Beautifully Broken (13 page)

             
“Yes I suppose I am. That was the end goal wasn’t it. Kill you and your mother and leave that god forsaken state behind me. But you didn’t die. You didn’t follow the plan.” I jutted out my chin defensively, “I did die. As far as I’m concerned Laynie Jacobs has been dead for over a year. My name is Marley Masters. I moved from Nevada and my parents died in a car accident.” I recited my cover story that I stuck with since the day I moved here. It’s what I told everyone. Everyone except Cole. “You took my money Laynie. You think that I wouldn’t notice? You also tried to kill me. That’s definitely something to hold a grudge over.” He growled. I pulled out a wad of cash and threw it at him. The bills fluttering softly to the ground like fresh snow or dancing butterflies. “There and there is a little extra there. Take it and leave me alone.” I gained my bravery and defiance from him along with those damn eyes.

             
Neither of us moved. The money stayed on the floor. “That’s not what I want….
Marley
.” He sneered my name and I took a tentative step towards the door going over my escape in my head. My father’s gained some weight. There is a chance it may have slowed him down but by the hatred I see shining in his eyes I highly doubt it. He smiles wickedly as if reading every thought I have. “Look.
Dad
.” I spit out the word like its leaving a bad taste in my mouth. “I’m happy here. I don’t need you and you don’t want me. Can’t we just keep on pretending the other is dead and go on with our lives?” I want to resort to begging. Now that my wall is down he knows how to hurt me. I took a step to the left and waited, my body tensing. “No Marley. We can’t. You escaped me. I can’t let that happen.” Before I could think he lunged and the wrench he held in his hand connected with my temple. A bright flash erupted over my vision as I dropped to the ground. I tried to focus as my vision swam in between black and blurry. I fought against the nausea that rolled in my belly. My father kneeled next to me and pushed my hair from my face. It was almost a tender touch. One that a loving father would give his loving daughter, but we were neither of those so I knew better than to believe that. He chuckled as he examined his handiwork. I could already feel my cheek swelling twice its size. “You are worthless and once I’m done with you, I’m going to have so much fun killing those friends of yours.” He stated slowly so that each word hit its desired mark. Humming a tune I couldn’t quite place he unraveled a wire coil. I was too disoriented to fight and he knew it. “I’m going to love watching the life drain out of your eyes.” He laughed, his hot disgusting breath in my face causing me to gag.

             
I needed some sort of plan but my head was spinning so badly my vertigo was completely off. I tried to pull myself up and he hit me hard in the back of my head sending me back against the cold ground. I looked up and black spots danced in my vision. I wanted to call out but for some reason my voice wouldn’t work. All I could focus on is that I had to stay awake. Losing consciousness was not an option. He would kill me immediately if that happened. I felt him straddle me, his weight pressing down on my ribs as he wrapped the metal wire around my neck and leaned in close to my ear. I took advantage of his proximity and swung my elbow back. It connected hard with his nose sending him toppling back onto the ground. I caught a glimpse of blood running down and over his lips. Quickly before I had time to think about it I pulled myself up from the dirt and bolted from the garage.

             
The old man was faster than I had given him credit for and I could hear his pounding footfalls closely behind me. “Laynie.” My name came out from in between his clenched teeth. I could not let him catch me. I thought about running towards the Bradley’s house, knowing help was a few feet away but I couldn’t put them in that kind of danger. I had to get far away from them and in doing so I turned left and into a field filled with tall stalks of corn. They easily covered me but unfortunately my father was too close for me to lose. I pushed my legs until they burned and ignored my protesting lungs. Those cigarettes that I occasionally enjoyed were coming back to bite me in the ass. I had to push harder. I focused on Cole, imagining that it was him I was pushing myself towards and I seemed to gain a little more speed. I couldn’t even truly understand why my father was chasing me, what the purpose was.

             
The gun let out a loud pop and the bullet whizzed past my ear sending me barreling to the ground. I spun quickly and my father’s fist connected with my jaw sending fire coursing through the left side of my face. Another hit, this time from the right exploded in red, yellow and blue’s dancing through my rapidly blinking vision. I had to get up. He would kick me if I didn’t get up and that was far worse than hitting me. His leg power was strong.

             
I scrambled to my feet but his hand wrapped into my hair pulling me back against his marshmallow fluff chest. It was hard to understand how a man so soft could hit so hard. Once I was against his chest I whipped my head back solidly connecting with his chin and producing a furious growl from his mouth. I only caught a glimpse of him before I sprinted away from him again, his nose dribbled blood over his lips whereas his mouth looked to be almost painted on like a clowns.

             
I turned this time standing my ground and facing him. The gun had fallen from his hands when I head butted him and I lunged for it. My hand wrapped around the butt of the pistol as I snatched it from the ground. I didn’t hesitate as I stepped, shoulder width apart holding my arms before me, locking my elbows and taking the gun off safety and putting a round in the chamber. After all this man put me through there was no way I would have hesitated. “Give me one reason not to shoot you.” I asked from in between clenched teeth. My father’s eyes darted from the gun to my face and back again as if he was deciding how to handle it. I didn’t tremble. I didn’t shake. In fact holding the gun at him, I wasn’t nervous at all. I felt powerful. Finally after years I was the one with power not him. “I-I can’t.” He stuttered and I couldn’t help but smile. “Not so fun being on the other side is it?” I taunt. I know I should be the bigger person. But I can’t seem to be. “I was willing to let this go away. I just wanted to disappear, be Marley Masters.” I explained although he deserved no explanation. He nodded slowly, “Okay. Okay we can do that.” He answered quietly.

             
I opened my mouth to speak but someone else’s voice stopped me. “No. We won’t be doing that.” Cole and his father stood behind me, their shot guns trained at his center mass. Cole’s eyes once soft and kind now looked positively dangerous. My father stood between the three of his. His eyes darting from one to the next. There was no escape and he knew it. I unlocked my elbows and dropped the gun. “I won’t be like you. I’m not Laynie anymore, Laynie would have killed you but Marley is better than this. She’s better than you.” I said as the gun fell. Looking back that was probably the most stupid thing I could have done. Everything happened in slow motion. I noticed the tick of a smile on his face and realized exactly what he was going to do as he took a step forward. He lunged for it and I jumped just after him, his fingers closing around the grip before mine and his other hand pulling me to his chest as a shield. I nearly roared in anger. He raised the gun and pointed it, first at Mr. Bradley, firing a single shot and sending him crumpling to the ground and then he trained it on Cole and my scream ripped from my throat.

             
Cole fell to the ground and I spun. At this point I didn’t care what happened to me. That man had taken the one thing that meant the entire world to me. I grabbed the gun from his hands. He was too shocked to stop me and without thinking about it I turned the gun on him and fired a single shot through his forehead. I dropped the gun and stumbled over to Cole and Mr. Bradley. “Nonononono……” The word rolled over themselves, tumbling faster than the tears on my cheeks. Blood bloomed across his chest and his eyes were closed. Mr. Bradley groaned and after a minute of hesitation I scrambled next to him. “Mr. Bradley…” My voice sounded so small and weak and for the first time in the past year I didn’t care. “Marley.” His voice was hoarse and shaky and I struggled to help him sit. His left side was bleeding steadily but at least he was moving. Seeing me he grabbed my face tightly and looked me over. “Are you okay?” he asked and I nodded as a sob ripped out of my chest. “Cole?” Before I could answer his eyes slid to the ground and onto Cole. “Cole!” Cole’s name sounded garbled as he screamed it. He moved quickly and to Cole’s side.

             
I could barely move. A dull ring started in my ears, gradually getting louder until it swallowed my entire being. I put my hands over my ears and squeezed my eyes shut desperately trying to block out the world. I can feel myself sobbing and rocking steadily. I feel someone touch my shoulder and my eyes snap open to see Michelle and a young man dressed in blue standing above me. “Honey, come on. They need to take you to the hospital.” Her voice is kind and steady not that of a grieving mother. But I knew better. I seen the blood on his chest and that’s when it happens. That’s when the entire world comes crumbling around me. I scream as loud as I can and then pass out into sweet darkness.

Chapter Seventeen

             
I don’t come to right away. The next few images I remember are like still shots. A nurse lingering by my bed. Michelle knitting in the chair next to me. Dolly fiddling with flowers on my bedside table. A steady beeping is ever present in my head but I can’t place where I’ve heard the sound before. Everything in my brain is muddled, almost like I’m aware but not quite understanding. I hear snippets of conversations here and there. “It’s her mind’s way of protecting itself.” “She’s in shock, she will wake up when she is ready.” “I said to make hamburgers for dinner not chicken!” That last one was Dolly.

             
I swim in and out of fantasy and reality and the only reason I’m sure of that is because I’m pretty certain pink elephants are not doctors. Although I could be wrong. Cole’s face swims through my mind. His soft blue eyes and wildly messy hair feel like something of the past. I miss him though. I miss him so much and I crave the sound of his voice. I loved him. I loved him enough that I wanted to give him the things he didn’t think he would ever see. I wanted to give him the opportunity to see his wedding day. His children.

             
I never thought much about having children before. Actually given my particular upbringing I was dead set against it. I never thought I would be a good mother given my experiences but when I thought of Cole I could only think that maybe I would be a better mother because of my experiences.

             
When I finally came to I opened my eyes to see Michelle knitting away next to me. I groaned as I struggled to sit up. “Well it’s about time!” She sighed in relief as she set down her knitting, a soft yellow blanket, and stood up to rush over to me. She enveloped me in her arms and I sucked in a deep breath, apples, sugar cookies and baking. Tears burned at my eyes as I realized how much I missed her comfort. The sob forced its way out of my chest before I could stop it. All the pain, fear, relief, everything I felt poured out of me and Michelle just held me tightly in her arms, rocking me gently as I sobbed. I felt relief that my father was gone, no longer able to patronize and terrify me. I felt guilt that Mr. Bradley was shot and lastly I grieved for Cole. “Well it’s about time we see your beautiful face.” My eyes opened and I forced a smile to my lips as Mr. Bradley stood in the doorway, a cane holding his weight. “Mr.Bradley.” My voice was weak but he heard it anyways and came over, folding me into his arms the same way Michelle did moments earlier.

Someone cleared their throat from the door way and I was surprised to see Emma Jo waiting patiently in the doorway. Her eyes were rimmed red and her face was devoid any make-up. She looked more natural and almost inviting this way. Michelle patted my arm and Mr. Bradley shot me a wink before they left me with bipolar Barbie. “And which personality do I have the pleasure of interacting with today.” I croaked as I worked on sitting up. My back ached and protested but as Emma Jo came around I had made it to a comfortable position. Her tears were glassy and full of tears, “Oh wow… I even get tears. This must be a special occasion.” I knew I probably should but the sarcasm just came naturally. Emma Jo rolled her eyes and wiped at her tears. “They aren’t for you. They were for Cole. He deserves them far more than you.” She spit angrily. My stomach nearly bottomed out and all sarcasm melted out of me. “I get it.” Emm
a started, “I didn’t want to see it because some part of me still loved him. He was quite a catch so I mean really who wouldn’t fall for him. Truthfully I think there are even some boys in Oliver that have fallen once or twice.” A smile plays on her lips and I’m surprised to see it’s not malicious but actually sincere. “He was hurting. Broken in a sense and there was nothing that I could have done to fix him. He needed someone that understood and I didn’t…couldn’t understand what he was going through. As much as I hate to admit it, regardless of your secrets, you were good for him.” I was astounded. Emma Jo was actually extending an olive branch. I licked my lips and noticed how dry my mouth felt. “Oh…here.” She handed me a small plastic cup full of ice water and I looked at it skeptically. “Oh jeeze…I didn’t poison it.” She said rolling her eyes. I sniffed it just to be sure. “Look. What I’m trying to say is…you made him better. He is happier and better thanks to you. I’m sorry for the way I treated you.” I nodded and had to bite back the tears. “Cole?” My voice caught in my throat and came out a little garbled. Before she could answer me, Michelle and Mr. Bradley came back into the room. Emma Jo smiled and nodded as she glanced over at me. “See you on the outside.” And with that she was gone, taking any news of Cole’s condition with her. My heart hurt and I could barely suck in a shuddering breath.