Pushing Me To The Edge

General Miles Matheson's birthday party was a grand affair. Charlie had never seen such elaborate decorations. The melodic sound of crystal glasses clinking resounded elegantly in the ball room. On the way to the festivities, Charlie finally took the time to properly look at her new home. She noticed the old paintings hanging in the grand halls, the ornate ceilings, the different stairways, and, amongst other things, potential exit routes. The soldier persona beaten into her during her two years of service in the Militia seemed to somehow be surviving underneath the surface. Noticing exits, weapons, or handy objects that could serve to attack an opponent were just a habit that had been drilled into her. She did it automatically.

She longed to become a soldier once again, to be part of a group, to feel like Charlie again. Often fantasizing about murdering Davidson, she enjoyed imagining killing him in a bunch of different ways. Of course, he had to die painfully: this loathsome creature needed to know how miserable he had made her. Unfortunately that dream couldn't come true. Her captor was a powerful man, a Colonel of the Militia. Even plotting his death would be sufficient to get executed. Knowing all of this, Charlie decided she would kill Davidson on the day she decided to take her own life. When life became an unnecessary burden, she would take him with her, and in that gesture, give a gift to all women. It made her sick to think of some other girl taking her place.

The young woman didn't think she could escape. She no longer possessed the strength. But just in case, she checked the exits and evaluated the security level. Naturally, a big event would mean reinforced security measures.

At the party, a waiter handed Charlie and Davidson drinks. Charlie gulped hers down quickly and hoped to get it refilled soon. They were serving the good stuff, no bootlegger shit here. The rich and powerful have apparently hoarded a ton of pre-blackout booze. She didn't know it but she had just downed a very expensive flute of champagne.

Davidson was currently talking to two men named Baker and Strausser. She didn't like the way Strausser looked at her. His cold eyes looked as if snakes inhabited his mind. William Davidson was trying hard to seem charming in front of the two other men. She could tell it was a facade because he acted exactly like that the first time she met him.

Slowly she took a step to the side and distanced herself from the group of men to find something to eat. She soon ran into a waiter who refilled her champagne glass and gave her a snack. She had no idea what it actually was but she devoured it anyway. It felt greasy on her tongue but the taste wasn't too horrible. The young woman decided to go out and stroll through the gardens in the hopes of finding a good spot to sit and drink in peace.

The gardens, surrounded by the residence walls, were luscious and fragrant. She could hear the

music playing inside as a cool summer breeze carried it out to her. Summer was definitely her favourite season. She used to go fishing with Danny and her dad when she was little. She was alone now. Most people were still inside networking or trying to have a word with the president or the general. Charlie had not seen either of them. Meeting her Uncle was something she didn't want to think about.

Sitting on a bench, she looked at the gleaming water of a fountain while reminiscing about her last summer in Sylvania Estates. Her mom had gotten so mad at them for pushing her into the lake. Her angry face made Charlie smile now. Were they still alive now? Thinking of Danny's brilliant smile made her eyes water. Her brother had always been so fragile. She hoped he was happy, wherever he was. Brushing her tears aside, she noticed someone was watching her.

"I thought I was the only one who would come here" said the man in the shadows.

Charlie didn't say anything at first. She tried to figure out if she had seen him before.

"I wanted some air"

He came out and Charlie could finally distinguish his features in the moonlight. He was around Davidson's age but taller. She didn't quite trust men of that age. Actually, she didn't trust men at all anymore. He had short curly hair and pleasant facial features. The moonlight wasn't at its brightest so she couldn't see him very well. He wasn't part of Davidson's group of "friends".

"Mind if I sit?" smiled the man.

Charlie made a noncommittal gesture and he took a seat next to her.

"So, I've never seen you before" started blondie.

Charlie laughed internally. Was he actually trying that tired old line?

"Oh so, you're the silent mocking type" he continued when he saw the ghost of a smile on her pretty face.

Bass was pretty stunned. This woman didn't seem to know who he was at all. That rarely happened anymore. Even in the dim lighting she looked beautiful. Even more surprising, she didn't seem interested. Most women latched on to him the moment he spoke to them. She was looking at him from the corner of her eyes though. "What's your name?" he enquired.

"Charlene, but people have always called me Charlie" replied Charlie, her gaze still fixated on the water.

"I'm Bass. So Charlie, what are you doing out here when the party's inside?" He intentionally avoided using his actual name. Being just Bass always made things more interesting.

"The person I came here with is busy talking about things I'm not interested in. What about you?" She turned to look at him. She could stand the small talk. Not much else to do.

"Well my best friend just found his woman of the night. He's busy."

"I see. So you're left all alone. Poor you."

Talking got easier the more you did it. Charlie was not exactly a great conversationalist but he didn't seem threatening and talking to someone who didn't know her circumstances was a welcome novelty.

Bass let out a short laugh at her sassy comment. Maybe he had also found his woman for the night. Miles leaving him alone looked like a blessing in disguise after all. Her long blond hair shone in the moonlight and she looked very alluring in that dress. He was sure he had never seen her before; he would have noticed her.

"I could say the same about you. So your boyfriend is more interested in work than you?" mocked Bass.

"He's not my boyfriend" replied Charlie with a slight grimace.

"Would you care to go inside and dance with me?" smiled Bass.

"I can't dance. At all. So I'd rather not do that."

"That's okay. I'm not that good either. My best friend is the really good dancer. That's how he gets all the girls."

"Oh so that's why you're always left on your own." laughed Charlie.

"This is a special occasion. I was actually trying to get away from all my admirers."

"Yeah, it's the same for me."

"I'm not surprised."

Charlie blushed a little at the barely veiled compliment. She could almost believe she was a normal girl flirting with a guy. Unfortunately she was like Cinderella, needing to go back to reality. Davidson was probably wondering where she was. She tensed at the thought that he might be angry because she had sneaked off without a word.

She stood up, a slight tremble in her legs. She hoped Bass hadn't noticed that. She turned back to him. He was looking up at her with wide eyes.

"I'm sure he's expecting me inside. I should go."

"Wait a minute. What's the hurry?" asked Bass with a disappointed face.

"Sorry. I'm sure I've made him..huh…worry."

"I don't even know your last name."

"Pittman. I really should go inside now. You should too, maybe you'll find a girl like your friend."

She left with those words.

"I thought I had" whispered Bass after she'd left.

She looked even more beautiful standing than sitting. He could see her better that way. He also noticed her worried expression. Bass waited a few more minutes in the gardens. When he went inside, he looked around to catch a proper glance of Charlene and the guy she was with but she was nowhere to be seen. Naturally Bass didn't know she was just a few floors up, going back to her room with Davidson.

He was furious.

He never shouted, but Charlie could feel the rage. The moment he spotted her, he grabbed her by

the elbow and dragged her out of the ballroom. Just outside the door he slammed her against the wall and whispered in her ear.

"I thought I had been clear about what was expected of you this evening. You made me look like a fool. It looks like you need me to teach you again."

Charlie started to shake slightly at hearing those words. A long night lay ahead of her. She wished she had drunk more, she felt way too sober to get beat up on. The instant the doors of the room closed behind them he slapped her hard. Charlie stumbled and held her cheek, her eyes watering from the sting. Next, his fist connected with her stomach. The degree of violence told her how angry he actually was. He rarely got this violent. Davidson pushed her and her jaw hit the bedpost. He grabbed the back of the dress and pulled her onto the bed.

Ripping her dress, he loosened his pants. Charlie was used to that part. Hitting her always aroused him. He entered her without any preparation. The intensely burning sensation forced a sob through her clenched teeth and she felt tears stream down her face. She shut her eyes, imagining cutting his balls off. She could almost hear him scream in agony.

One day, she was going to kill that son of a bitch.

The next day Charlie sat on the floor of the room with her back against the wall. Her face looked horrific. Her jaw was swollen and her cheekbone was heavily bruised. Her stomach was now adorned with a big black bruise. The young woman was nursing a drink to ease the pain. Her mind and body gradually going numb, she closed her eyes and sighed heavily. The ruined dress still lay on the floor. Davidson had already been gone for a few hours. She apprehended his return. That morning she had pretended to be asleep and waited for him to leave.

She thought back to the night before. Sitting in the gardens and talking with Bass seemed like a lifetime ago. She wished moments like that could happen more often. It had made her day. Who was she kidding? It made her year. She laughed at herself. That sounded really pathetic. Why was she even clinging on to life? Nobody loved her and she didn't have anyone to love either. Jason had been mutated to the Plains Nations border. Davidson had promised her he would be dead inside a year.

In the same building, President Sebastian Monroe was presiding over a meeting. He had trouble staying focused on what Colonel Davidson was saying. Talking about some rebel nest found last week in Baltimore. His mind kept straying to Charlie. He didn't know where she lived but he needed to find her. He would ask Baker to locate Charlene Pittman later. He looked to his right to find Miles fighting off sleep. Judging by his slight green tint, Bass could tell his brother had had one hell of a night.

After the meeting, Bass and Miles went back to the Presidential office. Bass poured himself and Miles cups of coffee. Coffee came from South America and was crazy expensive in addition to being considered a delicacy since the blackout. To make it last longer they mixed it with chicory, a root used as a coffee substitute cultivated on the North American continent. Miles wrinkled his nose at the smell.

"Man, I'm not sure my stomach can handle that yet."

"So, I take it you had a good time."

"From what I remember, I did. But this morning I woke up with this chick in my bed. Could not remember her name if you tortured me."

"Seriously? Did she get mad?" Bass was smiling now.

"Yup. Got upset. I told the maids to take care of her."

Bass didn't say anything to that. He knew Miles wasn't the romantic type. Actually, the only woman he ever really loved was Rachel Matheson. He was sure his brother still loved her. But Rachel Matheson, who was still working on a few projects for the Republic, seemed to detest Miles now. She had been brought in almost three years ago. Things had not gone according to plan. First, Miles had found out his niece Charlotte had died of pneumonia a couple of years prior. Bass still recalled the tiny blonde girl who hugged them tightly when they came over for Thanksgiving dinner at the Matheson's house. Miles had taken the news pretty hard. Moreover, Ben had accidentally been killed while trying to escape on the road to Philly. Danny, against all odds, still survived to this day. The boy was fairly weak though. He often got asthma attacks.

"I met a girl last night" said Bass after a while.

"Oh so your night wasn't too bad either."

"Actually she slipped away before anything could happen. I'm going to ask Baker to track her down. Apparently she just recently moved to Philly."

"Wow. That never happens. She must have been a big tease."

"Shut up. Unlike you, I'm not a complete slut."

"Yeah, I'm not so sure about that" retorted the General.

"Anyway, have you ever heard of a Charlene Pittman?"

"Never. I need to take a bath. I hope what's-her-name has gone home."

Miles set down the untouched mug of coffee and left.

Monroe sat at his desk to get some work done. After a while, he sent out for Jeremy Baker.