Chapter Nine

I found myself walking down a lonely road. The rain poured down and the wind danced around and tugged at my thin cloak. The sole of my boots were worn and my skirt was burnt and ripped. I had no clue where I was going - but my feet seemed to have a mind of their own as I walked the long road. Gloomy looking trees hung over me, and an owl hooted somewhere in the far distance. Or at least I think it was an owl.

My senses seemed to be sharper. I heard every noise that my feet made as I walked across the rocky paths. I could smell the rain and damp bark coming from the tree. As I walked - I felt as if something kept pounding my head deeply. Like a heavy rock. I felt a sharp pain in my side.

The pain ripped through me like wildfire. I screamed out in agony - but no one would hear me for miles. I sunk to the ground and held my head in my hands. The pain was unbearable. I just wanted to lay then and I felt like curling up and just dying.

Then, as suddenly as it started, the pain stopped and I felt something pick me up from the ground. I looked around - but I couldn't see no one. I then felt my feet start to move. I let them lead me to a small house in the distance. It looked familiar - but I couldn't remember from where.

I walked up the narrow path of the house and the door opened. I smelt a warm and familiar smell that I hadn't smelt in ages. A woman stepped out - young with long blonde hair. She saw me and smiled brightly as she held out her arms. I then realized who was standing in front of me.

"Mom?" The woman nodded and I found myself flung into her arms. I felt emotion wash over me and I immediately broke down in tears. My Mother's soft hair combed their way through my hair. She hushed me gently as I cried into her shoulder.

"Oh Helena. You've done brilliant for yourself. Me and your Father are so proud of you." Her velvet voice whispered in my ear. I hugged her close - not wanting to let go. I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned and saw the jolly red face of my Father smiling down.

"My baby girl - I'm so proud of you for getting through this." He said. I gave him a small smile before falling into his arms.

"I miss you both so much." I said, holding tightly onto my Father's shirt. He rocked me back and forth gently.

"As do we sweetheart. As do we." He whispered softly before kissing the top of my head like he used to. I felt warmth spread through me and the tears stopped flowing.

"Sweetheart. We love you. Never forget that." My Mother said gently, turning me to face her. "We love you to bits. It wasn't your fault. Remember that."

"Your Mother's right Helena. It was that driver's fault. Not yours. Never blame yourself." I nodded, looking up at the two people I'd missed the most in my life.

"I love you guys too. I love you so much." I whispered, holding onto my Father. They both nodded and my Mother kissed me on the cheek. I felt warmth spread through me again.

"We have to go now Sweetie. You have to wake up." My Father said. I shook my head - not wanting to.

"You must Helena. Wake up baby girl. Wake up..." My Parent's voices got fainter and fainter.

"Wake up Helena. Wake up.." A deeper voice said from beside my ear. I felt a shake on my shoulder and everything vanished into nothing.

"Come on Helena. Wake up for my sanity." I heard the voice whisper softly by my ear. I shivered as I felt warm breath on my neck. The voice kept whispering for me to wake up. I recognized the voice as Dwayne's voice. "Please wake up. Paul looks like he wants to throttle someone - and David is his closest target." I opened an eye and met Dwayne's big brown eyes. He smiled and looked up with a nod.

"Don't tell him I'm awake. Let him kill David off." I snickered. Dwanye laughed.

"She's awake Paul! You don't have to carry out your murder after all!"

I groaned as I tried to sit up, but my head hurt, and so did my arm. I heard a sigh of relief and someone swooped down beside me. Blonde hair covered my vision and I smelt nicotine and petrol as I was pulled into a tight hug.

Are you okay?" Paul asked pulled me closer to him. I felt pain rip through my arm, and I struggled as a cue for him to let go. Paul loosened his grip - but kept me close to him. He stroked my hair softly - just like my Mother had in my dream. I felt sadness wash through me and I didn't understand why I felt water on my cheeks - until I realized that I was crying again.

"Lena? Sweetheart?" Star asked as she sat beside me. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. I'm just tired." I said. "I just need to sleep."

"You've been sleeping for 37 hours. I think you have had plenty." Paul quipped, not letting go of me. I smiled up at him.

"You really got the shit beaten out of you." David said, coming to sit the other side of me. I turned to look at him. "You're lucky Marco was close by. I like your black eye though." I stared at him, before Marco appeared with a mirror. I started at my reflection and gasped in shock and horror.

The first thing I noticed was the beautiful black eye that stood proudly over my left eye. I also noted a split lip and a mark down the side of my neck. It looked like someone had held something sharp to my throat.

"Damn it. I thought I had won that fight." I huffed. "Gonna have to get her back." I said, moving the covers off. Paul pressed a hand to my stomach and pushed me back.

"Nuh-uh. You have a sprained wrist and a mild concussion. You are on bed rest until I say so."

I frowned, but I suppose he was right. She could wait. For now.

"You didn't do anything to her, did you?" I asked. David's eyes glinted. OK so they did do something to her.

"We just made sure, she'll never bother anyone again." Paul said. Right. That meant they killed her. Great.

"You did look awful Lena. Perhaps I will train you up. Get you a little bit stronger." Paul said. "Maybe then you will be able to run your mouth a bit more."

"Well - you're safe now and that's all that matters." Star put in, smiling at me. "You boys can go rest - I'll take care of her." Star smiled at David who nodded and beckoned the rest to follow him. Paul hugged me one final time before getting up and following David and Marco out of the room. Dwayne hung back and looked at me before smiling softly and hurrying off to catch up with the rest.

Once everything was calm - Star rounded on me and started to fuss over me. Once she was satisfied with everything - she handed me Jaws who licked my hand and whimpered as he cuddled up to me. I brushed a hand over his silky fur gently. I noticed Starr was watching me with keen interest.

"He's been missing you so much. Your friend brought him to me.

"Friend?" I asked as Jaws attempting to bite the bandage around my wrist. I wondered why I had it - then remembered how that girl had grabbed my arm.

"Yeah. The young boy from that comic book store. He said that he'd found Jaws sulking outside the store. Brought him to me and asked after you." I smiled fondly as Jaws yawned and curled up next to me.

"Oh yeah? What did you tell Alan?" I asked, examining a bruise on my upper arm. I poked it gently then hissed in pain. Star looked confused for a few minutes as she watched me.

"Alan? No, he said his name was Edgar. Why would you assume Alan? Oh - are there two of them working there?" I looked up from expecting my injuries and stared at her.

"Yeah. Brothers." I replied.

Star nodded. "Yeah, he dropped Jaws off to me last night when he caught me on the Board walk. Asked me to ask after you. Said it was strange, not having you lurking around them." She laughed. "You made an impression on him. And his brother."

I smiled softly at her. "Yeah." They made one on me as well.

"Sweetie. Are you alright? You look upset - you're not coming down with anything are you?" Star pressed a cool hand to my forehead. I batted it away and turned to look at the wall. I felt exhausted all of a sudden

"Just tired Star." I said, leaning back on the pillows.

"Understandable. Well let us get you rested and hopefully you will be out and about soon. Your friend, Edgar, seemed to miss you a lot."

"Did he tell you that? Because that does not sound like him."

"Oh no. I could tell in his voice and eyes."

Something in my stomach suddenly made me feel sick. It was like, fluttering. I frowned. "Helena? Did I say something wrong?" Star asked me gently, sitting down next to me. I looked up to see anxious eyes staring back at me. I looked down and sighed softly.

"Sweetie? Is it something to do with what happened on the Board walk?" Starr questioned again, voice dropping.. I shook my head softly and stared back up at her, hoping she'd take the hint that I didn't feel like talking at the moment. I let a hand come up and cupped Jaws closer to me, who whimpered loudly.

"Ssh little one. Ssh." Star hushed the golden puppy. She watched the puppy before turning back to me. She smiled and brushed a strand of hair out of my face.

"You know Helena. You can tell me anything at anytime. I promise - I'll always make time for your problems." Starr promised me, crossing her little finger with mine. I smiled gently up at her and moved over so she could sit on the bed more comfortably.

"So what's wrong Sweetheart? I promise you I won't tell anyone." I felt a want to trust Star with all my problems - but I couldn't bring myself to even speak at this moment. "Helena. Are you worried about going back to the Board walk? Because I promise you - those girls are long gone." But that wasn't the exact thing I felt troubled about. There was nagging feeling, deep in the back of my mind. Nagging me about something I'd never touched on, as I felt childish thinking about it.

"I'll be fine, once I sleep." I said to her. Star looked unconvinced but nodded.

"OK. I'll be out here. Holler if you need me." I nodded and laid back into the pillow. I heard Star's heels echo off the walls as she vanished down the cave.

"Teenager years are always the worst." Warm breath hissed against my ear. I jumped and turned to see Marco laying beside me. "I was only nineteen when I gave up and was turned. I can tell you - never get turned too young. It feels like you're going through puberty every single year. Although it does attract the foolish young women."

I laughed quietly and leant into the man I saw as my older brother. He wrapped a protective hand around me and whispered in my ear, lulling me into a light sleep


Updated: 15/07/2015