Reign of Fire: Rising from the Ashes

Chapter eleven- Blackmail

Holly sat on the edge of her bed her head in her hands. God it hurt so much, but she couldn't tell whether the pain was just because of her injuries or whether the memories of finding Creedy and Kayleigh in bed together was part of it. And then he had the audacity to try and help her! It sickened her, the sight of that little harpy smugly lying there under a man who had been interested in her just days ago. She should have killed her last night. She thought about it, she had her revolver and she was more than ready for it. Holly wanted to cry, she wanted to cry and scream and throw things around but what would that do? She knew there was no point, Kayleigh could give Creedy everything she couldn't- it was better for all involved; wasn't it? No she couldn't say that, no matter how much she wanted Creedy to be happy she didn't want him with her.

She could hear someone hesitating outside her door. "Who is it!" She barked.

"Alex, can I come in?"

"Sure, why not" she answered dryly. Alex hesitantly stepped in and gasped when she saw Holly sitting there so pitifully. Her beautiful black curls hung limp, her skin even more pale than usual; her right armed had a huge gash and graze on the upper part, her top was covered in blood and more cuts were visible.

"Jesus Holly you look terrible!"

"Gee thanks."

"Oh you know what I mean, I have the first aid stuff with me- lets get you sorted out." She put down the large box on the bed and pulled Holly into a standing position. She twirled her around, checking out the extent of her injuries, Alex sucked in a breath when she saw her back. Several nasty gashes and cuts met her gaze, the blood already drying was sticking her tee to her skin.

"We have to take your top off," Alex stated. Holly was the one to suck in a breath this time.

"Do we- do we have to?" Holly asked nervously, her voice small and child-like.

"Yeah, otherwise your gonna get an infection." Resistance was obviously futile.

"Alex, if I take my shirt off I need you to promise me that you won't tell anyone what you have seen. I, I need you to promise me that you won't scream or run away- please Alex." Holly was near to tears, all Alex could do was agree.

"I promise." Holly nodded and paused before slowly pulled off her t-shirt, keeping her eyes tightly closed- she didn't want to see Alex's reaction.

Alex held her breath and barely prevented herself from gasping at the sight in front of her. She had never seen anything like it, Holly's entire abdomen and back were covered in scars. It wasn't pretty but it wasn't completely horrifying either. The skin varied in colour and texture, scar after scar, burn after burn littered the once beautiful ivory skin. The new slashes sat upon the old, the blood possibly making it look worse than it was. Holly still had not opened her eyes, the expression on her face of embarrassment and fear filled Alex with pity. Pulling herself together, Alex put her hand on Holly's shoulder, who in turn opened her eyes warily.

"It's OK Holly, I won't tell a soul." Holly smiled with relief and let Alex begin sorting her out.

Kayleigh just about contained her scream when she saw Holly's disgusting physique but soon was glad she had; now she really did have a way to keep that raven away from Creedy and she knew it would work. She didn't know when it had happened, but surprisingly to her she no longer saw Creedy as a job- she liked him. A lot. And because of that she would do whatever it took to keep what was hers. Now it was just about biding her time for the opportune moment, grinning she walked away from the gap in Holly's bedroom door and went to find her friends, she was happy, very happy.

Alex left Holly to sleep, she certainly needed it. Back in the kitchen she put the first aid kit back in its home, turning around to find Creedy practically standing on top of her.

"For crying out loud, scare me to death why don't you!" The man cringed.

"Sorry Alex, are you OK?"

"Yeah I'm fine, just don't sneak up on people. Now what did you want?"He looked sheepish.

"How's Holly?" Creedy finally asked. Ah I should have guessed.

"She's OK, she's sleeping right now."

"Oh, do you think I could go visit her later?" He looked so hopeful, Alex sighed and brushed a hair from her face.

"I don't think that is a good idea Creedy, I get the impression she doesn't really wanna see you right now...or anybody for that matter."

Creedy felt crestfallen, of course she wouldn't want to see him, not after that morning. But he needed to talk to her, especially about Kayleigh.

"Don't be too hard on Holly Creedy, she has had it tougher than any of us realised. I don't think she is as strong as she makes out to be, she has things she hides for a reason. Give her time." Creedy looked at her as if she had just given him some cryptic puzzle to work out. Then again this was Holly, the human rubix cube.

Alex left him to ponder her statement in the kitchen alone. He sighed and leant against the table, turning to face the door as Jared walked in and wiped his dirty hands on a dishcloth.

"You all right Creedy?"

"Sure."

"How's Holly doing?" Creedy could see the spark in Jared's eyes when he said her name.

"Damned if I know lad, if you're looking for an expert in Holly, you're apparently talking to the wrong man."

Holly was bored, that much could be said. After being confined to her bed for a day and a half to "recuperate" she almost cried with happiness when Alex finally gave in and let her go do the weapon store inventory that afternoon and then take over Callum's guard duties that night. Mistake. It was freezing, it was raining and she had nothing to do. She could barely see out the window due to the weather and was bursting with energy. In conclusion her night sucked.

It was close to dawn or as close to some kind of sunrise at that time of year. Holly squinted at the clock in the room, it was near enough to the end of her shift for her to leave and not have to worry about the guard change; she would know before anyone else anyway.

The storm began to let up as she headed down to her room to grab a jumper, the abundance of energy would soon fizzle out once she finished another training session. Passing Creedy's room she saw the door was opened slightly and deja vu seemed to be enjoying her company; once again the sight of Creedy and the little blonde going at it like rabbits greeted her eyes. Reflexes taking over, she reached for her Colt and brought it to her side just as Kayleigh turned her head and stared into Holly's eyes as her orgasm took her over the edge. If her heart could be shattered any more it just had; but the sick revelation that Kayleigh had planned her seeing was the worst bit. Everyone knew Holly was on duty after midnight, Creedy's room was not far from the stairs that lead to the tower, the door was propped open just enough for anyone that passed to see inside- and lastly no one apart from Holly would go passed it.

Storming the rest of the way to her room, she slid on a jumper and went out to face the elements. She wasn't gonna wait for the rain to diminish and her injuries be damned!

The rain had turned to a light drizzle after about half an hour, Holly was soaked to the skin but that was the last thing on her mind. Moving from one move to another she cursed herself for letting her training slip- if Mr Bishop saw her now he wouldn't be impressed.

Kayleigh had gone back to her room not long before, not that he was too bothered. She was a lovely lass, beautiful, passionate and kind; but to Creedy somehow it didn't seem enough. He enjoyed being with her, that was for definite but the ways things were between him and Holly were constantly on his mind. Alex's comment only threw him even more. What is it she is so desperate to hide? He rubbed his hands through his hair and added another layer of clothing, it wouldn't do to get ill.

Looking up from his spot in the kitchen, he caught a glimpse of her in the dull light. It looked like she had been at it for a while, her movements fluid and powerful. Before he had realised he was out the side door and heading down towards her, she was hypnotizing when she was training. Her black curls were plastered to her head and neck, the ringlets now loose spirals. Her black long sleeve top clinged to every curve, she was better endowed than he had realised. The look of concentration on her face was endearing, it was like she was the only person in the world and one with a serious mission ahead of her. Sitting on a rock nearby he watched her attentively, catching every subtle move she made; seeing her like this made him smile. The mix of sweat and rain made her skin glisten, she had already taken a layer off by the sight of her jumper lying on the boulder next to his, perhaps if he was lucky she would take off another.

Holly hadn't even noticed him until she landed from her last 540. She stepped away from him her breathing slightly laboured, he was smiling and seemed rather impressed at what she had done, completely unaware that her balance had been a little bit off.

"That was amazing!" he grinned enthusiastically.

"What do you want Creedy?" she didn't mean to sound as harsh as she did but his presence unnerved her; what if he had caught a glimpse of her scars?

"I noticed you from the kitchen. I'm sorry if I startled you, are you sure you're well enough to be doing this?" he sounded concerned which only riled Holly's ire.

"Their scrapes not breaks Creedy, I'm a big girl I can take care of myself."

"I know you can lass. Holly we need to talk."

"Really? What about?"

"You know what about."

"Look Creedy, I don't care what you get up to with Kayleigh, it's none of my business. I just hope she is as good as she sounds." Creedy blushed and looked pained, she'd heard them?

"Holly I-"

"No Creedy! I don't want to know, I don't want to hear your lame excuses and apologies- just stay the hell away from me!" She hissed, turning her back to him and moving far enough away to continue practising.

Shaking his head he made his way back up to the castle. She wouldn't listen, he could try all he wanted but she wouldn't.

If Kayleigh had been looking for the opportune moment she had certainly found it. Creedy had been talking to the little bitch when she stumbled across them, as soon as he left she made her move.

Holly pushed herself even harder now; her emotions raging- she had never been able to control them well. Her breaths were short and controlled as she boxed with an invisible opponent, well in her mind it looked quite similar to a certain blonde.

"Having fun are we?" The sickly sweet yet Arctic tones of the one person she really didn't want to ever talk to rang out. Holly stopped and clenched her fists, she had only just reined in her temper and then this happens.

"Yes, as fun as training can be," she seethed in reply.

Holly turned to find Kayleigh standing with her hands on her hips smiling that damn blasted smile that helped her win over every male in the castle. Holly smiled in return.

"You know, it turns out we have something in common," she says Creedy I'll make her wish she was a lesbian..."apparently we both laugh in the face of danger- well that is what Creedy said to me." She said Creedy- does that count? No not really- fuck.

"Oh really?"

"Uh huh."

"Well I'm afraid that's not true. You might laugh, I spit." She dragged out the word spit in emphasis, Kayleigh raised an eyebrow and Holly moved over to put her jumper on.

"So you are a nihilist- interesting." She watched Holly closely.

"If you find that interesting."

"Oh I do, I love to watch people. Do you always carry a gun around with you?" She pointed at the revolver Holly slid down the side of her boot.

"Yes"

"You had one earlier, I thought you might shoot me" She giggled. First I'll make her feel guilty...

"Actually I was thinking about it," Kayleigh's face fell.

"Oh, then why didn't you?" If guilt won't work I'll have to cut to the chase.

"I didn't have a clear shot" Holly replied in a matter-of-fact tone. She looked down and picked the gun back out of her boot.

"You see, the gun I had earlier was a Colt Anaconda. It's a nice big gun that gives a good shot, but sometimes I'm not always accurate- but this one...this is a Beretta 92 semi automatic, still quite big but a very easy and accurate shot- great for target practice." She fingered the gun before returning it to it's place of rest.

"Aren't you scared?"

"Of what?"

"Of Quinn exiling you, if you had shot little old me then I'm sure he wouldn't have hesitated to throw you out."

"But why would that scare me? I don't need to stay here- I'm here 'cos they need me."

"Then what of Creedy? Surely you wouldn't expect him to go back to you once you had killed me. All it would do is show him that your soul is as monstrous as your body." Holly flinched, how does she know?

Kayleigh smirked. "I bet he doesn't even know what you look like under all that. That's probably a good thing, at least he won't suffer nightmares because of it. Oh dear have I struck a sore spot?"

"What do you want?"

"I want you to stay away from Creedy. He is mine got it! If he wanted you then he would have had you by now. Though I can't see why he would. Stay out of my way or I'll tell him your little secret." Kayleigh's sky blue eyes turned to a darker shade, she meant her threat.

"You hurt him I'll kill you" Holly whispered.

"Ooooh I'm warned!" Kayleigh giggled, turning to head back to the castle.

"No, you're promised." Holly called out after her. Kayleigh merely raised her hand as a signal of her acceptance, her back still facing Holly. She doesn't even fear me, Holly processed. This was bad- incredibly, monumentally, off the charts bad.

Holly collapsed onto the muddy ground, not caring about her trousers.

"Oh God what am I going to do?"