Split the Deck

Chapter 9

I felt the soft woven fabric of Patricia's jumper pressed against my forehead, the heat of her chest radiating out from behind the cloth. I looked up cautiously, seeing Dennis staring down at me.

     "It's okay, Emma. I'm here." He whispered deeply. My soul echoed at his words, leaping into the back of my throat. My eyes burned with held back tears. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me into his hard body. I let myself relax into his embrace for a second, my eyes catching the shadow of a body coming up behind him. He was shushing me, kissing the top of my head. Marcia was taking her chance. I wanted so badly to shake my head and live in his arms forever. But then I heard a loud thunk. Dennis grunted, his body going limp and heavy before dropping to the floor.

     "Come on, Emma. We have to find Claire, we don't have much time." Marcia ordered, running to the door and tearing it open. I stood in my spot, my eyes wide and staring at Dennis. The tray was dented and discarded on the floor. "Emma!" Marcia hissed.

     "Go. Now, while you have the chance." I said, waving her on. I couldn't leave him. Marcia hesitated but then scurried as she heard Dennis groan. I crouched down, collecting his head onto my lap.

     "Hey, easy. Take it easy." I soothed, caressing his cheek. He had just shaved as I imagined he must have done every day. His skin felt baby smooth. He opened up one eye, still searching for me.

     "Emma?" He groaned. I smiled, tears brimming as I let out a gentle sob. It hurt my heart to see him hurt. He relaxed for a second, sighing in relief before bolting up. His lips pressed into a thin line, his eyes icy. My blood ran cold.

     "You did this?"

     "No-no. It's-"

     "You are a liar! How could you?"

     "Dennis-"

     "No! When I come back you better not be here. I mean it." He growled before hauling ass out of the room. My bottom lip quivered, I found myself folding inward. Heavy sobs escaping me. I didn't know how much time I had, or how much time the girls had. No doubt he was fast. There was no way they could have out ran him if they didn't have a proper head start.
     The numbness came too quickly, loneliness settling in. He was right, I had planned this. I planned an escape for two innocent girls and that was a good thing, right? So why was I feeling like shit right now? The more I thought about it, the more guilt settled at the pit of my stomach. I hadn't realized that through my guilt my legs had become animated, lifting my up and carrying me forward through the lit room filled with fashion drawings and a computer. I wondered aimlessly down a dark hall and through the kitchen, grabbing my cards along the way. The hard padding of footfalls alerted me to a growing body drawing near. I hid on the locker room, in Kevin's locker, hiding from sight. Whoever he was, he had a decently neat area.
     My cards were screaming in my head, making me cup my hands over my ears in a vain attempt to silence them.

     》You've failed, little Fae.《 They whispered angrily. Failure exuded from my quiet sobs. I had failed. He caught the girls and I had no ability to stop him. What was I going to do now? I couldn't turn back, but I couldn't turn him in. My heart wouldn't let me. For some reason my soul called out to him, my entire body tingled in a rush and almost immediately I was swarmed with a war zone of emotions. My head swooned. Once the footsteps were in the distance I tore free from the locker, disturbing the contents and ran to freedom. My feet heavy on the ground, my hair bouncing behind me. I saw the door ahead of me and rather then crashing into it like a tidal wave I stopped.
     My hands shook, fingers twitching. I let out shakey, panicked breaths as my eyes widened at the off colored gray door. The sterling silver collapsible bar gleaming under the lights invitingly. My mouth became dry and my heart pounded heavily in ny chest. My feet felt like cement, unmoving and heavy. A strong desire to stay tugged at the logical side of my brain. Whatever stockholmish pull this madman had over me was strong.

     "I have to be stronger." I whispered, my hand finally reaching for the bar, feeling it collapse and hearing a loud click as the door unlocked and light, bright and uplifting, flooded in. I inhaled sharply, forcing myself to move. The musky air cleared from my lungs and a parade of noises bombarded my ear drums. The cries of animals wrecked the peace in the air.
     I ran up the stairs, stumbling as I reached the flat, paved earth. There was a crowd of people too occupied with the displayed animals to notice my sudden entrance. We were still in Philly. I found that knowledge oddly comforting but still suffocating. If it were anywhere else I could just walk away and start a new life, but now I had to think. I had to keep Dennis safe, I had already made my choice. My mind flashed images of a bridge and shallow water.

     》Do it. Jump.《 The spirit guided. Raw, hot, burning tears ran down my cheeks. It was right. Even if I could move on with my life I could never truly live with the knowledge that I had failed Claire and Marcia. Their life was in my hands. I could turn him in now and save then, but then I would have betrayed him. And that look in his eyes when I had tricked him melted my core. I couldn't do that again. My mind was made up. I knew what I had to do. With heavy feet and a heavier heart I began the long walk back home.