I GRADUATE THIS SATURDAY GUYS! WOOOOOOOOOT!
Anyway, it's time for some more things. This chapter is, admittedly, slow, but it's the build-up that counts. xD
(To be honest, I struggled writing this one only because I knew what I wanted to happen...but it couldn't happen without this...dang.)
Thank yous!:
Madame Joker: The best pat about writing is that your viewers NEVER expect something to happen! I love that! xD. You might not be farm from your assumptions...but you won't be finding out just yet! Trust me, the next chapter is going to be coming very soon! (I was actually very upset with having to write such a slow chapter this time). I'm just excited how you'll react for the NEXT chapter MWUHAHAHAHAHAHA! Love and kisses sweet thang ;D
silverwolfwarrior13: So sorry about the suspense killing you! You'll be killed twice at this rate o_o. THANK YOU FOR REVIEWING~ It means a lot to me, and I'll try to get everything out there as fast as possible! Much love!
Zen Clarke: Was your heart pounding to the beat of the electronica? No? Lol just kidding! You know...that is thought. What if this does have a sad ending? I've contemplated an ending where Molly just leaves forever...doesn't sound good to anyone else? Probably not xD. Don't worry, there's so much more to come it'll give you whiplash! Remember, this is only the 3rd of Molly's 4 "lives" she's lead. There's the life she's in now, being her fourth one, and she's now revisiting her third...plus Owen's side. Trust and believe, there's a lot more to come, and it will COME like a WATERFALL! Much lvoe for the review!
dolphinz411: I love my readers so much that I just have to get inside your heads! The one plus of updating a story by CHAPTERS is that you can see what your audience thinks and then, if you're looking for some motivation, take their reveiws (expectations and what not) and through them one hell of a curve ball! It's what makes it worth while to throw a surprise like that! Thanks for the reviews (as always lovely), and see you in the next chapter as well!
Fantasy is now Non-Fiction: (Did I mention I really love your pen name?) Oh my gosh I just love you, you're just silly xD. So yeah, a lot of things just kind of come falling out the sky and onto the left side of the field here, huh? I promise there will be revelations as we go, so don't think Owen's gotten too weird or something. He's flippin' and a floppin' for reasons unforseen~ Thanks for the reviews and, btw, "oh shit" is more right than you know (foreshadowing the next chap xD).
I LOVE YOU GUYS! THANKS FOR STICKIN' WITH ME FOR SO LOOOOOOOOOONG!
Again, this chapter is SLOW, so don't be expectin' no BOOM BOOM PAH-POOM stuff till the next update ;)
-Owen's POV-
I gave a yawn as I rolled my stiff shoulders upon walking into the kitchen. I woke up later than usual today, completely exhausted from the day before and having so much work thrust on me since earlier that morning. It didn't help that I had to pick up the slack from Molly's absence.
. . .
Well now that I think about it, this was how things were before Molly came around anyway. I'd be worked to the bone, flat-out tired, and then go to the bar before coming home. I barely even used to spend a lot of time with Chloe because of everything I had to take care of. But now it was rare when I didn't get to spend time around my little cousin.
Speaking of which...
"Chloe?" I called from around the corner of the kitchen. She was usually one of the first in the kitchen lately, trying to pull out ingredients and prep them up like Molly used to do when she lived in the shop. She was actually pretty decent at cooking since Molly's simple lessons, easily being able to make sauteed spinach or miso soup with boiled rice on the side.
"She went out early today." Ramsey's tired voice came from the top of the stairs. He made his way slowly into the kitchen and placed himself promptly at the breakfast table.
"Really? Why so early?" I asked, also taking a seat at my usual place.
Ramsey rubbed his cheek whether it was out of wonder or fatigue I wasn't sure. Possibly both. He then gave a small shrug as he placed both hands on the table.
"She was out for quite a while yesterday if I recall correctly. And she's held onto that camera Simon gave her as if her life depended on it."
"What do you think she's doing over there anyway? I know that it's farming, but she had dirt all over her face. All she's supposed to do is the watering and sometimes brushing Molly's calf."
"Maybe Snow kicked some dirt up into her face. It's fine for her to get a little dirty now and then. It shows hard work." Ramsey decidedly said.
And then there was a strange silence at the table. No sounds of conversation or clacking of silverware like when the table would be set. There was no boiling of water or sizzling of something in the frying pan. It was dead quiet.
I put my head in my hand with a smirk on my face. Actually finding this to be a bit humorous.
"I guess that means one of us is cooking breakfast?" I asked with a laugh in my voice.
Ramsey rarely ever broke out in a smile, but he offered a chuckle as he put his hand to his head as if the realization just struck him.
"To be honest, Owen, I believe we've been spoiled by the woman's touch that graced our house in Spring. It seems we both are quite used to hot foot on the table no matter when we come down for it."
"I think I know what they mean by that saying 'Can't live with them, can't live without them.' now."
I pushed back from the table and readied myself to prepare the pan and fry some salmon up. A good protein source to start the day.
"Well I would say it would be better to live with them, don't you agree?" Ramsey offered. I looked back to him, expecting to find him with a sarcastic look, deterring on mock sageness, but he simply offered a raised brow. My brows knitted together.
"What's that look?"
"Well, you cannot simply deny the fact that there is a woman who took your anger and dished out meals and entertainment."
A growl made its way into my throat. Gradually growing as I turned back to the oven top, turning on the heat.
"Listen old man-"
"Old man! What a way to address me! That pent up primal desire must be getting to your head."
I fumbled with the pan for a minute before turning incredulously toward him. What had he just said? He couldn't possibly be meaning me and...!
"Gramps! Are you going senile? For Goddess' sake I barely even know the girl-"
"Ah, and you yet again call me out of my official title. A woman that's knocked the sense out of you. Cannot be very good professionally but in terms of stress no one ever needed sense to get that out their system."
I stuttered for a moment, my tongue trying to form words that didn't seem to exist, until I finally caved in and bumped my head against the cabinet just above the oven.
"Sorry Boss, I didn't mean to explode in that fashion."
"Eh? It's Boss again now? Call me what you like, you've earned the right. I'm only teasing. Now get the hot tea, my throat is dry." he complained and I gave him a bewildered stare for a moment. Was he serious? Call him whatever? But that meant...
I shook my head in a bout of disbelief. I had no clue what had just occurred, but it was an amazing event sure enough. Maybe he was still drunk from last night, or even a little drowsy from his sleep...but that wasn't like him and I knew it. He was always alert for times like these, and was seldom ever abrupt in his decisions, even in a daze.
"Heh, even my own grandfather seems to be turned against me in this. Geez, where do they think my mind is anyway?"
Wizard had been the same way since the Summer Festival actually. Conversations I'd rather not dwell on if I had to be honest. They were strange subjects of discussion. Molly and I being anything other than rivals was beyond my idea of peaceful. If possible I would like a peaceful life. She just seemed to interrupt it with something crazy from time to time. Not to down-play her, but she wasn't exactly my cup of tea. Or bowl of miso. However anyone wanted to put it.
X X X
Within the span of an hour, breakfast was well on its way of being gone. Enough salmon was saved for Chloe in case she popped in and even then some was saved for Molly. It was more than likely because we were so used to making enough for four that the amounts just came naturally no matter what we prepared for.
"Owen, pour the tea for me." Ramsey gestured to the teapot in the middle of the table, made fresh and to his liking. Not questioning his reasons for making me do it for him, I reached over the table, grasping his cup and taking the teapot, pouring it into the cup before sliding it back to him.
Immediately I was shot a glare.
"What?"
"Hmph. I've really been spoiled by the woman's touch is all." he stated and drank his tea without another word. I could feel a tick in my brow and an annoyed look was trying hard to fight itself from my face. Yeah, he sure did get himself spoiled sweet on Molly's small, intricate little things. I had the mind to go march down there and plead her to just serve him to his hearts content. She'd started the pampering, she should be the one to end it.
I shook my head of the thought, mainly because it was just a ridiculous idea to begin with. My brow twitched as I began to reply. The only thing stopping me from actually becoming snappy with Ramsey was the sound of the door opening, the small and familiar steps of Chloe making their way slowly inside.
The both of us at the table looked towards the kitchen entrance as the little girl came into view. She looked...troubled. Beyond troubled. There wasn't quite a word to put to her expression. But it startled me...
"Chloe. Hey. Did you want breakfast?" I asked a little hesitantly, not really sure how to react to her current mood. She turned to me, blinking, but seeming to look straight through me.
Goddess, was she sick?
"Chloe? Are you all right?" Ramsey asked, moving to get out of his seat.
"Did you see Molly go into the Garmon Mines this morning?" Chloe asked slowly. It was then that I noticed the dampness seeming to cling to her face and the heaviness of her shirt.
"Were you in the Watery Cave? Chloe, it's too early for you to be going into the mines. And alone?" I began to reprimand her.
"Did you?" she asked again, her eyes darting to me as if she hadn't heard me at all. It was creepy. Like she couldn't hear anything except for what she chose, but not out of her own volition. Like something was just keeping her from acknowledging anything outside of utmost interest.
I opened my mouth to protest against her strange antics again, but slowly sighed in defeat.
"No, Chloe. I didn't see her, why?" I asked and raised a brow.
"Oh..." was Chloe's only response as she slid up the stairs and to her room.
The both of us watched her door for a moment. Wondering when she was going to jump out and yell "SURPRISE! SHE'S RIGHT HERE!" and Molly would come out with that annoying, devilish grin on her lips as if she just one a victory.
But no, Chloe just stayed in her room.
X X X
Molly's POV
He had been drunk all morning...and it was well into the afternoon by now. I sat huddled in the corner, the exact position that Greg had left me in last night. I didn't want to move, whether out of fear or plain stubborness was anyone's guess.
I heard him, Derrick, stomping about the house for the fifth time that day, this time it was near the sound of pacing with a few stumbles in-between. Like he was waiting for something. Goddess, by the way he drank a person would think it was Castanet time. It was well into the next day over there by now. Castanet time was ahead of the time here in the city. I was surprised by that to be honest since when Derrick took me not that long ago, it hadn't taken that long to get here. My voyage to Castanet was actually a good, two day venture and Derrick seemed to sweep me away from the peace in no less than a night. I had to figure it was a timezone thing...but the more I think about it, the more I add it up to the boat driver, Pascal, being crazier than the sailors I boarded with.
A pressing urge bubbled in my kidney again. I really needed to go pee. The last two times having been in the bucket I was given, but it was getting to be a little too much for me. Yeah, I wasn't exactly privy to being treated like an animal. Thanks but no thanks. However, I didn't want to knock on the door either so I could be left out. That would let Derrick's drunken mind know that, "HEY! I STOLE MOLLY FROM CASTANET! LEGGOOOOOO!" because that's something he would drunkenly shout while bursting through the door and doing either one of two things. Straddle me or slap the crap out of me for leaving and not reminding him I was back.
I gave a sigh and leaned my head back into the wall as my eyes scanned the room, landing on the window. I contemplated jumping out of it, but that would probably not kill me and just land me in a hospital after a lot of excruciating pain that I didn't want to bother with.
Besides, I had to stay optimistic. Greg said we were going to get out of here...I had to have faith.
The lock in the door clicked and I snapped my head up in time to see Kyle and Greg both make their way into the cramped space. Kyle took one whiff of the air and, oh so tactfully, pulled his shirt over his nose and went to the window, sending me a twinge of disgust as he did so. I didn't even bother to return the look. He could think what he damn well pleased.
Greg, on the other hand, simply strode over and took the bucket in a gloved hand.
"Dude!" Kyle exclaimed as if he just committed a crime.
Greg gave him as incredulous a look that Greg could give, his face obviously not use to anything but stoic.
"What did you expect her to do?" he asked and, without skipping a beat, lifted the bucket up and out the room. Kyle didn't wipe the disgusted look off his face for anything though.
"Sorry to hear about Vikki." I suddenly said, not catching my tongue in time. I could feel him whip his head towards me, but I didn't bother to look at his expression. I shut my eyes tight, finally feeling the guilt of his heartbreak.
"I'm really sorry." I said quieter, my voice instantly shrinking. He didn't respond with anything except the rustling of a plastic bag. I hadn't noticed he had brought one in until I heard the familiar sound, and then a smaller plastic bag was tossed at me, along with a small box, both landing at my feet.
I peered over my knees, which were hugged to my chest to see the familiar products of shea butter soap and disposable razors.
"Take care of the landscape he said." and Kyle left as quick as he could, leaving the door open for me. To be honest, I was a little offended. I mean, I know they kept me locked up since two days ago...but seriously? I took care of something like that at the beginning of the week. Insulting is what this was.
But...probably helpful.
Greg's plan was good if it worked out correctly, but if not I could use the blades for something.
"Hey...you." I cringed at the voice as I grabbed the razors and soap box. Looking up, I saw Derrick leaning drunkenly inside the door.
"Hurry the hell up. We're goin' shoppin'." he said and a greasy smile worked its way onto his face.
Shopping? Obviously not the way Maya did it. I had a bad feeling about this.
XXX
Owen's POV
Chloe rustled around the shop restlessly. She had taken a nap that lasted until the afternoon, but when she came down she still looked dog-tired. Ramsey decided she was helping Molly really well on the farm lately and to leave it be. But the way she looked to me was alarming. No matter what he thought, I knew for a fact something was up.
Why?
Because I knew Molly. And she wouldn't make Chloe work until her eyes made bags, and then continue to have her make a lunch at our house.
The chime of the store bell rang out and I turned quickly, hoping to see Molly coming in. Chloe beat my hope with her own, actually rushing to the door, almost getting hit in the head as rice fell to the floor from her spatula. I watched her face drop as a tan hand patted her head. She offered a small smile before slinking back into the kitchen, Wizard coming in after her.
"Hey, man..." I paused as I took in his appearance.
"Even when you try to switch it up it's still black and white huh? Brown's a different look at least." I asked.
Wizard gave me a condescending look as he wiped a gloved hand on his white tee. Black pants were tucked into brown, leather boots that actually looked a little aged.
"I took over the work for Chloe...that's all." Wizard explained and stepped further inside, pulling the dirtied gloves off his hands and lying them on the shop counter.
I couldn't exactly think of what to say to that. Wizard wasn't exactly the blue-collar type of guy.
"Okay. I'm just going to ask. Is Molly sick or something? Where the hell has she been?"
Wizard immediately shrugged. Enough to make me think he already decided the answer before I asked the question.
"I have only noticed her absence recently...perhaps she has become upset with something..." Wizard said, as if it were a direct hint at something.
My response to him didn't make it out my throat due to Chloe's appearance between us, holding up a boxed lunch to Wizard. She offered a small smile.
"Thank you." she simply said and Wizard, obviously surprised, to the lunch from her with a small smile of his own.
"It's never a problem."
She promptly scampered out the door, however, her newly got camera swinging on her wrist from a bracelet she must've made.
Wizard gave a knowing look in her direction and I could feel my eye twitch. What was the secrecy going on here?
"What the hell is going?" I asked, admittedly irked by all of this.
Wizard looked at me, blinked, then brought up his boxed lunched, opened it, and used the fork to shovel some food in his mouth. My eyebrows shot way up. He chewed while offering some to me.
My only response?:
"Seriously?"
XXX
Molly's POV
5 shops.
5 hours.
Almost nothing to show for it.
And when I say nothing I mean, clothes that cover nothing. Absolutely nothing. What is the point of putting fabric together, if you're just going to let it show everything anyway?
Derrick walked proudly along the slightly darkened streets, shopping bags swung over his shoulder and an arm draped over my shoulder, making us look like some happy couple- and I was the spoiled girlfriend, making him buy me things. As fucking if.
The night life was about to come out and play. You could start seeing the freaks coming out. Tube-tops with too many cut-outs were already roaming the street with their attached bodies. Yes, the bodies belong to the tube tops because they stood out way more than the girls who wore them. Pretty soon, the fishnet stockings would be coming out to play with the others soon enough.
And here I was, trapped by his meaty arm as he swung some sleazy clothing over his shoulder as if there wasn't a think wrong with it.
He hailed down a taxi, deciding against driving the car downtown, and made sure I clambered in before him. What a gentleman, right? No, he just wanted to make sure I didn't have a lick of a chance to run.
Because he knew I would. I sure as hell would.
There was a thick silence that hung over us on the ride back to the apartment complex. I didn't like what was in the bags. He knew that. I wanted to know why we got them. He knew that too. I didn't want to wear whatever he wanted me to. He didn't much care to acknowledge that though.
It took about 25 minutes to get back, 25 minutes of complete silence and horrific anticipation. I wanted to ignore the fact that Derrick was planning to sell me away...I didn't want to focus on that. But I had a feeling that what we went out to get today had something to do with that.
As soon as we got out the taxi, Derrick was quick to grab onto my arm and "escort" me up to the room.
"Honestly, I'd like to know how you're able to still stand after this morning...freakin' drunkard." I said spitefully, finally done with the glooming silence that threatened to choke me.
"Honestly, I wish you'd stay quiet. It was so peaceful today." he said with a shrug as he opened the door.
"Then let me go."
He dropped my arm and closed the door behind him, the first time I've been back in this living room without him holding me down.
He raised his brows and gestured, as if to ask "happy now?". I pursed my lips and crossed my arms.
"That's not what I meant. Let me go." I tried again, more force in my tone.
He shrugged, reached into one of the bags and pulled out an outfit that I really didn't like at all. The shorts looked shorter than my underwear. Who wore something like that? And the shirt? If the short were already too short, why did I need a shirt like that to begin with? It was unbelievable!
"Put this on." he said simply. I glared at him and could see his patience breaking.
"Molly..." he said in warning.
I took a step back and he clenched his jaw, his muscles tensing. My eyes darted to the bathroom.
"Don't do it." he said, but my feet already scampered out from underneath me, jumping over the couch as I made my way to the bathroom, practically leaving skid marks in my wake. I slammed the door and locked it with practiced ease, falling on my stomach on the floor as I heard Derrick's sporadic banging on the door.
"DAMMIT! OPEN THE DOOR MOLLY!" He shouted in frustration.
I stayed quiet and turned onto my back, pushing myself up and looking at the door with a steely gaze.
I took a deep breath, my heart pounding as I braced myself against the far wall. My back and neck flat against the space clear away from the shower and the toilet.
3
*BANG*
2
*BANG BANG BANG*
...
1
*BANG*
He broke the door from its hinges in an irate fashion. His eyes wide with rage as he clenched his face and threw himself at me. I held onto one of his fists with both hands to lessen the blow as the other came down on me with an unending fury. He hit my cheek with merciless force and it threw me sideways so that I shielded myself in a little ball. My hands and body forcefully cradling Derrick right fist as his left trailed more bruises down me. I heaved with yelps that I kept in, just so he couldn't get the satisfaction of hearing me in pain. When I didn't scream, his anger worsened. He began ripping the fabric of my clothes, leaving my back bare and my shirt near to falling off. He yanked down the jeans I was wearing, tearing off one of the belt loops in the process.
Suddenly there was the sound of knocking at the door. Derrick's rampage ceased and I held tightly onto the clothes falling off my body.
*Knock knock knock*
There were more knocks and Derrick stood up, his breathing heavy as if he'd just put in a lot of work. I stayed facing the ground and felt him throw a bundle of things onto me.
"I said put that on. So, put it on." he said simply and walked out the bathroom. I could hear the torn door rattle from his heavy steps.
It took a moment, but I listened as Derrick opened the door and greeted Greg and Kyle.
"Where's she?" Kyle asked with nonchalance.
"Changin'." Derrick responded with even less care.
I took in a wavering breath and grabbed the clothes from on top of me, sitting up and looking at them. lacy leggings with electric blue shorts. The top was a crop top, see-through, with a zebra pattern. The lingerie set was a neon yellow, the bra having too much lift for my already heavily endowed chest.
Biting back a begrudging sob, I let the ripped clothing fall off my shoulders and began the process of putting on the clothes that I held no interest in. Everything was too tight. I felt like I couldn't breathe.
I looked at myself in the mirror after I was finished. My cheek was the grossest kind of bruised. Right under my left eye. It made me look trashier than I already would've with the sleazy outfit on. My hand shot to my mouth as I gave my self the privilege to hate myself for a moment, before sucking it up and walking out the door.
The three of them were standing there, waiting for me to come out. And when I did there wasn't much of a sound to be heard, the silence was uncomfortable, and I couldn't help but rub at the bruises covering me. I glanced up for a moment to see Greg pointing to the couch.
"Sit there." he said stoicly and I obeyed his command.
My bottom didn't sink into the cushion due to the fact that I was simply floating on the surface of the furniture. With Greg was a metallic box, as he crouched down in front of me, he clicked it open to reveal the type of make up one would use to cover up their tattoos in the instance of a job interview or something of the like. He took a make up sponge and poured the tube of skin tone cover up onto it to begin working on what needed to be hidden.
As soon as he tried to touch me, I flinched away.
"Listen-!" Derrick began, but Greg was quick to react to me. He grabbed me forcefully by the arm and slammed me into the couch cushion.
"Stay. Still." he said through gritted teeth and yanked me back to him like a rag doll.
I gave a heavy sob and he shook me again.
"Cry after I'm done. The damn make up won't wash off after that."
I bit back the next heavy sob- not too hard seeing as it was all fake anyway.
I heard the grin in Derrick's tone as he chuckled a bit. Offering what could be silent respect to Greg. Too dumb to know that Greg doesn't treat me roughly.
"Damn Greg..." Kyle murmured.
I had to resist the urge to roll my eyes. All I had to do was play my part as the overly broken girl and they would think I wouldn't even struggle after a while.
It took a while for him to cover up everything. He went from my bruises, to bandaging cuts, to covering the big scar so that it wouldn't show through the gauzy material.
"Alright. Done." he simply said, clicking the metallic box back and stepping away from me so Derrick could get his eyeful in.
"Hey...I think you actually made her look a little better. HELL, THAT'S GREAT!" Derrick rejoiced in this, giving Greg a genuine pat on the back. Oh yes, he'd done a great job.
I couldn't wait for this tomorrow to come. We'd make our move then.
"Alright, let's get her in the car and go."
According to Greg, I was supposed to be going to the club's backroom tonight to "model" for the buyers. A sickening task, but hell...it had to be done.
"Yeah, I'll get the keys and we can get going." Kyle said and reached for the keys that hung by the door. Derrick, curiously enough, stopped him there though.
"No, you don't know the way. I'm driving." he said simply and snagged the keys for himself. A confused look came over me as I looked to Greg. Kyle worked at the club, how would he not know the way?
Kyle clucked his tongue.
"Hey man, I'm not clueless. I know how to get to the club."
"We're not going to the club, idiot. I thought I told you that tonight was the night." Derrick said, brazenly, not caring to try and lower his words. I felt my senses go numb.
This...
This wasn't planned.
Greg seemed stunned himself.
"Oh yeah." Kyle simply said with a shrug.
"Wait, I didn't know it was going on tonight." Greg said and Derrick scratched his head.
"Huh? Well...I guess I forgot to tell everyone. Oh well. Yeah, it's tonight. Hurry the hell up we ain't got all night."
I could feel my throat tense as if my body was trying to suffocate itself. It seemed done with all the shit it was being put through, and it knew there was only more to come.
"Hey, get her up off the couch. You scared her so much she can't move on her own." Derrick said and Greg promptly took me by the arms, hoisting me up onto my feet and walking me out the apartment door.
"Dammit..." he muttered when Kyle and Derrick were just out of ear shot, laughing among themselves.
I looked up at him and, for the first since I've known him, saw a terrifying snarl on his face. His baby blue eyes darkened underneath his shag of red hair.
"This isn't going to end well..." he stated.
I looked down to the floor, bare feet trailing on the cement as we walked out to the floor.
Well or not, the real question was...would it ever end?
See? Didn't I tell you it was slow? It's slow right? Because the next chapter...they take her to this place...and then...
:) -(Latte's troll face on the low low)
Pinky promise this is the last chapter before we get to the nitty gritty of what's about to go down. Just a warning. The next chapter will escalate REALLY quickly and then go really slow, and then be really long as it sombers out.
Love and kisses!