Author's Note: Hi! Sorry for not posting anything in forever, but I've been having to adjust to my new life...in high school. Fun. Well, it is, but...I won't get into it. Anyway, this is a story that my friend and I originally decided to work on together (she gets the most credit for the plot idea, BTW). However, I chose to do our verison and a verison that I created.
This first chapter is in Abigail's POV just so you know. Anyway, hope you enjoy!:)
Pure shock. The two and only words that could express the feeling I've experienced the whole day. I guess the mall shooting in Omaha really got to me more than it should've, and the event challenged my view about this country. Sure. I understand that every nation has its dark and tragic hours, but personally...I think America has too many at times. Germany may be home to Hitler, the creater of the unneeded and highly dreadful Holocaust, and many other negative things, but we didn't have (and continue not to have) rapings of girls constantly, murders every hour, and odd news. Okay. So I'm exaggerating my point, but I DO have one. Ben thinks I'm too dramatic for my own good, though. He said the whole incident at that mall was unfortunate and very sad to hear about, but he didn't seem too shocked or the bit surprised compared to me. He may have married me, grown a love for me, and figured out a lot about my personality, but he's got a long way to go.
I sighed with exhaustion, curious about how I managed to handle all of the breaking news on the shooting, not to mention the unusually annoying Ben. I mean, I'll get annoyed if we're fighting or in some pointless disagreement. Today, however, was...different. I'm not 100 sure why, but I know we were talking about death rather than whether someone was assuming another person's responses. But, I just didn't want to brainstorm contrast at all. Or think. I'm also not sure that was possible, but at the moment, it felt like it could be.
Luckily, I put on my nightwear and gotten prepared for bed BEFORE I recalled the day. So, all I had to do was stop glaring myself down in the armoire mirror and drag my body in our bed. Except a single thing was missing. Or element as I should say. Ben. Once again, he randomly decided to stay up in the library to do something history related. Honestly, I don't care on two conditions. First, if we get enough time together without Riley calling or hanging out in the house. Also, he couldn't just stay up and sneak in bed during the middle of the night. These, I've got to admit, are pretty silly, but it works. Somewhat.
Not wanting to climb an entire flight of stairs and with the exhaustion, I slowly crawiled to my side of the bed, pulled the covers over, and plopped myself down, not caring how unlady-like I was. My body stretched itself out, going onto its left side, as thoughts poured in. I tightly shut my eyes, praying every phrase, every worry, and every word would just slip out of my worn out mind. Although, it took what felt like a century to get the prayer responded to. I do, however, remember one thought magically popping up in my mind just before I fell asleep.
'If you love a person, you will make your relationship work, no matter how hard the sacrifices are, so you can keep the love that you truly desire.'
"Ummm..." I took the steamy cup from my mouth, my eye closed in delight, with my free hand grasping the cup gently. "This coffee has never-"
'Coffee?!' I suddenly thought, ' How did that...? And when did I...?' I narrowed my eyes looking at my tiny reflection in the dark, sweetened liquid. Then, they made their way up to my surroundings. The kitchen.
I couldn't believe what I saw. This was MY kitchen I was in. I couldn't remember descending downstairs that morning. 'Maybe Ben moved me down to the couch,' I suggested, 'Yeah, that's it. Someone broke in and-'
"Abi? Is there any Reese's Puffs over there?" a familiar voice asked.
I turned toward the source of the voice. Riley. The ruler of the couch. So much for that prediction. "No. There's NEVER any here. And...how did you get into the house anyway?"
"Don't you remember? My ferrari crashed into another car and got a huge red streak all over it. Man, was he mad. He's just as bad as-"
"Riley! Stay on topic!"
"Okay, woman! Geez. Someone's in a bad mood today," he muttered to himself.
"Excuse me?"
"Nothing. Anyway, I called Ben, and he arrived at the scene and picked me up, bringing me here." He pointed both index fingers at the hardwood floor.
"Uh-huh." I rolled my eyes. No way Riley could be here. I can clearly remember Ben speaking to him on the phone yesterday and telling me he wasn't coming over for a while, thanks to the unflavorable food and lack of at least three or four computers, not to mention a million electronic devices he listed that I assured that I'll will never be buying in my lifetime. 'This is just my imagination. He can't really-'
"Abigail."
I spun a half-turn like lightning, practically spilling my coffee onto the floor. "Thank goodness," I replied in full relief, seeing Ben, "I thought-"
"We've got to talk." he interrupted in a firm tone.
"Okay," I said slowly. My gut feeling went on right at that moment, alerting me that this couldn't be good. Now, I know when this happens, the feeling's usually accurate. Considering this is my husband, though, and the fact that I do trust him with my life, I put my mug on the counter next to the sink and followed him, nipping at his heels, as we entered and went through the long, narrow hallway that led to several rooms, including two different bathrooms. Ben predestined on the small study at the end of the pathway, however, which was...bizarre. 'Why would he pick out THIS room?' I questioned in my head as I advanced into the stuffy room, 'Is this something that Riley can't hear or anything? This is-'
WHAM! My eyes widened, my body turning a 180 to find that Ben slammed the door off its hinges, particularly not having a care whether the door would have any damage resulting in his excessive force. "Ben, why did you-?"
"Doesn't matter," he briefly informed me, cutting off my thoughts again. I was having a difficult time not getting interrupted by something or someone.
"Why are we in here?" My voice cracked horribly as I said that. "Isn't this a little odd?" Beads of sweat started forming on my forehead as my face began to turn red at the slightest bit, the heat extremely bothering me.
"We've got some business to take care of." Ben's hand dove into his jacket, drawing out the unexpected.
My heart skipped a beat. "Ben. What is that?" Heart beats began beating viciously against my throat, getting faster by the moment.
"What do YOU think it is?" The usual, yet pleasant look in his eyes faded, fury building up and taking over.
"It's..." My voice cracked so bad, I couldn't finish my statement. Plus...I didn't want to say what that thing was. For me, it was too scary to say, even if I've had more-than-enough near-death experiences for one lifetime.
"You wanna take back what you did to me?"
"Did? To you? I didn't do ANYTHING!" Confusion ran through my mind, not having a single clue about what he was talking about.
"Yes, you did, Abigail!"
"Ben, what are you talking about?! I haven't done a single thing to you!"
"You know what you did. Admit it."
"I don't know what you mean!" I swear that tears were about to escape. "Please, Ben! Just tell me, and we can work this out."
"No. Too late for that." He pulled the object in front of him, his hand having a steady grip on it. "You caused me pain that I can never get rid of. Now, I'm giving you pain of your own."
"NO, BEN!! PLEASE DON'T DO THIS!! PLEASE DON'T!!!" Those were my final words before a mighty ring burst my eardrums and a throbbing, lasting pain struck my heart. I could feel my body begining collapse quickly onto the floor as well as crimson blood spilling out of my wound, staining my top.
THUD!!!!!!
My eyes opened quickly, revealing that Ben really didn't kill me, and I had my life. Still, fright streamed through my veins. "Oh, my gosh," I whispered to myself. Teardrops shedded as I clenched the bottoms of my kneecaps and began to cry silently. That nightmare had crushed my mental mind forever...and I don't know how I'll be able to look at Ben and without one bit of fear.
If you're a bit confused on what exactly happened, feel free to ask me, and I'll be happy to tell you. Sorry if it did seem puzzling at first. I was in the moment and just wrote what I thought needed to be put down. Anyway, PLEASE review! Thanks!!!!!:)