CHOKER

Volume 10: We all have our secrets

(edited)

*Ana's P.O.V + Days later*

      For the past five days, I've been locked inside of my room studying and occasionally stepping out for food and water. Xander, Stacy, and Kimberly went out on a mission and I was put on ice for a week. The term 'ice' means that I was on rest because of the trauma I endured. I wasn't traumatized, just shocked.

...right?

The only person checking in on me was Nathan. He had to come around whenever no one was here, it was that time. The reason I was studying so much was so that I can test out early. Xander has been pulling some strings from far away and I've just been bored out of my mind.   

   I threw my ballpoint pen down onto the desk and sighed. Nathan sat on my bed, sketching and humming a tune. "Finally you decide to pay me a little attention," he said, with a smile on his face. His bright eyes gleamed from the lamp beside the bed. The cold rained padded against the window and thunder could be heard coming from outside, we were totally trapped in for today.

"Nathan..?" I said, with a question suddenly popping into my mind. "How are you?" I asked, noticing that I never ask him that question. He furrowed his eyebrows before looking down. "What do you mean?" he shot back, playing dumb.

"You never spoke about how you were coping, not that we had much time anyway. What happened at her funeral?" I asked him, seeing his pained expression blanket his face.

"Everything was cold and empty Analise. Adam was there and I got kicked out for trying to fight him. I only got one look at her before I was dragged away. She was beautiful as always but it wasn't her. She would never wear a fucking white dress, she would never cake her face in makeup. She would never break her best friend's heart and then stomp on mine...." He articulated. I could tell he was leaving something out but I wasn't going to push on about it. 

*Nathan's POV + Flashback*

       I wanted everything to die, most importantly, myself.  Everything I thought I knew was a fucking lie, why do they always lie? With bruised knuckles and a bloody nose, I gulped the bottle carelessly. The sun was setting and the rain wasn't willing to cut me a break, no one would. A few men were scattered about, some playing pool and some drinking and chatting. They're all lowlives with nothing else better to do. 

"Another bottle of your finest please!" I chirped, perking up. She was the manipulative bitch that I happened to fall in love with, that we all happened to love. The bartender shot me a look before bringing me another bottle, it was to be placed on my tab. I popped it open and took a swig, just then, a strong hand landed on my back.

" Let me take that one off of you buddy,"   the deep familiar voice had said. That voice was burned into my memory, I fucking despised it. With a clenched fist, I quickly turned around, attempting to throw a punch. Adam quickly ducked before surrounding bystanders paused and watched.  Stumbling, I went to throw another punch but failed. He easily dodged my attacks, but he wouldn't hit me himself.

...why?

"What do you want?" I spat coldly, most of that question slurring together. 

"I want to help you deal with your grief," He said simply. He looked deeply into my eyes and looked at me seriously. He was telling the truth.

"That's funny! Because you totally help me all the fucking time!" I yelled before laughing. He let out a sigh before staring at me.

"Follow me" was all he said before walking out of the bar. I went over to the counter and took my bottle before following the devil himself out the bar.  He guided me into a back alley where three men stood, all dressed in black, were stationed. Before I could turn around to retreat a blindfold was placed on me, covering my eyes. 

"You fucker! Face me like a real man! You fucking coward!" I shouted while struggling to break free of the man's grasp. One hit after the other, punches began raining down on me as I struggled. I could feel my legs wanting to give out as I began tasting blood. I looked up to catch a glimpse of striking blue eyes looking down unto mine.

"Don't kill him, I want him to remember," He firmly stated. I was punched one last good time, sending me to kiss the ground.

"This is to make your pain disappear," Adam said. I could hear Adam drop something beside me before I began to taste blood. Their footsteps quickly fade away in the distance while I remained on the ground.  I reached up to take off my blindfold while breathing heavily.

There beside me sat my savior, cocaine.