In The End

Thats what you get

I got back to our apartment in good time, the traffic Gods were on my side for once. "Eden, I'm back." I called out through the seemingly empty apartment. "Eden, you here?" I called out again and checked the hooks by the door, instantly spotting her keys hanging up. I walked into the shared living space and stopped in my tracks as muffled cries coming from her room sent cold shivers through my entire body. Adrenaline quickly kicked in and without thought for my own safety I charged into her room.

"Get the fuck away from her." I screamed, my keys held up ready to jab into whoever was torturing my best friend.

Several screams from myself, her and the ripped guy who had her gagged and chained very unceremoniously to the bed filled the whole apartment.

"Liv, Liv, it's ok. This is Nathaniel." Eden dribbled everywhere as the stranger released the gag from her face and tried his best to hide himself from continuing to be on full display.

"Shit." I gasped, I could feel the blood rushing to my face as I shielded my eyes with my hands. "I'm so sorry, I thought you were... Fuck!" I dashed out of her room and into the kitchen, grabbing a clean glass from the next to the sink I filled it with water from the tap and chugged it back, almost choking at the speed in which it ran down my throat.

"Liv" Eden appeared next to me with a sheet wrapped around herself, her tanned cheeks flushed and her tight curly hair in complete disarray.

"Ed, I'm so so sorry. I thought you were..." My hands flew up in the air. "I don't even know what I thought, I saw you were home and heard what sounded like torture coming from your room and I panicked."

Eden burst out laughing and covered her face with her hands.

"I'm absolutely mortified. I'm so sorry Ed." I couldn't help but join in with her infectious laughter and like a sudden release the tension from the day left my body.

"At least I know for sure you'd come and rescue me." She fought for breath between the giggles.

"Jesus Christ, I was one step away from keying that poor guy to death."

"Alright." Nathaniel's thick British accent cut through our laughter.

"Liv, this is Nathaniel, Nate, this is my best friend Liv."

"Nice to finally meet you Liv, my apologies for the confusion back there." He stepped forward to shake my hand and I accepted his gesture whilst my mind an wild as to where that hand had just been.

"Nice to meet you to Nathaniel."

"Nate, please." His smile spread across his face illuminating his jaded green eyes.

"I didn't realise you were back in town." I looked over to Eden, who blushed again.

"Yeah, it was kind of a surprise visit, I have some stuff booked in for next week but I thought I'd come over early and surprise Edie and celebrate her showing." He casually ran his hand through his wavy chocolate hair whilst all the time keeping his gaze on Eden.

"Aww, isn't that thoughtful. Edie?" I smirked as she turned to me and shot me a warning for my mocking tone.

"I'm gonna head off and let you ladies get ready for this evening. Liv, good to meet you." Nathaniel turned towards the door and Eden gave me another pleading look before following him.

"It was good to see all of you to Nate." I called after them and chuckled to myself as Eden flipped the finger at me. "So... that was Nathaniel." I grinned as Eden returned to the kitchen a few minutes later and I handed her the glass of wine I'd poured. She shot me a look as she took a long sip.  "I'm glad I talked my parents out of coming back with me." I chuckled as her eyes widened. "I'm not even joking."