Ch. 15

Tori's POV

I scream-I panic-I cry as a bat out of hell. Did I hear gun shots? Did I imagine this hell? All I remember is kissing Beck Oliver good bye on the lips as he was headed to his late night shift. Beck got a new job at Wal-Mart last week and his shift starts at 10:30pm and ends at 12:30am. It's not too many hours but he has been so exhausted lately; since we get up at 7:00am for school. Who would carry a gun at 10pm at night? Nothing makes sense anymore-NOTHING; the world in which I allow myself to exist just spirals around and around in endless circles.

I try so hard to be calm. But being calm is not a part of who I am. I have always freaked out about the tiniest of things. I run toward Beck-still trying to form in my mind whether or not all of this was real. Did I hear gun shots? Did I imagine them? I gaze at my lover and see blood everywhere; Beck lying there resembling road kill. I imagine this is how he felt when he gazed upon me in that janitor's closet all those weeks ago. Today was graduation day and I can already tell that neither of us is going. Our day of celebration has been taken away from us. Everything is always taken away from us. Whether it is by rape, by parents, or by some divine mind fuck dealing us the wrong cards each and every day.

I know realize how Beck felt gazing upon my destroyed broken body all those weeks ago. I am so panicky I don't know anything about medical aid. I soon remember I have a cell phone. I call the police-who else can I call this late at night? The cops respond within minutes, in which time I just sit there holding Beck's hand, crying beside him, and I sing to him nothing in particular. I just hum to him-hum to him our song. "Luck I'm in love with my best friend…" I am crying too much to remember the words of this song as humming takes over. The sirens are loud in my ears; all I can hear is buzzing sounds when the cops ask me questions.

"Hey you're Tori right?" a cop asked. "Yes, I am this is my boyfriend Beck and this is where we live. Who would hurt my Beck?" I asked trying to remain calm knowing that's what Beck would do if situations were reversed. "Well Miss Tori, Andre Harris has escaped. He murdered a guard at the jail, switched clothes with him, and we suspect this is his handy work."

Why can't Andre just leave us alone? He has already destroyed my womanhood with his brother; I am assuming they both destroyed my virginity. I suppose I won't know until the trial.

"Officer I haven't even looked at his body yet. I am so shaken up. Can you please tell me what's happened?" I watch as the cops unveil the scene out of a horror film. They tear up his shirt and I see three stab wounds and gashes in Becks chest. The chief of police whispers, "This is very close to the heart-it might have hit it. I don't think he is going to make it. He needs the ER now. His vitals are failing."

"HIS VITALS ARE FAILING WHAT DO YOU MEAN?" I say so panicked my heart skips beats and becomes a repetitive drum-beating faster and faster. The drummer boy in my chest can't keep up with this panicky tune. "The medics are going to take Beck here to the ER. You may ride in the ambulance; but you can't be with him in the ER room." "Officer, Can you please contact my friend Cat Valentine?" I manage to ask through hysteria. "Sure Miss Vega."

"Excuse me miss if you want your boyfriend to live step aside. You may hold his hand and talk to him. It may lift his spirits up." I do as I am told; I find the closest chair to Beck and hold his hand and beginning talking to him.

"Beck we are on our way to the hospital and I don't know what is going to happen to you. I want you to know that I am going to be here every step of the way. And I am so proud of you for finishing school, we did it! I love you so much Beck, please stay with me…" I sob so loudly, I felt a hand on my shoulder. A medic was comforting me, "Thanks" I manage to say.

"Beck do you remember Canada? You always told me about it. When we move there, we are going to be students at Stratford University studying to be actors and actresses together. You, me, and Cat-we are all going to get out of here. And we will go to Toronto and all over Ontario, and Yukon. We can spend day trips visiting Niagara Falls and ride the Maid of the Mist under them. Just please stay with me so we can do all of those things together…" These were the last words I say to Beck. I am out of words, but know I have said enough; knowing that I have raised his spirits up somehow.

We arrive at the hospital, and I jump off the ambulance to get out of everyone's way. The officer I have previously asked to contact Cat takes my hand and escorts me to my red haired friend. "Awe Tori I am so sorry. I will stay with you; and graduation day can go suck a duck. This is way more important. That nice officer said he would drive to the school and pick up our diplomas for us. So you can hand Beck his diploma if you want to. Since they will be in the ER awhile we will just have to wait around. I brought my laptop, some dumb DVDs, and that nice officer is giving us our own room to rest in at the hospital. There are beds in there, and he gave me his card if we need anything. Come on Tori." There is silence between us; I am so numb and speechless. "Thanks Cat, I am sorry I don't have many words to say right now. But all I can say is thanks."

Cat takes my hand and leads me to our room. Room 317, it's a large hospital room filled with two beds as promised. We are on Beck's floor and I am grateful for Cat, for this police officer, and anyone willing to give me their help. Cat takes out her laptop, the one with a giant pear on the back and puts in my favorite movie, The Emperor's New Groove. The only thing that can make me smile is that stupid llama. Good night.