He's An Arrangement

December 18th & 20th

December 20th

I clenched my fist, throwing it against the punching bag and groaning. David said I needed a way to get my anger out, and I had punching bag sitting in the garage unused. Emma's workout playlist burned in my ears. All songs with heavy bass and strong drum solos.

If I shut my eyes, I can imagine her. Smiling at me with sweat glistening on her forehead. Emma's hair damp from her water bottle. She had always loved to run.

I wonder if she's running right now. Is she running away?

She can run for miles and miles. Sprinting the whole time. She's good at running. Can she run away from me? Start over and forget.

My chest thumped, and the taste of blood formed in my mouth. I had been biting down on my lip, pressing my teeth into my mouth. I let go and took a swig of water. I threw another punch against the bag, over and over again.

Imagine it's Neal.

I took off the gloves, and hit the target harder, and harder. My knuckles went red, and I could feel blood falling down my cheek from my lip. Oh gods, I hope she isn't hurt. I hope her gorgeous skin isn't covered in bruises. I hope she still has a smile on her face.

With the last punch, I stumbled back, sliding against the wall of the garage. I rubbed my hand across my face, trying to stop the blood, "Emma, I can't do this without you. Can't you just come back?" I said to the empty garage. What I would give to have her walk through that door and kiss my cheek. Run her hand across my hair and tell me I'd be okay.

The door opened with a creek, and I looked up but didn't find Emma. Liam held Evelyn, bouncing her and trying to shoosh her cries, "I think you both need each other, Killian," he crouched in front of me, placing Evelyn in my lap.

Liam had flown in yesterday to help me out. When Evelyn and I met him at the airport, he hadn't even known that Emma was missing. He was just here for Christmas. After he had said hi to Evelyn, he looked back at me and asked where she was. He called the sheriff's office as soon as I told him everything. Within five hours, the case was a priority. David sat down next to him, face bright red and eyes watering.

I ran my hand over her head, kissing her cheek and whispering to her, "You'll be okay, Princess," as If I could comfort her as well as Emma would be able to, "What's going on?" I asked the two of them.

"Will you be okay, Killian?" Liam asked me in return, keeping his hand on Evelyn's curly black hair.

"I'll be okay when Emma's home, Liam."

He looked back at David and sucked in a breath of air, "What if she doesn't come back, Killian?"

"What... what are you talking about?"

A tear fell from his eyes, "The sheriff's office just called you, and I picked up," He stopped talking for a second, shaking his head.

"What did they say, Liam?" My throat felt as if it was ready to collapse.

"They found a woman's body in the woods, and it matches Emma's description."

I banged my head against the wall, "No," I cried, "No!" I said again. I felt David lift Evelyn from me, and once he did I threw my fists onto the floor, "She's not... gone," I moaned.

"Yes, she is Killian," his voice was solemn, but covered in grief, "I'm so, so sorry."

"She's not!" The tears hurt more than my bleeding lip. Salty in my mouth.

Liam told David to bring Evelyn back into the house, that she didn't need to see me like this.

He wrapped his arms around my shoulder and pulled me close. I buried my face into his shoulder, wetting it with tears, "How'd they find her?" I asked.

"We can talk about that later, Killian," he said, breath hot on my back. Is it that bad? Were they barely able to detect that it was Emma?

"Tell me," I squirmed out of Liam's hug and wiped my eyes.

"She had been raped, and had bruises on her neck that look like she had been choked... to death, and dumped in the woods."

I covered my mouth with my hand, trying to keep my scream in, "Are they sure it's her?" I whispered.

"No, they're not... positive. But the girl has a flower tattoo on her wrist.

"Tons of girls have flower tattoos," I said, trying to reassure myself.

"We'll know by December 28th, they said."

"I'm going to his house," I choked out. Anger sprang through my veins, thinking of Neal. Of him doing that to her. He has no heart. No soul. All he wants is to be in control. In control of her. Oh gods, why didn't I do more to protect her? I could've done so much more. I didn't even try.

"No, you need to go lay down," Liam stood up and pulled me up with him. My legs felt like noodles as I stood.

"Fine," I shoved past him.

Emma, come back.

December 18th, Emma

I listened to the girl's cry from the other room, mixed with Neal's groans of pleasure. The bed continuously squeaked, making the whole floor vibrate. Her heart thumped in her ears, and I covered my ears with my hands. This is the worst sound I've ever heard. She seemed to be choking, gasping for air. He just chuckled, "Do you hear this, Emma? This is what I have to do to make sure you stay with me- forever."

I can't even imagine that. Being with him for the rest of my life. Having to live with this monster.

The sounds subsided, slowly dwindling down to silence. It was too quiet. Something's not right. After what felt like hours, but was really just a matter of a few minutes, Neal came back with a lifeless blonde. Her hand dangled, revealing the identical tattoo, "I'm sorry," I whispered to the dead body. 

"I'm leaving you here alone, Emma. You better not do anything stupid like trying to run away. Remember, you won't be punished, Killian will," he grinned and stormed from the room.

When I heard his car drive away, I stood up on shaky legs. I grabbed the bobby pin from my hair, twisting it into the lock of the door. The same trick he taught me. My hand was shaky but that sweet click from the door still sounded, and I opened it slowly. Just in case he was still here.

I tip-toed around the house, to the front door. I grabbed a pair of car keys from the table in the foyer.

Go fast, Emma.

I ran outside and unlocked the car.

Ruby Style, Emma.

But before I could pull out of the driveway, I heard a gunshot and the car trembled.

"I told you not to do that, Emma!" He appeared at my window. He banged his fist against the door, pressing the gun next to it, "Get out of the car, Emma."

I shook my head, picking up the pace and leaving. Gunshots could still be heard, and he shot the back window, and the bullet landed on the back seat, glass flying into the car. Against my skin, tearing it open.

But I didn't stop. I just kept driving. 

Woah, I actually uploaded this in good time?? 

-Rose