Some Thorns, Some Roses

XVI | The Haunting of Evita Holden

Thick arms were wrapped around my waist and the gun protruded against my skull. I whimpered as tears dripped down my face. 

At least five guns were pointed towards us. "I dare you to pull the trigger." Xander warned him as he casually chewed his gum. "If you shoot her, I am going to kill you." 

I smelled the scent of masculine cologne and cried even harder. That wasn't the last scent I wanted to have. I wanted it be something else, someone else. I felt his hearty laugh vibrate against my back. 

"You are gonna shoot me regardless." 

"You are damn right. So ask yourself if you wanna quick death or a long, gruesome, tortuous one." West asked as his eyes were razor sharp at one of the gang members. "The choice is yours." 

"But hurry the fuck up because you are starting to piss me off." Xander continued. BJ and KJ were standing behind us, I could bet my bottom dollar that they also had guns in their hands. My brothers were standing behind Xander and West with worried and scared expressions. 

I didn't want to seem scared because I knew it was only worrying them even more, but I couldn't help it because I felt the biggest betrayal of all. The man who was holding the gun to my head was the one person who was supposed to protect. 

"Perris please don't hurt me," I sobbed as I nodded my head and squeezed my eyes shut. 

Perris chuckled and spat, "I don't have a choice." 

"Don't." Atticus seethed through his gritted teeth and clenched jaw. 

Before anyone had the chance to react, the gunshot was fired and I felt the bullet launch through my head. 

Seconds later, I popped up out of my bed, breathing harshly. Tears were streaming down my face and sweat was dripping down my forehead. I felt like I was on fire. 

It was just a dream. 

More like a nightmare. 

I didn't have the chance to calm down before Perris was sitting across the room in the armchair, boring his dark eyes into me. He seemed to be reading before I had woke up. 

"Serena." was all he said to me. I looked at him for a really long time, my breathing hadn't calmed down yet so I just looked at him, doing my best to get a grip. 

Embarrassment settled and I brought my knees to my chest, wrapping the cover and my arms around myself. I didn't say anything so it caused him to come over to me. Slowly, he closed his book and stood directly beside me. 

I didn't mean to flinch, but when he leaned towards me, resting both of his hands on the mattress. I closed my eyes and made a tight lipped smile. He noticed that something was going on so he straightened and took a step away from me. 

"Serena," he called my name again, but this time his voice softened. "Talk to me." 

It's as if his words held some kind of hold on me. I didn't plan on telling him, but I couldn't help it. "I'm scared," my voice cracked out and it was one of the most pathetic sounds I have ever heard. My eyes were still closed and I was doing my best to calm down. But those very words made it difficult for me to stop my slow-climb to full on panicking. 

Perris didn't seem to care about that. He sighed deeply and sat directly in front of me. "Open your eyes please." he asked me nicely, nicer than regular. His voice wasn't so indifferent, not so distant. 

Just as he requested, I slowly opened my eyes to meet his again. His eyes didn't seem dark anymore, they seemed deep and mysterious, but it wasn't scary anymore.