Saving Joy

reluctant

Chapter #2

Addison punched her punching bag again as sweat dropped down her face. There was no way she was letting "KAM" tell her what she can and cannot do, did he own her? No.. he most certainly did not, Mark had tried that and that's why she got into self defense Classes. It didn't seem to matter. She heard her patio door open but she didn't look back to see who it was, she didn't care.

"You have to stand straighter and not move your waist so much." Conner yelled to her from her patio.

"Hey babe!"

That got her attention and she turned around to see Conner and her brother Jacelend.

"Jace!" She screamed as she ran towards him.

"I feel so offended right now." Conner said as he took a sip of his soda.

"What are you doing here?"

"Heard you had some news on Joy." Jace said.

Conner coughed, "Excuse me. I heard you had news on Joy. Sundance over hear decided to hitch a ride in the back of my pickup."

"You didn't!" She said as she smacked him in the arm.

Conner looked at her, " How ya been little sis?"

"I'm alive."

"Ill take that as a GREAT."

She shrugged and walked past him, she knows she shouldn't blame him, but how could she not?

He sighed and took another sip of soda.

"Want anything to drink or eat?"

"Got a beer?" Jace asked.

She sent him the coldest look she ever could. After becoming a Christian over three years ago, her family still hasn't accepted Jesus.

Conner stood there looking completely natural on her patio. How could he not, after being there so many times. She didn't want to bring up past history or anything to cause herself pain but she had to ask.

"So how's Mark?"

He looked surprised by the question. "You know I haven't talked to him."

"No I didn't."

She found it hard to believe that he didn't talk to his only brother.

"Whats this news about Joy?"

"They found all her hospital stuff from when she was born."

"Oh.."

"There's a search tonight."

"You going?"

" I plan on it." She shot him a look that said 'You better not come'

Take it easy on the guy he isn't the one that left you, not the one who betrayed you , insulted you and blamed you for your daughters abduction.

Jace stood up, "I have to use the bathroom."
He walked into the house and closed the patio doors.

Conner looked at her," I know you blame me."

"You know nothing." She shot back.

"Look Addy, I get it. You blame me for Mark leaving you. But I had nothing to do with it."

"You provoked him!" She yelled.

He closed his eyes." No, I told him you were a very determined woman and you weren't going to stop searching for Joy until you got answers."

She stood up to her full 5'3 height and challenged him. He rolled his eyes as he stood up straighter, he was nearly a foot taller then her, somewhere between 6'1 and 6'2.

"Yes I blame you. For all the sleepless nights I spent crying my eyes out, or all the nights I couldn't fall asleep because I was to tired, all the nights and days and endless moments when I cried because I had lost the two most important people in my life in the last six months. Of course I blame you!" She screamed as she started hitting his chest.

He grabbed her hands, "Addison stop- Addison stop. I said that's enough."

She looked at him with the same fiery look she gave Mark the day he told her it was all her fault.

"How is it my fault?"

She honestly didn't know, she needed someone to blame and Conner came the closest person to Mark so why not him?

"Because it's your fault." She said as she pulled out of his grasp and took a step back.

The truth was, she didn't trust Conner, he was to much like Mark. They looked like twins even though Conner was three years older. She feared his strength. She feared HIM everything about him put her on edge. It didn't take a genius to know that Mark mistreated her, her neighbors knew, the church knew. How could you not know, when your neighbor has black eyes and busted lips all the time? Or she somehow mysteriously sprained her foot by accidentally falling down the stairs, or about all the bruises on her arms and wrists. After she had told him she was pregnant, he stopped drinking and stopped being abusive. But when Joy went missing it all started back up again.

"Addy don't blame me for what Mark did."

"Stay away from me." She said as she stepped back again and held out her hand. A flash of Mark walking toward her with his belt in hand. Flashed across her mind.

"No Mark please!" She pleaded but her grabbed onto her hair and pulled her into the bedroom and closed the door.
"I told you not to put me in this position!" He yelled.
"No please Mark, pleAse!!"
Her pleas did no good as he beat her that night with all the strength he had.

"Stop it!" She yelled.

"Addy."

The image disappeared and Conner pulled her into an embrace.

"Shh. It's okay Addy, your safe."

She could still hear the crackling of the belt as it slashed into her skin.

Well guys there is a view from Addison's past. What do you think? What's your vibe on this Conner guy? Let me know in the comments