Little Darcy's, Inspiration hit and BAM out came the words. The song is wrecking ball by miley cyrus (the last place I ever expected to get inspiration but there you have it) and I own nothing. (also, the last chapter was misnamed. It was supposed to be the Turtle Club. Anywho..)
Chapter 20: Wrecking Ball
"This had better be important."
"Oh it is, it is."
"Well spit it out then, I've got business to attend to."
"Your secretary will need to hold your calls."
"I-"
"I'm sending you something. You see, I've found someone who looks awfully familiar, wouldn't you agree?"
His fingers stopped drumming. He found his heart, time, everything stopping on a dime.
"Is it her?"
"You tell me."
The fax machine beeped at him before a paper came through. He snatched it up, phone still in hand. The hair was different. Brunette. Long enough to pin up. Her style had done a complete 360.
"Well?"
"Where was this taken?"
"California. I snooped around… it's her."
"You'll be receiving a very big bonus if this information pans out. Expect a puppet along in a few days time, I'll be on the first flight I can. "
The day had been completely normal except when it wasn't. Elise had received a good morning text from Darcy. Done some errands with Charlotte. She'd been in contact with the college students she tutored, explaining that she'd extended her time out of town but rest assured the T.A. helping while she was gone was the best there was. Thus far, her day had been both satisfying and productive.
"You wanna do the fajitas or the lasagna rolls tonight?" Charlotte called from the kitchen.
"Mmm.. the rolls, I could go for some big hunks of garlic bread. And a Caesar salad!"
"So I'm guessing you and your boyfriend won't be doing any necking tonight then?" Her friend teased. Elise reddened, giggling along with the girl.
"If I invited him and we both ate it, nobody would mind would they?"
"You two disgust me."
Elise laughed harder, wiping away tears while opening her laptop. She'd been expecting a few work emails from the office and still distracted, clicked on the first message.
We clawed, we chained our hearts in vain
We jumped never asking why
We kissed, I fell under your spell.
A love no one could deny
The music drifted out and her laughter died in her throat.
"Elise? You put some music on? Turn it up so we can dance to it while we cook!"
Charlotte's voice felt light years away. With one stanza, Elise was Elizabeth. She was rooted to the spot and as her fingers flew over the keys, desperately trying to close the file, the song played on.
Don't you ever say I just walked away
I will always want you
I can't live a lie, running for my life
I will always want you
It was getting louder, the sound rising with her ever increasing panic. Her heart was pounding in her ears, she could hear her blood rushing through her veins, adrenaline surging forth unchecked. When she tried to close it, another window popped up playing the same song. This process repeated itself, over and over until her mind was full of him. Dimly, she was aware someone was screaming. The file would not be closed, refused to be deleted. Instead, the laptop's systems began to crash, the musically inclined virus savagely destroying every bit of data in it's path.
I came in like a wrecking ball
I never hit so hard in love
All I wanted was to break your walls
All you ever did was wreck me
Yeah, you, you wreck me
Unable to breathe, she clawed at her throat struggling to take in air. When that didn't work, she picked up the laptop and hurled it at the wall, narrowly missing Charlotte who was rushing to get to the phone, to call for help. But the virus had done it's job; it had broken more than the computer.
Elise woke up in a hospital bed, body aching and chest tired. In chairs by the window was Jayne and Charlotte, both with worried looks on each of their faces.
"What happened?"
"Lizzie you're awake!"
Jayne rushed forward, hugging her younger sister tightly.
"We were so worried-"
"You started hyperventilating and then you passed out. We were really scared Lizzie." Charlotte added, taking her hand on the other side of the bed.
"Don't call me that."
"What?"
"Don't call me that. I'm not Lizzie anymore." Elise repeated. Jayne frowned.
"Okay.. but don't you think we should be focusing on more important things right now? Like what caused this. Charlotte told me you broke your computer right before you blacked out, what happened?"
Instead of answering, Elise only shook her head. Her lips set in a stubborn line, it was too horrible to even think about, much less rehash aloud.
"Elise, we can't help if you won't tell us what was on the laptop. What did you see?"
"Go away."
"Elise-"
"He's back."
Both women stopped. There was no need to ask who Elise meant by "he". Jayne sat down, pale and composed.
"You're sure?"
"That song.. it was our song Jayne. He used to sing it to me after.. it was his 'apology'. Because he loved me so much.. Oh god Jayne he's found me!"
As she began to panic all over again her sister grabbed a hold of her hand, grounding her. It was too difficult to speak, every thought was focused on trying to force herself to breathe. After a few minutes, her hands were still shaking but she managed to take in a few healthy gulps of air. Having finally collected herself, she nodded at Charlotte who obviously wanted to say something.
"Alright. If we go with the thought that he's found you, then we need a plan."
"I.. I have to leave-"
"No. At least this way, you have us. If you run again, you'll be on your own and vulnerable. Elise, I know you don't want this to be starting all over again but.. but this isn't something you can handle on your own. Now either somebody decided to play a prank or he's back and clearly intent on messing with your head. Please, let us help you."
Elise hated it, but Charlotte had a point. She knew John. She knew in his mind, he loved her. That she was his. And in her heart, she also knew it was him. He was coming for her and she was gonna need to be ready.
"I need to make a phone call."
Alright little Darcy's, who's she calling? Should Darcy be filled in at this point? Or do we need to having Wickham make his position a bit more clear first? Review and lemme know, otherwise I'm afraid the story has a life of it's own and I'm just the vessel who carries it.