Diary of a Sociopath

Chapter 32- Fated

I am not quite sure how to start this. "Dear Diary" seems too cliche and anything else seems improper. Truth is, I never expected my life to become this. Writing this now, I feel as though it is not only overdue but very controversial. But I suppose the only way to begin...is to jump into it.

On the first Friday of the month, I was taken from my home by gunpoint and threatened to leave or my son would be killed. My sweet angel that was the vein for my existence. Without question or altercation, I left. Tears filled my eyes the entire way as I sat next to him. I could see now the difference between Lincoln's tendencies and Joe's. For starters...Joe had this look in his eyes, a knife permanently on his belt, and crude sexual comments every ten seconds. For Lincoln, he was always caring about others first-me first, he never had a weapon except for protection-that I saw...and any sexual comment was because we were in love...not because he was holding me captive.

The journey lasted days. I recall several points I could have ran, but knew I wouldn't get far. I was unsure why I was taken when Ray-my ex, his brother was my captor. It had been nearly three years since Ray died, and yet I cannot break away from him.

When we finally made it to Miami, every memory rushed back. I realized why he had taken me here...I realized he used me for bait. I attempted to bargain with him-telling him he had the wrong man, that Lincoln was covering for someone or being framed-but he had the proof. Apparently Victor took it upon himself to send copies of Lincoln's notebook to everyone I knew, before his death. I suppose he knew Lincoln would eventually kill him... Hell, after everything he put us through..I would have...

For two days, I was kept in a run down building with a loud radio and ropes tying me to a pipe as I was forced to lie on a mattress and given only one meal and offered sex. Feeling as a prisoner with unappealing benefits, I constantly looked for a way to get free-but to no avail. By the third day, I was measured by someone's rough hands before being brought a shiny red dress handmade for me. Confused, I felt as though it was stupid to ask questions when each time I did, I was given a new bruise-and instead, dressed without fuss. Very quickly, I was forced to do my own makeup and hair before being placed in a lavish car with champagne and empty glasses abreast it. Lights were blinding as we were placed on the coast, driving only feet from the water. I will not lie, I was half tempted to steer the car into the water-so done with the torture.

But when we arrived, I saw the name in lights before realizing where I was: GATOR SUPPER CLUB. Several starlit types were parading with older gentlemen on their arms and casting me glares before I was pulled to the back of the club. Told to stay put, I knew exactly what was going to happen. Like a bad 40s crime book, I could see it play out; a bloody Bonnie and Clyde type ending...only...Lincoln was both more clever and more skilled than Mr. Barrow.

I sat anxiously, scanning the club-being serenaded by the old music before spotting him across the way. For a moment, my heart raced as if seeing him without the fear of losing him in the same instant. But it rushed me like a wave as I tried to motion him away. Very quickly, I saw how a man came behind him, a gun hidden under his sleeve as he pushed him past me, and out the back. For the first time, I was free. How tempted I was to run...to break free from it all and know he could handle it. But everything pulled me to follow them.

As I did, the gun was pointed at me as the alley glistened with oil stains and poorly thrown garbage. A single dim light lit above us, keeping with the noir-style.

I glared to Joe before walking closer as Lincoln shook his head.

"You wouldn't shoot a woman." I challenged as he smirked. But to my shock, a bullet went towards my foot and out of fear, I jumped as it chipped the heel of my shoe. I gasped as he glared before turning his attention back to Lincoln-while keeping a close eye on me. Looking around for some way to help Lincoln, I found there was only a near-empty dumpster and a car meter a few feet away-nothing of use. I was fated to listen to Joe's poetic speech.

"When I heard of Ray's death, I was mortified...and I began digging into the records. Unsolved murders...and was approached by a man who was...more than forthcoming with information. Files, pictures, videos...diary entries...a wet dream for a prosecutor to obtain. And I had it all. The answer to my brother's death."

"He had nothing to do with his-"

"How could you be with the man who murdered the father of your son?" He turned to me, the gun pointed still at Lincoln.

"I know the records..."

But I knew Lincoln was innocent.

"Let her go...she has nothing to do with this."

"But she will go to the police...and it will just be a mess of he-said-she-said...I already have everything sent to the police...so regardless you are a dead man walking." He said to Lincoln as I glared.

"Then be done with it. It isn't necessary to make this last any longer than it has to..."

Quickly, my gaze caught a brick towards the corner of the building and I rushed to it as I saw the grin on Joe's face. Just as I threw it, the gun went off-missing Lincoln by a centimeter. Grazing his coat, he attempted to gain the upper hand before being pulled down, his chin smashing against the concrete ground. I tried to help him, but Joe got the gun and went to shoot before I slid the dumpster with all my mite, towards them. Separating them, Lincoln pulled me towards him and motioned for me to go across the street.

"Don't come back. Promise me!"

"No."

"Ava-I am trying to protect you."

"I am not leaving you here alone!" I protested as a small smirk came over his face and the dumpster completed the length of the alley, revealing our positions. Lincoln disappeared for a minute as I found my gaze staring down the gun. Seeing the smile on Joe's face, I heard a fired shot before covering my face to find Lincoln on his knees, his hands clutching his abdomen. As if in slow motion, I darted forward-finding Joe to attempt to flee-shocked that the gun had actually hit.

Holding him in my arms, he began coughing-gasping for air, as I yelled for help. Several people surrounded us as I held his body in my arms.

"I am so sorry..." I said quietly as he smirked. That infamous-devilish smirk.

He brought his hand to my cheek as his trembling fingers, slid across my skin. "Why would you ever apologize for giving me the greatest thing anybody ever could?"

"What did I give you?"

"You saw me as something other than a monster. You cared about me as something other than a killer." He let out a cough before taking in a deep breath. "You gave me something to live for...a good reason to die..."

"No." I begged, tears pouring down my cheeks. "Please. We are supposed to have children and get married...live together and grow old..."

"Not all stories are long...but ours was sure epic."

His brow stiffened as I could feel his heartbeat weak against my leg.

"You are a hero." I spoke as I saw a smile on his face before he took his final breaths. Cursing at anyone who tried to pull me away, he was taken through an ambulance and from my grasp.