Chapter 21
Reba Hart glanced at the clock for the millionth time that night. It was almost two o'clock in the morning and Brock still hadn't come home. He couldn't be that mad at her for last night could he? He normally would have called by now. Even if he was angry he wouldn't want her to worry about him. What if something did happen to him? But the hospital would have called her if he was in there she was his emergency contact. Why hasn't he come home or at least called? Something was wrong…she could sense it. But she was more than likely just jumping to conclusions because of everything that has been happening lately. He probably just needed some space or something. He was fine. He had to be.
Reba forced herself not to look at the clock as she rolled over to try and fall asleep. She needed sleep and she knew Brock had to be okay. He would be okay. But she still had that feeling deep in her gut and it wasn't going away.
She awoke the next morning, still tired, not wanting to go to work. It was still early, maybe she should call in? She wouldn't be any good of a teacher to her students if she was worrying about Brock the whole day. She still had time to call and for Mrs. Hodge to get a sub for her. She should get a day. She needs it, especially now.
Reba had gone downstairs a few minutes after she awoke to call Mrs. Hodge. The principal who was a pain in Reba's side made a big fuss of course about Reba taking a sick day even after Reba explained that she was having some sort of family crisis and she needed to be at home and it was only for the day. Mrs. Hodge said she hoped she would be able to get a sub. Reba knew the woman would try and make her feel guilty but it didn't work. Reba was too worried about Brock to worry about anything else.
Her children understood her wanting to stay home. They tried to encourage her and assure her that their dad was fine and he would be home soon so she could yell at him for being out all night and not calling and making her worry so much. She knew they meant well but it still didn't ease the feeling she had in the pit of her stomach. She hoped she was just over reacting and that her children were right.
My sweet angel wasn't here at the school today. I suspect she was sitting at home worrying about the idiot that I knew was in the hospital. I had been watching him ever since I realized he was still alive. I guess I didn't do my job well the first time. I will just have to try again. It shouldn't be too hard, one slip of a little something into his IV and bye, bye Brock. My Reba would be sad but I would be there to comfort her. I would be there to see her through this and then she will realize who her true love is…me. I made her a little something that I plan on giving her after school. She will be proud of me. I know it. If my plan goes well today I will finally come face to face with my sweet baby. I can barely contain myself now. How will I control myself when I finally am able to touch her? I will figure a way how to handle myself. I mean…I am not like that pig Brock. I won't just throw myself at her. I will treat her like the angel she is.
Reba sighed as she set the book she tried to distract herself with on the coffee table. It was past three o'clock in the afternoon and Reba still hadn't heard anything. She had called his office and Julie, his dental hygienist, said that he never came in; she had to cancel his appointments for the day. The fact that she hadn't heard anything from the hospital either made her think this was just Brock being a moron and her anger was now almost to the point of boiling. He didn't call. He didn't come home. Where was he? Was he with a woman? Was he just past out drunk with some friends? Either one, when he did arrive home, she was going to let him have it.
But the one thing that made her doubt everything she was thinking was the feeling she still had in the pit of her stomach. It was still there and it wouldn't leave. She had to wonder if the feeling was just selfish wishful thinking. Selfish meaning that if he was in the hospital that meant he wasn't with another woman and he wasn't drunk. It meant that he was truly hurt and he didn't come home for a reason and he still loved her but then she got into thinking that if he was in the hospital that another woman or the drinking could have caused it. Now she was being ridiculous.
She shot up from the couch. She had to stop thinking horrible thoughts. She didn't want Brock to be in the hospital. She would rather have him out all night and day because that meant he was fine. She could yell at him and call him a moron for making her worry and then cut him off from anything and everything fun. Reba would definitely rather have him come home and be angry with him than to have to visit him in the hospital.
Reba sighed as she paced back and forth in front of the couch. What was she to do? She didn't want to just sit here. Maybe she should go out and start looking for him or maybe she should call the police…just in case. She should at least call Detective Mills. He always said he wanted to know if anything serious happened. Sure she didn't know if Brock disappearing was connected to whatever was happening to her but it wouldn't hurt to let the Detective know, just so he was on alert too.
She needed some water. Her mouth was completely dry with nervousness. Reba walked into the kitchen and retrieved a bottle of water out of the refrigerator. She downed half the bottle in twenty seconds. Water never tasted so good. She had just screwed the cap back on the bottle when she heard the front door open. She perked up and practically ran to the living room only to be disappointed.
Her daughter Kyra was walking through the door. "Hey mom, have you heard from dad yet?"
Reba sighed and shook her head. "No."
"Don't worry. I am sure he will show up soon and this…" she said handing over a small white box. "Was on the porch swing for you, I think it's another one of those…" She trailed off, not wanting to say it really out loud. It always caused her mother grief when she received one of these.
Reba sighed and sadly took the box from her daughter as she sat back down on the couch. "I would say thanks but…"
Kyra nodded. "I understand Mom. It's not something you really want to receive." Reba scoffed and Kyra sat down next to her mother on the couch. "Did you call the hospitals?" Reba shook her head. "Maybe you should." She said in a quiet voice. "Just in case."
Reba shrugged. "Maybe…" she said as she stared at the white box in her hands. "But I am hoping he will walk through the door, explaining that he got drunk last night and then I can yell at him."
Kyra nodded and wrapped an arm around her mother to console her. "It will be all right. I am sure that's what happened to him." Kyra hoped she was right or she at least hoped she was making her mother feel better. She glanced at her mother who was still staring down at the box she had found outside. "Are you going to open it?" Reba didn't say anything. She just kept staring. "Don't you want to know what he has to say?"
Reba shrugged. She already knew of what this man…or whatever he was wanted to do to her and it disgusted her. She didn't see how opening this would give any new insight to what she already knew. Unless…with this showing up on the same day Brock is missing…maybe it was a ransom note or something equally horrifying.
She quickly snapped out of her thoughts and tore off the top of the box. She was greeted by a white note card that covered what appeared to be a DVD or at least that's what is said. She lifted the card and held it up in her line of vision but she held the note to her chest in the next second when she realized her daughter was reading over her shoulder and she quickly pushed her away. "Will you go up to your room and do your homework or something. I don't want you reading this."
Kyra frowned but didn't fight. She grabbed her book bag and went upstairs to finish homework she needed to get done.
Once Kyra left Reba turned her attention back to the note in her hand. It read:
My Sweet Angel,
I made this video for you. I know you will like it. I did the filming, editing, everything myself. I thought you would appreciate it so much more knowing I did all the work. I wanted to let you know that I still love you and I have a feeling we will be meeting very soon. Enjoy the video my special angel.
Sincerely,
The love of your life
P.S. I know how you feel about privacy so I suggest you watch the video alone. Besides, I really only made it for you and how rude would it be if you shared it with the rest of the world.
Reba shivered at the sheer psychotic feeling she got from just the note alone. She was happy she sent her daughter upstairs now. If this guy…whoever he was…even suggested she should watch it alone than she should. Reba carefully took the DVD over to her computer that sat at the desk near the front window. She sighed as she sat down and took the DVD out of its case. She cringed when she saw For My Sweet Angel written in a black sharpie on the front.
Did she really want to know what was on this DVD? It was probably something as equally disgusting as the photos but there was also the possibility that there was something about Brock on there. She just had that feeling.
Reba decided to pop the DVD in and waited impatiently as it loaded on the computer. She tapped her foot nervously when the video player popped up on her computer screen and started to automatically play the contents of the DVD in her computer. She took a deep breath as the first scene or whatever you wanted to call it popped up.
She was right. It was just exactly as it was with the pictures only live and he was giving some sort of commentary. The first scene or whatever you wanted to call it was her walking down the hall of the school. And when the voice came from the speakers she recognized it as the voice she always heard on the phone.
'Hello my sweet angel.' Reba winced as she heard the familiar chilling voice. 'Do you have any idea how special the first day we met was? It was the best day of my life and I know deep down you do too. I saw how you looked at me. I saw the passion in your eyes. You wanted me as much as I wanted you. Think back to that first day sweetheart and remember our precious moment? Our eyes shared something…we connected. You have to remember. I know deep down you know who I am because I know you love me.'
Reba continued to listen to the guy ramble on when certain scenes came into view, ones of her alone, some of her laughing, talking, being with her family. He just kept going on about how much he loved her and how much he couldn't wait to be with her. From the looks of the video he always seemed to be just steps behind her, filming. She wasn't surprised when a scene of her and Brock sitting in the bed of his truck came onto the screen. It was the night she dumped John.
'Do you remember this night? I do.' His voice suddenly became very…sad? 'It was a very bad night for me. I heard you take him back.' He paused for a moment to let Reba listen to the back ground which was her talking to Brock about how much she loved her life with him. 'I couldn't believe my ears. I didn't understand how he could be so appealing to you. You don't know how badly this night killed me and then to see this…' The scene changed to the motel room and he paused to allow Reba to hear the moans of pleasure echoing from the room. Reba's tears were flowing from her cheeks now. She was disgusted with this man. 'You don't know how badly I wanted to burst into that room and pull you off of him but I knew it was too soon. I knew that you wouldn't understand yet of how much I loved you but it still killed me. It killed me to just sit there and allow him to touch you that way. To allow his hands all over you're body. You don't know how much I imagined it to be me. I wanted to be the one to make you scream or to make you moan the way you do but I know one day I will. I know one day I will be the one at your side.'
The screen went blank and Reba had thought it was over. She was quite shaky and the tears were still flowing. She wished she hadn't watched this video. It had nothing in it but indications that he was going to be with her someday and that he had plans for her. She didn't even want to think of those "plans". She just wanted this filth out of her computer.
Reba was about to turn it off but then the screen changed again. She gasped. This time it was late at night but she could still see very clearly who they were filming. They were filming Brock. He was walking out of his office and toward his car. 'I had to do this.' The voice suddenly blared through the speakers in a tone that sent scared shivers down Reba's spine. She held her breath as she watched whoever was doing this move closer to Brock as he neared his car. 'This man can't appreciate you. He needed to learn that he would never be able to give you what I can give you.' He paused for a second, Reba could hear something movement and suddenly she heard his voice again. 'Remember, I am doing this for us.'
Reba finally took a breath, only because she needed to but she felt her heart pound in her chest when the camera was set down and all she could see was the black top of the parking lot. She saw Brock's shoes and then she saw black boots. Her shaking went out of control when she saw the bat and she felt like the wind was knocked out of her when she heard the first thud and grunt of pain.
She wasn't able to scream and she wasn't able to really move as she heard more pain coming from Brock. She felt her heart jump in her throat when she saw Brock's bloody face appear in the camera's angle. Her stomach tightened when she saw him groan in severe pain and roll over and look up. She had to look away when she heard the final thud. She turned just in time to see Brock knocked out cold on the ground.
The camera angle moved again and now she could see Brock's whole body as it stood at an odd angle. His body looked lifeless. 'It will be okay Reba. He won't bother you anymore. I love you.' The screen when black and Reba finally slipped from the chair to her knees, the tears flowing completely down her cheeks as she yelled in agony.
Kyra heard her mother's cries from upstairs. She had thrown her notebook down and ran down to find her mother in hysterics. Kyra had never seen her like this before. She immediately went over and wrapped her arms around her. Her father had explained to them all what these notes and everything else were doing to her. She just had never seen it before and it scared her. She was scared for her mother and for her family. Why was this guy doing this? What did he want?
Reba allowed her daughter to comfort her. She needed it after what she had seen. She wished she hadn't seen it but after it started she couldn't turn her eyes away. Why would anyone want to hurt her family? What did she do to deserve this? She continued to cry for a few more minutes and finally was able to calm down enough to tell her what she had seen. Kyra had immediately reached for the phone to call Detective Mills but the door bell rang before she even had a chance.
Reba was the first one up and she opened the door to find the one person they were just trying to contact. "Mrs. Hart…" Detective Mills said with an extremely sad tone.
"I already know." She said trying to not to break down again.
Detective Mills was confused. "I am sorry…what do you…?"
"I know Brock is…" She couldn't say the words. "He sent me a video. Whoever did this…sent me a video." Her voice was cracking again and Kyra came up behind her mother to give her some more comfort.
Detective Mills' eyes widened. "We will need that tape." Reba nodded. She understood they would need to investigate now. "But I also don't think you understand."
Reba looked up to him with confusion. "What don't I understand?" she asked her voice full of emotion. "Brock is…that man kil…" She couldn't say it. Her voice wouldn't let her.
"Brock is not dead." Reba's eyes widened and she felt a glimmer of hope. "He's not?"
Detective Mills shook his head. "No, I just received notice that he is in the St. Joseph's in the ICU. I don't know the details but I do know that he is alive right now." Reba never thought she would more beautiful words in her life. "Do you need a ride to the hospital? You probably shouldn't drive at the moment." He said looking over her in her state.
Reba nodded and she turned to her daughter. "You stay here. I want you to notify Cheyenne and Van that your dad's in the hospital as soon as they get home, okay?" Kyra nodded but Reba still hadn't left from her position. "And I want you to call me BEFORE you guys leave or even decide to come to the hospital. I would rather talk with you all first before you see him…just in case okay?" Kyra stood strong in front of her mother and nodded, shutting the door behind her when she stepped out with Detective Mills.
Reba and Detective Mills arrived at the hospital and Reba ran up to the desk. "I am here to see Brock Hart." She said in a voice of panic.
"Are you family?"
"N…"
"Yes…" Detective Mills interrupted. "She is his wife." Reba realized that Detective Mills was doing her a favor. If the receptionist knew that Reba was just a girlfriend she wouldn't be able to enter. She kept her mouth shut.
The woman behind the desk eyed him. "And you are?"
Detective Mills reached into his pocket and pulled out what looked like a wallet and flipped it open. "Detective Edward Mills with the Houston Police. I am investigating the assault of Mr. Brock Hart."
The receptionist checked out his badge and then nodded. "That's fine. You can follow but Mrs. Hart is the only one allowed in the room. You may speak with Mr. Hart when he is moved to recovery."
He nodded and Reba received the room number. She didn't even wait for Edward as she ran toward the elevators she was directed to. She ignored Detective Mills as so many thoughts ran through her head. What condition was he in? Was he going to be okay? He was in ICU; it had to be serious, right? Would he know she was there? Was he in a coma? Is there a possibility he might not remember her? She just hoped he was going to be okay.
Reba felt the elevator doors didn't open fast enough when they finally made it to the floor. As soon as they opened far enough, Reba squeezed through the doors and darted down the hall to room 303. The hall felt endless as she quickly searched the floor. She heard Detective Mills' footsteps far down the hall behind her but she could care less about him right now. She only wanted to find Brock.
She sighed in relief when she finally saw room 303. She couldn't see a thing inside the room. The blinds were drawn on both on the windows and the door. She gently placed her hand on the silver knob and gave it a small turn. She entered the room as quietly as possible.
A nurse was in there, checking the monitors. She turned to Reba when the door opened. She smiled. "Only family allowed ma'am."
Reba nodded and stepped closer. "I am his wife." She said quietly.
"Okay, I will leave you two alone then."
Reba nodded and the nurse walked to the door. "Will he be okay?" she asked, causing the nurse to stop.
"You will have to talk with the doctor." Reba sighed and nodded once more.
When the door closed behind the nurse Reba finally turned to take a good look at Brock. Both of his legs were in casts, there were bruises all over his arms, face and who knows where else, too many stitches to count on his head, his left arm was in a cast, his lip was fat, and one of his eyes was swollen shut. He looked like hell but Reba was just so happy to see him alive. She walked over to his side. She pulled a chair up to his bed and sat down, taking his good hand in hers.
"Hello sweetheart." Reba gave the unconscious man a smile and rubbed his hand gently. "I am so happy to see you…well…I just meant I am so happy you're alive…crap, this isn't coming out very well." She said with a chuckle and tears coming down her cheeks. "Honey I just want to let you know I love you and that I am so sorry for Saturday night. I didn't mean to be like that, just please wake up…plea…" Reba started to choke up and she continued to rub his hand.
She wouldn't leave his side until their kids were ready to come and see him. Just thirty minutes ago Reba thought he was dead. She just wished he would open his eyes. She would love to see those beautiful blue eyes again. Whoever had this obsession with her had gone way too far. They had messed with her family and she wouldn't rest until she found out who was doing this to her.
Reba's head suddenly snapped up when she felt a small gentle squeeze of her hand. She smiled when she saw beautiful blue eyes looking back at her and a slight smile on his face. "Brock…"
"I am happy you're the first thing I see." He said in a weak voice. She smiled and placed a gentle hand on his head. Brock closed his eyes and enjoyed the feeling of her hand on him. It may have only been a day but he missed her touch. "It feels good to feel you're touch. It's better than any medicine they could give me." He said with a smile but it turned into a grimace when he felt pain in his face.
"Don't try to talk honey." Reba said, her hand still running gently through his hair. "Don't try and do anything. Just relax. I am going to get a doctor." Brock nodded and Reba gave him a small kiss on his good hand before leaving the room.
She returned shortly with the doctor and he smiled when he saw Brock looking at him with his one good eye. "Mr. Hart…" he said looking at Brock's chart. "You are a very lucky man. We were able to stop the bleeding from you're head. That was the only serious damage. It took fifteen staples and thirty stitches to close you up. There was surprisingly no damage to your spine despite the amount of hits to it and the amount of bruises. Your legs and arm will be perfectly fine. They were a clean break and they will heal very nicely, some ice for you're eye and the swelling would go down within a couple of weeks. Like I said Mr. Hart, you are a very lucky man."
"Do you know how this happened?" Reba asked looking at the doctor.
"All I know ma'am is he was brought in the emergency room after being found unconscious in a parking lot."
Reba nodded. "Do you know when he will be moved from here?"
"We would like to watch him overnight here but if everything checks out we will move him in a recovery room tomorrow and he will have to stay there for about a week but after that he should be fine to go home."
Reba turned to Brock and smiled. "That's very good news."
"He is a very lucky man. With the amount of hits to the spine, it's amazing he didn't have any permanent damage. For now I will send in a nurse for more pain medication. It will put you to sleep but that is the best thing for you right now."
Brock nodded but then sincerely regretted it as he groaned in pain. "Don't try to do anything sweetheart, please." The doctor smiled and left them to be alone. "I can't believe this." Reba said sliding the chair even closer to his bed. "Some luck we have huh?" she asked trying to make a joke and trying to stay strong for him.
"I'm fine." Brock said taking his good hand and stroking her cheek. "No one can get me down. No one is going to take me away from you."
Reba smiled and grasped his hand that caressed her cheek. "Do you have any idea who did this to you?"
"No…" Brock said groaning as he clutched his side. "All I saw was a ski mask."
Reba nodded and didn't say anything more. He didn't need to know that she saw everything. She was just about to say something when the nurse came in smiling. "Time for some more pain medication."
Brock protested. "No, I want to talk with …" He hissed as pain shot through his body.
"Brock we can talk when you wake up. Right now you need some sleep. When you do wake up the kids will be here and then we can talk. For now I want you to rest." Brock sighed and gave up.
The nurse smiled and slipped the pain meds through his IV. "They should work fast." She said checking his IV bag.
Brock turned his head slightly to Reba and took her hand. "I love you." He slurred as his eyes drooped and he fell into a deep sleep.
Reba's tears fell and she kissed his hand. "I love you too." She hated to see him in pain. She would give anything to switch places with him.
Reba stayed with Brock for another half an hour before she received a call from Kyra saying that Cheyenne and Van were home. She immediately gave Brock the gentlest kiss on the lips and left with Detective Mills who had calmly waited outside the whole time she had been there. He drove her home and they stayed quiet the whole way there. He dropped her off at her home, mentioning he was returning to the police station and Reba reassured him three times that she would be fine to drive herself.
She opened the door to her home only to be bombarded with questions. "Hold on!" she shouted over everyone. They all immediately stopped talking at one. "First of all where is Jake and Elizabeth?" she asked noticing her son and granddaughter were missing.
"Jake is down the street at Tommy's house and Elizabeth is on a play date with baby Lisa. Should we go get them?"
Reba shook her head. "No, they don't need to know just yet. Okay…" she said looking at her family calmly. "One question at a time."
"How is Dad?" Cheyenne asked immediately. "What happened?"
"He was beaten up outside his dental office." Everyone's jaw's dropped. "He is going to be okay. He's in ICU right now. He has two broken legs, one broken arm, fifteen staples and thirty stitches in his head, and a lot of bruising but he is going to be just fine. He has to stay in ICU over night but he is going to be moved to a recovery room tomorrow."
"Why would anyone do this?"
Reba sighed. "It's the same guy who has been sending me stuff." Reba pointed to her computer. "He sent me a video and I saw everything he did to your dad." The moments of the video suddenly came into her head and she tried blocking it out as the tears were forming once again. She held them back and looked to her children. "But that doesn't matter right now. You can visit him if you like. I have something to do here first and then I will be on my way."
"Are you sure?" Cheyenne asked placing a comforting hand on her mom's arm. "Are you okay to drive yourself?"
Reba nodded. "I will be just fine. I think you guys should go. He is asleep but…" She shrugged. "But I know you would still want to see him so I can't stop you."
They all nodded and they left as soon as Reba gave them the okay. She didn't really want to go back just yet. She needed to be alone just for a few minutes. The sight of Brock lying there in the hospital bed had given her some thoughts. That maybe she shouldn't stay with him. It would be safe for everyone if she just stepped away from Brock, at least until this whole thing with whoever was stalking her is over. She couldn't risk this happening again and if it did happen again she was sure that he wouldn't recover so easily or not at all. She shivered at the thought and she was determined that she needed to keep him safe and that meant she couldn't be around him, not now.
She was sitting on the couch debating on how she should word and she didn't hear the back door open slowly. She was so deep in thought she certainly didn't hear the strong footsteps that were behind her and she didn't hear the heavy breathing as she still debated.
Reba sighed and got up off the couch. She was turned toward the stairs and was about to step away when a hand secured itself around her waist and mouth. She gave out a loud scream that was muffled by the hand.
"Hello my sweet angel."
She knew that voice anywhere. It was the same voice she heard on the phone and the same voice she had heard on the video. She struggled a little and the hands let her go. She turned around and her eyes widened in shock at the face before her.
"You!"
End of Chapter