Don't Catch Me!

Chapter 20 - Barbie and Buffy's Last Stand

Chapter 20 - Barbie and Buffy's Last Stand

My body was frozen. 

Gavin stood there glaring at us with his fists clenched and I couldn’t think of a single explanation that could save us.  My mind was blank.  Then the images flooded in – primarily of me pulling on the chains that cuffed my wrists as I strained to get to Joel to save what little skin was left on his back.  And all I could hear was the sickening squelch as the whip fell from the pulp that would soon be my back. 

We were caught.  We wouldn’t be escaping.  We couldn’t survive this.  I would lose him.

No, I had to think of something, anything to save us.

My mouth opened but no sound came out. 

“You told me that you weren’t in one of those terror groups Barbie!” Gavin eyes were the perfect blend of rage and pain to resemble the expression of absolute betrayal.  Betrayal?  Why? “What are they planning?”

Although I had lost the ability to function, Joel hadn’t.  Joel simply dropped his arms from me.  I looked up in time to see his eyes turn, as they left my face the soft caring light they held dissipated leaving them hard, cold and determined.  His body likewise changed as he swung around to face the threat, as he turned to face Gavin.

 “What resistance group are you with?” Gavin continued.

Joel moved his weight to balance himself on the balls of his feet and this time I didn’t move.  I didn’t have a witty line, a fabulous come back, no, I had nothing to save us with.  I couldn’t prevent what was about to happen.  I just stood there gaping.  I just stood there soaking in Joel in the fear that I would never be this close to him again.  

 “What is your purpose here?” Gavin's voice faltered ever so slightly.

Joel wasn’t hesitating.  He wasn’t going to wait for me this time.  In his one quick glance he must have seen and understood the situation we were in.  He must have seen my terror and now he took control.  He didn’t communicate anything to me but he didn’t need to.  His presence was huge.  He radiated confidence and calm resolve.  He was going to save me this time.

“Who are you both?” 

Joel steeled his body and gently but firmly with one arm swept me back until I was behind him and as far from Commissioner Gavin Mackenzie as he could manage at that point in time.   He then edged around so that he was positioned where he wanted to be.

 “Tell me what I want to know, now!” 

He might have been wearing a dress and have the breasts of a porn star but right now, at this very minute Joel was a something else.  Something I had never seen before.  Joel was a trained fighter – balanced, focused, skilled, and deadly.  I couldn’t help the shiver that ran down my body.  This was a side of Joel that I didn’t even know existed.  He was frightening and beautiful at the same time. 

“Answer me Barbie!”  Gavin shot the questions at me quick fire. 

Gavin clearly wasn’t seeing what I saw.  I quickly wondered what he had heard earlier.  Did he just hear the words spoken?  Or did he hear the voice which spoke?  Did he even suspect that the beautiful Amazonian who now stood in front of me was male?  Did he have any idea what he was facing? 

Joel’s fists came up and he tucked his elbows in tight to his waist while keeping his forearms taut and level.  His fists turned down.  I instantly recognised the stance and rocked back on my heels to avoid what I knew was coming.   Gavin was still glaring directly at me and seemed oblivious to Joel.  He was tense with anger but he wasn’t reacting to Joel but to me.  How could he not see what was coming?