The Unexpected Visit

Chapter 32

Eric falls to his knees. "How did you recognize me?"

"Back at the compound, when you tried to kiss me, away from the video cameras, I saw the real you. The boy who all his life had been treated like royalty, always got what he wanted, and never experienced the pain of a girl rejecting you. Your buddy will be going to jail, but you have a choice: come with us on our side or go to jail with him," I say, pointing to the man who's trembling from the sight of Lily growling. She really is no longer the puppy I found in Owen's apartment.

"How? How did you figure out my past; was it that easy?" Eric asks.

I pity him, but I don't know what else to do for him. "Like I said, your face after I rejected you told me everything I needed to know. A few days after that happened, my mother told me," I say quietly.

"Okay....Can I think about it?"

"I'm sorry, but no, you can't. You need to decide before the police get here. If you don't, the decision is made for you," I say, looking him in the eyes.

He meets my gaze, a focused look in his eyes. "Very well. I want to come with you," he says, making sure I know he's not lying.

"Alright. Jackson, let him go and get him changed into something else so the police don't take him with them. Lily, watch," I say and point at the other man.

I walk over to where Anna and Owen are waiting. "Can we trust him?" I ask, looking more at Anna for an answer than Owen.

"I'm not sure. I think for now, we will have to watch him very closely," Anna replies, looking slightly suspicious of Eric.

"Okay. I think we should go back to the island, just us four plus Lily, and see what's happened while we were gone. Then, we come back and come up with a plan to bring Ava and Eric back to the island with us. We could also consider bringing other people we know who want to help. Look, there's the police now," I say quietly. Owen goes to greet them.

"Are you okay, Beca?" Anna asks.

"My head's spinning," I respond, taking Anna's arm as it gets a little worse.

Lily barks a few times and my suspicions are confirmed. "It isn't just me then; Lily knows what's happening too. Please, can we go to our apartment?" I ask, pleading.

"Yes, we can." She turns to leave with me trailing behind. "Move please!" Anna half shouts.

My ears begin to ring. We can hear the sirens, and as we get into our apartment and close the door, they stop, which means that they're here.

"Do you want me to get Owen?" Anna asks, knowing that Lily won't be able to leave the other apartment in case the other guy tries something.

"Sure," I mumble.

I sit on the couch, and shift to lie down. Luckily, there is a blanket on the top of the couch. I grab it and wrap it around myself. Slowly, my vision starts to cloud up, the burning in my lungs beginning, and Owen still isn't here. I know what's going to happen if I don't stop it and I don't like it. The memory of Anna's face the first time I had a coughing fit swims in and out of my mind. Every time I had a coughing fit, I wasn't alone. I have a feeling I will be facing this one alone--Anna probably had to talk to the police.

This isn't good. I can barely breathe and the coughing started about a minute ago. Almost immediately, I fall on my hands and knees off the couch. There is more blood on the floor than last time. Usually, I'd be passed out by now. I can't pass out this time; it won't happen. I won't let it. Panic starts to envelop me all over again. No! I will not let this happen anymore! Black starts to crowd my vision. Come on, I can't pass out, I will not pass out. Somebody, please....Owen...I can feel my strength slowly leaving as I get closer to passing out.

I gather the rest of my strength and use it "Owen!" I shout weakly.

I hear him coming towards me. "Beca!!"

I fall, my hands no longer supporting my weight. Owen kneels in front of me and says something I can't hear or understand. The look on his face tells me that I look worse than I feel. Panic and fear are the only thing I can see on his face. I hear other people coming in: Anna, Jackson, Brooke, Vallie, Jay, and Eric. I try to reach out to show them that I'm still here but my hand barely moves. Owen felt my hand move, though. His excited shouts are all I know before he kisses me.

My whole thought process stops as if someone suddenly slammed on the brakes. The panic subsides, my strength floods back into my body once more, and my vision returns. How on earth does he get this kind of reaction from my body?

"WHY IS HE KISSING HER AND WHY IS IT WORKING?" Eric shouts.

"Because they're in love, dummy, didn't you know that?" Jackson replies, looking smug.

"NO, I DID NOT KNOW," Eric shouts again.

"Obviously not, or you wouldn't be reacting this way," Brooke says with a smile on her face.

Owen releases me and smiles. One of the rare "I'm truly happy smiles." I really love it when I see them; it doesn't happen very often.

A few hours later, the police are gone with the other man and Lily will not leave my side for even a minute; I guess she feels that she failed me. I know she didn't, but in her mind she did. I really wish that I knew how Owen gets the reaction from my body that he does, I mean seriously! I can't think of any guy who can save their girlfriend from dying, which Anna told me I was very close to doing. I mean, seriously! How? I guess I should probably get back to the going away party and get everyone's phone numbers or ways to contact them when we get back from assessing what happened on the island in our absence.