Hidden Gifts

Twenty-four

"Was he a catfish?"

"I wish." She rolls her teary eyes. "Bashir was.. a hostage, he had been for a long time. There was this man, his name is Rodriguez, he was the catfish. He would use the faces of pretty girls to talk to different boys online and when it was finally time for them to meet he would kidnap them and use his victims as his profile picture for his next catfish.

He kidnapped Bashir and made him talk to me. That was how we were able to make numerous video call. It's how he gets his victims. Everyone's pretty keen on cat fishing these days and no one wants to fall victim to that, so they usually want to video call them to see if they're legit and that's how Rodriguez runs things. Kidnap those he cat fished and use them to catfish others.

When Bashir and I met, he told me to run away as fast as I could, that I was so dead if I stayed there. I didn't understand and I didn't want to leave because he was cuter in person but he kept saying I should leave. I was so hurt that the boy I've gotten so close too wants nothing to do with me. He set me straight and explained what was going on and that's when I knew I was in deep shit.

When Rodriguez heard of this, he was so mad. He sent some people after Bashir and I but I didn't know what to do or where to go but Bashir helped me, he ran with me and at that moment I was so determined to save us both. His people caught up to us at some point when I slipped and they just kept.. hitting me and him it was.. horrible. They were fucking pedophiles, they tried to rape me. That's why my clothes were torn.

We got on our feet again and ran but it was a bit harder since we were both limping. When we finally thought we were out we saw Rodriguez stand in front of us. He pointed his gun at me but he shot at Bashir, he shot his legs but Bashir pounced on him and punched him to the extent he was bleeding. Once again we got away but our luck was up. Rodriguez shot him. Straight in the head. I watched him die. I caused his death."

"You didn't cause his death. Trust me." Talia knew how it felt to cause people's death.

"You don't get it."

Oh she did.

"I caused his death because he was sent to capture me but he didn't. I'm such an idiot! I shouldn't have gone to meet him all by myself in the first place. This wouldn't have happened if I had just used my stupid little brain! He wouldn't be dead because he failed to do what was asked of him." She cried in Talia's arms.

"You know, he told me that if he saw me dead, he would kill himself because I was the only thing keeping him sane everyday. He said talking to me was the only good thing in his life. And now guess what, the only good thing in his life is the reason that he's dead. We could have been together. We may have been in bondage but we would be together." Her voice was low and that scared Talia.

"It's not your fault, Sharon. He chose to save you and the only thing you can do to honor his sacrifice is to keep living. Keep living for him. I'm sure he's waiting for you on the other side and when it's finally time for you to die, you'll meet him again. You'll be reunited. Together. Forever." Talia says.

"You're right." She sniffs before she let's out a humourless laugh. "It's been a hell of a day hasn't it?"

"You have no idea." Talia gives her her best fake smile.

"I'm surprised you're aunt didn't notice." She laughs.

"How would she? She's intoxicated with Carter's beauty." They both laugh.

"Anyway, I'll let you sleep. Goodnight Talia." She leaves the room.

"Good night." Talia whispers before falling back on the bed.

"I'm so glad I found you." Carter bursts through the door and sits on the bed beside Talia.

"Are you insane?! I could have been naked! You don't just barge into people's rooms."

"Do you know what I've been through? Vivian has been... Seducing me for the past ten minutes."

"So? Men usually like that."

Carter just stares at her and asks. "Can I crash here?"

"Sure. Whatever."

"Thanks." He lies flat on the bed and Talia lays down beside him.

"Hey, tell me what happened that time you were in the car. What the hell dented the roof like that?" He asks.

"I- I don't know. I was just waking up and my vision was blurry but I'm pretty sure I saw something in front of the window before it disappeared and then the roof just dented. I didn't even hear anything, I just saw it. Also, tell me what happened that time we were in the motel. One moment we're there, the next I'm seeing things that probably have the ability to leave massive dents on the roof. How did we get here?"

"Okay. What I'm about to tell you may be.. disturbing and unbelievable." He starts off.

"I'm a manipulator. I believe everything now."

"Okay. You see, I was at the kiosk getting a donut when Devon came crashing through the roof then something like a octopus tentacle slash spider leg slash demon something came crashing through the building. You didn't have your face, it was engulfed by some black demon thing with several red eyes even on its legs. You grabbed Devon but I called out to you so you grabbed me before the thing finally let go of you and you just fell."

Talia blinked several times and stared at him.

What?!

"See. I told you it was unbelievable."

"Of course this is unbelievable! I don't remember any of it!"

"How would you? You've been unconscious the whole time!"

Talia groaned and placed her hand over head. It was spinning and she couldn't handle this much information. She had finally eaten well but now she needed to sleep well.

"I need to sleep. I haven't slept in like two days."

"You were unconscious for like an hour." He says and she glares at him.

"That doesn't count."

They lay there. Still. Quiet.

"Hey Carter."

"Yeah." His voice was deep and groggy because of tiredness.

"If I go.. demonic again please be by my side. I have no idea what I would do if I went on a rampage like that again. It felt like I had blacked out and I wasn't even in control so please.. stay with me." Talia doesn't even look at him as she keeps staring at the ceiling. If she had thrown Devon through a roof and smashed through walls there was no doubt she hadn't killed some unfortunate people caught in the cross fire. It would be devastating if Carter wasn't there and that thing came out again.

He took her hand in his and squeezed.

"I won't." He says before she finally falls asleep. He looks at her face as she sleeps before sighing and looking up at the ceiling. He didn't have the heart to tell her she had killed some people, not in the state she was in. It would drive her insane to tell her she had more blood on her hands. If he wasn't there he feared what would have happened. He had no idea what Devon had done or said that had caused her to act the way she did but it was definitely a good idea he kept her away from him.

He kissed her hand and exhaled.

"I can't."