Rhenna

Seventy-Three

"What's going on?" I asked, my voice taking on a sharper edge. I looked between Denvis and Mitch awaiting their answer.

"Something happened". Mitch finally spoke up.

With Jae?

I took a step closer. "What?"

"After you left last night," Mitch paused, glanced at Denvis, then he exhaled. "Jae went off his rockers".

"What did he do?"

"He's...Well, he's in the hospital".

The hospital?!

What the hell happened after I left?

"What happened?" Blondie asked.

I almost forgot that he was still standing next to me.

"The details aren't all that clear". Mitch answered. He ran his hands back through his hair and let out a drained breath. "The cops believe that it was a shoot and run".

Jae was shot!

"How?" I whispered.

Last I checked he had been at the apartment.

"He stormed out shortly after you two left". Denvis explained. "Said something about getting a drink".

And he was shot on the way?

"The doctors say he'll be out of commission for a few days. Maybe weeks with the hit he took".

Jae Ventis shot. In the hospital. And all this happened last night while I was here enjoying myself.

"W-will he live?" I asked. Did I really want to know?

If he died than that would be it. I would never have to see his face again. He couldn't hurt me from the grave. Nor the other's.

"He's not going to die kid". Mitch said softly.

I clenched my fists at my side.

I didn't want Jae Ventis dead, but I didn't exactly want him alive either.

My emotions were on a teeter.

"I've got one more question". Blondie said.

Mitch and Denvis nodded for him to go on.

He crossed his arms. "How the hell did you know where I live?"

That was a good question.

Before either one of them could answer I spoke up for them. "Denvis stalks people".

"Huh?"

Denvis didn't look to happy about my statement, but he nodded nonetheless. "I get paid for it".

So the real creep here was Jae Ventis.

"Elin". Mitch said all serious. "I need to talk with you. Alone".

Mitch has always been a goof off, cracking jokes kind of guy. So when he gets serous I get nervous.

"Okey".

-----------------------

Blondie let us talk in his room. Clea wasn't happy about the strange men barging in on Christmas day, but she allowed it; for my sake.

"What is it?" I asked when it was just Mitch and I. Denvis was down stairs probably suffering under Blondie and Cleas' glare.

"I need to know Elin". He sighed. Mitch wasn't all that bad looking for his age. He had a few deep lines under his eyes, and grey in his roots, but he didn't look old. "Is it true?"

I frowned at him. "Is what true?"

He tugged on his hair. "Before Jae left last night he said a few...things".

"Things?"

"About you".

My breath caught in my throat. Did he...? No. Jae would never let it slip.

"I don't know what your talking about". I murmered.

He looked uncomfortable when he spoke next. "Did- has Jae ever-"

"Stop!" I shouted.

He clamped his mouth shut and stared at me.

What the hell did Jae say?

If he told...what if he did? What if he got so angry, like he does when we're alone, and he let his mouth run.

That part of Jae had no self control.

"Elin".

But, he knew better then to tell.

"Elin!"

Right?

"Elin Ascan".

My thoughts came to a grinding halt when I heard Mitch use my full name.

I looked over at him.

"What's going on kid?"

I felt like the walls were closing in on me. Like I couldn't breath. Because... because Mitch knew. He knew something.

And was it only him that Jae spoke too?

I reached up and dug my hands into my hair.

What if Jae told everyone at the party?

I suddenly felt sick, and jittery, and dirty all at once.

What if Nick, or Conn, or even Blondie got word about it?

My wobbly knee's gave out and I collapsed onto Blondie's bed.

It was my fault again, wasn't it?

If only I would have stayed then maybe Jae wouldn't have lost his shit, or gotten shot.

"Elin". Mitch layed his hand on my shoulder. It was supposed to be a kind gesture, but it sent jolts through my body. Quick as a blink I slapped it away and edged myself further onto the mattress.

"It was a lie". I blurted.

His forehead wrinkled with confusion. "What-"

"Whatever Jae said. It was a lie".

"Are you sure?" I could tell by his voice that he didn't believe me.

I did my best to pull myself together so that I could look him in the eye. I opened my mouth to lie again, but I froze midway when I saw the look he was giving me.

Remorse, guilt, pity.

They were there. Strong as ever.

I hated it.

It made me feel small.

"If something did happen Elin, you can tell me".

I could never. I would never.

I shoved off the bed and went around Mitch to the door. I needed air. Lots of it.

He called after me, but I didn't catch what he said as I ran down the stairs and straight for the door.

Just as I was about there Blondie stepped in my way. I glared at him and tried to step around, but he just moved to block. "Where are you going?"

"Out".

"Why?"

"I need air". I snapped.

"You-"

"Move Blondie". I growled. I wasn't playing this game. If I didn't get out soon I'd explode.

When he didn't listen I shoved him in the chest and he retracted a few steps. I took the moment and brushed past him to the door.

Then I left.