Post by dazed on Aug 13, 2003 18:55:21 GMT -5
A NEW DAY – CHAPTER 6
DISCLAIMER: ABC owns these characters but hasn’t treated them with a shred of decency. However, I can only borrow them until a law is passed that gives fictional characters the same rights as the rest of us.
Aiden walked me through the boathouse and methodically outlined the precautionary measures he had taken. Microphones and cameras had been ingeniously hidden, with backups backing up the backups. He was leaving nothing to chance. Unfortunately it did not allay the fears that flitted on the fringes of my consciousness. They constantly tweaked my thoughts but I am unable to discern their true substance. Tonight I will close a chapter in my life. I may even end the novel.
I had sent a note to Michael that day and a response had not arrived. This did not concern me, as it was normal for him to refuse to put some issues down on paper. Acknowledging a renewed communication with me was one such issue. The note was short and vague. Too much information and his curiosity may not be piqued. It read,
“You win. I have nothing left. I am ready to talk. Lena”
The plan was simple; grovel and then fight back, appear to be defeated but then lose composure and attempt one last stand of resistance. Let him feel in control and then anger him. Arrogance will fuel the anger and arrogant angry men make mistakes. My new companions all showed concern but it was Kendall who understood how extreme I might need to go to pry the necessary information from the heartless sod. We shook hands and surprisingly, she pulled me in for a warm embrace.
“Be safe.” She whispered.
I paced the length of the boathouse, marching a furrow along its ancient planks. I chose this place for privacy, isolation and that sense that it is imbued with Bianca’s very essence. This is a place marked with her memories and her youth. This was a favored haven and the energy that she branded it with creates a feeling of warmth and protection.
Lost in my thoughts, I did not hear the creak of the old floorboards as Michael crept up behind me.
“You had better not be wasting my time or trying anything funny because I will make you pay.”
I turned around quickly and came face to face with the most hideously arrogant and evil smirk that had ever graced this innocent shack. I knew what was required of me and the vision of a broken Bianca Montgomery fueled my commitment to finish the journey.
I attempted a complete physical makeover as I uttered the words that would set the game in motion. My haughty resistance was replaced by a slouch and dreariness that my eyes conveyed with an authenticity born from stress and sleep deprivation.
“You win.”
Michael’s smirk faded and replaced by an air of suspicion.
“Really? And how could I do that when I wasn’t aware of a competition?”
“You know what I mean. I am earning a sub standard wage, my girlfriend has left me for the comforts of a child and …”
“And?”
“She can’t look at me without seeing you.”
The exchange was quick and we both settle back, taking a breath and waiting for the rest of whatever this was to unfold.
“You destroyed who she was and destroyed who I could be in the process. You win. Now, what do you want from me? And be quick about it! Groveling does not come easily to me. I’m not used to losing.”
He titled his head, looking smug and overly pleased with himself. I felt physically ill again. I could tell he had taken the bait.
“You know she had me willingly. I must say she’s a spitfire Lena. I understand how she got to you but I’m also glad you’ve finally come to your senses. You know you need to disappear so these ridiculous charges can be dropped. I will rehire you if you can make your way to the condo in Budapest.”
I choked back the images of Bianca fighting off this evil and pathetic excuse for a man. I needed to keep pushing. I could not lose control and lose this game. This was for the highest stakes I had ever known. It was for my one true love.
“I can do that. I will never believe, though, that she let you touch her. She is too pure to succumb to scum. You raped her just as you have raped my entire existence. You are vile and I am pathetic for letting you own me.”
He nodded the affirmative and stepped closer. I could tell he did not like the challenge. I had assaulted his ego. He could not accept that any woman would not want him.
“In the beginning she fought, oh how valiantly she fought but when I was in her I know she enjoyed it. She fought and then whimpered but I told her to think of you. After that, she cried. I think you brought her to tears my dear. Now, since we have a new arrangement, I think it needs to be sealed the old fashioned way. It’s time you remembered what you’ve been missing since your foray into perversion. I straightened out your lover and now I can do the same for you. You need to be branded like the cow you are.”
He moved closer, anger, power and lust emanating from every pore in his body. I realized where this was going and I knew the sacrifice that I would have to make. This must happen, I thought, for Bianca this must happen.
He pushed me hard against the wall and I protested in no uncertain terms. I shoved him hard and he reeled as he stumbled on an old life preserver.
“Good, you haven’t lost your feistiness. It always adds to the experience, just ask Bianca.”
He hit me hard and I fell. He pinned me down and I screamed at him. I told him no. I told him not to touch me.
“Shut up you pregnant dog.” He hit me hard again.
My last thought was one of embarrassment. How could I face Kendall, Maggie and Aiden? How could Bianca look at me knowing I let Michael touch me again?
I awoke in the hospital, my right eye shut, my head aching and my ribs sore. Kendall sat at my bedside. I was groggy from the medication but concentrated to find my voice, to find the truth.
“You gave us a scare. It’s been a couple of days.” She attempted to show me a reassuring smile but the stress on her face indicated so much more. She showed me concern and I was grateful.
I looked away and, feeling defeated yet again, let out a sigh. I found the last remaining well of courage and turned back to face the woman that I was sure must think me pathetic.
“I wanted him to admit raping Bianca but he turned on me so quickly. I think it was something he planned from the start. I believe he intended to commit the most intrusive violence he could on every woman he perceived to have wronged him. I…I don’t remember anything after he hit me.” My voice was hoarse and the beads of sweat trickled down from the effort of the conversation.
I looked at Kendall silently pleading to know the rest of the tale. The only sound in the room was the pounding of my heart as my fear of the answer permeated it with a sense of dread.
“You think…dear God Lena you can’t think we would sit back and let him…?”
Kendall turned white. When she found her voice, it shook with the effort it took to remain calm and compassionate. I was embarrassed yet again at what I had inadvertently implied but I needed to hear the words. I needed to know what happened to me.
“We saw everything. The cameras and tapes were working perfectly. Aiden ran to the boathouse after the first strike against you. I yelled for Maggie to call the police and I followed him. Michael hit you the second time as Aiden burst through the door. You were unconscious with Michael standing over you, his belt removed and his hands at his fly. Aiden jumped at him and Michael pulled a gun.”
I looked sharply at her afraid for the young Brit and afraid that this nightmare, my nightmare, had claimed another victim. Kendall could read the look on my face and moved to allay my fears.
“No, don’t worry, Aiden’s fine. They struggled and when I burst through the door the distraction was enough to turn the fight in Aiden’s favour. The gun went off, Michael slumped to the floor. He was dead. The surveillance cameras cleared Aiden of any wrongdoing. The police called it self-defense. Michael never touched you.”
Silence filled the room. This seemed to be a habit. An understanding passed between us. I owed Kendall my life. I closed my eyes, holding back the tears and feeling relief drift through my thoughts and my body. It was really, finally over. I was exhausted by the finality of it all. Kendall took my hand as I drifted back to sleep. We had come a long way, she and I. A bond had been forged and as I drifted into slumber, I knew one person in Pine Valley actually cared that the novel would still continue.
DISCLAIMER: ABC owns these characters but hasn’t treated them with a shred of decency. However, I can only borrow them until a law is passed that gives fictional characters the same rights as the rest of us.
Aiden walked me through the boathouse and methodically outlined the precautionary measures he had taken. Microphones and cameras had been ingeniously hidden, with backups backing up the backups. He was leaving nothing to chance. Unfortunately it did not allay the fears that flitted on the fringes of my consciousness. They constantly tweaked my thoughts but I am unable to discern their true substance. Tonight I will close a chapter in my life. I may even end the novel.
I had sent a note to Michael that day and a response had not arrived. This did not concern me, as it was normal for him to refuse to put some issues down on paper. Acknowledging a renewed communication with me was one such issue. The note was short and vague. Too much information and his curiosity may not be piqued. It read,
“You win. I have nothing left. I am ready to talk. Lena”
The plan was simple; grovel and then fight back, appear to be defeated but then lose composure and attempt one last stand of resistance. Let him feel in control and then anger him. Arrogance will fuel the anger and arrogant angry men make mistakes. My new companions all showed concern but it was Kendall who understood how extreme I might need to go to pry the necessary information from the heartless sod. We shook hands and surprisingly, she pulled me in for a warm embrace.
“Be safe.” She whispered.
I paced the length of the boathouse, marching a furrow along its ancient planks. I chose this place for privacy, isolation and that sense that it is imbued with Bianca’s very essence. This is a place marked with her memories and her youth. This was a favored haven and the energy that she branded it with creates a feeling of warmth and protection.
Lost in my thoughts, I did not hear the creak of the old floorboards as Michael crept up behind me.
“You had better not be wasting my time or trying anything funny because I will make you pay.”
I turned around quickly and came face to face with the most hideously arrogant and evil smirk that had ever graced this innocent shack. I knew what was required of me and the vision of a broken Bianca Montgomery fueled my commitment to finish the journey.
I attempted a complete physical makeover as I uttered the words that would set the game in motion. My haughty resistance was replaced by a slouch and dreariness that my eyes conveyed with an authenticity born from stress and sleep deprivation.
“You win.”
Michael’s smirk faded and replaced by an air of suspicion.
“Really? And how could I do that when I wasn’t aware of a competition?”
“You know what I mean. I am earning a sub standard wage, my girlfriend has left me for the comforts of a child and …”
“And?”
“She can’t look at me without seeing you.”
The exchange was quick and we both settle back, taking a breath and waiting for the rest of whatever this was to unfold.
“You destroyed who she was and destroyed who I could be in the process. You win. Now, what do you want from me? And be quick about it! Groveling does not come easily to me. I’m not used to losing.”
He titled his head, looking smug and overly pleased with himself. I felt physically ill again. I could tell he had taken the bait.
“You know she had me willingly. I must say she’s a spitfire Lena. I understand how she got to you but I’m also glad you’ve finally come to your senses. You know you need to disappear so these ridiculous charges can be dropped. I will rehire you if you can make your way to the condo in Budapest.”
I choked back the images of Bianca fighting off this evil and pathetic excuse for a man. I needed to keep pushing. I could not lose control and lose this game. This was for the highest stakes I had ever known. It was for my one true love.
“I can do that. I will never believe, though, that she let you touch her. She is too pure to succumb to scum. You raped her just as you have raped my entire existence. You are vile and I am pathetic for letting you own me.”
He nodded the affirmative and stepped closer. I could tell he did not like the challenge. I had assaulted his ego. He could not accept that any woman would not want him.
“In the beginning she fought, oh how valiantly she fought but when I was in her I know she enjoyed it. She fought and then whimpered but I told her to think of you. After that, she cried. I think you brought her to tears my dear. Now, since we have a new arrangement, I think it needs to be sealed the old fashioned way. It’s time you remembered what you’ve been missing since your foray into perversion. I straightened out your lover and now I can do the same for you. You need to be branded like the cow you are.”
He moved closer, anger, power and lust emanating from every pore in his body. I realized where this was going and I knew the sacrifice that I would have to make. This must happen, I thought, for Bianca this must happen.
He pushed me hard against the wall and I protested in no uncertain terms. I shoved him hard and he reeled as he stumbled on an old life preserver.
“Good, you haven’t lost your feistiness. It always adds to the experience, just ask Bianca.”
He hit me hard and I fell. He pinned me down and I screamed at him. I told him no. I told him not to touch me.
“Shut up you pregnant dog.” He hit me hard again.
My last thought was one of embarrassment. How could I face Kendall, Maggie and Aiden? How could Bianca look at me knowing I let Michael touch me again?
I awoke in the hospital, my right eye shut, my head aching and my ribs sore. Kendall sat at my bedside. I was groggy from the medication but concentrated to find my voice, to find the truth.
“You gave us a scare. It’s been a couple of days.” She attempted to show me a reassuring smile but the stress on her face indicated so much more. She showed me concern and I was grateful.
I looked away and, feeling defeated yet again, let out a sigh. I found the last remaining well of courage and turned back to face the woman that I was sure must think me pathetic.
“I wanted him to admit raping Bianca but he turned on me so quickly. I think it was something he planned from the start. I believe he intended to commit the most intrusive violence he could on every woman he perceived to have wronged him. I…I don’t remember anything after he hit me.” My voice was hoarse and the beads of sweat trickled down from the effort of the conversation.
I looked at Kendall silently pleading to know the rest of the tale. The only sound in the room was the pounding of my heart as my fear of the answer permeated it with a sense of dread.
“You think…dear God Lena you can’t think we would sit back and let him…?”
Kendall turned white. When she found her voice, it shook with the effort it took to remain calm and compassionate. I was embarrassed yet again at what I had inadvertently implied but I needed to hear the words. I needed to know what happened to me.
“We saw everything. The cameras and tapes were working perfectly. Aiden ran to the boathouse after the first strike against you. I yelled for Maggie to call the police and I followed him. Michael hit you the second time as Aiden burst through the door. You were unconscious with Michael standing over you, his belt removed and his hands at his fly. Aiden jumped at him and Michael pulled a gun.”
I looked sharply at her afraid for the young Brit and afraid that this nightmare, my nightmare, had claimed another victim. Kendall could read the look on my face and moved to allay my fears.
“No, don’t worry, Aiden’s fine. They struggled and when I burst through the door the distraction was enough to turn the fight in Aiden’s favour. The gun went off, Michael slumped to the floor. He was dead. The surveillance cameras cleared Aiden of any wrongdoing. The police called it self-defense. Michael never touched you.”
Silence filled the room. This seemed to be a habit. An understanding passed between us. I owed Kendall my life. I closed my eyes, holding back the tears and feeling relief drift through my thoughts and my body. It was really, finally over. I was exhausted by the finality of it all. Kendall took my hand as I drifted back to sleep. We had come a long way, she and I. A bond had been forged and as I drifted into slumber, I knew one person in Pine Valley actually cared that the novel would still continue.
