
A single wall lamp lit the room on the lowest setting, providing enough illumination to see the bathroom door ajar. I entered and flipped on the light, wincing as it temporarily blinded me. When I could easily open my eyes and they adjusted, I stared at my reflection.
Yikes.
Dried blood had crusted to my lip, where the split opened the skin, and the healing wound had reopened in my sleep.
I had a tendency to grind my teeth and smash my face into my pillow.
Funny, but also not funny. My pale face was bruised in several places in colors of purple, red, and yellow.
My left eye had reduced in swelling but had turned a mottled red, bloodshot from the hit I’d taken.
I had to take careful breaths because of my sore ribs and the tender skin.
It was my hair that bothered me the most. I spent a lot of time styling and curling it, using expensive products to keep the strands shiny, healthy, and soft.
It looked like a rat’s nest on my head right now.
My breath was so bad I thought I’d pass out when I brought my palm up and breathed into it.
Nope. I couldn’t let Creature see me like this again.
I began rummaging around in the drawers below the sink, looking for a brush, toothbrush, toothpaste, and mouthwash. There was a new comb in a package with wide teeth, an old toothbrush I wouldn’t dare touch, a tube of toothpaste with a clean cap, and sealed mini bottles of mouthwash. Not bad.
I used my finger to brush my teeth—gross but oddly effective.
When I rinsed with the mouthwash, I felt much better with a clean mouth.
It took a long time to comb through the snarls in my hair, and I grew lightheaded, sitting on the closed toilet to finish the job.
Once done, I dared another glance in the mirror.
Wow, I looked human again.
The hospital gown had to go though.
I walked back into the room, noticing the stack of clothes I had missed earlier.
Someone was thoughtful and placed a change of clothes for me on top of one of the dressers.
I pulled my bra out of the bag that Phyllis had given me with my belongings.
I would need to wash it, but it didn’t stink.
In the stack of clothes left for me, I found a package of bikini underwear.
It was crazy how something so insignificant could feel so huge at the right moment. Clean underwear. I could hug the person who provided it for me.
I ended up wearing black leggings, soft white socks, and a long black tee with a skull and the name of a metal band I didn’t know on the front that covered my bottom and ended mid-thigh.
I had no clue where my shoes had gone since they weren’t in the bag.
I still consider myself lucky to have these items. It was a hell of a boost for my self-esteem to feel clean and dressed.
I was glad I had taken the time to shower in the morning before Creature visited me.
My stomach rumbled as I headed for the door, catching the tray that sat on the nightstand. The soup someone had provided was cold, but I found Tylenol and downed a bottle of water. I could heat the soup later, but I needed food. My stomach was trying to eat itself with all the growling.
I opened the door and entered a long hall.
The floor looked dusty, old, and in desperate need of polish.
The cream-colored walls were barren and populated with golden fleur de lis.
Ghostly frames outlined in dirt could be seen on both sides of the hall as if dozens of pictures had been recently removed.
Sconces lit the way to the stairs with amber-colored bulbs, which were too low to give adequate lighting but kept me from stumbling or bumping the walls.
Halfway down, a door opened. I didn’t know what I expected, certainly not the man who turned in my direction.
He wore black from head to toe, a dark hoodie that covered his head, and a black rubbery mask.
The freaky face stared back at me with bright neon white Xs for eyes and a horrid mouth lashed together with threads that gaped in a toothless grin.
When he lifted his hand, I caught a knife’s sharp, serrated edge as the blade glistened.
A scream tore from my lips as I spun and ran toward the room I had awakened in. My fingers fumbled for the knob, turning and yanking on it as pure terror seized my body when I heard a heavy breath behind me. I swung the door open and raced inside, pulling it shut as the masked man reached me.
He slashed through the air with the knife, nearly cutting across my arm. His blade collided with the doorway, and a chunk of the wood broke off. It fell to the ground as he stuck a boot in the way, preventing the door from shutting.
The blade lifted a second time and stabbed downward, nicking the back of my hand as I tried to block him. Bright red droplets of blood appeared, but I didn’t feel a thing. Adrenaline had kicked in, and I knew I’d gone into survival mode for the second time in a matter of days.
Why the fuck did everyone want to hurt me?
Okay, not Creature, but it seemed like the world was against me. My mind wasn’t capable of rational thought at that moment. I reacted, not thinking about the consequences.
When my attacker’s hand rose again, ready to plunge that knife into my body, I backed into the bed, reaching behind me for anything that could help fight him off.
My fingers found the coffee mug full of tea.
I lifted it and swung, smacking the porcelain cup into the side of his skull.
The mug shattered. Sharp shards pierced my hand but also sliced into his hoodie.
Blood dripped from his ear where I had partially severed it.
He shouted with fury. “You’re gonna die, bitch!”
My arms crossed in front of me as I fell back. I just wanted to protect myself, even if it was futile.
Two shots were fired from the doorway. The masked man grunted as his body collapsed over mine. I screamed, shoving him off as I scrambled away, fell off the bed, and scooted to the wall.
Oh, God.
The knife clattered to the floor as it slipped off the bed.
Blood began to pool beneath him and soaked into the soft blanket that covered my body with warmth only minutes earlier.
I wrapped my arms around my waist and tucked myself into the corner, trying to hide from the world. I didn’t want any part of it.
My gaze focused on those droplets of blood that dripped onto the floor. I watched the crimson color spread toward me, horrified it would stain everything in its path. A whimper left my throat. I couldn’t swallow the saliva that gathered inside.
Panicked, I choked as a cry left my lips.
“Blair.”
I blinked.
“Blair, sweetheart, come back.”
Someone knelt in front of me and reached out, but I froze, screaming when warm skin touched mine.
“Let me try,” a soft voice offered.
“She’s fucking terrified,” a familiar male voice groaned.
“But she’s also in shock.”
“Can you help her?”
I lost track of the conversation. My mind couldn’t keep up.
“Hi, Briar. I’m Lark.”
I blinked again, turning my head away from the body on the bed.
“This is scary. I know.”
A girl close to my age sat next to me. “Can I sit by you? I promise I won’t hurt you.”
“Okay,” I managed to say, lifting a trembling hand to my face to brush the hair out of my eyes.
“I’m Lark,” she repeated. “I’ve been in a situation like this before, and I understand what you’re feeling.”
My lower lip jutted out as I hiccupped. I was going to cry. No, not just cry. I was going to fucking lose it. Inside, deep in my belly, it felt like a monster was trying to claw its way out. I began to shake as Lark lifted her arms.
“Can I give you a hug?”
“Yes,” I blubbered as my body seemed to have a mind of its own. I trembled as ice shot through my veins. My vision blurred, darkening around the edges. A sob left my lips. “He’s dead.”
“Yes. He can’t hurt you. He’s gone.”
Having someone else say the words made it real. I was attacked. The masked man held a knife. He tried to stab me several times.
I. Almost. Died .
“He tried to kill me.”
And he almost succeeded.
I stared at the blood on my hand, lifting it toward my face to stare at the tiny cuts.
Someone handed Lark a washcloth.
“Here,” she softly replied, “I’m going to wrap your hand to stop the bleeding. Okay?”
Her gentleness broke the barrier my mind had erected to keep me protected. I could breathe easier, and my chest didn’t feel so tight.
“Blair?” Creature crouched in front of us. “Baby, I’m so sorry I didn’t get here fast enough.” His eyes held pain and fury—a volatile combination.
“Balen,” I cried.
He dropped to his knees and pulled me into his embrace. “Fuck. I thought I lost you for a minute.”
He did. I almost went back to that dark place—the one I swore never to enter again, the place where hope didn’t exist.
“I’m here. I’m not leaving you again.”
Tears finally broke free, slipping over my cheeks as I buried my head next to his neck and wept. My shoulders shook as the cries ripped through me. I couldn’t seem to stop.
He must have sensed it. “It’s okay. You cry as long as you need. Let it all out, Blair. I’m your rock. I can take it.”
My rock.
I didn’t have one, not since I was a girl. My father had been that rock, and he was cruelly yanked away. Ever since, I doubted anyone could ever love, cherish, or protect me like he did. No one ever wanted to be the man who could fill such impossible shoes.
But with Creature, with Balen, I found a soul worthy of that task. We didn’t know each other well yet. There was a lot to learn, but that didn’t mean we weren’t supposed to give it a try. Besides, I knew enough about his character to confirm he was a good man.
Creature had come to my rescue twice now. In truth, he saved my life both times. That was a powerful connection to share with another human being. He didn’t have to stop and help me the first time, and he didn’t have to kill the man who came after me tonight.
Balen “Creature” Hobbs was my hero.
No one would ever be able to convince me otherwise.
He stood, lifting me as he rose to his feet, striding toward the door. “Don’t look.”
I squeezed my eyes shut, burying my face in his neck. My tears were still drying on his skin.
He held me tighter, turning his head to nuzzle my cheek.
That one simple action, so sweet, so unbelievably gentle, cracked my heart open. And in the same moment, Creature took up residence inside.