It Took The Death of Hope

Chapter 14 - Freak Out!

A Couple of Weeks Later;

Ash & Cole's Apartment;

Dylan Taylor...

Corey had called me at the end of last week and asked me to come back to Des Moines. The guy's in Slipknot were ready to go into the studio to record the new album - due to the situation with Ash, they all agreed that recording would take place in Iowa, rather than LA where they initially planned to record. Not that Ash knows that, I had been sworn to secrecy about that little fact. Corey and Sid both wanted someone with Ash when they were busy recording, which is why I am here.

Honestly, I didn't mind. I enjoyed hanging with Ashlee - she and I were growing closer; in fact, I would go as far as to say that she was quickly becoming one of my closest friends. Plus, there was the added bonus of me getting away from home for a bit.

Of course, Ken had been beyond livid when I announced that I was coming back here so soon after my last visit. I had bruised ribs to remind me of his displeasure but ultimately, there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it unless he wanted my brother becoming suspicious. And that is the very last thing he wants. In fact, he doesn't want anyone figuring out what he does to me - that is obvious in the way he usually keeps the bruising limited to parts of my body that can be hidden.

Ash is on her knees - scrubbing at the blood stain with all her might. The girl wasn't afraid to get stuck in that was for sure.

My brother was worried about her - he said that she needs to be prompted to leave the house. I guess that is only natural. After being attacked and it being in the media - she just didn't want to deal with people staring, or coming up to her to ask questions, or the very limited group who seem to think they have a right to judge her and blame her for what she had been subjected too. People just never ceased to amaze me.

Is that the type of attitude that I can expect when I leave Ken? How the fuck will I react if I am faced with it?

"When do the new owners move in hon?" I asked trying to get my mind off the thoughts of my marriage ending and the subsequent backlash that will come from that.

"A week Friday," Ash replied, glancing up at me and rubbing the back of her hand over her forehead, "it feels weird being here..."

"I can only imagine honey," I replied dropping the wet rag into the bucket of water I was using to wipe down the bookshelves that were being left behind, "cigarette break?"

"Sounds good," she smiled pulling the rubber gloves from her hands and slowly pushing herself up from the ground.

Most of her injuries had healed but she was still moving a little slow, but she had talked to her doctor who assured her that it was due to the internal injuries she had sustained and that, that may take a little longer to heal. I know that she was frustrated with it - she just wanted her life back. To be able to do the things that she had done before all of this.

"How about we head out to get some lunch?" she asked. This was huge. Not at all what I expected if I am completely honest; she hadn't shown any interest in going out unless it was necessary and even then, she had to be coaxed.

"Sure - do you want to go just me and you, or do you want to go down to the studio to see the boys?" I asked her.

"Let's just you and I hang out together? Is that ok?"

"Of course, it is honey, where do you want to go?" I asked her.

I watched as she turned off the stereo, gathered up her bag - even in old, oversized clothes, which Corey had confided had become almost like an impulse for her, she was a beautiful girl. It wasn't hard to understand why my brother and Sid were so drawn to her. I would be lying if I said that I didn't want her to end up with my brother.