When Tom opened the door to his darkroom, I launched the entire jug of
developer towards his face. I watched as if in slow motion the jug first
hitting him, shattering, and releasing the developer onto him. Glass
shreds and the potent developer hit his eyes and he screamed out in pain.
I decided that this might be my only chance to make a move. I quickly rushed past him out of the darkroom. I found myself in a photography studio, which did not have many places to hide. I frantically searched for a door just as he emerged from the darkroom.
"You little bitch, you're not getting away!" He screamed.
But then he heard my shallow breathing and just followed the sound of it. His vision was hazy, his eyes stung, but he wasn't completely blind.
Trying to get further away I ran into a table of various props for his shoots. I randomly threw anything I could get my hands on at him in hopes of deterring him. My aim was not the best and I either missed entirely or hit him where it caused a minimum of damage.
Finally, my hand landed on a glass candleholder and I flung it at him, hitting him directly in the crotch. He stumbled back and cried out in pain.
"Wait 'til I get a hold of you, you little slut!" He yelled, his voice slightly higher than it had been.
I finally got to the door, which was hidden behind some curtains, and came to the stark realization that it was locked.
"Thought you'd get away that easy?" He said as he approached her.
* * * Jason walked into the building without a problem. He asked the doorman what the building was used for and was surprised to learn that it was used mostly as a storage area for larger companies. He did mention that a few people worked here, mostly self-made businesses or artists used the space for studio area. The doorman, with a little monetary encouragement, revealed to Jason that only three current occupants were in the building and provided the corresponding room numbers.
Jason did not even have to get close to the first door before realizing he would have to go no farther.
"STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM ME!" He heard her scream.
He instantly ran up to the door and tried to unlock it to no avail. He prayed that Elizabeth was nowhere near the door, took aim, and fired at the lock.
Tom lay in the corner, a broken camera attachment lay next to him, and evidence of their contact was the large bump starting to rise on his forehead.
"Elizabeth?" He called out into the studio.
He heard a moan escape her lips and moved the door to reveal her sitting against the wall. Her hands and wrists were red and bloody. Her lips and nose were bloody as well. On hand hung lazily on her arm, trying to stop the constant blood-flow.
Finally, Jason realized what he had done. His bullet had shot Elizabeth. He quickly scooped her up in his arms instantly noticing the limpness of her body. And despite her apparent weakness he knew how strong she was and knew that she would survive this.
* * * The first thing I remember was the smell, the smell of a hospital. And without opening my eyes I knew where I was.
"She's coming to!" I hear a voice whisper.
I open my eyes and when they come into focus my gaze lands on his familiar green eyes.
"Oh thank God, Elizabeth. I was so worried." He said, getting close and taking my hand within his own.
Suddenly I remembered why I was in the hospital and instantly wanted answers.
"What happened to HIM?" I asked.
"He was here getting bandaged up and then they took him to the police station. The note he sent you hand his fingerprints on it so he is getting charged for both incidents."
I let out a sigh of relief as I looked around the room. Lucky, Nikolas and Emily were all there, waiting patiently for their turn. Steve quickly realized this and went on his way. Emily was the next person to step up.
"God you scared me." She said, circling me in a hug, "I'm so glad you're okay."
I smiled and quipped, "I'm no worse for ware."
Emily leaned in and whispered, "Better get out of this hospital soon. I'm in serious need of girl talk and both Lucky and Nikolas aren't properly equipped."
"I'll try." I answered as she started to leave.
Lucky was the next one to step up.
"I'm sorry about all that stuff I said before about Jason. He is a standup guy and he proved it. I can see that he cares about you and all I want is for you to be happy . . . and safe."
"Thank you," I started, knowing he was sincere, "But maybe you should tell Jason that."
"That might take a while."
"I understand." I offered, knowing that it had taken him a lot to say that.
Lucky left, leaving me alone with Nikolas.
He came over and delicately kissed me on the forehead, "I'm sorry."
"For what?" I said, shocked.
"I should have been watching you . . . I let you down . . ." He started.
I grabbed his hand, "Nikolas, listen . . ." I started but stopped to wait for his attention. His brown eyes met my gaze and I continued.
"You're not my keeper. I don't need someone to watch over me. This was not your fault. It was not my fault. It is HIS fault and he is getting what he deserves. Now, if I can accept this, I think you should be able to."
He smiled and noticed as my gaze shifted slightly to the door.
"He's out there, I'll get him for you." He offered, squeezed my hand, and then softly let it fall back against my side.
A minute after he left, Jason came into the room looking years older than he was. He crossed the room and sat beside me on the edge of the bed. He took hold of my hand as our eyes met.
"How are you feeling?" He asked, solemnly.
"Like I just got back from one of my eight hour shopping days with your sister." I said, trying to lighten the mood.
I knew that he felt as if he was responsible. Sure, it was his gun that the bullet had come from, but it was far from his fault.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there when you got the letter. Nikolas had to tell me about it." He offered.
"It's not your fault. I was going to call but I was so overwhelmed and Nikolas just happened to stop by. He wanted to call but I didn't want to bother you at work."
"Nothing is more important than you, that includes my business."
I smiled.
"Are you shivering?" He asked.
"The gown is paper-thin and this blanket doesn't really do its job that well." I offered.
He climbed into the bed, pulled me back to his chest, and wrapped his arms around me.
"Thanks."
Neither of us said anything for a while. We were both still trying to process all the emotion of the moment, the journey it had taken us to get here.
"You owe me for shooting me, you know." I stated, breaking the silence.
"Anything you want, it's yours." He offered.
I considered his proposition and knew just what I wanted. I turned around to face him and let my head lean against his chest so I could hear his heart beat.
"I just want to stay like this until I fall asleep and wake up just as we are now. And not just today, but for the rest of my life."
He pulled me closer, kissed my forehead, and he never spoke a word. I knew his answer, long before I even posed the question.
"When I first saw you, I already knew there was something inside of you Something I thought that I would never find Angel of Mine I looked at you looking at me Now I know why they say the best things are free Gonna love you boy you are so fine Angel of Mine How you changed my world you'll never know I'm different know, you helped me grow (You came into my life sent from above When I lost all hope you showed me love I'm checking for you boy you're right on time) Angel of Mine Nothing means more to me then what we share No one is this world can ever compare It's not the way you move that's still on my mind Angel of Mine What you mean to me you'll never know Deep inside I need to show (You came into my life sent from above When I lost all hope you showed me love I'm checking for you boy you're right on time) Angel of Mine I never knew I could reach this moment And if we would lose Every breath that I take The love that we make I only share it with you When I first saw you I already knew there was something inside of you Something I thought that I would never find Angel of Mine (You came into my life sent from above When I lost all hope you showed me love I'm checking for you boy you're right on time) How you changed my world you'll never know I'm different know, you helped me grow I looked at you looking at me Now I know why they say the best things are free I'm checking for you boy you're right on time Angel of Mine" (Monica/Angel of Mine/The Boy Is Mine)
I decided that this might be my only chance to make a move. I quickly rushed past him out of the darkroom. I found myself in a photography studio, which did not have many places to hide. I frantically searched for a door just as he emerged from the darkroom.
"You little bitch, you're not getting away!" He screamed.
But then he heard my shallow breathing and just followed the sound of it. His vision was hazy, his eyes stung, but he wasn't completely blind.
Trying to get further away I ran into a table of various props for his shoots. I randomly threw anything I could get my hands on at him in hopes of deterring him. My aim was not the best and I either missed entirely or hit him where it caused a minimum of damage.
Finally, my hand landed on a glass candleholder and I flung it at him, hitting him directly in the crotch. He stumbled back and cried out in pain.
"Wait 'til I get a hold of you, you little slut!" He yelled, his voice slightly higher than it had been.
I finally got to the door, which was hidden behind some curtains, and came to the stark realization that it was locked.
"Thought you'd get away that easy?" He said as he approached her.
* * * Jason walked into the building without a problem. He asked the doorman what the building was used for and was surprised to learn that it was used mostly as a storage area for larger companies. He did mention that a few people worked here, mostly self-made businesses or artists used the space for studio area. The doorman, with a little monetary encouragement, revealed to Jason that only three current occupants were in the building and provided the corresponding room numbers.
Jason did not even have to get close to the first door before realizing he would have to go no farther.
"STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM ME!" He heard her scream.
He instantly ran up to the door and tried to unlock it to no avail. He prayed that Elizabeth was nowhere near the door, took aim, and fired at the lock.
Tom lay in the corner, a broken camera attachment lay next to him, and evidence of their contact was the large bump starting to rise on his forehead.
"Elizabeth?" He called out into the studio.
He heard a moan escape her lips and moved the door to reveal her sitting against the wall. Her hands and wrists were red and bloody. Her lips and nose were bloody as well. On hand hung lazily on her arm, trying to stop the constant blood-flow.
Finally, Jason realized what he had done. His bullet had shot Elizabeth. He quickly scooped her up in his arms instantly noticing the limpness of her body. And despite her apparent weakness he knew how strong she was and knew that she would survive this.
* * * The first thing I remember was the smell, the smell of a hospital. And without opening my eyes I knew where I was.
"She's coming to!" I hear a voice whisper.
I open my eyes and when they come into focus my gaze lands on his familiar green eyes.
"Oh thank God, Elizabeth. I was so worried." He said, getting close and taking my hand within his own.
Suddenly I remembered why I was in the hospital and instantly wanted answers.
"What happened to HIM?" I asked.
"He was here getting bandaged up and then they took him to the police station. The note he sent you hand his fingerprints on it so he is getting charged for both incidents."
I let out a sigh of relief as I looked around the room. Lucky, Nikolas and Emily were all there, waiting patiently for their turn. Steve quickly realized this and went on his way. Emily was the next person to step up.
"God you scared me." She said, circling me in a hug, "I'm so glad you're okay."
I smiled and quipped, "I'm no worse for ware."
Emily leaned in and whispered, "Better get out of this hospital soon. I'm in serious need of girl talk and both Lucky and Nikolas aren't properly equipped."
"I'll try." I answered as she started to leave.
Lucky was the next one to step up.
"I'm sorry about all that stuff I said before about Jason. He is a standup guy and he proved it. I can see that he cares about you and all I want is for you to be happy . . . and safe."
"Thank you," I started, knowing he was sincere, "But maybe you should tell Jason that."
"That might take a while."
"I understand." I offered, knowing that it had taken him a lot to say that.
Lucky left, leaving me alone with Nikolas.
He came over and delicately kissed me on the forehead, "I'm sorry."
"For what?" I said, shocked.
"I should have been watching you . . . I let you down . . ." He started.
I grabbed his hand, "Nikolas, listen . . ." I started but stopped to wait for his attention. His brown eyes met my gaze and I continued.
"You're not my keeper. I don't need someone to watch over me. This was not your fault. It was not my fault. It is HIS fault and he is getting what he deserves. Now, if I can accept this, I think you should be able to."
He smiled and noticed as my gaze shifted slightly to the door.
"He's out there, I'll get him for you." He offered, squeezed my hand, and then softly let it fall back against my side.
A minute after he left, Jason came into the room looking years older than he was. He crossed the room and sat beside me on the edge of the bed. He took hold of my hand as our eyes met.
"How are you feeling?" He asked, solemnly.
"Like I just got back from one of my eight hour shopping days with your sister." I said, trying to lighten the mood.
I knew that he felt as if he was responsible. Sure, it was his gun that the bullet had come from, but it was far from his fault.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there when you got the letter. Nikolas had to tell me about it." He offered.
"It's not your fault. I was going to call but I was so overwhelmed and Nikolas just happened to stop by. He wanted to call but I didn't want to bother you at work."
"Nothing is more important than you, that includes my business."
I smiled.
"Are you shivering?" He asked.
"The gown is paper-thin and this blanket doesn't really do its job that well." I offered.
He climbed into the bed, pulled me back to his chest, and wrapped his arms around me.
"Thanks."
Neither of us said anything for a while. We were both still trying to process all the emotion of the moment, the journey it had taken us to get here.
"You owe me for shooting me, you know." I stated, breaking the silence.
"Anything you want, it's yours." He offered.
I considered his proposition and knew just what I wanted. I turned around to face him and let my head lean against his chest so I could hear his heart beat.
"I just want to stay like this until I fall asleep and wake up just as we are now. And not just today, but for the rest of my life."
He pulled me closer, kissed my forehead, and he never spoke a word. I knew his answer, long before I even posed the question.
"When I first saw you, I already knew there was something inside of you Something I thought that I would never find Angel of Mine I looked at you looking at me Now I know why they say the best things are free Gonna love you boy you are so fine Angel of Mine How you changed my world you'll never know I'm different know, you helped me grow (You came into my life sent from above When I lost all hope you showed me love I'm checking for you boy you're right on time) Angel of Mine Nothing means more to me then what we share No one is this world can ever compare It's not the way you move that's still on my mind Angel of Mine What you mean to me you'll never know Deep inside I need to show (You came into my life sent from above When I lost all hope you showed me love I'm checking for you boy you're right on time) Angel of Mine I never knew I could reach this moment And if we would lose Every breath that I take The love that we make I only share it with you When I first saw you I already knew there was something inside of you Something I thought that I would never find Angel of Mine (You came into my life sent from above When I lost all hope you showed me love I'm checking for you boy you're right on time) How you changed my world you'll never know I'm different know, you helped me grow I looked at you looking at me Now I know why they say the best things are free I'm checking for you boy you're right on time Angel of Mine" (Monica/Angel of Mine/The Boy Is Mine)