“I’ve got to run out to the store, Amy’s here if you need help with anything.” Donna was leaning in my doorway. I’d been sitting on my bed with Ava. Donna rarely left me alone lately with the threat of Warren showing up.
“Ok. Don’t worry. We’ll be fine, won’t we, pretty girl?” I cooed as I tickled Ava’s feet.
“See you in a bit.” Donna smiled back at me before leaving.
We’d made plans for what to do if anyone showed up. We all knew the rules. Part of living in the house is learning how to watch out for one another. We all have our enemies, and we all needed to know who those were. There were steps to follow, and weapons for protection. Donna kept a handgun hidden in the hall closet. We knew where it was, and how to use it. None of us wanted to use it, but it was there just in case. After Donna had lost Emily, she swore she’d never lose another woman and she’d do whatever necessary to make sure that truth held.
I honestly don’t remember much about this day. It comes to me in pieces. I’d like to believe it’s my brain’s way of protecting me. Blake says that sometimes we can’t remember things because our mind just shuts it out.
It was around lunch time when Ava went down for her afternoon nap. Amy was in the living room, and I was straightening up the kitchen. We’d done some holiday baking that morning, and left a bit of a mess. I heard the doorbell ring, and Amy call that she had it. I didn’t think anything about it. Amy was always answering the door. It was her thing, so to speak. She was like a kid in a lot of ways. She was the youngest of all of us, and seemed to enjoy seeing who was visiting.
This time was different. The usual laugh or teasing response she gave to visitors never came. “Brooke?” Her voice trembled, and I knew right away that something was off.
“Just a minute,” I called back. I was drying my hands.
“No, now!” His voice was clipped and a chill ran down my spine.
I dropped the dish towel as a chill ran through my body. He was here. He was going to kill me, and maybe Amy too. I closed my eyes and swallowed as I attempted to control the fear.
Our kitchen had two doors, one that led to the dining room and one that led to the hallway. I slowly moved toward the hallway, sliding my feet along so the floor wouldn’t squeak. I knew Warren’s routine. I knew that I couldn’t give in. I knew that if I did what he asked, he’d assume complete control.
“Brooke!” His voice boomed and got louder. He was inside now, and coming after me. My feet moved faster down the hallway. My hand gripped the closet door just as he reached me. “Where the fuck do you think you’re going?” He leaned in next to my ear. His breath reeked of bourbon and he looked as if he hadn’t showered in a few days.
“Nowhere,” I whispered. I refused to let go of the door, and I prayed that Amy was calling 911. She knew the process. She knew he was here to either take me with him or kill me.
“You’re coming with me, you little slut! I’ve been watching you with that doctor. You spread your legs for him yet?” His grip on my shoulder tightened, digging in. I’d have a bruise for sure.
“Warren,” I begged. “You’re hurting me,” I whimpered.
“Did you think I was here to play nice?” he scoffed. “You’ve had your fun. Now it’s time to go.” He started to pull me away, but I fought back.
I was not going to go down without a fight. I spun, and shoved against his chest. He stumbled back, and I used those few precious seconds to stuff my hand between the pillows on the top shelf. My fingers wrapped around the wooden grip, and I spun to face him. “No!” I shouted as I pointed the pistol at him. “Never again!”
“Are you serious right now?” He laughed. He laughed so hard he almost lost his balance.
“Leave!” I demanded.
“I’m not going anywhere without you.” His head tipped to the side as a smirk spread across it. “I’m never going to stop coming for you, you know that, right? I’m always going to be there. You’re never going to have a normal life, and that doctor isn’t going to want you when he finds out how pathetic you are. You’re used goods, Brooke. I took what little you had to offer.” He sneered.
It happened in a blur. Warren charged, there was a bang and then I saw him slump to the ground. I was still standing there, in the hallway when Cal arrived.
“Brooke? It’s over.” I looked up to see Cal’s face pleading with me. His hand was covering mine and the gun. He was trying to pry it from my grip. “I have
