The Jungle

Chapter 32

Brooklyn's POV

Awhhhh... I yawned and stretched as I woke up to the sound of a cricket on the window still.

I could not recognize where I was. It was so dark. The only light that came through the room was from the moonlight illuminating on the beach I was looking at through the glass door.

I touched my face only to hiss in pain.  It was then I remembered all the events of the night before: the beating, the rape, us leaving the apartment and Dérion telling me to trust him. I was still so confused and my face hurt so bad.

I pulled the sheets off of me to realize I was only in my underwear and a big t-shirts. Good thing too because it was so humid in this room. Even with the little fan on the ceiling it was still hot.

I looked around trying to figure out where I was but nothing was ringing a bell.

I started walking around the room and observing everything from the wood made furniture to the big bed I was laying on with the satin sheets. The room kinda gave off a Caribbean feel. Almost a sense of fresh air.

I started walking around trying to locate a door that led out somewhere cause it kinda felt like I was alone. When I found the door I walked out to a breathtaking view. From the way the moon was reflecting off the ocean it must've been around 10 p.m. I'm guessing I was standing in the living room. The furniture was fixed in front of the T.V. set which was kinda throwback and the breeze was blowing in through the open glass doors just like the one in the bedroom.

I walked passed the dining room set to what sounded like a very pissed off Dérion. I pushed the wooden door that led to the kitchen. It was really spacious, old fashioned with wooden stools, cabinets and counter tops, as well as a fan spinning on top.

Dérion was leaning on the wooden island without a shirt on and some sweats with his phone in his ear.

"Man I'm not stupid, I don't got time for the charades y'all got two days to get me something or its curtains for the entire set" Dérion yelled into the phone as he slammed it on the counter. I stayed by the door frame trying to give him some time to cool off.

I guess he felt me standing there because he picked his head off the counter and looked my way.

His face had a sorrowful expression with a touch of anger. It was almost hard to read. I couldn't tell what emotion he felt so I just stood there and stared back at him.

"Come'er ma" I walked to the stool he was siting on. He pulled me into him with one hand and the other on my face gently analyzing the bruises that were there.

He got up and walked to the fridge and grabbed a few pieces of ice and wrapped it in a towel.

He walked back and handed it to me. I took it and walked to the little mirror in the dining room. I looked at my face for the first time and realized my eye was a little swollen, my cheeks had red swollen welt marks that were puffy, and my lip had a small cut on the side.

I sighed and closed my eyes while applying the ice pack to my face.

I felt arms wrap around my waist and heavy breathing on my neck.

"Ma, I'm so sorry for not being there to protect you. I told you I would and I failed yo-"

"Shh, just hold me please" he turned me around and picked me up. I wrapped my arms around his neck  and he carried me all the way to the bedroom. He laid down on his back while I laid on his chest with my arms still wrapped around his neck. He kissed my neck and wrapped his arms tightly around me.

Just like that we laid there not making a sound.
...

The next morning I woke up to Dérion staring at me. I smiled at him.