19. Kaylani
Chapter 19
Kaylani
I awaken abruptly, my heart racing as if it wants to burst free from my chest. The remnants of the nightmare cling to me like a suffocating shroud. Sweat drenches the sheets beneath me, and despite the warmth of Hux's room, my body trembles uncontrollably.
The sensation of hands seizing me from behind still feels all too real, their violent force pulling me back with such intensity that it steals the air from my lungs. I struggle against the phantom grip, but it holds me fast, its fingers digging into my skin like sharp talons. My cries for help are desperate, but they are drowned out by the thunderous pounding of my heart in my ears.
I'm safe. I'm safe.
The memory of Adam's touch is suffocating, enveloping me in a fear that refuses to dissipate. And Bex's laughter still echoes unnervingly inside my skull.
Blood. There was so much blood.
Every time I close my eyes, Bex is surrounded by a pool of darkness that seeps like blood, her eyes wide with terror. Every time I tried to reach for her, she would slip away like smoke, vanishing into the abyss.
I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to dispel the haunting images from the dream.
"It's not real. It's not real," I chant repeatedly, my voice trembling with fear. Each time I close my eyes, the nightmares become more vivid, each one more horrifying than the last—visions of Bex dying in gruesome ways.
With a gasp, I wrench myself awake again. The room is enveloped in silence and stillness. I reach out blindly for the lamp, my fingers shaking as I fumble to switch it on. The soft glow does little to dispel the tight coil of dread that clenches around my chest, refusing to release its grip.
Creed's side of the bed is empty, his absence palpable and unsettling. The room suddenly feels too vast, too cavernous to be in alone. Every corner holds shadows that whisper of unseen threats, amplifying the lingering fear from my nightmares.
Swallowing hard, I gather my resolve and slip out of bed, the cool floor chilling my bare feet. I wrap my arms around myself and with tentative steps, I make my way to the kitchen, drawn by the faint aroma of coffee.
Entering the dimly lit kitchen, I find Candi standing by the counter, a coffee pot in hand. She looks up as I enter, concern etched into her features.
"Hey," she says softly, setting down the coffee pot and giving me a sympathetic look. "Another rough night?"
I nod silently, unable to find the words to convey the turmoil still gripping my mind. The nightmares cling to me like a second skin, refusing to release their hold even in waking moments.
Candi pours me a cup of coffee, the rich aroma comforting in its familiarity. "Here," she offers gently, handing me the steaming mug. "Maybe this will help."
I take the coffee gratefully, the warmth seeping into my hands as I hold the mug close. "Thanks," I murmur, taking a sip and feeling some of the tension ease from my shoulders.
"Where's Creed?" I ask.
"He went to see Vaughn," Candi replies, her voice soft, yet tinged with concern.
"Good," I nod. "It's about time those two made up."
Candi snorts into her cup. "Yeah, those stubborn idiots."
I chuckle and sip my coffee.
"What's on your mind, Kay?" Candi asks, her gaze piercing through my facade.
I hesitate, then take a deep breath. "I need to go home, get some clothes and things."
Candi's eyes widen with worry. "Do you think it's smart to go there alone, Kay?"
I hesitate, knowing she's right. Adam's threats linger in my mind, a constant reminder of the danger that looms. "Probably not," I admit reluctantly, "but I need to. I promise I'll come right back."
Candi sighs softly. "Alright," she says finally, her voice tinged with concern. She reaches into a drawer and pulls out a small handgun, pressing it into my hand. "Take this. Just in case. And make sure to let the guys know what you're doing. Just be careful, okay? And call me if you need anything."
My heart races as I feel the cold metal in my palm. The weight of the gun is both reassuring and terrifying. I don't even know how to shoot it. "I... I don't know how to use this," I confess, my voice trembling slightly.
Candi's expression softens. "Just point and squeeze if you have to. Hopefully, you won't need it. But it's better to be safe."
I nod, my mind racing with what-ifs. The weight of the gun is a constant reminder of the danger, but also of the strength I need to face it.
"I will," I assure her.
As I head towards the door, I pull out my phone and open the "Triple Threat" group chat with Creed and Vaughn. I snort at the name as my fingers hover over the keys, a mixture of dread and determination coursing through me. They were not going to be happy with me.
Triple Threat
Hey, morning.
Creed :
(+_+) I drank too much last night.
I chuckle at his message.
Creed :
Sorry, I left you last night tiny.
Vaughn :
Morning, doll.
I miss you.
My insides flutter at Vaughn's words. I miss him so much.
It's fine Creed. I'm glad to see the two of you together. 3
When are you guys coming home?
Vaughn :
This afternoon. Creed is nursing a nasty hangover.
Creed :
Hey! I'm a great patient.
Vaughn :
You threw up all over me, Creed.
Creed :
You still love me.
='[
Vaughn:
*__*
I snort at their banter.
Are you guys texting me while sitting next to each other?
Creed:
Yep.
Wish you were in between us tiny.
;)
I laugh, picturing them laying in bed together, and my cheeks heat. When I don't respond fast enough another message comes in.
Creed :
You would fit so perfectly right here.
…(Typing)
A snapshot of them pops up on my screen. Creed and Vaughn lie side by side in bed, a small gap separating them. Creed's piercing green eyes meet the camera head-on, his features sharp and focused. His shirtless torso reveals taut, tan skin and lean muscles, leading down to a tantalizing 'V' that disappears just out of view.
Vaughn's arm is casually draped over Creed's shoulder, pulling him close. His angular jawline and intense gaze are fixed on Creed, a mix of affection and intensity in his expression.
My heart skips a beat as I stare at the photo, feeling a rush of affection for both of them. It's moments like these that remind me of the deep bond we share, even in the midst of our teasing and playful banter.
I debate how to tell them I'm going home.
Now, don't freak out.
Vaughn :
Kaylani.
I can almost hear the growl in his voice through the text.
I'm grabbing an Uber back to my apartment to get a few things.
Creed :
Alone?
Vaughn :
Absolutely not. We will take you.
I shake my head as my fingers fly over the screen.
I'll be fine. Candi gave me a gun.
Just in case.
For a moment, neither of them responds. I wait anxiously, staring at the screen and waiting for the three little dots indicating a response to appear.
Vaughn :
We will pick you up when you're done then.
Thanks, guys. See you soon.
As I creep into my apartment, the heavy scent of mildew mingles with the musty odor of the old building, assaulting my senses. I toss my keys and purse down. Hands trembling, I close the door behind me, shutting out the world and trapping myself in this suffocating cocoon of grief.
I hesitate before heading down the hallway as I usually would. The gun in my waistband is burning against my skin. I've never been one to cause physical pain to someone else, and carrying it on me feels so wrong. I pull it out and set it next to my purse, running a shaky hand through my hair.
I'm here to get some clothes and get out, that's it.
Scanning the familiar space I can't help but think of the past. Bex's vibrant presence used to fill these walls, but now they echo with a hollow emptiness that mirrors the ache in my chest. My throat constricts, and tears blur my vision. The only sounds are the echo of my own breath, and my own footsteps. Each squeaky step I take into the apartment brings back memories—the blanket Vaughn used is still piled on the couch, a stark reminder of when I thought everything might work out. It's hard to believe it's been a month since my world shattered into a million pieces.
A month since I found out Bex is dead.
A month since Hux was arrested.
A month since I last saw Adam.
Heading down the hall, an overwhelming urge draws me to Bex's room. I head there, only to stand before her closed door, hesitating. I haven't entered since before she went missing—was it four months ago now? I shake my head, trying to dispel the painful thoughts that she will never return, that I'll never hear her laugh again. How could she be gone forever?
I can't keep running from the pain.
Slowly, I push open the door, steeling myself for the onslaught of memories that await me. I'm immediately greeted by her lingering citrus scent.
The room is frozen in time, as if Bex could walk in at any moment. I take a small, measured step into her room. The bed is neatly made with the blue comforter I got her for her birthday last year And her favorite heels are neatly tucked under the table—typical Bex, always a neat freak. I chuckle softly, closing the door behind me.
Tears well up in my eyes, blurring my vision as I allow myself to feel the pain, to mourn the loss of my friend. Images of Bex flash through my mind—her bright smile, her infectious laughter, the way she always knew how to lift my spirits.
How could someone so full of life be gone? It wasn't fair. A wave of anger washes away my pain, and replaces it with rage.
I reach out, tracing the edges of her dresser with trembling fingers, my touch lingering on the trinkets and photographs that adorn it. Each item holds a memory, a piece of Bex that I refuse to let go of. I pick up a framed photo of us at the beach, the warmth of the sun on our faces, and a pang of longing shoots through my chest. How I wish we could go back to that moment, freeze us in time before everything fell apart.
But life doesn't work that way, and I'm left grappling with the harsh reality of her absence. Closing my eyes, I allow myself to feel the full force of my pain, to mourn the loss of my friend, my confidante, my sister. Tears spill down my cheeks, leaving trails of sorrow in their wake, but I don't try to stop them. They're a testament to the love I have for Bex, a love that will never fade away.
"Oh, Bex," I murmur softly, the ache in my chest threatening to overwhelm me. "I'm so sorry. You warned me about Adam, and I didn't listen."
And then I hear it—the unmistakable creak of the floorboards, loud and ominous. My heart skips a beat, fear coursing through my veins like ice water. Someone is here, I know it. I can't remember if I locked the front door.
How could I be so stupid, so careless?
"Damn it, Kaylani, get your shit together. It could just be Vaughn and Creed," I mutter under my breath, my voice barely above a whisper.
Setting the gun down with my keys by the front door was a stupid idea.
With trembling hands, I look around the room, searching for any sign of a weapon, anything that might help me defend myself. But my efforts are in vain—my neat-freak best friend has left nothing out on her dresser I could use as a weapon.
Another sound breaks through the sound of my heartbeat now thundering in my veins—the sound of a voice, deep and familiar, cutting through the silence like a knife. "Hello, little lamb," his voice slithers through the room, dripping with malice and false affection.
I freeze, my eyes still on the picture on the dresser, my breaths shallow and sharp. Think, Kaylani, think. What should I do? Every nerve in my body screams danger as Adam's presence looms over me like a dark cloud. But I refuse to let him see my fear. I straighten my spine, lifting my chin defiantly, even as my heart races in my chest.
I whirl around to face him, my pulse thundering in my ears. Adam stands in the doorway, a sinister smile playing on his lips. His presence sucks the air from the room, making it hard to breathe.
"You shouldn't be here," I manage to say, my voice steadier than I feel. "You have no right."
Adam steps forward, his eyes gleaming with dark amusement. "Oh, but I do. You see, little lamb, you and I have unfinished business."
"You’re delusional," I snap. "We have nothing. I'll never submit to you," I spit the words out, my voice trembling with suppressed rage. "If I'm still alive, I'll always fight you."
Adam's eyes narrow, his gaze burning into mine with an intensity that makes my skin crawl. He takes another step closer, and I instinctively back away, bumping into the dresser.
"Why are you here, Adam?" I demand, trying to keep him distracted.
I never should have come here alone. How could I have been so foolish? I berate myself, the weight of my mistake pressing down on me like a lead blanket.
"I missed you," he pouts, just like he used to. But I won't fall for his tricks ever again. The fog I was blinded by is gone, and all that's left is a crystal clear view of the monster it had been hiding.
I take another step along the dresser trying to figure out how I can dart past him to reach the door. If I can just make it to Candi's gun, I'll be okay. "What could you possibly still want with me?"
His lips curl into a twisted smirk, a cruel glint in his eyes. "What do I want? I want to finish what we started. You think you can run from me? Hide behind your little friends?" He laughs, a chilling sound that sends shivers down my spine.
He picks up the same frame I held just moments ago as I take another step towards the door.
"You're mine, Kaylani. You always have been, and you always will be. Now that Bex is out of the way, that just leaves my mother."
"I'm not yours," I snap back, my voice gaining strength with every word. "I never was Adam. You forced your bite on me. You don't own me and you never will."
"You're wrong," he yells, throwing the picture to the floor, shattering it into a thousand pieces. "You belong to me Kaylani. And I'll make sure you never forget it!" Adam's face contorts with rage, and he lunges forward, grabbing my arm with a bruising grip. The distance I had tried to put between us isn't enough and I scream, thrashing wildly in his hold.
"Let go of me!" I struggle against his hold, panic rising in my chest. His fingers dig into my flesh, leaving bruises in their wake.
"You can scream all you want, little lamb," he taunts, his voice a low growl. "No one can hear you. No one can save you."
Desperation fuels my strength. With a primal scream, I wrench my arm free, shoving him away with every ounce of power I can muster. He stumbles back, momentarily caught off guard. I dart down the narrow hallway, my heartbeat echoing in my ears like a war drum. Each step feels like an eternity, the walls closing in around me. The front door looms ahead, a beacon of hope in this nightmare. I snatch the gun off the table, the cold metal grounding me in reality.
Whipping around, I face him, my breath coming in short, ragged gasps. My chest is on fire, each breath threatening to pull me into a panic attack, but I can't allow myself to break. My hands shake uncontrollably, the gun quivering in my grip. My legs, weak and trembling, threaten to give out beneath me. But I hold my ground, planting my feet firmly, drawing strength from the power I now hold.
His eyes widen slightly at the sight of the gun, but he quickly recovers, a twisted smile curling his lips. "You would never shoot me, little lamb." The utter confidence in his words pisses me off.
Every muscle in my body screams for me to run, but I hold my ground, the cold metal of the gun a strange comfort against my skin.
"Try me, Adam. I'm not some meek little lamb anymore."
He takes a step closer, defiance in his eyes. "You don't have the guts."
My grip tightens on the gun, my finger hovering over the trigger. "Like I said, try me," I whisper, every fiber of my being daring him to take another step. The air between us crackles with tension, the room silent except for the sound of my ragged breathing. My every muscle is taut and ready to strike. The room around us seems to blur, the only clear focus is the distance between us and the weight of the gun in my hand. In two short steps he could be within arm's distance of me and take the gun.
I can't let that happen.
He takes a step toward me and I mirror him, keeping the distance between us the same. With my free hand I yank the front door open, never taking my eyes off the threat before me.
"Get out," I demand. "Get out, or I swear I'll make you pay for everything you've done, Adam."
Adam stumbles back, surprise flashing in his eyes. For a moment, just a moment, I see doubt flicker across his face. But then his expression hardens.. "You're making a mistake, Kaylani," he warns, his voice deadly calm. "You can't escape me."
"I already have," I say defiantly, my heart pounding in my chest. "And I will keep escaping you. Every. Single. Time."
Finally, Adam takes a step back, his smirk returning. "This isn't over, little lamb," he promises, his voice dripping with venom. "I'll be back. And next time, you won't be so lucky."
With one last, lingering glance, he turns and slips out of the apartment, his footsteps echoing down the hall. I slam the door with my foot and lock it.
He's gone.
I stand there trembling, the gun still clutched in my hand, until my legs give out and I collapse onto the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. The adrenaline fades, leaving me drained and terrified. But beneath the fear, a spark of determination burns bright. I won't let Adam win. I won't let him break me.
I pull out my phone, dialing Candi's number. My hands are shaking so badly from the adrenaline drop that I can hardly keep my grip on the phone. She picks up on the second ring.
"Kay? What's wrong?" she asks.
"Adam, he was in my house," I whisper, still sitting on the floor where I dropped.
Candi's voice on the other end of the line is filled with concern. "Kay, are you okay?"
Tears stream down my face as I struggle to speak. "I... I'm okay. He... he threatened me."
"Stay where you are. I'm coming over right now," Candi says firmly. "Do you need me to text Creed?"
I nod, even though she can't see me. "Yes, please."
"Okay, I'll take care of it. Just stay on the line with me until I get there," Candi reassures me.
I cling to her voice like a lifeline, the fear and trauma still gripping me. Adam's threat echoes in my mind, but Candi's presence, even over the phone, offers some comfort. As I wait for her arrival, panic sets in with the realization that I haven't packed anything.
"Candi, I... I haven't had a chance to pack anything," I manage to choke out.
"Don't worry, Kay. Just focus on staying safe. I'll take care of packing a bag for you when I get there," Candi replies calmly, her voice determined.
The minutes tick by agonizingly slow, but finally, I hear her familiar knock on the door.
"I'm here, Kay," Candi says, and I can hear her even without the phone.
Her words give me the courage to slowly stand, still clutching the gun tightly. With a shaky sigh of relief, I end the call as I open the door for Candi. She wraps me in a tight hug and I let myself lean into her, grateful for her unwavering support.
"We're going to get through this," Candi whispers, her voice steady and reassuring. "Let's get you home."