Fracture

Part 22

                 

I was walking through a familiar, dingy corridor, the thud of our shoes reverberated from the crumbling cinderblock walls. At the end of the long hall, I could see a light bulb dangling over a chair. Just beneath it, I could see him, shirtless, just like my dream, his head hovering slightly, his shoulders slumped over his large frame. Wire held him to a sturdy metal chair. The only sign he was still alive was the slight rise and fall of his chest and shoulders. I ran to him, blinking tears from my swollen eyes. A firm hand gripped my shirt and yanked me to the floor.

            "You chose me. He's no longer your concern." Jealousy raked over him, a curt grunt turned his voice into something I didn't recognize.

            "Lex." He stirred softly before looking up at me, dried blood spattered on his face. His expression softened and he sighed, a frustrated sneer creeping over his face.

            "Go, tell him. Let him be free." James snarled.

            "Lex, I'm so so sorry." I whispered as I approached him, my hands fumbling over his wounds.

            "You were supposed to stay with him." He spat, looking to Josiah. "God damn, woman. You just don't fucking listen, do you? 26 years old and you still can't follow directions. Go, be free. Make your choice. Not me. Not him. Let me die here so you can live. Go." His whisper was just loud enough for me to hear as he leaned in closer to me. I could see the dried blood encasing his body, just as I had dreamt.

            "I came for you and I'm not fucking leaving with out you. I will find a way." My hands fumbled over the wire holding him to the chair, his skin was rubbed raw from the sharp edges. I found a pair of scissors lying on a nearby table and thought, even for a moment, about shoving them into James. I knew I wouldn't be fast enough. The air electrified as James stepped into the room, watching me curiously as I began to free lex. 

With my eyes trained onto Lex's face, he whispered a sigh of pain before I clipped him free, his hands, waist, and feet. I put my arms under his, trying to help him to his feet, but he fell to his knees. Wrapping my hands around his waist, I pulled, demanding he get his feet underneath him.

            "Lex. Stand the fuck up. I sure as fuck won't let you die in this cellar." He grunted as he stumbled, his feet finally making their way to the floor. As he rose, he stared down, his eyes piercing my soul. "Walk." I grabbed his waist, helping him stand straighter before turning to walk in front of him. With his first step, a gunshot rang out, fracturing my perception of reality. My dream, shit, my dream. My hands reached for Lex, feeling for any sign of blood. Another gunshot rang in my ears before I made eye contact with the man behind the silver handgun. James crumbled to his knees before falling face first in his own blood.