Stop A Bullet - Chapter Thirteen

Stop A Bullet1

Chapter Thirteen2

I hesitated opening the door a fraction; checking cautiously to make sure that it was Ashley and not some impostor. But I knew his voice from anywhere and there was no way in hell that Trey could pull it of. Hell he would not even bother trying. 3

“Open the door please Taint,” Ashley demanded, his tone sharp and full of annoyance. His face flushed, a light tone of Pink and Red. 4

His hand was on his chest, clutching his shirt tight and he was drenched in sweat that perspired down his forehead, tricking down his cheeks: landing delicately on his upper lip. He was flustered for sure and I knew from the heavy breathing that he had been running.5

Had he followed me here? Surely not, I would have heard him behind me. Panting and wheezing. His footsteps behind me. Unless of course he knew a way to my house that I did not know. Which was a possibility since he had lived his whole life in this town and I only Thirteen months.6

I opened the door, a hit of fresh breeze hitting me hard against the sunlights raze. I covered my eyes, stepping aside allowing him to step into the hallway: before I quickly slammed the door shut, latching the locks; Turning to face him.7

“I know what you're thinking,” Ashley started, striding into the lounge room: completely unaware of my sleeping mothers presence.8

“But you must know that I could not let you just take this alone. This is a dangerous road Taint, Two is always better than one. Not that either of us could take on Trey, but if need be I am here for you.”9

Agitated I brought my finger to my lips, pressing them together: before I hushed for silence; beckoning him towards my bedroom.10

Ashley turned around scanning the lounge room with curiosity. His eyes met the curtains tangled beneath the window, the steel pole laying like a lance in defeat on top of the torn material.11

“What the hell happened here,” he hisses stepping from the hallway and into the lounge room. Only centimeters away from my mother. 12

I pressed my finger against my lips again. This time increasing the sound of my hush to a dull, growl. Hoping that maybe he would get the message this time and let my mother be. 13

I did not have time for this kind of distraction. The more he diddled about the less time I would have to put my plans into action and the less time I would have until Trey came home: that being one of the reasons why I had deserted him in the first place. I did not want him to be put in a position where he had to watch my skull get cracked and the life being bled, dry from me.14

Taking my warning he stepped into the hall. Noting my mothers presence quickly as she stirred, making a sound par to that of a wounded dog. 15

I watched anxiously awaiting her body to prop up into a sitting position. Her wounds and scars becoming apparent to Ashley. But she remained rested, the blanket falling to the floor besides the curtains: the wounding sound hushed into a dull snore as sher drifted back to sleep.16

Close call...Thanks a lot Ashley. I thought to myself, taking his hand, dragging him down the hallway towards my bedroom: fingers intertwined tightly so that if he even so dared to break free I would twist them between mine and show him that I really meant business. 17

My emotions fired up, my face hot and heavy with annoyance and anger. I shut the bedroom door, ignoring the curious look that had crept across his flustered face. He was colling down, but in the meantime I could feel the blood rushing through my body heading to my face; making me look as if I had run a marathon.18

I took a look at the mirror on the back on my door. Noting that I was a right mess, but that was nothing new. It was obvious, the main thing was that I was still in tact even if my I was a damn, right, emotional mess.19

My coffee... I had left it on the counter, along with the remaining dregs of the milk. I tried to disregard it; my thirst dying to be sated. The taste of vile no longer leaving a sickly sensation in my stomach to leave me nauseated and to my dismay I was becoming quiet accustomed to the taste knowing that there were more important things on my mind at present.20

“Why is your mum sleeping on the couch? And what the hell happened to your curtains? Did the cat attack them or am I ready to assume the worst?”21

I looked bewildered at Ashley. He was totally ignorant to the facts; something I knew he barely would or ever could understand, but something I had to share with him: before time ran out.22

I shook my head, inhaling a deep, tempered, sigh. Turning my back to the mirror as it flashed me a smile from hades and a glance at my future. One that I vowed I would never allow to happen, one that I would fight and one that I was already fighting for.23

“One: we don't even own a cat and Two: you can damn, well assume the worst because it is Trey that we are talking about and one can only expect this kind of destruction from the animal he is and Three: I can be certain that my mother would not have the strength to even stand after what he did to her, what I could have prevented and I do not posses the strength needed to carry a women of her size down the hallway.”24

Ashley tilted his head in understanding. He rubbed his eyes, taking a seat on the edge of my bed: before reaching down to his shoes, untying them quickly.25

“What are you doing?” I asked impatiently, trying to help the word come out. The words I so desperately needed to say, but wished I did not have to. Seeings as this was a clear distraction send from the pits of hades himself.26

“Untying my shoes. Then you can get me a drink and we can discuss tactic plans about how we are going to approach “The Beast.” Ashley stated kicking of his shoes, watching them as the landed right before my feet: a small smile lingering on his lips.27

I shook my head. Unsure of what to say, but time was ticking away.28

“Put them back on Ashley. We won't be needing to discuss tactic plans if you stop fucking around and shut up for a minute so I can explain my plan of action.”29

That shut him up. I could not have been more blunt if I tried. I did not even have to raise my voice, but cursed instead. A code that we understood barely, although it had done the job and I wondered if I should use it more often in the future to grab his attention and seize leadership over the situations I knew I could control.30

“Alright...you done now?” I asked abruptly, sharply, the tone of my voice never raising an octave. The question clear and stated.31

He nodded positioning himself comfortable against the mattress. His eyes staring blankly into mine as if someone had pushed him from the top of the dumb-tree, never bothering to catch him until he hit the ground. 32

I hated this, I really did, but hostility was the key to a successful plan and if need be I would use my backhand to correct him. Out of love, respect, appreciation and maybe a little out of annoyance. But never hate. I would never hit him in spite.33

“Alright I am going to make this short and simple. I am going to the police station to file a report. Now you can either come with me and promise you will keep your mouth shut; no questioning until I say it is okay to speak or you can go home right now; hope and pray to God that I will still be alive tomorrow and wait by the phone till I let you know how everything went.”34

“Report?” Ashley questioned immediately, stepping up from the mattress to come face to face with me. The sweat still perspiring: leaving large patches on his shirt. The smell not inviting at all. The only tension between us this time being the tension to bite each others heads of and even then it was coming more from my side than his.35

“Yes you know? Report? Crime? One where you attempt to seek justice with everything you have until justice is either prevailed or lands you in a bigger shit hole than you are already in? Justice for my mother and Maggie. Defense for their abuse.”36

Ashley nodded, coking his head to the other side. His hands gripping my shoulder. The smile on his lips causing his cheeks to crinkle. The sweat dripping onto my fingers leaving me more agitated than before.37

“ I don't think this is such a wise idea Taint,” he stated. His smile turning into a frown just as fast as his smile had appeared only seconds beforehand.38

“I mean you know that police follow up these reports right? That means that they will want to interview all of you. Not just you, but Maggie, Tanya and Trey. Hoe the hell do you think he is going to react to the police turning up at the doorstep questioning him about the accusations you're about to make? If you aren't already deep enough why not just dig yourself a grave?”39

Gee thanks Ashley I thought to myself, rising my hands towards his shoulders. I had, had enough. It was now or never and I was not wasting another minute of my time playing Twenty questions with my lover. It could wait until after the interrogation or worse until my funeral: which I was sure it would be the next place he saw me if he chose to leave.40

“Look Ashley...I...I love you and I sure as hell hear what you are saying. I can assure you I have had time to think this through. Maybe not a lot of time, but enough to come to the conclusion that I am digging a grave for myself either way. If I can at least put the message out there at least I have not stepped back like a coward this time. It might actually work out. Hell anything is better than nothing.”41

Ashley stood straight. His eyes scanning mine, questioning my seriousness in silence.42

“Ashley... you're either with me or you aren't,” I spoke softly, feeling his fingers rubbing my shoulders in a circular motion. He was trying to relax me, this was a good sign.43

“If you go down, I have no choice to go down with you too,” he said, the smile slowly creeping across his face. His eyes watering as the sweat continued to seep from his pours, flickering in his thick, eyelashes. The feeling of excitement erupting between us: though we both stood silent, hands on each others shoulders.44

We were both nearly dying from dehydration. Our clothes were filthy, drenched in sweat. We stunk like unwashed gym socks and out breaths weren't far behind: Mine being worse than his by a long shot. I thought it was about time we get our asses in to gear, having a quick drink before we made our way to the station.45

“Thank you,” I said lowering my hands, wrapping them around his neck. His embrace was tight and comforting in the claustrophobic room. 46

Though for the first time since I had ran down the stairs of the hostel, I felt that heated attraction, the love, the affection, the support and friendship that I knew we had between us and that was more comfort than enough. His embrace meant everything to me.47

We both pulled away. My lips tracing his cheeks as they touched his salty, moistened, lips. I brought him in for a soft, kiss. My cheeks now brushing against his: our sweat, tangles hair sticking to each others.48

“I love you Taint,” Ashley whispered, drawing away as if he was a mother having her newborn baby torn away from her open arms.49

“I just wanted you to know that. In case you forgot that you are loved.”50

I smiled, feeling a sense of joy washing over me; far better than any sunshine, shower, could ever make me feel.51

“I love you too Ashley,” I said, my fingers wrapped around the door knob; our reflection in the mirror as we both faced the door.52

“I hope you never forget that.”