Jenalyn: Crossing Lines (#4) [Complete]

Chapter 29: Hayden

Sunday, 3:12 P.M. EST

I’ve had a searing headache since earlier when Dane slammed my head into the coffee table. Even the three lines he’s made me do aren’t enough to ease any of the pain. 

It doesn’t ease any of the pain in my chest either. 

I keep silently apologizing to McKaiden, begging her to stay strong, and stick it out for me. Last time I was here, Dane made me take a drug he was sure would induce a miscarriage. 

And she pulled through. 

I depended on that knowledge each time Dane shoved another line in my face, but I know that’s not any reason to give in and let him do this to me. To her. 

“Can we go out and do something?” I ask, interrupting Dane’s ten-minute long rant about the paranormal TV show he had on. “I miss when we used to go out…”

I know it’s a long shot but maybe it’ll break up his pattern of forcing lines up my nose and going off on random rants. I have to try to save McKaiden from any more toxicity than he’s already pumped through her blood. 

Dane doesn’t even bother to look at me before shaking his head. “Nah, Lil Bit,” he says, changing the channel on his TV. “You think I need photos of ‘America’s newest Sweetheart’ popping up around here when Hayden is about to come up missing? Get real.”

I need to find a way to text the Golds today, but it’s a thought that passes my mind as I notice Dane breaking up another line.

“I can wear a disguis-” I try to say, but he cuts me off wearing a look I can’t read.  

“Nah,” he shakes his head again. “You won't be leaving this apartment much. You should have lost that privilege a long time ago.”

My heart sinks in my chest, but it sinks even further when I notice Dane pull a syringe from his duffel bag.

There is no way I can do this!

Maybe I just need to put my foot down? I need to let go of my fears and be strong like I promised my baby I would. My issue is that I always give in to him because I’m scared of his rage, but I enable it! I give him that control over me, and now I need to take it back!

“Here,” Dane says as he motions for me to sit beside him on the couch. He loads up the syringe. “Come here.”

I can feel my body trembling in fear, but it’s time to put my foot down…

Dane has threatened me plenty of times. Often, he doesn’t follow through with the threats because he can’t bring himself to do it. And if he does, he feels bad about it later!

I take a deep breath, wrapping my hands around my belly to remind myself why I have to do this.

Even if it doesn’t work…

“I- I really don’t want to do that, Dane…” I mutter, trying to sound confident though my voice trembles in fear. “I know I said that I’d do anything, but… I can’t. Please understand because you love me! I need to leave, but I’ll come back! Just- just let me have her… and I’ll come back because I- I love you…”

It’s not enough, but it’s all I have in me. 

I’ve managed to lift myself slowly from the floor using the coffee table for support without setting him off. He just sits there, staring at me with a hint of something I can’t quite recognize on his face. Is he amused or confused? 

I don’t know, but I don’t care. I’ve got to get out of here; It's the only thing I can focus on.

I cautiously make my way to the front door, my back toward it as I keep my eye on Dane. My legs wobble like jelly beneath me, I’m surprised I’m still standing.

“I- I really do love you Dane, but this… this is crazy!” I stutter as I slip into my shoes. He still sits there, his face unchanged. “She is a real baby in there, not just a couple of cells! And… and she did nothing to deserve-”

He cuts me off, jutting out his bottom lip as if to be disappointed. “So you’re leaving me, Jeny?” he asks in a tone unfamiliar to me. 

I nod my head though a very prominent portion of my mind advises me against it. “I have to Dane,” I can’t help but cry. “I’ll come back after I find a family for her, but-

He cuts me off again, this time flattening his brows as he hardens his face. “So you’re leaving me?” he asks again, his tone both condescending and unimpressed. “Is that so?”

I place my hand on the doorknob before turning back to him. A knot forms in my stomach, but I have to look past it. 

I turn the knob only to be met with resistance. My heart stops in my chest as I notice a heavy-duty lock installed just above my head. 

No…

“It doesn’t look like that’s so,” Dane says from behind me with a small chuckle. He stands from the couch to close in on the space between us. 

I can’t catch my breath, everything feels like it’s closing in around me. No, everything is closing in around me!

Once he reaches me, he crosses his arms over his chest to let out a small sigh as he glares at me. “It doesn’t look like that’s so, but I swear to fucking God, Jenalyn-” he says, cutting himself off to shake his head. “You’re going to fucking wish it were.”