Chapter 7 Beck's POV
Where is she? Tori said she'd be home by now?! Maybe she is still at school-practicing for the play. Was that today? Damn. I take my beat up 1967 Mustang and head to school. I look through the halls, the auditorium, the bathrooms, and the classrooms. Then I remember that blessed janitor's closet. Where Jade and I would make out! Something is telling me to go inside there. I turn the knob-it's locked. Go figure. Well lucky I have a spare key-I used to be on the janitor staff to help pay for tuition. Before I quit I made copies of all the school keys just in case. I place the key in the lock and look inside its pitch black. I smell a foul odor it's almost unnatural. I quickly turn the lights on to find out who died in here. That's when I see her. Tori…lying on the floor unconscious.
She's all tied up-with duct tape. I immediately know this was Andre's doing-the bastard. I see her face she is covered in stains, blood, black, bruises. I don't know what to do-I panic! My angel was beaten up-my sweet Tori! Damn it damn it!
She's naked I find her clothes and cover her quickly to respect her beauty. Going into my pants pocket I find a pocket knife. Thank God my Kershaw knife is handy. Gently I remove the duct tape. I throw it away in hatred. I am so angry right now. I want to break Andre in half- and myself. I told myself I would protect this broken treasure. It's just not fair. Was she raped? Damn it I don't know, I am not sure. I put clothes on her and then I remember what they said to do after someone is raped. "Don't take a shower-the evidence will go down the drain."
I decide to take her to the hospital. I gently wrap Tori in my arms. I begin to cry-I didn't protect my angel. I am sorry I failed you lovely. The rain dances around the sky as I head to the parking lot. That's when I see Cat Valentine-that spunky red haired girl that Tori's always hanging with.
"Is that Tori? What did you do to her?" Cat screams. "I didn't do this I found her this way. I am taking her to the hospital. SO come with me if you want to." I didn't want to waste time arguing with Cat-anytime wasting chatting might harm Tori, my …angel.
"Then why are you at the school this late?" "Cat hop in my car you're wasting precious time…" I did not want Cat here, but for Tori's sake I gave in.
I hop in the car and feel panicked about driving. Feeling anger and revenge within my bone marrow. Before I drive I ask Cat to stay in the back seat with her. It's amazing how a weekend of knowing this woman has turned my world sideways. I feel like I cannot live without her –now that I have her to protect. The truth is protecting her gave my life purpose. My thoughts are interrupted by Cat- damn if she interviews me.
"Why are you at the school so late?" "Well Cat, Tori moved into my trailer. And before you ask why-I want her to tell you everything it is not my place to tell you her business. Anyways I got worried that she didn't come home. So I figured that I would come to the school and see if she needed a ride home. SO I came here and looked around the entire school- then I found her in the janitor's closet. I used to be on the janitor staff so I have a set of keys. When I went in there the lights were off and she was bound up with duct tape. The bruises were from someone beating her-probably that bastard Andre." I finished.
"Andre? That's her boyfriend. Wait why are you in the picture? OH God Beck did you sleep with her?" "NO CAT! She was most likely raped by Andre. That's why I am taking her to the hospital to have them DNA swab her. I can't take her home the evidence might disappear if she showers. That's all I remember from health class. I want that bastard in jail for hurting my Tori."
Fuck I have called her my Tori- Cat's going to read into that the way all women read into everything. She is just a friend and that's all. Relationships suck and people always get hurt. It's not that I don't want to be in a relationship with her-it's too complicated.
"Wait so are you dating her now?" Cat asked. "No…" "Have you kissed?"...Fuck she is good. "Yes we made out a little if you need to know." We arrive at the hospital – and the doctors see me rush in with this beat up woman.
"Doctor please help my best friend's been raped or assaulted. I found her in a closet at school abandoned. She hasn't showered or anything. The evidence may still be there, but I am not sure" Damn-I think I may love her to some extent. I didn't protect her-I hate myself now. I am all sweaty from worrying.
The doctors see my concern and take her to some room to check her out-maybe an OBGYN. "Please heal her…please…" I start to cry a little which is unusual for me.
The doctors won't let Cat or I in the room with her. I am actually glad Cat's here. "So why did you and Tori kiss?' I quickly remember the play. "To rehearse for the play..." I lie between my teeth. Then I think back to making out with Tori. Her scent-heavenly. Her skin is way softer than Jade's. That bastard destroyed her-destroyed my girl. Wait I keep calling her my girl, my angel, my Tori! Damn if I did fall for my plutonic friend it would be hard and quick. I get impatient with the doctors-"Can I go in please?"
"Yes you may see her. She is awake-and you were right young man there was evidence." I am so happy I paid attention in health class. I slowly enter the room and see her there. "Hi Tori! I am so sorry I wasn't there…I...damn it! I am sorry-you must be so upset with me…so disappointed." "BBeeccckkk…I am terrified-please..just come here." I do as I am told-no one but her matters to me anymore. It's as if my whole world has shifted with her as my new focal point. I don't know what to do-he's fucked her up.
"Becckkk please…please…don't let him near me…" She twitches violently-her body in shock from the experience. I decided to stay for the night-I won't ever leave her. Tori falls asleep out of exhaustion from it all. Cat soon walks in and comments, "I see the way you look at her..." My face goes red-my heart flutters. "What do you mean?" I ask. "It's fine Beck-you are a great man. Tori needs someone like you around. I can tell you care about her a great deal…" "I really do care, Cat. What Andre did was wrong-shit I feel like this is my fault. I … she asked me if she was safe with me...Well I lied-cuz this happened. I had really high hopes for us. That maybe just maybe our little world together could be safe. She was right out there sucks…shit I am sorry Cat. I am sorry I let Tori down."
I suddenly stop Tori grabbed my hand. Her touch is lovely-still gentle. But she is so frightened. My girl-
"Beck it's not your fault- I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I thank you for taking me to this hospital. When I am better though; I think I am going to move out." When she says this my heart ached-as if I died inside. The idea of her leaving is unthinkable.
"But Tori I…" damn I really am going insane over her. "No BECK! I can't be around men-not even the nice ones. I am sorry-everything is backwards!" she then cried through tears.
"You said I was safe with you! LIAR!" She had done a 180 in my face-first it's her fault and now mine. I can't argue with her-she is beyond rationality. Her reality is wounded and I want to heal her. Damn the more she pushes me away-the more I want her. I let go of her hand. "If that's how you feel then move out!" Shit I sound angry. "Beck don't go" says Cat. "Cat come to my trailer and get her things. I want her with you-and keep Andre away." Before I leave I look at Tori and say. "You know Tori; I thought you and I almost had something. But I guess I am wrong- I really did think there could be something between us. And don't tell me you didn't notice it. Tori-please remember the other day-where you made my heart…fly!"
I was saying things I have never said before-I was scared of losing her. "Being with you was amazing and I..damn! If I fell for you it would be hard and fast. I honestly think you could help me become a better man someday. Man I feel stupid right now-but losing you terrifies me. You gave my life meaning-and I am sorry I couldn't protect you! Shit Tori-I am sorry!" I am all over the place she drives me that insane, and I hate myself as well.
"I am sorry Beck-I can't be with you!" After all I just said to my beauty-the woman of my dreams. I just leave without a word. I am too heartbroken for her and mad that she won't let me heal her.