Steal My Life
Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Red Eye!
Chapter Seven
George roughly dragged Sofia from the ballroom. I have to get away before Lisa wakes up…I can't let her know that I hurt her.
"George…" she tried to speak, her breath stolen by his rapid pace down the hallway.
"Don't you dare talk to me after what you've done!" he snapped angrily, squeezing her wrist tightly, smiling when her face registered the pain.
"Please…"
He raised a hand and she cowered. Satisfied with her fearful reaction, he yanked her along after him once more. He had already checked into their room earlier in the day and the keycard was in his pocket. They would be safe hiding out there until the following morning and he could surely convince Sofia to play along with a cover story should anyone ask questions.
He had worked too hard for too long and there was no way he would let his wife suddenly screw up his life.
"What—what are you doing?" she asked him after he opened the room door.
"We're going to do what normal couples do on their wedding night," George replied coldly and without any trace of emotion in his voice. "Just because you had a drunken fit and smacked yourself doesn't mean that we're not a newlywed couple."
Take the suggestion, Sofia, don't fight me. You were drunk and that's all you'll remember in the morning. I would never hurt you.
"Oh…" she said softly.
"I grabbed your wrist to stop you—I'm sorry if I hurt you." Be sincere…show her that you're not a threat.
"I'm sorry, George. Will you forgive me?"
"Of course I forgive you, sweetheart. You're drunk and you don't know any better." He pulled her close and kissed her forehead. I'll never forgive you for hurting Lisa…
"Mmm," she murmured.
"You feeling better now, Sofia?"
"Yes."
"Good, good…"
"Miss Reisert, are you okay?" A concerned man with a name tag pinned to his collar was standing over her.
With a groan, Lisa sat up and gripped her head. "What happened?"
"That's just what I was going to ask you. Did you hit your head?"
"Ah, I think so."
"Let me get a medical kit," he offered. Lisa glanced wearily at him, identifying his name as David by means of the nametag.
"No—I'm fine."
He ignored her and called out for someone to grab a first aid kit. "You might have a concussion or a cut."
"A cut?"
"There's some blood on your head and broken glass around you. I really need to take a look at the wound."
"Is anyone else hurt?" She glanced around for others, but besides the staff cleaning up the ballroom, she was alone with David.
"No, you were the only one in the ballroom."
She tried to stand. "I have to get back to the desk." She wobbled on her feet.
"Miss Reisert, you need to sit down," he ordered, wrapping his arm around her weakened frame and assisted her to a chair. "You should go to the emergency room to get your head looked at."
"I have to—"
"No, you don't." He was firm.
Lisa sighed and her shoulders slumped. Guess I'm not going anywhere for a while…
The first aid kit arrived and David searched it for cotton swabs and alcohol. "This is going to sting, but I have to clean the cut."
Before she could protest, he swiped at the cut on her head and she let out a sharp gasp of pain.
"There's a shard of glass in there." He reached for tweezers and moved to pluck at her head when she seized his wrist.
"What training do you have that allows you to poke around in my head?"
"Medical training was part of my job in the Army."
"You're Army?"
"Special Ops."
"And you work here?" Disbelief registered in her voice.
"Just as a temporary job. I'm on leave from the Army for an injury."
"Oh, wow. I didn't—"
"It's okay. Let's just get you fixed up, shall we?"
George did not sleep well that night. He could not stop thinking about Lisa. He had a one-track mind and he was mentally kicking himself for harming her. Even trying to get her to ignore what he had done to Sofia was not a good excuse. There was no excuse for what he had done to Lisa. After all the time he spent earning her trust…it was all for nothing.
There was no way Lisa would forgive him. She would be terrified of him now.
With good reason… I'm a monster…
He glanced over at Sofia, passed out beside him. So far, all she had done was fuel the fire he was desperately trying to fight. He did not want to hurt anyone—least of all Lisa.
I won't be like them—I never will be. I won't be that way!
The familiar feeling of helplessness was sinking in. He needed something to do before he did something drastic—like smother Sofia in her sleep.
Stop it! Don't think that way or you'll do it!
His right hand had already closed on a pillow before he stopped himself. His murderous impulses were multiplying.
It would be relatively painless—she's too drunk to notice. Then she wouldn't have to deal that monster of a hangover in the morning. I'd be doing her a favor…
His hands were shaking. He now had both hands on the pillow.
You'll regret it. You don't want to kill her, do you?
She lost me Lisa.
Lisa…
The figure beside him was changing. Auburn hair replaced the dark hair spread around the nearby pillow. The tan skin was lightening and becoming pale.
No, it can't be…
George dropped the pillow as green eyes fluttered open.
"George?" a sleepy voice called.
No…it's a dream…it has to be a dream!
But what if it's not?
"George? Are you okay?" A warm hand reached out and touched his shoulder. He flinched at the contact. "George?"
"Get away from me!" he yelled, knocking the slight figure over.
"George?" She was trembling.
"Get out!"
What's wrong with me?
Author's Notes:
George is starting to lose his grip on reality now, which will only get worse as he discovers Sofia's betrayal.
Happy Turkey Day everyone! I'm now a few days ahead on this story, so expect three back-to-back updates (one a day!). Enjoy and thanks for reading/reviewing! Major thanks to emptyvoices for her help!