Nyefield University pt 2

Chapter 25

Bambi
We eagerly scoff down our food, all of us starving after the days events so far. And I still plan to head down to the basement after dinner. Now that all three of them are hanging down there we could be as loud as we like and not have to hide in the little cctv room. It was like we could finally relax for the first time in weeks. Dinner is full of laughs and joking around with each other, all of us have big smiles on our faces, even Freddie whose hand and leg I had to stitch up. My whole body ached from the events of today but it was a good ache and it reminds me that I'm alive.

"I'm heading down to the basement if anyone wants to join me." I announce to the boys whilst doing the washing up.

"I'm actually going to have a rest, my leg is killing me and I want to have as much energy as possible for tomorrow." Freddie says quietly. I try to school my face to hide the shock but it's evident on both Jason and Dax's faces. Hearing Freddie admit to being in pain is a new one.

"Yeah I'm quite tired too, I'll stay here with you Fred's." Jason says giving his brother a pat on the shoulder.

"Nah honestly it's okay Jas, you go down with them."

"It's okay I wanna stay here. I might get some more coursework done before heading up to bed." Freddie just nods at Jason before heading upstairs, when we hear the bedroom door shut, I talk.

"Is he okay?" I say worriedly.

"He will be, I think today shook him a little bit. We never..." Jason trails off.

"You've never had to look after someone whilst on a job before. It's okay you don't need to beat around the bush with me." I say forcing a smile on my face. You're just a walking liability, they wouldn't even be in this situation if you weren't here.

"It's not like that Bambi, we just... urgh I don't know how to put it."

"Nah its okay, none of this would've happened if I wasn't around." I push away from the side and head towards the front door. Dax calls after me but I ignore him and carry walking. I shut the door behind me but by the time I'm a few steps off the porch it opens again.

"Wait for me for fuck sake." I slow down slightly but don't stop. Within two strides he's in step with me. "Don't blame yourself for Freddie. He knew what he was getting into and he blames himself for what happened this morning. He's probably just having a bit of a tough time dealing with it."

"He wouldn't have too if it wasn't for me. Him and Jason would never of been taken if I wasn't here. Jason would still have his arm and Freddie wouldn't have to feel guilty over me being attacked." He grasps me arm and jerks me to a halt, his grip so tight I know I'll have bruises tomorrow.

"Stop fucking thinking like that. We were bound to get caught at one of the race days. They probably would've just been shot on the spot if it wasn't for you."

"I expect Jason would rather be dead than having to cope with the demons that now haunt him." I hiss at Dax. He clearly has had enough of my shit because he backhands me hard across the face. I stand there looking at him in shock as my cheek flares with pain. I lift a hand to my cheek and wince.

"You need to get it out of your fucking head that you're the problem. You're our fucking salvation firecracker." His face softens as he lifts a hand to join mine that's still resting on my cheek. I have to resist the urge to slap it away, his hand engulfs mine. His fingers curl around mine, his nails lightly scraping my sore cheek. "How do you still not realise that you aren't the problem?"

"Because everything points to me." I whisper, barely audible.

"Look at me." He demands. I want so badly to ignore him, to fight back but I can't. So I turn towards him and drag my eyes up to his, those beautiful obsidian spheres following mine. "Things have happened yes, but they would've been worse without you. And without you we wouldn't be ridding the world of these scum bags. The work you're doing to get your social worker degree is going to change the world. I know we haven't talked a huge amount about after... well all this but I was thinking about setting up a security company or something like that. Maybe something that means we save the women from these men. You could work on the legal side and we could work on the not so legal side."