The journey was the longest it had ever taken. Mason led the way, followed by Lucas then me tagging along. Infuriatingly, Mason was in an unusually cheery mood. He whistled the same obnoxious tune, Itsy bitsy Spider, the entire distance, completely indifferent to what he’d done to me the day before.
He seemed proud of his efforts.
Lucas was more reflective, quiet as he contemplated the volatile week ahead. I didn’t envy his position. And I too was lost in my own thoughts. The night before had ended without incident, and I’d excused myself early to bed opting to be closest to the wall, keeping a greater divide from Mason. That didn’t stop the nightmares. I slept lightly, frightened by every noise, worried I was being watched and terrified he was close. The carved area of flesh throbbed throughout the night, and I feared infection. Eventually, however, with both boys lightly snoring, I fell into a late morning slumber.
We reached the edge of the woods where our bikes were chained to the trees, and the boys pushed away the concealing shrubbery. Lucas wheeled over mine, and I took the handlebars. He wore a look of pensive sadness, and my heart broke a little more for him. I hated seeing him like this. A part of his soul was dying, and I could do nothing but watch.
“You can always stay with me, Luc,” I said out of earshot from Mason. “You’ll be safe there.”
He shook his head, linking his pinkie finger through mine. “He’d find me. And when he did, he’d hurt you, too.” Side by side and in silence, we wheeled our bikes until we entered the clearing that would take us down the hill and into Little Valley. The three of us hopped on our bikes and continued the rest of the journey, each lost in individual contemplation.
Mason rode ahead, always wanting to be first. Lucas on the other hand pulled up by my side.
“Truth or dare?” he asked, flicking me a shy smile.
“Truth.”
“Could you see yourself marrying anyone else but me?”
Despite everything that’d happened, I returned his smile loaded with warmth and affection. “No. Only you.”
His turn.
“Truth or dare?”
“Truth.”
“Do you promise to always be in my life no matter what?”
“That’s not a true-false, Gem,” he teased. “But the answer is yes. I’ll always be in your life.”
~
Pushing in the bathroom door lock, I stared at my tarnished reflection, too terrified to remove my shirt. Mason’s face sneered before me, haunting my thoughts. I could feel the weight of his body on mine while he carved into my skin. I could hear the satisfaction in his voice when he claimed me as his. They played over and over. Exhaling sharply, I pinched the hem of the shirt and lifted it over my head. Tears slipped down my cheeks, my broken skin stinging with each movement. I groaned, gripping the basin until the pain subsided.
A gentle knock sounded at the door. “Gem darling, is everything all right?”
“Yes, Mom,” I replied staring at feet. “I’m just going for a shower.”
“Dinner will be ready in fifteen. Do you want to invite Lucas and Mason over?”
My heart moved from thudding to a slow, agonizing pound. “N-No,” I stammered. “They have other stuff going on.”
“Fine, darling. Don’t be long.”
“All right, Mom.”
I waited barely breathing until I heard her voice talking to Dad downstairs.
I peeled the bloodied gauze from my skin, seething in agony. By the time it was fully removed, I was weak and defeated.
For the first time, I stared at Mason’s engraving.
His branding.
It was a mess, the writing crude. But it summed it up perfectly. The nightmare that was Mason Carter was etched into my skin reminding me he had claimed ownership. And all it took was four letters.
Mine.
Chapter 18
NOW
Lazing on the porch’s white sun chair, I soaked up the last rays of the summer sun before returning home the next day. The smell of fresh cut grass accented with the sweet fragrance of blooming wisteria drifted by. Beside me on the cane coffee table, my cell buzzed. It was Charlie.
Expecting his call, I answered, “Good morning, Charlie.”
“Is there three of you there to make my Charlie’s Angel’s posse?”
“You couldn’t handle three.”
“You’re absolutely right. And that’s precisely why I’m calling, I can’t handle women! Bernise Thornton is…” Voices on the other end of the line came into earshot, and Charlie hesitated.
“Lovely?”
“Is…”
“Not lovely?”
“Well…”
“Bernise Thornton is an asshole?”
“Bingo!”
“Is she there?”
“Yes.”
“Is she standing in the same room as you?”
“Oh, yes…” He laughed casually so as to not draw attention to his negative spin.
“Damn, she sounded so pleasant and organized on the phone.”
“Well, that is definitely not the case. Anywho, the canvases are too heavy for the wall hangers. We’re both a little concerned for the safety of the artwork and anyone who happens to be standing in front of them when they fall.”
“Call Brian from Form Fitters. He will install the reinforcements. And then pass the invoice for Carleen to pay. He likes all monies to be transferred by the end of the day. Otherwise, he won’t come back.”
“Speaking of not coming back?”
“I am coming back. Just waiting for a few things to blow over first.”
“Well…” there was pause while Charlie left the room, “… David has been like an angry bear in heat who hasn’t been able to get laid, ever since you left. He couldn’t make his feelings any more obvious.”
“Yeah, mmm…” Feeling indifferent. “I don’t want to add his issues to my list. The man is married and needs to back off. Anyway, give me a call if you need anything else.”
“Sure will.” I was about to end the call when I heard his urgent voice. “Oh, wa-wa-wait!”
“Yep.”
“A package came for you yesterday afternoon.”
This piqued a nervous interest. I never received packages. “Who’s it from?”
“Doesn’t say. It’s gift-wrapped with no name. No return to sender tag.”
Sitting straight, I wrapped a loose thread tightly around my middle finger until the top turned purple. “Right, well, I’ll see to it when I get back. Can you just ensure Bernise has everything she needs?”
“Will do. Ciao.”
My knee started an anxious bounce as I tapped the cell on my palm. If Mason was behind the parcel, that meant he still believed I was in town. Otherwise, he’d wait until I returned. This was a moment’s reprieve in a situation that was far from over.
My cell vibrated once more. Christina.
I hadn’t heard from her since the penis picture last week.
“Hey, lady,” I answered with a smile.
“Hey, yourself. So, here’s the thing…” it sounded like she was walking and was out of breath, but still felt the need to yell, “… I had to find out from Julie Summers… do you know who Julie Summers is?”
“No.”
“Exactly! I had to find out from Julie Summers, the daughter of Barbra Stevens, who happens to be best friends with Mrs. Harper, that you’re up staying at your folk’s house. Twenty minutes from me! And you never bothered to share that tidbit of information with me?”
“I’m sorry,” I grinned widely at her endearing outburst. “This isn’t quite a vacation. More a desperate need to escape reality.”
“Well, what’s the deal? You gonna swing by and see me? I know Evie will love it.”
“Evie is nine months old and won’t even know who I am.”
“Okay, fine. I will love it. Will you come by? Dickhead Damian is no longer here, and I could do with some normal company. But not tonight. I have beta house reunion.” Christina heaved in exasperation. “If you came here to shop, you can forget about it. This town literally has nothing.”
Laying down, I closed my eyes and enjoyed the sun. “Does ten suit?”