Punished

PERMANENT

With her ex-husband on the floor, Essence went into her room to pack her suitcase. Keisha followed behind her, trying to plead her case.

"Essence, I'm sorry. It-It just happened!"

She ignored Keisha's words.

"Es, please don't leave. He actually came here to see you. He was worried about you, so we started drinking and...."

"Please stop talking."

Essence grabbed what she could and walked out of the room, passing the both of them. She got her phone from the bathroom and headed down the stairs.

There was knocking on the front door as they followed her into the living room. Loud yells could be heard coming from outside.

"Who is that?" Keisha looked confused.

With no words, Essence answered the door.

"My friend was fucking your husband, not me."

Essence walked past Ronda to her car. Her only mission was to get far away from all of them.

***

I was more hurt than angry. My life felt like it was chaotic but I kept my cool and took deep breaths at the red light.

My phone was blowing up with text messages from Keisha and Felicia. Kalvin was calling and I remembered that Ronda didn't have the kids with her.

I answered. "Where is Kevin?"

"Essence, I'm really sorry."

"I don't care, Kalvin. Where is my son?"

"He's with my mother."

My son was safe, so I hung up and drove through the green light. Tears began to fill my eyes, thinking about my friends.

My friend Dawn was dead, Keisha betrayed me...What's gonna happen with Felicia?

I pulled into the parking garage of the hotel. My plans were to stay here for the next two days until I needed to pick my son up for visitation.

Before I got out of my car, I just took a few deep breaths and let myself cry. I felt so alone, not knowing who I could truly trust.

An hour went by, along with the intensity of my cry. My shoulders felt lighter now that I let myself get my emotions out. I turned the rearview mirror towards my eyes and wiped my face.

I got out of the car, then grabbed my suitcase from the backseat. I noticed the eerie silence that surrounded the cars. I looked at my phone, it was 9:46 p.m.

A chill went down my spine. I locked my car doors and walked towards the elevator.

Suddenly, I felt a force pull me backward.

"AAH! NO!"

My feet dragged across the cemented ground. I screamed, but nothing came out.

The smell of rotten eggs was around me. I wasn't able to plant my feet on the ground, so I started swinging my arms and wildly kicking my legs.

"Uh!" I was dropped to the ground.

I quickly got up, looking around. Still, there was not a soul in sight. My fear kept me standing in place while my eyes checked my surroundings.

My feet slowly moved but picked up the closer I got to the elevator again. My suitcase was still in the same spot. I grabbed the handle and went inside.

My shaking hands pressed the number of the floor I needed. I couldn't stop my tears from falling again...this shit was too much for one night.

I got off on the floor where my room was located. I couldn't stop looking behind me while walking to the door.

Was that Dark Lotus that grabbed me?

The door opened, and I quickly walked inside and shut the door. I made sure it was locked, then took a few deep breaths again.

I looked around. The room was nicer than I thought. After my shower, my pajamas were on. I snuggled up under the comforter, and I cried again.

Something is following me. How can I get it to go away?

I was exhausted and slowly fell asleep to the sound of the television. Soon, my tense body relaxed, and I thought about being with Bellamy and Amin.

I'm a hot mess...I should just stay alone.

Being with them is when I felt the most safe. My life was a mess again, I shouldn't even be thinking about being with men. I turned off my phone, ignoring the calls from Kalvin, and text messages from Keisha.

My dreams continued with Amin and Bellamy. It was very comforting, so I let it take over.

Their touch turned into kisses on my lips. The feeling began to feel real as a heaviness pressed on top of me. My pajamas were no longer on my body.

As my eyes opened, so did my legs. Bellamy's face was between them, and it felt amazing. His kisses moved up towards my breasts, covering the area around my hardened nipples.

My back arched from the teasing and need of his mouth. His muscles flexed while hovering over me. His gold chain dangled from his neck.

I didn't care how he got into my room. His presence instantly made me feel calm and safe.

"You're so lost, Essence."

"I'm just trying to be better for my child. Stuff keeps happening to me."

"Why won't you let us take care of you?" He touched my cheek.

"B-Bellamy, I'm so confused."

"I understand. All I ask is that you give us a chance."

"But...m-my son."

He gave a soft smile. "He'll be taken care of too."

Fear was telling me to hold back, but my heart was telling me to give in. I've tried doing things on my own and kept getting knocked back down. I was mentally exhausted.

Bellamy softly kissed my lips, then looked into my eyes.

"Stop running from us, baby."

Although scared, this feeling felt right. Things were already crazy, so being with them, I was willing to take the risk.

"Okay."