Dancing in the Oaks

I Know that You are More

The room was pitch black and I heard breathing next to me. Absolutely no light peered through anywhere. It was evident that moving would be near impossible. My hands were tied to the wooden frame and my feet were tied together. I attempted to kick and remove the tape. To no avail, it did nothing. "Nick?" I whispered.

"Yes?" I received an answer. "I have a lot of pain. Please help. I th-think I-I am Bl-bleeding."

"I cannot move. My hands are tied." He replied.

"Oh well, so are mine. Give me a minute." I said.

The window was open yet again. It felt colder and colder. Footsteps could be heard up stairs. "Please." The voice said quietly.

"You know 'Cholas, it's gonna be alright." I attempted to untie my hands by grabbing the rope. It seemed impossible though. I could reach the knot with my middle finger. It just seemed so tight to the point it was cutting off the circulation to my wrist. I unlooped the excess rope from around my wrist. It was hard because it was dark and I couldn't just turn around. "Nick, can you just talk to me? Just say something please!" I begged. "Come on."

"Ugh" was all he could say. "I-I love y-you."

"That's good enough for me! I love you too. Please stay with me." I finally realized that Berry had taken my blanket away from Nick. "You're cold aren't you? Uhm. Stay with me for just five more..." I finally untied the knot that bound me to the wooden frame. I immediately undid the rope that bound my feet together. Next was Nick. His poor body lay there bent over while I ran over and shut the window. When I touched his face it was cold. I realized that his clothes were not only soaked in blood, but cold water. Berry had dumped cold water on him. Who could do such a thing? I touched his hands and undid the rope. "Come on! Wake up. Ugh! What do I do!?" I explained in frustration. I found an old shirt of my father's that I used as a pillow. I helped him lay down so he wouldn't hit his head on the concrete floor. "Say something."

"Yes. You h- have t-to f-ight Berry. G-go. I'll be f... fine. Thanks. I l... love you Norah." He said quietly.

"I can't just leave you. I mean that's awful!" The blanket was nowhere to be found. "You have to warm up okay. I'll call the police and get you help. This is awful." I fought back tears. Something in the corner caught my eyes. It was the same blanket, but it was soaking wet in ice cold water. "Ahh what do I do!" The last thing that I could possibly give to him is my small pullover hoodie that I wore over my shirt. "This is all I can give. I'm so sorry she soaked the blanket." It's so sad to think about how someone could do that. I did manage to find a small coat that was my brother's. I tossed the blanket in the corner. "Here I'm gonna lift your shirt up so I can see what this looks... " I just untucked his shirt and lifted it to reveal a small part of his stomach. What I saw made my stomach turn and my mind to be mad. The cuts were deep and it looked horrible. "oh my gosh Nick! Why would someone do that?"

"Bad?" He asked while barely crying.

"Yes. It's very bad. Alright. Berry is upstairs, I know she is. I'm gonna try to restrain her until the cops can get here. Hmm." I placed my sweatshirt over his arms. I gave him one last hug before I ran upstairs.