Chapter 11: No Turning Back
Rachael's POV
"E-Ericc" I said, shocked.
He couldn't be here, he – I couldn't do this. I have been so long without him, and he appears and he already has the control, after only two words.
"Who's Mark?" he asks, stepping in and looking around. He hadn't changed a bit, his black hair still in the same stupid hairstyle, his face had gotten a little older, but that was it. It was still the first man I ever loved, the same man who changed me forever.
"N-no one." I said quietly, backing away still until I bumped into the couch.
But he stepped forward, gripping my hair and tugging tightly. As I whimpered he pulled more, "Don't lie to me." He growled, his voice threatening.
His glare made me shrink back into submission and before I could think the words slipped from my mouth, "My boyfriend."
It took less than a second for me to realize the gravity of my mistake, I shouldn't have said anything, yet he would have forced me to tell him anyways. His eyes grew mad and he slapped my across the face. My cheek stung as he came close and whispered in my ear, "But you missed me, didn't you baby." He said, his breathe was hot on my ear and his voice made me shiver.
"Didn't you?!" He asked, his voice now commanding and harsh. "Tell me you missed me!" he yelled.
"I missed you." I whispered, not really meaning in. I felt so small compared to him.
He smiled cynically, "Much better Rach." Then he let go, walking around.
"How'd you find me?" I asked, my voice quiet. I had always talked in a quiet tone around him, then maybe he'd hit me less.
"I uhh called your dad." He said, staring out the window, leaning casually on against the wall. "Told him I got taken anger management classes and wanted to come tell you I'm sorry."
Liar, such a liar. He came back over, "But truthfully, I just came to see you." His hands gripped my shoulders so tightly and I tried to not squirm as I'm sure the bruises started forming.
"Why are you fidgeting?" He asked, slapping me again. I just whimpered and pulled away, "You little bitch, just stay still." He said, but I couldn't control my shaking. This time, before I could do anything he punched me, fist clenched.
I fell against the couch, crying. Pain pulsed through me. I tried to wipe my tears but he saw them. "Stop crying! Stop you fucking crying." He yelled, kicking me hard in the stomach.
"Ahhhh" I cried, one hand clutching my stomach, the other holding the test in my hand. My nails dug into the skin on my hand as I held tighter. He kicked me again and again until I laid there, my body in shock and I was no longer crying. I had forgotten what it felt like, to be dizzy with such intense pain.
He leant down and stroked my face, "Much better." I shivered involuntarily, his eyes flickered with anger before turning back to their emotionless state, then standing up he gave me one last kick. I felt blood start to trickle from my mouth, the slow incredible pain unendurable.
"Get up." He whispered, his tone full of venom. I shakily put my hands on the top of the couch and pulled myself up slowly, the pain shooting up through my body. "Faster!"
I stood up too fast causing my vision to blur. I could see Eric, but in a blob-like form, reaching out. But it wasn't to touch me kindly, he slapped me across the cheek again, "Stand up straight, stop being so weak!"
I touched my cheek as it burned. I couldn't help myself as I started to shake in my spot. Growling like some sort of animal he grabbed me and threw me against the wall. "Stop it!!!!"
My head hit the wall first, sending me into numbness. I felt his hands around my neck. "N-no, p-please." I begged as I began to run out of air. "Y-you're k-killing more-than o-one." I said, thinking about the test still in my hand.
At this he became utterly furious, "You fucking slut! You whore! Fucking Bitch!" He repeated every bad name for a girl as his hands constricted my throat even more. My breathing was ragged and unstable, my vision was getting darker and darker. It was getting harder to fight the darkness. "P-p-please." I begged.
I was about to shut my eyes and give into the unstoppable blanket of pain covering me, when I felt my throat open and I crashed to the ground. There were loud voices as I heard the door open. Leaning against the wall, with difficulty I opened my eyes as much as I could. Roger and Collins were fighting Eric, Marueen and Joanne going into Mark's loft to hide with the children. Although Maureen's face indicated she wanted to kick ass, she understood the danger for Ryan and Ella. The door closed removing them from my view, the sound of it shutting sounded like a 'bang'. I felt someone put their arms around me, I looked up to see Mark's worried blue eyes staring down at me.
"Rachael, oh my god. Rach…" He took my hand, "Hold on tight." He yelled to their apartment, "Mo call 911!!"
Pushing against the wall, I tried to get up. Eric was fighting back hard, but Roger and Collin's faces were filled with anger and determination, and had nothing on them. "Eric, stop, please, just go-" Before I could finish my sentence, he had hit me again, sending me into the wall and straight to the floor.
Collins tackled him, holding him down as Roger punched him, absolutely livid. Mark cradled me in his arms. I tried to relax in his embrace but the darkness was too close. "M-mark, I-I-I'm not sure how much longer I-I can.." I said, not able to keep going. He held me closer, his eyes wide and scared, I could feel his heart gallop.
"Stay with me, itll be ok."
"M-mark…" I whispered, my voice hoarse as I felt blood fall from lips again. He wiped my lips alarmed.
"Yeah?" I handed him the test, "It turned blue." The darkness pulled me in and there was no turning back.
Mark's POV
Her eyes closed, "No!!" I heard someone scream, it took me a moment to realize it was me. "Rachael…" She lay limp in my arms.
Collins and Roger looked over and their faces turned pale. Eric laughed quietly and Roger punched him again and he went unconscious. Collins ran over to the loft to get Mo and Jo. Roger came over and stroked her cheek, "That bastard. He's lucky I didn't kill him."
I held her close, unable to comprehend what was happening. My heart had fallen, and my world was crashing around me. Without her, I die without her. Joanne was already one the phone, the paramedics on their way. Ella crying in her arms, Ryan clinging tightly to Maureen who was hysterical.
As the paramedics took her away, I felt my heart stop. I couldn't feel anything inside me, my heart was just aching too badly. All the bruises, and the blood, I couldn't take it.
I stood as the rest of bohemians took a seat in the waiting room. Collins spoke softly, "When he hit her, it was like he was swatting away a fly, so careless."
Maureen shook her head, trying to stay together, "Not now Collins." She said, her eyes flickering up to me for a second. I hated her stare, she was pitying me. I hated being pitied. Collins nodded and stayed silent.
Joanne came and sat down next to Maureen, "The police are keeping him. He's going to get tons of jail time. I still think we should get a restraining order."
Roger nodded, "That fuck deserves more than restraining order, he deserves to fucking die for what he did to her." He spat, the pain evident in his voice.
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It had been hours, and there was still no news.
I called her Mom, called Giselle, and everyone else, trying to keep myself busy.
It was midnight and I finally crumbled into one of the stupid blue plastic chairs in the waiting room and broke down. I cried into my hands. I never cried, but my heart was losing reason to hold out, I couldn't hold it inside any longer. I cried and cried, my friends with their hands on my back, being the only support I had left in the world.