Chapter 12

Nadir Kahn's car… July 26

"Where exactly are we?" I asked with skepticism. I noticed Erik look at me, and I blushed realizing the stupidity of my question. "I mean, what city are we in?"

"Owenton," Erik replied immediately. "Here are written directions, Daroga, so that I do not have to speak." He handed them to his friend.

"No, we wouldn't want that now, would we, Erik?" The sarcasm was evident in Nadir's voice. I laughed, which helped to somewhat calm my ever-increasing nerves. I was glad to have a person like Nadir in the car. The man had really proven me wrong in personality. He was not just a puppet...

"How is your wrist?" Erik quietly asked me, drawing me from thoughts, yet again.

I held my cast for a moment and looked at him. "It's ok." He must have seen the lie in my eyes, so I added, "Really, it is." Our card game returned to my mind. I had made a point not to pay attention to my sprained wrist while we played, although it was a bit of a struggle. I didn't want them to worry or pity me, though.

"Yes, Christine, you never mention it. Does it not bother you? I really almost forgot it was there," Nadir added into the conversation.

"Well, it could be worse," I said optimistically. I laughed trying to ease the awkwardness I felt.

Erik seemed to sense that I didn't want to talk about it. He merely nodded and looked out his window at our surroundings.

Now was as good a time as ever, so I decided to ask him something personal. "Erik?" He immediately turned his head towards me and looked at me attentively, which caused me to hesitate. "Um, I was just wondering.. About Grant.." I spoke his name with bitterness. "What did he do to you?"

As soon as the question was out, I regretted it, for Erik turned his head back towards the side window. "You ask questions that do not concern you, Christine." Nadir cleared his throat, obviously trying to indicate silence in my direction.

I wouldn't back down. Not yet. "But, I need to know. I mean, you both know my story and, believe me, I want to try to keep it my deepest, darkest secret. Please, Erik. Trust me. I- I just need to know.." I knew I was being far too nosy, but I couldn't care. I felt like I needed to know what happened to Erik in order to better understand my rapist.

He became a bit distant and crossed his arms. "Fine, Ms. Daae, you shall know. When I was in my early teenage years, I lived in Kentucky.. I was an orphan. So was he. That was where I had the misfortune of meeting him, at an orphanage. He immediately detested me. The despicable excuse for a man beat me more frequently than I would like to remember. I was a slave under his wrath. I became his favorite toy for years."

I stared at him. The poor guy.. "That's horrible." And yet, I could relate to what he was saying. I, too, had been William Grant's 'toy'. Erik made no attempt to speak again. But, I wanted to hear more. "How did you get away from him?"

He closed his eyes tiredly. I knew he didn't want to continue, but after a moment, he opened his eyes and continued speaking. "A girl helped me escape. She was an orphan, like myself. She found me at one of my worst points. It was.." He paused, choosing the right words to say. "It was a horrible circumstance. I then left the orphanage. Things did not end there, though. It wasn't long before I came in contact with Grant's brother. Allow me to put it simply.. The meeting did not go well." He stopped speaking.

To my surprise, Nadir decided to continue the story. "Yes, I was in the midst of finding the right state to live in. I still had connections with police stations and decided to see what Owen, Kentucky's station was like. I found Erik a few days before he was to get out of jail, and I got to know him, as I told you before. He then traveled with me. We made our way to Indiana. He got into architecture, and I, the retired police agent, became his assistant."

I could tell Erik regretted the conversation going on as long as it did, but it was too late to change it. "Well, now you know of my life, Christine."

And what a life it was. I couldn't imagine how awful his early years must have been. To grow up with such abuse… I cringed before telling him the only thing I could think to say. "I'm sorry."

"I do not need your pity," Erik snapped in a hostile way.

I shook my head. "'Pity' is the last thing I feel for you, Erik." What do I feel for him? Admiration, yes. And friendship. I can relate to him. Really, I had actually become quite fond of him. It was hard to like a man that bared such resemblance to Grant, but, well, he had succeeded. I truly liked Erik. I considered him and Nadir my closest friends, although it didn't take much to consider them as such. After all, I didn't have many friends.

Erik was watching me. It was as if I'd said something significant. What was the last thing I said? Oh.. I remembered.

It seemed he was building the courage to either ask or tell me something. Finally, he whispered so that only I could hear, "What do you feel for me, Christine?" The question sent a shiver down my spine and my mouth became dry. My reaction to his question confused me so much that I couldn't think of how to respond.

"Erik, I cannot read this." Nadir broke the tension. "What the devil does it say?"

Erik took a look. "Daroga, are you blind? It says to turn left on Ellis Road."

Nadir seemed to be used to such rudeness from Erik. Actually, I was getting used to it, too. Erik was an incredibly strange yet very alluring man.

Something was happening to me. I was beginning to realize that something inside me was changing.. I'd never felt this way before. What am I doing? I am only here to find William Grant, nothing more. But, I could not overlook it. There was definitely more going on here. Thank god we're getting close to our destination… Wait, what am I thinking? I was actually glad to be getting to my kidnapper? No, but it would certainly serve as a distraction.. Yes, there was definitely something happening here.

"Christine?" It was Erik.

"Yeah?" He was eying me with concern. "Sorry.."

"You drift away from reality often," he pointed out.

"It's a gift," I joked. I smiled his way, but the smile soon left my face. He was just looking at me with such intensity. What could possibly be going through his mind? He always made me so curious.

Inwardly shaking my head to snap out of whatever state I was in, I knew it was time to get down to business. "So what's the plan, guys?"

"The plan?" Erik asked.

"Yeah. Like, what are we going to do when we find him?" He became quiet, which confused me, so I looked at Nadir.

"Well, Christine, I suppose we will retain him and call the police."

"But.. will that be enough?" I was afraid, it couldn't be denied.

I looked at Erik and could tell he was thinking about something. Oh, how I wished I could read his mind!

Nadir spoke. "That's all we can do, Christine."

"But, this guy's insane! You both know that. And, he's smart… I just don't see how we're going to retain him."

This time, it was Erik who spoke. "Christine, do not worry. I have.. sources of defense.."

"What?"

"Weapons," he clarified.

"Erik," Nadir warned. "That is not the answer."

"Daroga, it may be the only answer. You do not know what we are dealing with. Only Christine and I know. He is well trained in methods of deception, you see. He will have a plan."

"Well... If you are sure.." Nadir sounded very unsure.

"What weapons do you have, Erik?" I saw his eyes brighten slightly at my interest.

"A gun, a knife, and something only I will use, and only if necessary."

"What's that?" I asked curiously.

"That is none of your concern, my dear."

Did he really just call me his 'dear'? "Um.. Ok…" I could still tell Nadir was insecure about the whole situation. "Don't worry, Nadir," I told him. "Seriously, this guy is dangerous. Weapons might be necessary. Erik's right."

He nodded and all was silent for a while. "We are getting closer, Erik," Nadir informed him.

"Oh no," I whispered while inwardly panicking.

"Alright," Erik said. "Now, his brother is older than he is. When I knew him, he owned a house. He took me there and-.." He refrained from continuing that sentence, but I knew it had something to do with the abuse he received. "I fought back, and it was only I who went to jail." He spoke with such hatred. "Damn him and the police force.."

I glanced at Nadir, the ex-cop, expecting to hear him defend his career, but he only stared straight ahead at the road.

"The house, if I remember correctly.." Erik looked at me and seemed to notice my worry. "Which, I do remember correctly.."

That was reassuring.

"Nadir, turn left at the light."

Can I really do this? I wasn't so sure of myself like I had previously been. At that moment, it didn't seem like I could go through with it. "I-I'm scared, I'll say it. I don't care if I sound weak. The guy.. he's just so-... I don't know if I can stand to see him again."

"Shh, Christine, it is alright. We are all a bit uncertain. But, he will pay. That is what you want, is it not?" Erik was trying to calm me, but it wasn't working.

"How can you be sure?" I asked, referring to him saying 'But, he will pay.'

Erik took a moment to say to Nadir, "Turn left on Ginley Street, Daroga."

"The guy kidnapped me, Erik. He raped me. He hurt me! H-he's too strong.. I just-.. I can't understand someone like him!"

"Nor can I, Christine, but we will stop him. You do not have to participate, though. I can take my own revenge. In fact, I would prefer to do it alone. It really is too dangerous for you."

"But, I don't want you to go alone!" The thought of Erik getting hurt or worse completely changed my mind. I couldn't let it happen. Determination tore through the fear. "No, no. I'm coming with you. He's got to pay. I-I don't care about the danger."

I sensed that he was acknowledging my courage. "Alright, then. That is your choice. But, I will not let you get into a dangerous situation. He may not be alone. Turn right on Henley, Daroga." He turned towards me again. "Christine, you have endured so much. You may accompany me, but I will not allow you to be put in harm's way."

"I can take care of myself." I could have sworn he smiled at my strong words, but I couldn't be sure.

"Very well. You may take the gun."

"Erik! That is enough! You are not giving her a weapon!" Nadir exclaimed.

"Why the hell not?" Erik countered. "She needs a weapon if she is to come along."

"I am coming with you, Erik. Christine, you do not need to take part in this."

"Yes, I do," I said softly but with confidence in my voice. "I'm coming, whether either of you like it or not. Look, I know you're both just trying to keep me safe and away from him, but please, let me do this. I need to."

"She is coming, Daroga." Erik looked towards him. "And I am giving you the knife."

There was a pause. "Fine," Nadir grumbled in defeat. "The knife will do."

"Think of it this way, Daroga. We may not have to use weapons. If he obeys, then fine. But, I am afraid he will do no such thing. This is William Grant we are dealing with. He is no ordinary man. You see, he has no heart."

'He has no heart.' Yes, that's it! I realized. I'd been trying to think of how to describe the bastard, and what Erik said seemed completely accurate. "That's a good way to describe him."

Erik only stared at me with the same intensity that gave me chills. "Turn right on Melvin, Daroga," he instructed while still looking at me. "We are here, Christine."

My eyes widened.

"His house is number 636. Park across the street, not in the driveway." He was still looking at me.

I couldn't move. But, it wasn't from fear. It was Erik's stare. It made me feel safe, and I wished to stay in that safety.

But, when Nadir turned off the engine, we all came back to reality.

It was time.

Another quick update :). I just really like revising and posting this story haha.

Thank you so much for the reviews! I also want to thank everyone who's reading :). I really appreciate you taking time out of your lives to visit this story.

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-Lauren