Chapter Eighteen

Rory was relieved to start school again on Tuesday. She felt like everyone watched every move she made and reported back to Dalen. She was careful who she talked to and what she discussed but at least she wasn't stuck in Dalen's home. The atmosphere in that mansion was as stifling as that in a tomb. She felt dead in that house and in his arms.

She was called in to Ms. Pryce's office during fifth period and sat in the same yellow armchair. Ms. Pryce looked a little ruffled today. “Rory,” she greeted coolly.

“Ms. Pryce,” she said very politely. “Have I done something else to be suspended for?”

“As a matter of fact, we at Breckridge Academy frown on serious relationships among students, but there's nothing I can do as your principal.” Ms. Pryce fidgeted with a pen. “However, I called you in to see me because I've heard some disturbing rumors. I'd like you to tell me what happened this weekend and explain how Carson Winslow ended up in the hospital.”

Rory smiled coldly. “You don't really care, so I'm not going to get into it. It all comes down to Dalen and his inability to accept the word no. Maybe if he'd heard it once in awhile as a child...” Rory trailed off and glared at Dalen's mother.

“I agree with you,” she surprised Rory by saying. “I did try, Rory, whether you believe that or not. His father didn't believe in denying him anything, however. Plus, Dalen was always...difficult. He was a hard little boy to love. He cried for attention from the day he was born. I tried to keep him from being spoiled by not holding him all the time, but that didn't work. He clung to me constantly, until his father broke him of the habit. Dalen followed me everywhere and was very possessive. I had a hard time dealing with him. I tried to teach him to be more self-sufficient by withholding affection, but that didn't work either. I finally got so tired of the situation and trying to battle his father that I left.”

“Does Dalen know you left because of him?” Rory asked, shocked.

She shrugged. “I imagine Shuler has told him by now. So, you see he's always been like this. It isn't safe to love him. He'll latch on to you and drain the life from you. Get out of the relationship while you can, Rory.”

Rory stared at the woman across from her. “Did you ever think maybe you didn't show him enough love as a baby and toddler? If you'd met his needs and been there for him, he might have been more secure and less clingy. Why didn't you have another child? That might have helped improve things.”

“I was too frightened,” Ms. Pryce answered. “He was so possessive, I was afraid he'd hurt the baby.”

Rory snorted. “Or maybe you were afraid you'd mess that one up too. Do you have any idea what you and Shuler have done to him? What he's become?”

Ms. Pryce looked up through moist eyes. “I have to live with it every day,” she confessed. “Now the bell's about to ring. You should go to class.”

Rory rose on shaky legs and left Ms. Pryce's office. What she'd just learned pole-axed her. Could Dalen's problem go so far back? Was love all he needed? If he'd approached her in a different way, she might have been able to love him, but now it was too late. Too many bad things had happened between them, and she loved Carson. No, she couldn't let this information soften her to Dalen. He'd sniff out her vulnerability and use it against her. She still had to escape from him and shove her pity deep down inside somewhere.

***

It was Wednesday afternoon before Charlie made it in to see Carson. He found his friend sitting up in bed eating solid food. “How are you feeling? You look like you were gang-banged, man.” Charlie was referring to a gang beating, not a gang rape.

“Thanks,” Carson responded dryly. “I'll live.”

“Good,” Charlie told him. “We need our lead vocal.” He settled into the ugly brown chair by Carson's bed. “Korith said you need something.”

“I need a piece,” Carson whispered, looking at the doorway. “Unregistered and easy to use since, I have no idea what I'm doing.”

“When do you need it?” Charlie asked, scratching his goatee.

“Tomorrow night,” Carson said. “I get out of here tomorrow afternoon, and I might need to use the piece Friday morning.”

“How much can you spend?” Charlie asked, trying to think of someone who could get Carson a gun by tomorrow night. He still had contacts from his days as a gang member but it might take some time.

“There's three hundred bucks in my freezer,” Carson answered. “Get it out and use how much it takes. It's all I have.”

Charlie nodded. “I'll do my best, pal. Just remember if you get caught, you didn't get it through me.”

“I don't plan to kill anyone,” Carson whispered. “It's just insurance. If something happens, I'll keep my mouth shut.” Charlie left after that, and Carson reviewed his plan once more.

***

Rory feigned a stomachache Thursday night and stayed home from school on Friday. Dalen seemed reluctant to leave her, but she persuaded him. He promised to come home at lunch and check on her. After he left, she spent a tense morning waiting to see what Carson had in mind. She looked up at eleven when the door opened and saw Carson. Rory gasped when she saw how pale he was. He wore shorts and a knee cast and moved so slowly. There were fresh cuts and bruises on his face, and his nose looked like it had been re-bandaged. “You're crazy,” she said as she gingerly hugged him. “If he catches you here—”

“I know,” he whispered. Carson kissed her passionately and they ripped at each other's clothes. They fell on Dalen's bed and made love. Afterward, they dressed, and Rory started giggling. “What's so funny?” he asked tenderly.

“We just did it on Dalen's bed. He'd kill us if he knew.” They fell together laughing until Rory burst into tears. “Oh, Carson, I've done some terrible things these last few days. I let him...” She buried her face against his chest and sobbed as if her heart were breaking.

Carson found himself crying as well as he held her. “Listen,” he said gently. “I don't care. The only reason it matters to me is because I know how much that would have hurt you, and you would have hated it. I know you did it to protect the ones you love. It's no big deal,” he told her firmly. “It doesn't exist anymore. Only you and I are real. Nothing that happened with him counts.”

“I love you,” she whispered. “You have to go now, Carson. Dalen will be here in a few minutes to check on me.” She heard the garage door opening and panicked. “He's here,” she cried out. “Oh, god,” she whispered. “You have to hide.”

“Okay, calm down,” he whispered, smoothing the hair from her face. He followed her into the extra bedroom. She had him crawl into the closet, and he settled inside painfully. It went against his nature to hide in here, but he knew it was to their advantage to have a few hours’ head start on Dalen.

***

Rory grabbed a magazine and sprawled across the bed. She was intently studying it when Dalen entered the room. “How are you feeling, angel?” he asked tenderly, joining her on the bed.

“Still yucky,” she answered pitifully and determinedly kept her eyes from the spare room. She wondered if Carson could hear what they said? “Thanks for checking on me,” she added.

Dalen started rubbing her back. “I could stay with you the rest of the afternoon.” His hand slipped to her breast. “I don't mind getting suspended for three days.”

Rory screamed in her head, but her voice emerged evenly. “There’s no reason to, Dalen,” she responded persuasively. “I don't feel like doing anything except sleeping. I barely had the energy to shower and get dressed before you came to check on me. I didn't want you to find me all smelly,” she added lamely. “I plan to spend the afternoon sleeping.”

“Are you sure?” he inquired. “I hate to leave you alone.”

“Avriella's here,” she answered.

Dalen frowned. “No, she left for a weekend spa trip.” Dalen stood up. “Come with me downstairs and try to eat something.”

Rory pulled herself off the bed and followed him out of the room. She was so relieved to be leaving the bedroom suite that she thought she might make him suspicious by being too happy. She tried to act more sedate when they got to the kitchen.

She watched Dalen struggle through making tuna salad and found herself grinning at him.

“Are you laughing at me?” he demanded with his hands on his hips. Mayonnaise was smeared on his hands and he wiped some off on his blazer. Rory laughed out loud as he dabbed at the spot. It came off easily, and he finished mixing the salad.

Dalen was precise about cutting the crusts off his slices of bread. “Why do you do that?” she asked as she picked at a sandwich. Rory was actually ravenous, but she was supposed to have an upset stomach.

Shrugging, Dalen spread the tuna on his slices. “I think my mom used to do it,” he frowned. “No, it was my first nanny. She always did little things like that. Looking back now, I think she must have felt bad because my parents didn't pay much attention to me. My dad had no use for me yet, and my mom never loved me.” He said it so matter-of-factly that Rory's eyes teared up. He saw and curled his lip. “It’s no tragedy, Rory.”

“Yes, it is,” she said firmly. Every person deserved the love of their parents. “Your parents—especially your mother—should be shot. At the very least, they should be sterilized.”

Dalen laughed. “Too late for my dad. Avriella thrilled him with the announcement last night that she's, let me see if I remember how she put it? Oh yes, she's with a Hudson child, but her last name is not Hudson. It seems unfair to her, and she wants to be married. Good ol' Dad sent her off to the spa for a few days while he decides what to do.”

“I guess that's the problem with having girlfriends young enough to be your daughter,” Rory said sourly and pushed her sandwich away. “You should get going, Dalen. You only have ten minutes to get back to the school.”

Dalen tossed the rest of his unfinished sandwich down the garbage disposal. “You're right. Are you sure you want me to go?” he asked once more.

Rory nodded. “Yeah, it's only three more classes and practice.” She smiled. “I'll be fine until then.”

Smiling, Dalen kissed her on the nose. “Well, I'll see you after then,” he told her and ran out to the garage. He'd decided not to tell her practice had been cancelled today, because the coach was sick. It would be a nice surprise.

***

Rory waited five minutes after she heard his car leave before going back upstairs. Carson was standing in the bedroom. “I saw his car leave,” he explained. “I'm glad he's gone. Pack your stuff. We're getting out of here. My dad said we could live with him until we finish high school. I figure your parents will help us out financially some too.”

Rory's head was spinning, and she collapsed on the bed. “He told me he'd kill my friends and family if I don't stay with him. He was very specific, Carson,” she was frightened and started trembling. “But I want to go with you.” She moaned, torn.

Carson sat beside her and took her in his arms. “Shh, it's okay,” he soothed. “Come with me then. Stop carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. Leave a message on your parents' machine to warn them and let’s get going. They can take care of themselves, Rory. Besides, if he pursues the matter, it will be to find you, not harm them.”

She winced at his brutal honesty but bounced to her feet. “I'm not going to waste my life with him,” she said decisively. Rory rummaged in his closet and found one of her suitcases, which she stuffed things into quickly. She kept thinking it was taking time to pack that got people killed in horror movies. After the case was closed, they hurried down the stairs. “How much money do you have?” she asked Carson.

“Three hundred and change,” he answered. “Charlie tried to buy me a gun, but he couldn't find one in time within my price range.” He saw Rory blanch and added. “It was going to be a last resort, honey.” She nodded, and he put his arm around her.

“I have three hundred in my purse.” She subconsciously patted her bag. “I have a couple thousand in my savings account, Carson. I don't have a restriction for my parents' signature on it. It's my mad money as Mom calls it.” Rory saw the phone and dialed her parents' number. After four rings the machine picked up and she said, “Sorry to run on you guys but it's an emergency. Be very careful of Dalen. He swore he'd kill you if I left him. When Carson and I get settled, I'll let you know where. I'll also need some money probably. I love you guys—you too, Ricky. I'll see you soon,” she promised and hung up.

They took her Mustang from the garage and drove through town. Rory parked in the back lot of the bank and went inside alone. She stood in line until a teller became free and handed her a withdrawal slip for all but ten dollars. She didn't want to go through the hassle of closing the account. The teller examined her license and looked in the computer. Then she counted out two thousand, four hundred fifty-three dollars and stuck them in an envelope. “Have a nice day,” she said with an impersonal smile. Rory mumbled a like response and hurried out of the bank. It was already one-thirty, and they needed to get on the road. Dalen would be home by five, and when he discovered she was gone he'd go crazy.

Carson drove the first leg of the trip, hitting the freeway and heading north. Rory looked at the map, and they had their route planned for the next hundred miles or so. In a small town an hour past L.A. they stopped for take-out food. It was three-thirty.