the captured red hibiscus flower (editing)

will this cycle ever end?

The guy kept moving his hand up my thigh. then suddenly he moved his hand and rested it on my chest I slapped the guy with my good hand. He growled and grabbed my left leg twisting and bending it till it snapped causing me pain. He smirked as I cried and screamed out in pain. I locked eye contact with Larry glaring angrily at him. Larry smirked and stood in front of his guy "ok thank you Darrel u may leave now."

Darrel looked over at me and smirked then he looked to Larry "suppose I could have a little fun with her before i go. you know just to aggravate the boyfriend and cause her more emotional pain. What do you think boss?"

I noticed that Larry was contemplating this for a second, but finally Margret spoke up "Larry! if you let this man hurt her, I will leave you and turn you into the cops"

Larry grunted "you're right Margret, i'm srry but sexual assault is way over the line. Darrel go home to your wife" Darrel back away from me and left the room sulking.

Relief swept over me I was thankful for Margret being here for the first time. i looked up at the tv and James seemed to have calmed down a little. then Larry grabbed my chin and looked me in the eyes "don't look so relived"

he began to punch me without warning I slapped him in the face with my right arm he ignored me and kept punching me and then it all went black

I woke up to someone gently stroking my face, I recognized James instantly and noticed he was free the tape was removed from his mouth. He gentley pulled the tape from my lips and pushed a strand of black hair behind my ear.

he searched my eyes "I'm so sorry Alexis. I'm sorry for letting them hurt you."

I saw his tear stained face, I felt sad to see him upset. I could barely talk but I managed to say "it's not your fault" in a small voice.

He shook his head sadly looking down "Alexis that guy was going to" he stopped himself taking in a deep breath "L-Larry was going to let him. And I couldn't stop them."

I searched his sad eyes "it's not your fault" suddenly I burst into tears James eyebrows knitted together with worry. he started to wipe my tears away with his thumb when Larry walks in "ok that's enough lets go. Say goodbye, you're going to me a free man today James." Larry grabbed James by the arm pulling him up the stairs.

James was reluctant to leave "no! Let her go or I won't leave her! I will call the cops"

Larry laughed "do you have a death wish? If u call the cops I'll kill you."

James shrugged "go ahead shoot me. If you won't free her I don't deserve to live, all I want to live for is Alexis I LOVE her"

my mouth dropped and my breath hitched in my throat

did he just say the L word? He couldn't love me, why would he? he would die for me? There's nothing for him to love. i'm not even all that attractive.

He must feel sorry for me i concluded.

Larry laughed at James "you love that? Ha that's hilarious. Fine I'll buy what you're trying to sell." Larry aimed the gun at me "same concept you call the cops I shoot her straight through the forehead. This time it's her life on the line"

James glared at Larry "fine! I won't say anything. Just please don't hurt her."

Larry dragged James all the way up the stairs "I won't kill her but I will hurt her." Then Larry dragged him out the door.

I began to cry uncontrollably i think I love James, I hate that now he has to carry my burden. I want him to tell the cops. but I want him to live. Larry won't kill me but he will kill James.