Damaged Souls (Broken Man)

chapter Nine


What is Greg doing here?

Jack immediately knew something was wrong when he heard the sound of Greg’s truck pulling into the driveway. It’s after midnight, he realized as he jumped off the couch and sprang into action, running outside just in time to see Greg help Delaney out of the truck. Seeing her condition, Jack suddenly felt an anger he hadn’t experienced in a long time.

Crying uncontrollably, her hair and makeup ruined, her shoes gone, a large bruise on her arm, Jack didn’t need to be told what had happened. His first reaction to kill someone, Jack consciously calmed himself down, knowing that wasn’t the answer, at least not yet. He needed to concentrate on taking care of Delaney.

He scooped her into his arms and carried her to the house where they were met by Amanda, who immediately started to cry. The feeling of impotence both foreign and painful to him, Jack tried to comfort both of them as he led the way to their bedroom. Finding a calm sanctuary, he laid Delaney down on the bed and tended to her wounds as Amanda held her and she tried to tell them what happened.

“It happened so fast,” she tried to explain. “Everything was fine at the club, but once we got back to his house, he started drinking and turned into someone else.”

“Delaney, you don’t have to tell us now,” Jack tried to soothe her. “Just try to relax.”

“It was awful. I was going to leave, but he forced me into the bedroom and his hands were all over me. I tried to scream but he wouldn’t stop. I don’t know how I got away,” she started to cry even harder.

“It’s okay Delaney, you are safe now,” Jack tried to maintain his composure as he took her into his arms. “No one is going to hurt you, I promise.”

Finally, after a few minutes, he was able to regain a little control over the situation as Delaney and Amanda somehow managed to calm down. Now it’s time to take action, Jack again sensed his anger as he walked into the hallway to consider his alternatives. I could easily do that, he suddenly pictured his hands wrapped around Mitch’s neck.

“Jack, don’t do anything stupid,” Amanda’s words snapped him out of his murderous trance as he felt her hand touch his arm.

“I’m not going to,” he replied as he realized they had too much to lose and reached for his cell phone to call the police. “Take care of Delaney, I’ll be back in a second,” he decided to step away so Delaney wouldn’t overhear his conversation.

Then, he was overcome by a sickening feeling as a shot of adrenaline coursed through his veins. Oh no, he thought to himself as he quickly searched the house but didn’t find what he was looking for. “Oh shit,” he said out loud as he realized what was missing and knew right away this night was not going to end well.

Greg was gone.

* * *

I am going to kill him, Greg understood his fate as he arrived at Mitch’s house. And nothing is going to stop me, he realized as he slammed the door of his truck.

How could he have done that to Delaney, Greg’s anger boiled over as he thought of her crying. It’s like molesting a child. I should have never let her go with him, he thought of her innocence as he ran up the stairs.

How am I going to do this, Greg asked himself as he arrived at the door and thought about Mitch’s protectors. He might be hard to get to. I’ll find a way, he decided he didn’t need a plan as he pushed open the door.

This isn’t going to be hard at all, Greg surveyed the drunken scene in the living room. Where is that a*shole. Im going to find him, Greg was determined as he made his way through the crowd, bypassing the kitchen in favor of the the game room.

There he is, Greg located his victim in the corner of the room just on the other side of the pool table. Hasn’t he had enough, he watched Mitch groping another potential victim and again thought of Delaney. I hope she is okay, he lost focus for a second as his thoughts turned to her.

He pictured her trying to get away as Mitch overwhelmed her. That wasn’t a fair fight, he is twice the size of her. I have no idea how she survived, he again thought of her crying and forgot for a second why he was there. But, Delaney is tough, Greg admired her courage as he refocused on his mission.

“Mitch,” Greg heard his voice echo through the room as the seas parted between him and Delaney’s attacker. “Let the girl go.”

* * *

Never again, Jack thought to himself as he sped toward Mitch’s house and pulled out his phone to dial 911. Why did I let her go with him. Mitch is just like his father, that arrogant prick. This is my fault, he realized as the operator answered his call.

“Operator 911.”

“I need the police,” Jack was brief in his request.

“Sir, where are you located.”

“Tell them to go to Turning Palms.”

“Sir, can you give me an address.”

“No, I can’t, but they’ll know it when they see it,” Jack pictured the scene as he sped around the corner and understood what Greg was feeling. “And you better send an ambulance too.”

“Sir, please stay on the line, the police and ambulance have been dispatched.”

“Thank you,” Jack replied as he ignored her request and tossed the phone on the passenger seat.

I hope I get there before he does something stupid, Jack laid on the gas as Turning Palms came into view. Maybe I’m in time to stop him.



* * *

“What the f*ck do you want,” Mitch responded to Greg’s request with that arrogant smirk as he pushed his new girlfriend aside.

Greg didn’t respond as Mitch walked around the pool table and grabbed a pool cue, as if it was going to provide some kind of defense for the beating he was about to administer. The girl and the pool table out of the way, Greg had nothing more to say as he simply stepped towards Mitch.

His progress was quickly stopped by Jeff Gross, Mitch’s best friend and primary protector. I don’t want to waste my time and energy on this overfed a*shole, Greg thought to himself as Jeff tried to intimidate him.

“Why don’t you leave before I make you, you little p-ssy,” Jeff said loud enough for the entire room to hear.

“It’s okay, Jeff,” a drunken Mitch dismissed his bully and slurred his words. “I’m sure Greg just wants to talk.”

“I’m not here to talk,” Greg made his intentions clear and gave Mitch the opportunity to defend himself as Jeff reluctantly stepped out of the way.

“What’s the matter, Greg,” Mitch still didn’t understand the gravity of the situation in his drunken state. “Are you mad because I popped your little girlfriend’s...”

The words had barely left Mitch’s mouth when Greg hit him harder than any Defensive End ever had. As they sprawled onto the floor, Greg quickly regained the upper hand and decided to deliver on his promise to kill him. He didn’t know how many times he hit him as he for once lost control before his mind went entirely blank.

Greg never even felt the crack of the cowboy boot as it crashed into the side of his head.