Chapter 11: Making Him Pay
Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Academy.
Wow you guys were really riled up with that last chapter=) You know that was my evil plan don't you? Anyways here it is nice and early for you=) Enjoy!
RPOV
Tears flew down my cheeks blurring my vision as I ran blindly through the streets of Istanbul. The revolting images assaulted my mind as I ran making it impossible to pay attention to my surroundings. I shrieked as a cab nearly ran me over stopping just inches from me as I stood frozen like a deer caught in the headlights. The driver honked at me yelling profanities until a bystander forced me to move my legs.
"Miss are you okay?" the man asked. I wanted to scream that no, I'd never be okay. The people I loved were constantly betraying and I'd just witnessed one of the most deceitful acts of betrayal yet making me want to burn my eyes with acid to forget the horrifying images that were now scorched into my brain. I pulled away from him and continued sprinting until I ended up at my destination. I cursed myself for having left my car at school. If I'd had it then getting here wouldn't have been so difficult.
"Can I help you?" the man behind the counter asked?
"One ticket to anywhere," I said shoving a fat wad of cash at him.
"Ankara it is," he said stamping my ticket and gesturing to a train on the other side of the station.
I was glad I managed to grab my purse on the way out the door and that I'd just been to the ATM. I knew if I used my credit card Baba would have the dogs out looking for me and track me down quickly.
I took one last look at my phone before turning it off and tossing it into a trash can. I didn't want them tracking me by GPS. "Stupid technology," I muttered.
I sat in the train compartment staring blankly out the window tears stills streaming down my face. Why couldn't life ever be simple? Why did things like this continuously happen to me?
I wanted so badly to hop on a plane and show up on my parent's doorstep and ask them to take me back. Only I couldn't go back. I didn't belong there, but I didn't belong here either. They had all lied to me and broken my trust one way or another. The only people I could trust were my friends.
I lay my head back against the seat as the train began to glide along to wherever Ankara was. All I knew was that I needed to disappear for a while and I didn't want to be found. That would make him suffer for a while and believe me he deserved it this time. There was no excuse for what he had done. He knew how much it would hurt me and yet he'd gone ahead and done it anyway. Did he honestly think I'd never find out? My stomach rolled as I wondered how long it had been going on.
I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I knew the train had come to a halt and people were empting out of the exits.
"Final stop Miss," the conductor said as the rest of the passengers disembarked leaving me alone. I nodded and quickly vacated my seat.
It was beginning to get dark and I knew the first thing I needed to do was find a place to stay. I walked around for about twenty minutes and that was utterly useless. I decided to go into a small café to warm up , have something to eat and maybe solicit the name of a decent hotel.
After having a bowl of soup and a hot cup of coffee the waitress told me where I could get a decent night's sleep.
I flopped down on the bed of the second rate motel and let myself fall into oblivion. I'd worry about the fact that I had no clothes tomorrow.
DPOV
"What do you mean you don't know where she is?" I roared as I paced back and forth in Rose's room.
"She took off," Adrian state.
"Her car is here," I argued.
"She ran."
"And no one thought to stop her?"
"We thought she'd come back after she cooled down," Avery interrupted. I wasn't interested in hearing what they thought. I was seriously worried for her safety. Obviously she'd been distraught when she fled, but why hadn't she come to me? A horrible thought occurred to me. Maybe she never made it as far as my apartment. Maybe something had happened to her on the way.
"We should call the hospitals and see if she's been admitted. Did anyone think to call Dr. Olenski?" I asked pulling out my phone.
"She hasn't been there. She's the first person I called after you," Adrian said. He looked like hell.
"This is not happening," Abe repeated for the umpteenth time since I'd rushed over here.
"Wake up, it is happening," I growled.
"What were you thinking doing that with Rose in the house? I thought you of all people would be discreet," I hissed covering the mouthpiece on my phone.
"She wasn't supposed to find out like that," he said sadly. "I was going to tell her, but not until things were going better."
"Do you honestly think there would have been a good time or way to tell her?" I asked in exasperation. The nerve of some people.
"I suppose not," he muttered. I felt slightly bad for the man. Not knowing where his daughter was, was something he was all too familiar with and it had to be eating him alive.
"Pick up your phone Roza," I growled into the phone hoping upon hope that she'd pick up. It had been nearly twenty-four hours since she'd disappeared and we were no closer to finding her than we were before.
"I think it's time to search the bus depots, train stations and airports," I told them.
"I have a trace on her phone and credit cards," Abe said. "She hasn't used either."
"Of course not, she's too smart for that," I grumbled. I caught her reading my PI book a few weeks ago when she couldn't sleep. She'd probably gotten all sorts of useful information from it.
"Did anyone call the Ozeras?" Avery asked timidly.
"No, but it needs to happen. If somehow she decided to skip town, she might try to go there."
"She can't. Her passport isn't valid," Abe reasoned. "I haven't had it updated since she was six."
"How has she been flying so far?"
"She had one under Rosalie Ozera that we got in the States, but I checked and it is still in the safe."
"I'll call," I volunteered even though I dreaded it. If there was anyone she'd be in contact with after a day like yesterday it would be Lissa or one of the girls.
RPOV
I opened my heavy eyelids surveying my surroundings. I rolled over groaning as I did. I was starving and in desperate need of a shower, but I had no clothes to change into so I'd have to go out and buy some before doing anything else.
I dragged myself slowly to the bathroom wincing at my reflection in the mirror. My hair was disheveled, my eyes puffy, and I felt like my mouth was stuffed with cotton. I was in desperate need of a toothbrush.
After splashing some cool water on my face and running my fingers through my tangled hair, I exited the motel in search of the nearest drug store.
I bought shampoo, a toothbrush and paste, face wash, lotion and some hair ties before heading to the farm stand on the corner to get a few groceries. I spotted a small boutique where I purchased a spare pair of jeans, two sweaters a five pack of underwear and socks and a bra. My last stop was a store that sold disposable cell phones. I'd been awakened by a nightmare a few weeks ago and had picked up one of Dimitri's books. It gave great info on how not to get caught sneaking around.
After showering and feeding my growling stomach I sat staring at the phone trying to decide who to call first. I sighed dialing Lissa's familiar number. I really needed my best friend right now.
"Rose?" she questioned. "Are you okay? Dimitri called and is worried as hell about you," she cried frantically into the phone.
I hated worrying him, but he would be with them and I didn't want anything to do with them right now.
"I'll call him when I hang up," I said.
"What the hell happened?" she asked and I launched into great detail on what I'd seen.
"No way, he didn't," she gasped just as shocked as I was at what my father had done.
"Yep and I had the special privilege of witnessing it first hand," I said grimacing.
"Oh Rose, I'm sorry," she said with genuine sympathy.
"Is that Rose? Let me have the phone," I heard my brother growl in the background. Lissa squealed as I'm sure he yanked the phone from her hands.
"What the hell Rose?" he shouted. "Mom is freaking out!"
"Geez tone it down, I'm fine." I rolled my eyes. Christian was always so overdramatic.
I explained why I left and just as I thought, he was on my side.
"Rat bastard!" I could imagine the scowl on his face as he went into a litany on how much he hated Abe.
"So you're staying gone to punish him?" he asked.
The more I thought about it the more I liked the idea. I knew it was selfish and what I was doing to Abi and Dimitri wasn't fair, but part of me wanted to punish Baba for what he'd done.
After hanging up with Christian and asking him to call Mom and Dad and tell them I was fine, I texted Dimitri.
DPOV
I was at the train station with Adrian when my phone beeped with a text from an unknown number.
~Are you alone? If you aren't get there!
The message was cryptic and I was praying to God that it was Rose and not someone who had abducted her and wanted ransom.
"Go check the other side," I barked at Adrian. After he left I texted back.
~I'm alone
Less than a minute later my phone began to ring.
"Roza?" Her name flew from my lips in desperation.
"I'm sorry," she said her voice cracking. I could tell she was on the verge of tears.
"It's okay Milaya. Where are you?" I wanted to scream at her that it sure as hell was not okay what she did. That I had been sick with worry and she could have gotten herself into any number of dangerous situations wandering around by herself, but I wanted her to tell me where she was so I refrained for now.
"Can I trust you?" she asked.
"You know you can," I assured her.
"You won't tell them?" she questioned and I knew that in that moment I had to determine where my loyalties were.
"I won't," I agreed fully meaning what I said. I wanted her home safe and if that meant concealing her location until I could get to her then that is what I would do. I would do anything to make sure she was safe and in my arms again.
"I'm in Ankara. I got on a train. I am staying at a motel."
I sighed in relief that she hadn't been roaming the streets all night.
"I'm coming for you," I told her marching straight up to the ticket window.
"Ankara please," I stated.
"If you bring them, it's over," she warned and I knew she meant it.
"I'm coming alone," I reassured her. "Stay put. I love you," I told her before hanging up.
"Did you find anything?" Adrian asked as he returned after finding nothing.
I shook my head. "I have a few theories. Go home and wait to see if she returns. I will call you if I find anything," I told him lying easily.
He nodded. "I know what he did was wrong, but she's overreacting," he said sadly.
"I know, but imagine yourself in her shoes. It's ten times as hard on her because of what happened." I glanced over my shoulder anxious to get rid of him. The train I needed to be on was boarding.
I made it on just in the nick of time and settled in for the two and a half hour ride.
Once there, I hailed a cab and gave him the name of her hotel. I rushed up three flights of stairs not wanting to wait for the elevator and stood breathlessly outside of room three eighteen. I knocked obnoxiously until she answered the door.
"Don't you ever do that to me again," I growled pulling her into my arms breathing in her scent as I squeezed her as tight as I could. I never wanted to let her go.
"I didn't want to hurt you," she said. "But he needs to pay!" I was taken back at the venom in her voice. I knew she was angry at Janine, but this unwavering need for her to punish was not healthy.
I closed the door and led her over to the bed. "Do you know how I felt when they told me you were missing?" I asked in a somewhat harsh tone?
"Do you?" I growled resisting the urge to shake her.
She nodded tears welling up in her eyes.
"What you did was reckless and I know you are hurting, but it isn't safe to be running around alone in a city you barely know. Why didn't you come to me?" I asked.
She sniffled wiping her eyes with the sleeve of her shirt.
"It's the first place they would have looked and I didn't want to be found," she said. I took a deep breath before opening my mouth. I knew she wasn't going to like what I had to say.
"Rose, I know what he did is unpleasant for you, but he has the right to be with someone. You can't just go running off every time you don't like something."
"Are you really taking his side?" she screeched jumping to her feel and pulling her hands from mine.
"No, Rose I am and will always be on your side. That's just it though. He needs someone to be on his side. He needs someone in his life. Don't you think he deserves to be happy too?" I argued in his defense even though I didn't feel he truly deserved it. I didn't understand his bizarre choice in women, but it wasn't my job to judge especially after he gave me his support to be with Rose. I felt that I owed him not to judge.
"Think of all the time he spent alone. His wife took off and stole his daughter. His son was spiraling out of control. He needed someone."
"What does it have to be her? It's sick. It's twisted and repulsive and I can't believe he would stoop so low as to be with her sister! They could be twins!" she shouted.
"Is that why it bothers you? Because they look alike or is it that they are related?"
She shook her head and I knew she was on overload, but she needed to get this out in the open.
"I don't know. It's just that I hate Janine so much and whenever I look at Aunt Meredith, I see her. I see what she did to me and I relive it all over again. Don't you think I wish I didn't? She just reminds me so much of her. Even her voice is the same. I don't think I can be around her without feeling like she's there watching me, waiting for me, waiting to ruin my life all over again!" she cried.
"I know that it's not Aunt Meredith's fault. I know that she hasn't done a single thing wrong. I'm just so fucked up and I don't know how to stop it." By this time she was having a full on breakdown.
"Shh, I know," I said pulling her into my lap and stroking her back softly. There wasn't much I could say that would comfort her at this point. She had to come to acceptance on her own.
"I want him to be happy," she sniffed. "I just don't want it to be with her." I let her cry for a while and continued to whispered supportive words of encouragement and love assuring her that I would never let anything bad happen to her.
"Everyone is very worried about you. I think you father is about to have a heart attack. Do you think it would be okay if I called and told them that you are alright, but not ready to come home?" I asked hoping she'd agree.
"I won't tell them where we are," I added.
She hesitated for a few moments before nodding . "Is Abi okay?"
"He was a wreck," I told her. That seemed to get her upset.
"Let me," she said grabbing the phone from my hand.
AdrianPOV
If I thought it was bad the last time she was gone, then this was worse. Having her back had been surreal and then for her to take off and disappear leaving us not knowing where she was for nearly two days was maddening.
"Do you want some coffee?" Avery asked being as supportive as ever. I wished there'd come a day when my life wasn't in constant crisis so we could settle down and have a real life together. I loved her so much for putting everything on hold for my family. She was truly an angel. When and if the drama ever died down, I was going to make it up to her. I didn't know how, but it will be something she'll never forget.
"It's Belikov," I said as my phone began to buzz.
"Did you find her?" I asked anxious to know any news about my sister. These past thirty-six hours had been excruciatingly painful and had reminded me so much of before we found her, only this time it was her choice to stay away which made it almost worse.
"Abi," I nearly wept tears of joy as I heard her voice.
"Are you okay? Are you with Belikov? Where are you?" I asked tripping over my words in order to ascertain her location.
"I'm okay and I'm sorry, but I need some time. Dimitri and I are going to stay away for a few days. Tell Baba not to come looking. I need to sort my feelings out before I come home."
My heart fell when she said she wanted to stay away, but brightened as she said she would eventually come home.
"You mean it, you won't stay gone forever?" I asked wanting to make sure.
She laughed a little. "I wouldn't do that to you and as much as I'm raving mad at him right now, I wouldn't do that to Baba either," she said. "I mean it though. Don't look for me. I'll come back when I'm ready."
"I promise and stay safe Little Cupcake," I told her before hanging up.
"Where is she?" Baba demanded.
"This is all your fault," I growled. "She's with Belikov. She said she'd come home when she's ready and if we look for her it will be worse, so don't," I bit out.
He looked just miserable and I regretted being so harsh with him. He nodded before leaving the table to go to his chambers. I supposed we should all get some sleep now that we knew she was safe.
RPOV
Here I was back in therapy again. I wondered if Baba paid her by the hour or if he'd just given her an indefinite amount of money to keep her on retainer for his crazy daughter.
Dimitri and I had stayed away for the weekend and he'd made an appointment for me to see Dr. Olenski before we officially announced we were back. We'd dropped our things at his apartment and headed straight for her office.
"Rosemarie, I'm glad to see that you are safe and sound. Your family was very worried when you left," she said kindly as we entered. I wanted Dimitri here with me. I felt safer with his hand intertwined with mine. He squeezed it supportively as we sat on the sofa.
"Can you tell me a little bit about what cause this latest upset?" she asked.
I took a deep breath. "I walked in on Baba and his girlfriend getting it on," I told her.
She raised her eyebrow at me. "So your father has a girlfriend and that upsets you?" she questioned.
"No, I don't care that he has a girlfriend. He's single. He can do what he wants," I told her.
"I don't understand," she said looking perturbed.
"I don't care if he has a girlfriend, but I do care that he's dating Janine's sister, my Aunt Meredith," I said bitterly.
Her eyes widened in shock. "The same Aunt Meredith that caused you to have one of your episodes last September at a family gathering?"
I nodded. "That's the one," I said bitterly.
"He didn't tell you that they were involved?"
"Nope," I said shaking my head and squeezing Dimitri's hand tightly.
"I think that's what makes it worse. He didn't tell me because he knew how I'd react. He knew it was going to upset me, yet he kept it a secret," I told her.
"So you have ill feelings towards your Aunt?"
I thought for a minute. "No, she's always been kind to me. She was fun when I was a child and I remember her coming over to watch me sometimes while my parents were out of town." In truth she'd never done anything to me that could be considered anything other than nice. I felt bad for resenting her so much.
"It's just that she reminds me so much of Janine," I whispered. I realized that I didn't have a problem with Aunt Meredith at all. It was just that seeing her brought up traumatic memories. Memories I had no desire to revisit, ever.
"Do you think that avoiding her these past four months has built up that fear? Maybe if you spent some time getting to know her, you'll see her for her own person as versus confusing her with her sister."
"Does that sound like something you'd be interested in trying out?"
I sighed heavily. "I suppose it would be the right thing to do. I'm just scared that it will cause more nightmares or episodes," I revealed. Dimitri pulled me closer to him wrapping his arm protectively around my shoulders.
"Do you think the medication I prescribed is helping?"
"I feel a little less anxious, but I've been under a lot of stress lately and I don't think that medication can mask all the emotions I'm feeling."
She made a note of what I said in her journal.
"Do you think it's to her benefit to continue taking it?" Dimitri asked. I knew he knew I didn't like taking medication. It made my problem seem more real.
"Actually, I was thinking I might prescribe something different. How would you feel about a tranquilizer?" she asked.
My eyes widened in fear. "Like Xanax?" I asked.
"That is a common one yes," she responded.
"Don't they make you feel like a zombie?" I remembered Mia's mom taking them after she had a miscarriage and she walked around the house in a stupor. She was very calm, but she didn't really have much of a personality.
"They can suppress high emotions of anxiety, but also that of pleasure or pain," she stated.
"I'd prefer not to be all doped up," I told her looking to Dimitri for support. He nodded signaling that he agreed with my decision.
"Well then let's keep you on what you're using now. Is there anything in your life that you find alleviates your stress?"
"I like to run," I told her.
"Have you been doing that recently?"
"No, not as much. I've been so worked up about school and busy with tests and studying that I haven't had the time to work out properly," I admitted.
"You say your boyfriend teaches martial arts and self defense?" she asked looking to Dimitri for confirmation.
He nodded.
"Why don't you try taking one of his classes? You'd be getting in a good workout and it could be a good way to relieve your stress and anxiety."
I had to hand it to her, it wasn't a bad idea.
"As for seeing your Aunt, I suggest working things out with your father first and then working out a schedule to integrate her into your life. If he's really serious about her, then you might want to begin assimilating her into your normal family routines," she suggested.
I took a deep cleansing breath before entering the house. Dimitri was right behind me, but I was still all nerved up.
"Rosemarie," Baba's voice greeted me as we entered the kitchen.
"Kizim, you had me worried to death," he said rushing to embrace me tightly. I stood stiff, but allowed him to hug me. I knew he needed to feel that I'd returned in the flesh and even though I'd wanted him to pay, I wasn't without remorse. He looked terrible.
"Can we talk?" I asked setting down my bag.
He nodded leading me towards the living room.
I shook my head at Dimitri as he attempted to follow.
"I think I need to do this alone," I told him not wanting to be completely dependent on him. He dutifully stepped aside squeezing my shoulder as he passed.
"Where's Abi?" I asked.
"I asked him to leave us alone as well," he replied.
"Rosemarie, I cannot express how sorry I am," he started. I held my hand up.
"Wait, before you say anything I just want to say that I overacted before and I shouldn't have made you worry like that," I said trying hard not to show how angry I still was at the whole situation.
"I'm just grateful that you weren't harmed and you came back. If I'd lost you again.." He trailed off his voice breaking as he spoke.
"Baba you won't lose me again. I might be upset, but you're my father and I would never do that to you. I should have stayed and told you how I felt. There's no excuse for me running away. It was childish and it hurt you and Dimitri and Abi and worried my parents and Christian and my friends. It was stupid," I told him.
"About Meredith," he started.
"How long?" I asked.
"A little over five years," he replied calmly.
I gulped. "Do you love her?"
He inhaled sharply. "I care deeply for her. She understands what I went through. We started off just commiserating over our loss, hers of a sister and a niece and mine of a wife and daughter. She helped me through my darkest days and aided me in my mission to find you and bring you home safe. She cares so much for you."
"How come you didn't tell me?" I sobbed.
"I didn't want to hurt you. I love you so much. There is no one more important to me in this world and if us being together is going to cause you pain, then I will let her go," he said. I could see the pain in his eyes as he said it. I felt the guilt creep into me. Who was I to make him choose? I was an adult. I should be mature enough to handle this.
"I've asked her to stay away for your sake and she understands. She apologized for showing up the day of the party. Her curiosity got the better of her. She doesn't want you to suffer."
"She makes you happy?" I questioned.
"She does, but having you home makes me happier."
"I don't want you to give her up for me. It's not my place. If you care for her, then I can learn to be okay with it. Maybe not today, but someday," I told him for once trying to do the unselfish thing.
Now aren't we all happy it wasn't Dimitri in there with some hoochie Mama? Next Chapter will be Christmas and a visit from Aunt Meredith and some other family members. We will also hear from the Ozeras on what their first Christmas without Rose is like. Also we've not seen the last of Navid. Please review=)
