Just Checking Up! Part Nine: A Scary Wake Up Call!

Silks:

“I can’t sleep.” I mumbled to myself anxiously, my wedding band glinting in the moonlight. Pausing for a moment, our honeymoon would have to wait. Snatching my purse off the nightstand, the fact that my father was alive bit the deepest part of my mind. Joining the team yesterday, the file on all he said running through my mind like a damn train. Tugging on a simple black sweater dress, a shake of my head had it drifting to the floor. Changing into a silk blood red sweater that showed them to the world, a yank of a pair of a stretching black skirt granted me enough elegance. Sliding my foot into my beat up sneaker, a long groan poured from my lips. New shoes were in order, my trembling fingers curling around a nearby pen. Scribbling down a quick note, a few limps had me in his rumbling hearse with my official badge. Twisting my hair into a bun, nausea twisted my stomach. Facing your monsters really never was easy, the wounds on my face making me look worse for wear. Backing up, leather groaned underneath from my increasing grip. When was life going to ease on me? Blasting death metal to distract myself, a mixture of rage and fear haunted me. Trees became skyscrapers, skyscrapers became business districts. A prison loomed over me, a squeal waking up a migraine. Massaging my forehead, a long groan escaped my lips. Locking it up after letting myself out, a flash of my badge permitted me entry. Signing myself in, an anxiety attack waited in the wings. Arguing my way into the empty visiting room, peeling metal walls seemed too big of a space. Where was a greater sense of security? Checking the time, pink rays of the sunrise reminded me of how inconveniencing this might be. Bringing a limping old man to the table, cold copper eyes had me shrinking back. A sadistic smirk spread cheek to cheek, his head cocking back into a fit of sinister laughter. Shivering in my spot, the bastard hadn't changed.

“The prodigal daughter thrives, minus a broken ankle. Did that monster-in-law do as she was instructed?” He asked calmly, chills running up my spine. “Too bad she couldn’t kill you. Hell, I couldn’t do it. Nice to see I made you ugly as sin. Judging by that parasite growing in you, it didn’t repel the boy away.” Too stunned to speak, the corner of my lips quivered. Chaining him to the table across from me, orange prison wear suited him in my honest opinion. Disgusting amounts of grease kept his ivory hair slicked back, his lanky form crouching over the table ominously. Clammy sweat glistened on my skin, an aggressive silence swallowing up the space. Who would break it first? A power play lay on our laps, both of us waiting to see who would bite first.

“At least I didn’t shoot my own kin.” I returned icily, his eyes narrowing in my direction. “Before you say that I murdered her, she attacked me, you freaking monster. Stop working with people that despise me. What the hell is your game?” Chains rattled until they stiffened, his wrinkled face hovering inches from mine. Struggling to keep a determined smirk on my defiant features, such actions were his way of playing with emotions.

“Shame your mother couldn’t follow through with my orders. Hiding you from the world prevented the horrible child from being seen.” He uttered with pride, malice shimmering in his eyes. Raw fury twitched my eyebrow, his words bringing us nowhere fast. Clearing my throat, a folder fluttered underneath my arm. Sitting him down briskly with a finger to his forehead, the power became mine. Opening up the files, a deeper chill to our initial meeting stole his sick pleasure. Shaking off the knee jerk reaction to shrink back, a slam of the organized files shut him up. Flipping the pages open to the dead members of his special little cult and hints of something bigger, curiosity overrode my desire to run away with my tail tucked in between my legs. Plucking out certain pictures, a fierce dominance returned to his features.

“Cool story, Mark. Tell me who told you to do all of this fucking madness. Clearly, you aren’t smart enough to act on your own.” I interrogated him sarcastically, a matching dominance coming to life in my expression. “Don’t play games with me. All the years of torture helped train me for this very moment.” While my outside seemed strong, the inner workings clunked with desperation. Color drained from my cheeks, his chains clattered to the cracked concrete floor. Springing to his feet, a single uppercut knocked out the bald prison guard. Limping behind a shelf, every breath shortened. How the hell did he figure a way out of the restraints?

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” He taunted cruelly, his Cheshire Cat grin giving rise to dread in my gut. “How about I finish the job that no one seems capable of?” Scanning the space for the emergency button, a long sigh drew from my lips at its presence across the room. A makeshift shank whistling towards the open flesh of my neck. A swift duck saved my life, images of that night flashing in my mind. Sparks danced with every failed attempt, a metal pole keeping him at bay. Sinking down to my knees, immense pain jolted through my bad leg. Crawling along the wall, agony cascaded from my eyes. Hoisting myself onto the closest chair, a yank of the bright red lever locked us in together. Slamming his blade into my thigh, a tortured wail burst from my lips. Jamming my elbow into his neck, his eyes fluttered a couple of times before a loud thud announced him hitting the floor. Staring numbly at the shank sticking out of my good leg, the wound seemed to be superficial. Guards rushed through the door, the alarm blaring to life. Blood red bathed the walls, faces blurring in front of me. Space, I needed space!

“I’m fine. Make sure they are taken care of.” I requested politely, most of me wondering how I was going to drive home. “Hell, I don’t know how I am going to keep my damn job." Watching them drag both men away, involuntary tears dripped off of my chin. Whisking me away to the prison’s hospital, hours blurred into one with more reports.

Gone was the sun, a bit of moonlight bleeding into the medical wing. Lights flickered over my head, my old man stirring awake in the straps holding him down. Sitting up with a huff, the ivory metal bed creaked as I turned to face him. Bringing my knees to my chest, stitches proved to be all I required at the of our little spat.

“As much as I wish you were never born, a clue has been earned.” He offered sincerely, disbelief lingering in the shadow of my broken smirk. “The boss never came by, so I won’t be of any help. Go back to our house and look underneath the floorboards under our bed. Better records are kept there. Don’t visit me again. I wish to never see no hair nor hide your pathetic existence.” Rising to my feet dejectedly, hurt woke up more negative emotions than any person would ever desire. Making my way to the hearse with everything underneath my arm, realization dawned upon me. No phone meant no way to contact me, a loud fuck exploded off of my tongue. Sinking into the driver’s seat, a bit of serenity would be required. No, I had to see if he was lying. Clicking into an assured amount of safety, a rumble and squeal had me back on the road. Speeding towards my old home, memory served to remind of where the prison was in relation to it. Zoning out enough to keep my sanity, heavy metal did most of the leg work. Peeling into the trail head, a grimace planted itself onto my lips. Gathering enough supplies to make the hike, a few deep breaths settled my fraying nerves. Beginning the long hike, every footfall screamed out in protest. Pushing through the pain, nothing would quell the quench for the truth.

Morning became the early signs of night, blue skies threatening to become the soft purple of the twilight, my former home coming into view. Crossing the threshold, wood creaked as I made my way into their bedroom. Using my shoulders to move the bed out of the way, scratches lined the floor. Collapsing to my knees, the adrenaline wore off. Checking on my stitches, relief washed over me at them remaining intact. Tugging on a pair of investigation level gloves, wood groaned with every yank. Wood shards shot into the air, a ledger capturing my attention. Scooping it up, a few clumsy hoists up and down had my back against the wall. Leather creaked as I opened up the beat up book, entries of what blood had been drawn and from which child. Reading the reasons, my jaw nearly hit the floor. Some sort of demons were being worshiped, a bang down the hall had me snatching the rusty fire poker next to me. Rip entered the room donning an unimpressed expression, the mixed emotions in my eyes softening whatever rant he had planned to shower me with. Sliding down the wall next to me, his head rested on my shoulder. What the hell had he gone through?

“Some idiot posted bail on my mother, so it was a good thing you left town.” He exhaled shakily, tears lining his tone. “Much to my dismay, her dumb ass was in our bedroom when I woke up. Shit, I nearly hit her. What is this?” Laying down on his lap in a way so his eyes could soak it in, sorrow lit up to pure triumph.

“Holy fuck! How the hell did you find the Holy Grail of the case!” He babbled excitedly, his arms sweeping me into a bear hug. “Clues are riddled in between the lines.” Smothering me in feverish kisses, that smile dropped as my lips parted several times. Bowing my head in shame, my lips parted several times. Reaching up to scratch my neck, his hand stopped me. Must he always be my hero?

“You saw him, didn’t you? How did it go?” He inquired gently, his soft tone throwing me off. “Don’t get me wrong. Anger flows through me but I know you like the back of my hand. Facing your fear is kind of how you deal with it, right?” Setting the ledger onto a fallen curtain, a bit of help had me on his lap with my lips hovering his. Pressing my forehead against his, a bit of poisonous recklessness led him here. Selfishness plagued my actions, regret lacing my soul.

“I am so sorry but I couldn't sleep knowing that he was alive.” I sobbed uncontrollably, our palms cupping each other’s cheeks. “Every word stung like a thousand needles, each one sinking deeper into my shattered heart. Somehow he freed himself, my wit bringing me to safety. Why must danger follow me?” Kissing me tenderly, time slowed down. Nature became a background noise, our hearts beating to the same song. Releasing me from his spell, an understanding passed between us. Peeling off my gloves for me, they floated to the worn wood. Snuggling into the nape of his neck, exhaustion threatened to sweep me away. Draping my arms around his neck, the scent of cinnamon warmed up my soul.

“I figured that the scent of cinnamon might calm you down, so I put some on my neck.” He informed me adorably, his arms draping around my shoulders. “How about we bag that up and get out of here for our honeymoon?” Placing me on his back as he got on his feet, his black band t-shirt and jeans gave rise to intense guilt. Bagging it up properly, his loving gaze met my wet eyes. Feeling like a wounded animal, his palms rubbed the top of my hands. Pecking his cheek to settle his fraying nerves, something told me that it didn’t quite work.

“Like I said, you missed the storm called my mother. I was actually happy you took off.” He assured me with his genuine smile, my heart skipping a beat. “Police dragged her back into that cell. Hopefully, the bail is quite a bit higher this time.” Wondering if he had to harm her, answers waited on the tip of his tongue. Leaping over the threshold, branches crunched with footfall towards his hearse. Night fell upon reaching it, his palm waiting for the key. Dropping them into his palm, clicks snapped me out of an impending panic attack. Sitting me in the passenger seat, the bag containing my supplies clanged next to me. Plopping down into the driver’s seat, his lips pressed into a thin line.

“Did you have to fight back?” I choked out through a wall of fresh tears, his head bowing in shame. “Fighting back felt wrong! He stabbed me in my thigh after saying that I should have never been born!” Blurting out the last sentence felt freeing, his eyes darted towards the new stitches. Feigning fake amusement and a drop of concern, his fingers drummed on the steering wheel. Ever the hero, my knight stood tall and ready to whisk me away from myself.

“Here I thought that you added those for the fuck of it.” He teased playfully, his act covering up his secret. “No, I didn’t. Locking her up in our bathroom did the trick. Sorry you seem to find yourself in physical strife. Supposing that he respected you slightly before dumping you, that little clue was a gift. Why toss you aside like a piece of trash after it all?” Tapping my chin, our rhythms synced.

“Playing mind games is his favorite thing to do.” I laughed numbly, tears splashing onto my lap. “Not being wanted isn’t anything new. Fuck, it stung coming from him. Must every word pierce the heart like I am still a damn child.” Rubbing my bump to ground myself, nothing seemed to work. Throwing the bag into the back, a couple of scoots had me next to him. Laying my head onto his lap, his fingers played with my hair. Securing our safety belts, the engine roared to life. Heavy metal and exhaustion whisked me away into a rough slumber.

Groaning awake, waves crashing onto sand spoke of an ocean property. Rolling onto my back, Rip skidded in with a cup of iced ginger tea and toast. Feeling like a train hit me, past events from the other day had me curling into a ball. Nope, depression sank her claws deep into my veins. Setting the tray on the bedside table, his body became a big spoon to my little spoon. Flipping around to face him, sunlight flickered over his handsome features.

“No matter how broken you are, I will be your glue.” He promised me lovingly, his fingers walking over to my heart. “Fuck him, fuck her. We have our own little family.” Kissing my bump, a tender blush flushed my cheeks. Realizing how correct he was, our little bun was cooking in the oven. Sitting up with a grunt, his side of an themed bed croaked upon him leaping over me. Offering me his hand, one tug had me on my feet. Placing me on his back, every footfall brought us closer to what had to be stunning. Salty sea air hit my nose, a shadow of my smile haunting my lips. Snaking my arms around his neck, a sea painted pink by a sunset stole my breath away.

“Nothing like a New England beach in autumn.” He commented nonchalantly, his steady voice nearly making me forget my mental issues. “Besides, I remember you saying that you love the ocean in the fall. That damn cast won’t let you swim. Win, win!” Leaning on the ivory metal railing, waves crashed onto the light purple colored sand. Basking in the moment, his kind heart sure knew how to win me over.

“Dear husband, you heard correctly.” I whispered tiredly, parts of my heart aching for this moment to never end. Beaming proudly, his dreams exploded from his lips. Praying for them to come true, tainted happiness was deserved after all for those lost in the storm of past traumas. Getting lost in his deep voice, a rare serenity came over me. Must she flee so often from me?

“I love you, Rip.” I announced softly at first, his loving gaze darting over to mine. “I mean it! My heart is yours and always will be. Don’t ever leave me. I know that I am reckless when it comes to the brass tax. Frankly, how could you not see that I am a mess? Hell, luck granted me you.” Sliding off of his back, a few limps had me clutched to his hip. Laying my head on his shoulder, his presence melted the darkness that iced over my heart. Wishing to the ones in charge of fate, grant me not too much rotten luck. For the first time in your freaking lives, allow me to have my fair share of good fortune. Please and thank you.