SLIGHTLY REVAMPED - I am currently in the process of changing and fixing the first chapters of this story on account that they gave me a fever. It's hardly noticable, but still. Again, almost nothing's changed here, just added a few thingies.
Disclaimer: Blah Blah Blah...
Hello to all the Wonderful People in the Internet world! As usual, I'm extra-perky when I write these A.Ns, I hope you all are already used to it. How's everyone doing?
Ahem, right, mental health - check. Anyway, I'm glad you're all enjoying the story so far (andthe evil manipulations I use to get you guys to review) and thanks for letting me know! Seriously, I LOVE reviewes, there the only thing keeping me alive! Ahem, I think that mental health thing is slipping...
So, before I go completly insane and start dreaming about flying monkeys - let me just say that I hope you enjoy this chapter and pretty please (with sugary, salty and spicey stuff on top) review! You hear me? Please REVIEW! I'll sell my soul to you! For free! And thanks again to my sweet and wonderful beta reader - Wild Horses's! I love you!
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This time when Veronica opened her eyes, the black infinity surrounding her didn't go away. It took her a few seconds to realize that this was because she was trapped in a small… box? A box with a limited amount of air and secure as a vault. She screamed.
"Veronica?" she heard Aaron's cheery voice and panicked momentarily, thinking he was there with her. "You're an odd duck," he continued, "I mean, how many teenaged girls keep walkie-talkies in their cars?"
Veronica felt her way to the source of the sound and found her trusty walkie-talkie. Turning it on and pressing the REC button, a red light turned on, illuminating the inside of a fridge. She tried to break out. But for some reason, even though milk boxes wouldn't usually try to escape, the fridge couldn't be opened from the inside. Probably because it wasn't meant to be. "What have you done to me?" she asked, trying her best to subdue the shaking in her voice.
"Veronica dear," he said lightly, ignoring her, "where're my tapes? I'll let you out as soon as I have my tapes back."
"No thanks," she breathed, "honestly I feel safer in here."
"Well you shouldn't," he said in a voice that meant only trouble.
Veronica shuddered when she realized how exactly he knew that the tapes weren't actually on her. She could almost feel Aaron's slippery hands going through her body, and she having no ability to resist any of it, again.
"What do you think it'll be like for you?" he mused while pouring the gasoline generously over the fridge, "People won't know what to think. They're so used to hating you they might think it was all for the best you died."
Was that gasoline she smelled? She always recognized that smell, because it was the worst smell in the world.
"I never really got it, you know," he continued, "adults hating a 17 year old kid. I mean, why? Just because her dad accused the wrong man? Still, there will probably be a few who'll cry for you, saying you were just a kid after all and it wasn't your fault you were born into such a screwed up family."
Veronica sobbed. All this funeral chat wasn't doing her any good.
"Logan'll cry a little. Probably." he continued viciously. "Oh, who am I kidding, he's such a drama-queen he'll probably cry for a few months straight," he added, laughing privately. "But eventually he'll realize that life is a lot easier without you around." then he suddenly whispered: "Veronica, where are the tapes?" Then he returned to screaming again: "Veronica, where are the tapes! Where are my tapes!"
Her heart pounded in her chest and her eyes stung from the salty tears which, because she was lying down, were slipping painfully back into her eyes. She found herself hoping there was a handle on the fridge so that she could keep the door firmly shut.
Aaron banged on the refrigerator and continued asking for the tapes. She heard him sigh. "You know," he said dangerously, "Lilly never told me where the tapes were hidden either," she could hear the evil grin in his voice, "I kinda think there's a cautionary tale in that, Veronica. Something like: I'm not gonna let some seventeen year old piece of ass RUIN MY LIFE!" he screamed and kicked the fridge again.
"They're on the roof," Veronica said tearfully, "I put them on the roof, please let me out."
She continued to cry into the walkie-talkie while he climbed onto the roof. It was only a half-truth, and she knew he was going to be extra pissed off and murderous when he didn't find all three tapes there. But she hoped her father would get there before that happened.
And soon enough, she heard her father's distant call.
"Dad?" she called back desperately.
Next she heard a series of bangs and groans, punctuated by things being thrown to the ground and glass shattering. Her gut twisted. Logan said he studies Tae-Kwan-Do. Please let Dad be the winner.
And then, when the noises stopped, she suddenly felt hot. Oh god, she thought with sheer panic. He lit me up. He lit the fire.
The flames roared in her ears, blocking out all other noises, including her beating heart. The fire was consuming all the air in the little space and she could feel herself breathing air that was soaked with smoke. She cried out for her dad.
She knew that if her dad wasn't the winner - which seemed to be the case because, after all, her surroundings were on fire and it was doubtful that her dad would approve of that - the smoke was going to kill her. A slow death by suffocation, just great. She wondered which breath would be the end of her. This one? No, it was just painful. That one? Nope, it was just excruciating.
Suddenly, the fridge door swung open and the terrifying sight of flames, which were way too close for comfort, welcomed her. She saw her dad stepping away from the fire and dropping himself to the ground. His pants were on fire.
"Dad!" she cried before grabbing a blanket and putting out the raging flames. She leaned into him, crying. "I love you," she said hoarsely, "I knew you'd save me."
And then she felt limp. As if her body was willing to let her do that one last thing but now it was really giving up. Not now, damn it! It's not over yet.
Keith coughed a little and leaned back on the pavement. "Are you ok, honey?" he wheezed worriedly when he noticed she could barely support herself.
She nodded weakly. "Where is he?" she whispered, "We need to get him."
To her immense horror, Keith's eyes slowly closed, despite her protests. Just then, she heard Backup barking and a few seconds later, a car screeching to a halt. Gotcha, you sick son of a bitch. She got up on her feet and limped her way towards the noise.
"Oh, my God," she saw some scruffy driver in the distance say with awe, "you're Aaron Echolls!"
Aaron nodded weakly. "Help me." He whispered.
"Don't touch him!" Veronica called hoarsely, her father's gun held firmly in front of her, aimed at Aaron Echolls's head. The guy straightened up, startled. "Do you have a cellphone?" she asked.
The guy nodded just as Keith limped to the scene. His chest swelled with pride, even though technically Veronica had done just about everything necessary to earn herself a good old fashion grounding.
"Call 911," she said, with a look of determination, even though she felt like her lungs were covered in tar, "we need an ambulance, the police and the fire department."
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By the time the cops, ambulance and fire department got to the scene (all at the same time, funny town), Veronica was already feeling a little dizzy. She and Keith were comfortably seated in their car, with Backup sniffing away in the back seat.
"You mean the world to me," she whispered weakly, "do you understand that? I love you."
Keith chuckled noiselessly, "Who's your daddy?"
Veronica was on the verge of both tears and laughter as she answered: "I hate it when you say that."
When the emergency crews arrived, they put Aaron on a stretcher first and Keith on a second one. They were both conscious when Jake Kane's truck pulled in.
Duncan wanted to go to Veronica, who was now standing beside her father, but Jake pushed him back. "You killed my daughter," he snarled at Aaron.
When the cops grabbed him, he started to yell, "You killed my daughter and you're gonna pay for it! I want you fried, Aaron! I'll destroy your family and everyone you've ever loved!" The cops dragged him to the patrol car and arrested him for obstruction of justice, "You killed my daughter!" he continued screaming, "I'll make you pay Aaron! My daughter!"
Duncan looked distressed and lost. This was not how the evening was supposed to turn out. He was supposed to smile a few plastic smiles, go to his room, and think about how he killed his own sister. He sent Veronica a look that asked 'Is it over now?' Veronica tried to smile, but all she wanted to do was cry.
She wanted to ride with her father but the ambulance didn't have enough room (what with 3 grown man stuffed in the back) and the paramedics said that it would be better if she didn't contaminate the ambulance and that she'd be better to ride with the police, even though she clearly needed medical attention. It didn't help, of course, that she refused to receive immediate care, claiming that the ambulance should get to the hospital as soon as possible.
Duncan seemed to be glad to have something to do, "I can take you," he offered, "we'll go straight to the hospital."
Veronica smiled weakly, "Can we make a quick stop first?"
Duncan lowered his eyes. Maybe Veronica wasn't his sister but she wasn't his girl either. "I'll call him on the way. You need help."
Veronica dumped herself on the seat, "I actually feel fine, you know, considering…"
Duncan smiled and caressed her hair, "You will tell me what happened when you wake up, right?"
She nodded, already feeling her eyelids becoming heavy, "I'm sorry I got your dad arrested."
"It's not your fault. He tried to protect me." He smiled softly, "Now get some rest. We'll be there in a few minutes."
She looked as if she wanted to say something else.
"I'll call him, just sleep," he said with a sigh.
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