Born to Die

Chapter Sixteen

Balthazar_Lives
Just a quick author's note in relevance to the chapter and whatnot. Sometimes when we think we are alone in the world and there is nothing to fight for, and no one to fight for us, we are surprised by exactly who are the first in line to make your burden theirs to bear. So never give up fighting, no matter how long you've been doing it for, because odds are you wouldn't have made it so far alone, whether you see it or not. And those people that have helped you will never be the same if you give up. You are never alone. There is always someone for everyone, some of us just don't know it yet. Okay philosophical rant is over, now onwards to the chapter!

Zeke drove through the area that I had driven through just a few days ago with Jenny. I looked out at the houses thinking that these are the last houses I will ever see, that this is through last car ride I will ever have.

He drove past all the once beautiful, now horrifying houses, and up a hill, where a much bigger house than all the others was situated. He pulled into the driveway and led me inside the house, pulling me roughly by my elbow. Once inside the house he pushed me in front of him and shoved something cold against the small of my back. I gulped, knowing all too well what it was.
A gun. The guy I thought I loved is holding me at gun point. Well gold star to me for worst taste in guys ever.

Once we reached the end of the hallway he pushed me into a room, making me fall forward onto my hand and knees. I didn't bother trying to get up, there was no point. I had nothing left in me. Nothing left to keep me going. No one left to fight for. I knew I wasn't leaving that room.

Zeke slammed the door and stormed towards me. I was expecting him to spit on me or pull me up by my hair or something but he surprised by kneeling down in front of me and tilting my head upwards gently with his index finger. His eyes were... Gentle and concerned. When he spoke his voice was so soft it was hard to believe it was the same man that was throwing me around a minute ago.

"Are you okay?" He asked. Okay what the actual fuck is going on?

"Like you care..." I wanted to sound angry but I choked on the words and burst into tears. Zeke confused me even more by pulling me into his chest and holding me as my entire body shook from me crying. I didn't want to seem weak... Didn't want him to see how much he had hurt me, but I couldn't stop the tears and most certainly could not have pulled away from his embrace even if I wanted to.

Finally after I managed to regain the slightest bit of composure, Zeke let me go and walked over to the door. I was expecting him to walk out on me, as was his nature it seemed, but instead he leaned against the wall and ran a hand through his hair, looking disoriented and in pain. I wanted to say something, anything, but I knew I would just start crying again so I decided against it, just as Zeke opened his mouth to talk.

"So I know I've probably been a dick and have done and said unspeakable things to you... But you have to believe me Hope, that was not me. I love you. I really do." I literally broke out into a coughing fit, then once I recovered spoke.

"Firstly, probably? No. You have definitely been a dick. In fact that's a fucking understatement! You manipulated me and lied to me and drugged me and kidnapped me and beat me and threw me around and held me at gun point and you have the audacity to say you love me after all that? No Zeke you don't love me, and I guess it's for the best cos I sure as hell do not love you! Not after... You did what you did..." As I spoke I noticed him cringe, shiver, clench his jaw and ball his fists and then sag his shoulders in defeat.

"But you loved me before?" He sounded so hopeful it nearly broke my heart. But that was already broken so he was out of luck.

"Gee I don't know Zeke! I slept with you! Oh wait no, allow me to amend that to your choice of words- we fucked! You took my virginity and then... Threw me away... So did I love you? I don't know, but I sure as hell don't love you now and never will and will be damned before I let you convince me you love me." Zeke dragged his perfect body down to the floor and curled his legs up to his chest, hugging them and burying his face in them as he spoke.

"Hope I am so sorry. I... I am sick-"

"Damn right you are! You need serious help if you think an apology can fix this! You brought me to my own fucking death row." He started rocking back and forth frantically and to be honest it was kind of creeping me out so I let him continue.

"No Hope, I mean I am actually sick... I umm... Well I've been diagnosed with schizophrenia. So I'm both the cop and the villain. I'm constantly running from myself... I try to make up for all the horrible things I do by doing what I do, but... It's never enough... I've tried being institutionalised but a lot of people wound up dead and I got away with it... I can't hand myself in because they'll just put me back in the looney bin and I'll have more blood on my hands. There's no beating him- the person I am when I'm not me... So I'm trying to live with him but... What he- what I did to you... It's unforgivable and I am gravely sorry... Could you ever forgive me?" I couldn't speak, I was so shocked, trying to process what Zeke had just told me. A few minutes passed and when I still didn't answer him, he looked up and I was immediately thrown aback from the genuine remorse in his damp, beautiful eyes.

"No. I could never and will never. Because you brought me here to die and this time I've thrown in the towel, no more fighting." I surprised myself with the words but was really proud I'd said them.

"Hope, you don't have to fight... There are people who love you- they'll fight for you to survive. I will fight for you. I love you. Please..." He pushed himself up off the floor and began making his way back towards me but stopped halfway, alarmed by the sound of faint screams and glass shattering in the distance. The screams became louder and louder until they sounded like they were definitely coming from inside the house.

"Zeke what the hell is going on?" He seemed nervous and was shuffling from foot to foot awkwardly.

"They're here to save you." There was a loud bang right outside the door. Followed by another. And finally another until the door was down. When I looked back at Zeke his eyes had changed yet again. There was no remorse or concern or anything but malice. He quickly closed the gap between us in two long strides, pulled out a knife and held it to my throat, pulling me against him and stepping backwards towards the wall. Within a few seconds, three men I did not recognise stepped into the room. They all had broad shoulders and wore black t-shirts that revealed bulging arms and were way above average height wise. One had a crossbow slung over his shoulder, another had a machete in his hand and a assortment of other knifes tucked away in little compartments of his black cargo military style pants, the third simply wore knuckle busters. For a while they just stood there, blocking off the view of the door, then a forth man stepped into the room and between the other three men. He looked eeringly familiar but I could not remember where I'd seen him before for the life of me. He had piercing green eyes and hazelnut brown hair and had a small but lean build in contrast to the other three men. He was fairly tall though, like them, and had looked about 27.

"Zeke." He said, evenly.

"Daniel." Zeke replied.

"It's really great to see you again. Now if you will please, let her go." Daniel said, confidently, taking a step towards us. Zeke brought the knife closer to my neck.

"Daniel get away. I'm warning you. I will slit the bitch's throat. You and I both know it isn't my first time. I said back the fuck up!" Zeke's anger rose as Daniel continued to inch closer to us.

"True. But we both also know that I don't ever do as I'm told." He said, revealing dimples as he smiled. Another step.

"One more step and your precious baby sister is gone forever and everything you've been working for turns to shit."