The Dove And The Grenade.

Chapter 14: Her Crown of Thorns. Part I.

The length of Eliese's skirt flowed gently in the breeze, it wisps around the curves of her legs as she stepped mindlessly along the shoreline of the beach. Her bare feet padded against the wet sand before the waves rolled onto the shore and tried to urge Eliese to come out to sea with them by grabbing the bottom of her floor length skirt and washing it out to sea with them like a child urging their parent to come along with them. But she stayed, like a lonesome lover whispering sweet nothings along your neck before kissing a bitter goodbye. She swung a small pail gently letting it sway and dangle along the curves of her fingers as she filled it with shells, rocks, and sea glass. She smiled faintly at the phantom daughter toddling beside her, pointing out every shiny object the waves pushed to shore. 'I need to do this with Emily when we get home.' Eliese thought happily. Eliese wandered toward the North end of Bondi Beach where the guys were exploring Bondi's monkey bars.

The Beach's population was dying down as the sun sank into the sea. The group of six have spent most of thei free day relaxing at the beach, they swam, the sun bathed, they attempted to surf, they had fun being young adults. About an hour ago the five men decided to go exploring by the rocks in the North end. Eliese stayed behind to look for treasures to bring home for Emily. She let the stress melt off her skin, she knew being on the road with them was going to be hard but she really had no clue how hard it was. They play one more show before they have a couple days to relax and enjoy Sydney before they ventured home.

That thought frightened Eliese; she didn't want to go back to California. She didn't want to go back to the court dates and restraining orders. She didn't want to deal with her life anymore. But she missed Emily dearly, Emily is the only reason she's not considered staying in Australia forever, or even thought about going back to California. Eliese wanted to see her daughter, she wanted to hold her, she wanted to kiss her and tell her stories, and sit up late at night doing her hair for School the next day. Eliese is so used to Emily's life being a huge part of hers, she's bored without the chaos of having a child.

Every hair on Eliese's body stood up when a familiar feeling punched her in the stomach. She knew what feeling watched felt like, and that's what she felt. Eliese could feel the hunter's eyes on her. She battled with herself; should she look up to see who was staring at her? Will she like what she sees? She hoped it was just a fan who recognized her. She hoped it was their tour manager seeing if the guys were going to the bar tonight. But she knew, deep down inside her gut, her prayers were wrong. She was being hunted like prey, she was prey in the eyes of the hunter.

In a single brave motion she whipped her head around to see who was staring intensely at her. She couldn't see anyone and that frightened her; if she can't see them and they can see her; they have the advantage. Eliese knew she was being stalked, but by whom? More importantly: Why?

Eliese jumped enormously when a sturdy hand landed on her shoulder. Her heart busted out of her chest and ran away before she could gasp in fear. She dropped the bucket of treasures, letting the pail hit the sand at her feet. She turned to see the tattooed man standing in front of her with four other men climbing down from the monkey bars.

"Jesus Christ, George! You scared the shit out of me." Eliese exclaimed with her hand pushing her heart back into her chest. George raised his hands from her shoulder and looked wide eyed at her.

"Sorry Eliese, I didn't mean to scare you." He stated honestly. Even after he apologized for scaring her Eliese hiked up her skirt a bit and squatted down, she piled the treasures back into the pail, her hands shook violently. She could reassure herself that everything was okay, and that she was safe. She didn't feel safe. Eliese stood up and looked around, examining her surroundings. George looked at Eliese puzzled as Matty reattached to her side, draping his arm over her shoulders. Eliese looked bothered and frightened, that worried him. He's never seen Eliese so on edge and unable to relax. It was worrisome.

"Are you okay?" George asked worriedly. Eliese snapped her head back to look at him with wide eyes. She shrugged and nodded unsure. Her body was tense and her knees shook behind the almost see through cloth of her skirt.

"Yeah, I'm fine." She lied, she was far from fine. She felt vulnerable. She felt exposed. Eliese sank into Matty's side as they walked back to their van they're renting. Eliese felt a bit more safe when she was out of the open area and in an enclosed space but she still felt violated. She clung to Matty's side like grass stains on white pants. Matty could sense something was wrong but he was unsure of what. He only knew Eliese was left alone for an hour or so, when they left she was fine but when they got back she was jumpy and clingy. He's noticed a couple of changes in her since they arrived in Australia. Her appetite has grown but she can't keep anything down, her sleeping pattern is out of whack, she's been sick every morning, she's moodier than usual, and she's a lot more sexually active with Matty than she was a couple weeks ago. But Matty assumed it was the new scenery that was getting to her. She was away from her past, she didn't have to worry about Emily walking in on them, she didn't have to go to work, she didn't have a care in the world. Eliese was finally able to be a good girlfriend to Matty by meeting his wants and needs.

When they got back to their hotel they all agreed to meet up in the lobby in an hour to go out to the bar down the street. Matty and Eliese went galloping to their room in a hurry, Matty wanted some "alone time" with Eliese. Eliese wasn't complaining or saying no, lately that's the only thing she wants to do with him. She has no idea why her labido is in overdrive but she likes it. She likes being in a physical relationship with Matty, he's a tender but passionate lover.

Matty sighed heavily, rolling off of Eliese and onto the bed beside her. He ran his fingers through his sweaty hair and breathlessly chuckled while Eliese pulled the sheet up to cover herself. She glowed with radiance and smiled widely. She looked over at Matty and kissed the end of his nose. Something about the white sheets made a thought pop into Matty's head. His eyebrows drew together strongly.

"So I know this is none of my business but aren't girls supposed to get periods?" Matty asked curiously, tilting his head slightly. Eliese was slapped in the face with a realization that she had missed her period this month. Her mind ran through the possible reasons for why she's either missed her period or she's late.

"Yeah."

"Have you had yours this month?" Matty questioned uncertainly. He was uncertain about the whole thing with Eliese not getting her period in a couple of weeks.

"No." Eliese replied.

"Why?" Matty was becoming anxious and paranoid. He looked over at the small framed female lying in the bed with him. Eliese's heart was sinking and her nerves were electrified. Her head spun out of control with thoughts. 'I am not pregnant. I know that for sure.' She told herself sternly. But she was unsure if it was the right answer. 'I'll do a pregnancy test later. Even though it's going to be negative.'

"Stress."