In the end

Chapter 30 - Briseis

~ Bree POV ~ Sun. Nov. 7th

I dreamt that I was alone on some tropical beach. The sand was almost white and sparkled like millions of crushed diamonds. I closed my eyes and listened to the slight breeze through the palm trees and the gentle lap of the waves on the shore. Then everything changed. Suddenly the scene before me melted away and I was standing in a dark forest. It was raining hard now but I didn't feel cold. The dream was different than usual, this time it was like watching a movie.

I heard footsteps and could just make out the outline of a person through the trees. Inching closer I watched the young girl emerge into a clearing. She was caked in blood and her clothes were torn. There were tears streaming down her face and her body was shaking. I knew what was coming and tried to run to her but I couldn't move. I screamed for her to run but no sound came from my mouth. I watched as she struggled forward, falling to the soaked dirty ground. She was lying in a puddle covered in blood and dirt and tears. She was lifting herself up when I saw movement behind her. I wanted to close my eyes. I didn't need to see anymore.

The man grabbed her from behind, clamping his hand over mouth. Eyes wide with terror she kicked wildly but the man was too strong. He dragged her back to the cabin where her parents were. I watched her sob as she was gagged and tied to a chair facing her father. Her mothers body was still tied up beside him. Still warm. The man stood behind her and raised a knife to her throat. "Just tell me where it is and I'll let her go." He pressed the knife harder to her skin. I saw a trickle of blood start to form on her throat before it dripped down her neck. "Please don't hurt her, she has nothing to do with this." The mans smile was cold as he shook his head. "Don't lie to me. You know where it is." He crouched down to face the girls father and stared into his eyes. "I don't have it anymore I swear. I don't know where it is." The masked man sighed deeply. He could tell he wasn't lying. "I believe you. But just in case..." He pulled a gun from his pocket. He aimed at the girl, sobs muffled by the fabric in her mouth. "One last chance. Stavros" He cocked the gun and pressed it to her temple. Her fathers eyes widened in fear. He knew. "The file for your daughters life."I'm begging you. Don't hurt her. I got out, for my family. I don't have the file. I don't know who does."

The man lowered the gun and fired. The girls muffles screams filled the tiny cabin before she passed out from the pain. "No! You son of a bitch." The man realized he truly didn't know the files location. He pulled the gag from the girls mouth and slapped her. She started to wake with a groan escaping her lips. "Daddy." "I'm here baby, it's gonna be ok." The man moved behind him, placing the gun on the table next to them. "Close your eyes honey." The man lifted his hands to grip the sides of her fathers head. "Briseis sweetheart, close your eyes. I love you sweetheart. I always w-". Her fathers words were cut off with a horrible crunching sound. She couldn't stop herself from opening her eyes. She started screaming when she looked at her father. His eyes were still open but his neck was bent at an unnatural angle. She was still screaming when the butt of his gun connected with the back of her head.

I woke up with a start, not screaming for a change. I wiped the tears from my eyes and tried to push the memories back. It was getting harder. Turning on my side I stared at the man beside me. He was on his side facing me, sound asleep, his face smooth and relaxed. I wished that I could sleep like that. I don't know how long I lay there watching him sleep. I felt exhausted but refused to close my eyes, I didn't want to dream anymore. I lightly brushed his hair out of his face, brushing my thumb over his stubbled cheek. I turned away from him and pressed my body to his. He shifted in his sleep and wrapped his arm around me pulling me closer. I wanted to stay here forever, feeling safe in his arms but I knew I couldn't. I had been kidding myself to think it could last. It was only a matter of time before someone got a clear picture of my face and then he would find me. It was sheer luck that I gotten away that night. I knew he would never stop looking for me. So I ran. It was easier back then, to disappear. I picked a spot on the other side of the world and left everything behind. Even my name.