Authors: Leona Norwell
It was hard to focus on anything whilst I was hurting so badly and my body was being violated, used and abused like some kind of rag doll. But through all the suffering and pain I tried to think of Trey. He still needed me; I still had to help him. I was going to have to survive this, to endure the pain and viciousness just a little while longer. I had to keep it together. Just a little bit longer, Harmony, it’ll be over soon.
I opened my eyes, trying desperately to avoid looking at the filthy, disgusting bastard who was removing his clothes. I turned my head to the side and that’s when I saw it - the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, my golden ticket, the abandoned knife lying mere inches from my head.
Okay, be calm, Harmony. There’s only one shot at this, wait for an opportune moment. I stole a glance at Miranda and her friends. They were laughing hysterically, taking pleasure from the fact that my body was being broken and beaten right before their very eyes.
I closed my eyes and made a short prayer, then I swiftly moved my bound hands up and grabbed the knife, forcefully bringing it back down and plunging it into his thigh.
He pulled out of me, shrieking in pain as he stared at the open gash, the blood trickling down his leg. Immediately I got up off the table, kneeing him in his manhood which caused him to fall to the floor, doubling over in pain. This was nothing compared to what he really deserved for the act was about to committ on me.
I turned to see Miranda and her two ‘sidekicks’ staring at me wide-eyed with shock. Instinctively I clutched the knife tightly in my hands, holding it out, warning them not to come anywhere near me.
“You’re crazy!” Miranda screamed at me. Quite the hypocrite is she not?
“Too right I am, and if you come anywhere near me or even try to stop me from leaving, I’ll cut you up as well!”
I don’t know where this new found air of confidence came from; maybe it was just basic human instinct to do whatever it takes to survive. More likely though, it was the spirit of Christ in me, this newfound faith filling me with a vengeance.
The top I was wearing was an oversized shirt, Danny had graciously left it fairly intact and, despite all the rips and tears, it covered all the areas that needed covering. At least is restored some of my dignity.
The three girls were still frozen in shock and Danny writhing around in pain on the floor. I started edging towards the door in the corner of the room. Miranda was at the other side of the room. I reckoned if I was quick, I could run out the door before Miranda could get to me. So I went for it. Despite the excruciating pain that was surging around my body, I ran. Now wasn’t the time for tears and weakness. I had to be strong; I had to focus on getting myself out of here. I could cry about it later.
I ran out of the warehouse into a dark alleyway. The cold was piercing, biting at every patch of my skin. I didn’t have a clue where I was or where I was going. Frantic shouting and hurried footsteps behind me let me know I was being followed so I kept going, turning down different paths and corners as I tried to find my way out of the maze of buildings.
And then I heard it. I heard my name being shouted out. It was close. My name was shouted again, stopping me dead in my tracks. The voice was warm and inviting. It was long summer nights, the smell of fresh cut grass, the cold side of the pillow, the first cigarette of the day. It was Trey. It was a voice sweeter than that of an angel, a voice you could easily lose yourself in.
It just about drowned out the sound of the gunshot that came from behind me.
Everything that followed happened in slow motion. Me falling to my knees in the alley, the blood pooling out from my side, hysterical screams and shouting in the background, my face crashing against the hard street as my body lay limp on the ground, my own blood swarming around me and staining the ground on which I lay, the sight of Trey and Freddy rounding the corner… then nothing but blackness as everything faded into one big incoherent cloud of nothingness.
Chapter Eighteen
-When you try your best
,
but you don't succeed
.
When you get what you want, but not what you need-
The slushy rain slowly turned to snow as we ran down the streets. I cried out for her at the top of my lungs so many times it turned my voice hoarse and raspy. I guided Freddy through the narrow alleys that made up the ‘district’. I’d been here before. It was an old industrial park filled with dormant warehouses where Miranda executed most of her deals. I wasn’t sure if she’d be here, I just had a gut feeling in my stomach that she would and when I find her, she’ll have all hell to pay for whatever she’s done to Harmony.
The wind blew ferociously through the small tunnels and streets, whipping my hair vehemently in my eyes and face. This place was a labyrinth of winding alleys and dead ends. I was beginning to lose hope, if she wasn’t here; I feared I’d never find her. Freddy placed his hand firmly around my arm.
“Don’t worry Trey, we’ll find her. She’ll be here.”
“Freddy what if she’s not-“
I was cut off by faint screaming not too far away. I heard Harmony’s name being shouted and more frantic screams. I looked to Freddy only to find him already running down the alley, trying to follow the sound of the yelling.
-When you feel so tired but you can't sleep
Stuck in reverse.-
Harmony was here, I could feel it in my bones, I could sense her presence. Maybe she got away, maybe I wasn’t too late.
And then I heard the gunshot.
Everything turned quiet as my heart dropped to my stomach. But I carried on, I ran as though the devil himself was cracking a whip behind me. I didn’t focus on what I might be walking into; I only focused on Harmony as the worst possible thoughts of what might’ve happened crept into my head like a thief and stole my sanity.
-And the tears come streaming down your face
when
you lose something you can't replace-
Freddy and I rounded the corner like lightening to the source of all the drama and hysterics. The scene that lay before me brought my whole word crashing down in an instant.
Harmony’s small body lay limp and lifeless on the ground. Her skin was paler than the white snow that fell all around us – a disturbing contrast to the vivid black and blue bruises that adorned her arms and legs. My attention was diverted to her torso. Her tiny hands clutched her waist, where blood poured out from her wound like a tap. Miranda stood at the other end of the alley, holding the gun in her hands. Her body was shaking; she looked as though she would throw up at any minute.
Freddy screamed as he ran towards her, the grief and heartache evident in his voice. Miranda dropped the gun and ran.
Immediately I rushed to Harmony’s side. I fell to the ground, pulling her frail body close to me and cradling her in my arms. My heart shattered into a thousand pieces when I brushed her hair away from her face, her big brown eyes were staring straight back at me, glazed over and void of that amazing sparkle they always held.
-When you love someone but it goes to waste
could
it be worse?-
She blinked a few times and blazing hot tears flooded down from my eyes and onto her skin. She was still alive. My beautiful Harmony was still alive!
“Trey?”
“Baby I’m here, everything’s going to be ok, it’s all over now.”
I tried to stay calm for her sake, but with every second that passed my hope deteriorated. I took my jacket off and wrapped it around her shoulders then used my bare hands to apply pressure to her wound. She cried out at the pain when I forced all my weight down on her side and I couldn’t help but cry with her.
“FREDDY! Call an ambulance! NOW!”
Freddy came running back over to us, kneeling down in the pool of blood and holding onto Harmony’s hand firmly. He dug around in his pockets and pulled out his phone, hastily calling emergency services.
Harmony coughed a little, the blood starting to spill from her mouth. I looked at Freddy to find some kind of reassurance and comfort in his eyes but he was just as scared as I was. This wasn’t good.
-Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones-
Freddy took over applying the pressure to her wound whilst I held her head in my lap, gently stroking her face and whispering to her. I couldn’t lose her, she couldn’t die on me. This was my entire fault; I might as well have taken the gun and shot her myself. What have I done to her? I began to sob. I’m her boyfriend. I’m supposed to be there for her, to protect her, and yet I let this happen to her?
I heard the sound of sirens fast approaching but the relief didn’t wash over me like it was supposed to. I looked back down to Harmony’s blood stained face to see her eyes firmly closed. No, no this can’t be happening! Oh Lord, please. You couldn’t have planned for me to find her only to watch her die!
Before I could even speak to her the medics had rushed around, pulling me and Freddy from her and applying an oxygen mask to her face whilst moving her body onto a stretcher and carrying her to the ambulance which was idling at the end of the alley.
“Is she going to be ok?” Freddy asked worriedly.
One of the medics turned around to face us, her face not giving anything away.
“Which one of you is with her?”
“I am, I’m her boyfriend, please tell me everything’s going to be alright, she will survive this, won’t she?” I asked desperately, stepping forward, not sure whether I really wanted to hear the answer.
The medic looked down to her feet uncomfortably before meeting my stare once again.
“I can’t promise anything, Mr. Frett, she’s lost a lot of blood, we’ll do everything we can.”
I wasn’t an idiot, I knew what that meant. It was medical jargon for ‘her chances are slim, she’s practically dead’.
Freddy, wrapped his arms tightly around me, trying to soothe me and I returned the gesture. I needed my brother right now, more than I ever.
“Only one of you can ride in the ambulance with her, I’m sorry there’s not enough room for the both of you.” The medic spoke again whilst climbing into the back of the ambulance.
“You go Trey, I’ll catch a cab, it’s you she needs right now.”
I gave Freddy a weak smile before jumping in the ambulance and holding Harmony’s hand tightly.
“You’re going to be alright, baby, I love you.” I whispered softly into her ear, needing to hear those words spoken out loud just so that I could believe this was actually the truth, when in fact, I knew all the odds were stacked against her.
-And I will try to fix you-
Chapter Nineteen
“Put the orchids beside her bed, those are her favorites.”
The voice was faint but it rang through my ears with such distinct familiarity. I was aware of people in the room, shuffling around and talking in hushed voices. I wanted to open my eyes, to take a long look around but my lids felt so heavy.
I could hear the sound of chairs being drawn up beside my bed and my curiosity got the better of me. I opened my eyes only a little, just enough to make out the figures in the room. Trey was busy rearranging the many impressive bouquets of flowers in the room and Freddy was sitting to my right reading what looked to be a copy of the New Yorker.