Stolen (8 page)

“Well little do you know about money then.”

“And little do you know about parenting.” I retort.

“I am heading to the bank now.”

“How much do I have?”

“Over three hundred thousand, it will get you what you need.”

“Thanks.”

“Alright. Don’t leave this house, you know you aren’t allowed. I won’t have you speaking to those men.”

“Those men were better to me than this family has ever been and I will be speaking to them.”

“Not in this house you won’t be.”

“Well I won’t be in this house much longer will I?”

My mother storms out and I stare down at my hands. Damn them all, they honestly couldn’t see how wrong their actions are. I have a quick shower, and when I walk out, I find Caleb sitting on my bed. He leaps up when he sees me, but I put my hands up to stop him.

“Oh Em, you are okay. I was so worried.”

“Don’t come near me, as far as I am concerned I don’t know you.”

“What did I do?”

“I saw you with Summer; don’t deny it!”

“We were comforting each other, nothing ever happened.”

“Bullshit. You were meant to be my boyfriend, and she was my best friend. You can both go to hell.”

“Em, you are over reacting.”

“GET OUT.” I scream.

Slowly, he backs out of the room. My phone rings beside me minutes later, praying it’s Blade or Jock, I answer.

“Hello?”

“Hello mam; there is a phone call for you.” Says Josie.

“Thanks please put it through.”

I hear her click the receiver down, and the line transfers.

“Hello?”

“Em?”

“Blade?”

‘Yeah it’s me, are you okay?
God
I can’t believe you did that.”

“I don’t want to talk here. I don’t trust them, and they probably have this phone tapped, where can I meet you?”

“You’re not allowed to leave.”

“Where can I meet you Blade?” I snap impatiently.

“Meet us at the beach near your house, we will hide somewhere down the far left end.”

“I am coming now. Give me half an hour.”

“Okay, be careful.”

I hang up the phone and throw on a pair of small shorts and a black singlet top. I brush my hair while glancing anxiously out my window. I have to climb out; I have done it before, and it was relatively easy. I slide the window up and crawl out onto the balcony; then I lock my hands over the railing, letting myself fall over the other side. With a quick breath I let go and drop onto the grass with a thump.

I take a moment to catch my breath, the fall knocked the wind out of me. Damn my parents for giving me the highest room. I peer around quickly, when I am sure no one is watching; I turn and run. I jog down to the beach and make my way towards the left end. I see two figures crouched behind some old sticks. I rush over. When Blade and Jock see me, I am pulled into desperate embraces.

“How are you Em?” Jock asks, his eyes show his worry.

“I am okay, I have to go to court in two days.”

“We heard; what if they lock you away?”

“I will risk it. My parents have a lot of money; it wouldn’t be for long.”

“Still.”

“You risked a lot for us.” Blade murmurs finally, his gaze is fixed on me.

“Well it would have killed your mum if you got locked away and you would go away for a long time. It is better this way; I got my parents to give me some money.”

“You did?”

“Yeah, enough for your mums treatment, fixing the shacks and more. You will all be fine.”

“I don’t know what to say…”

“Don’t say anything.” I whisper, meeting his eyes.

“I will let you guys have a minute.” Jock takes the hint and walks off.

“I will die if you have to go to prison, I couldn’t bear it.” Blade says, touching my cheek softly.

“Promise me you won’t say anything; promise me, I will be fine.”

“I won’t but this is going to kill me.”

“Everything was so good…” I sigh.

“It is all our fault this is happening. We have put an innocent girl away.”

“It wasn’t your fault. You were protecting your family, which is amazing.”

“Still, it could end up fucking bad for you.” He snaps, becoming angry with my casual tone. I gape at him for a moment before shaking my head. The man swore at me. It seemed so out of character.

“Let’s not talk about it. I don’t have long before I have to go back; I just want to see you.” I say, meeting his eyes.

“I am sorry I kissed you and made you feel…this is something it isn't.”

What is it then? I feel crushed, my chest throbs.

“Did I say something wrong?” Blade asks, when he notices my silence.

“Nothing.”

“I didn’t mean it wasn’t nice.”

“It is fine Blade, forget it.” I hiss, shooting him an angry glare.

“You have feelings for me, don’t you?”

I look away; I am a fool for falling so quickly. I hardly know him. I shouldn’t have let myself become so vulnerable.

“Aw geez…” He mutters, running his hands through his hair.

“Forget it, I know you don’t feel anything for me.”

“I hardly know you, of course I don’t care about you like that. I like you a lot; I really do...”

I am so embarrassed; I feel like such a fool. I turn on my heel and storm off down the beach, unable to look at him any longer.

“Em wait, come back here.” He yells, chasing after me.

“Leave me alone Blade.” I yell, picking up the pace to a jog.

“I am sorry. It’s not that I don’t like you…”

“Thanks a lot, I have got the point.”

“Come on darlin, stop.” He yells, with a real drawl.

“Just leave me alone.” I snap, spinning around and glaring at him.

Before he can answer I hear someone call my name, I turn to see Caleb storming down the beach.
Marvelous
.

“What the hell are you doing down here Em?” He hisses when he stops in front of me.

“None of your business.” I growl.

“Who is this? He is the bloke who took you isn’t he?”

“Yes and I am talking to him if you don’t mind.”

“I will call the cops; I suggest you come back with me.” Caleb warns, glaring at Blade.

“Don’t threaten her mate.” Blade says in a tone so icy, it has me shivering.

“Who do you think you are telling me what to do? She doesn’t even like you; she was only trying to get back at her parents.
”

“What would you know Caleb? You would hardly know left from right you drop kick.” I spit at him with venom.

“Wait; you like this man?”

“No.” I say, glaring at Blade. His jaw is tight, and he hasn’t taken his eyes off me.

“Well then let’s go before your parents catch you.”

“I am going. Say goodbye to Jock for me
.
” I whisper to Blade.

“Please don’t be mad…”

“See you around.” I mutter and let Caleb drag me off.

I don’t turn back to look at Blade; I can’t bear to see those brown eyes bore into me with such intensity. He is affecting me in ways he shouldn’t, maybe this is for the best after all.

CHAPTER 7

The next few days are long and hard, when the court date comes around; everyone is silent. We all dress and make our way to the car, neither of my parents speak to me. When we arrive at the court house, I watch them all slide from the car without even a look. I feel sick inside; I pray to
God
this ends well.

“We are here.” My father says in a monotone.

When we get inside, I spot Nessie and Bill right away. Standing beside them I see Jock and Blade. I don’t meet either of their eyes; I can’t bear the pain I will see there. Nessie comes over and pulls me close, stroking my hair with her hands.

“I don’t believe it; I won’t believe it. They aren’t telling me the truth; neither are you. Please don’t get put away
angel
, you don’t deserve this.”

“Nessie, you need to trust me okay? When all this is over I will tell you the truth, but you have to sit back and let this happen. Please?”

“I am going to trust your
judgment
…”

“Who is this?” My mother says sourly.

“This is Nessie. Jock and Blade’s mum, she has been so kind to me.”

“Well she is my daughter. This is not really your business, and what your sons did was wrong, they should never have put a girl in this position.”

“They would never hurt anyone!” Nessie snaps at her.

“Butt out of this. This is our business you have no right to be here.”

“She has every right, and I want her here. She has been kinder to me in a few weeks then you have been in a lifetime. I would rather her over you.” I scream and my mother gapes.

“Don’t you be so rude young lady.”

“Go to hell.”

I turn and storm down the hallway. Nessie finds me sitting outside the toilets sobbing, she pulls me into her arms, and I see three pairs of boots stop beside us. I know who’s they are.

“I am scared…” I whimper.

“We will be with you every step of the way honey, you are going to be fine.”

“It’s time to go in.” An officer announces. Nessie helps me stand, and I dare to meet Blade’s tormented gaze.

When we get in the small room, we all sit down.
Mu
m and dad have gotten a lawyer
who has advised me to lie and say I was forced into it, however, I am going to stick with my story that it was my idea.
I just hadn’t told them that.

“Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen. The court is now in order.” Says the
Native
American Judge, in a monotone voice.

“Good morning your
honor
. If I could start?”

My lawyer stands and the judge nods at him.

“Please.”

“Well from what it seems, this young lady has been manipulated by two men trying to take advantage of her good nature, and she has ended up on the wrong side of the line.”

“Go on.”

“I would like to call Emerson to the stand, if I may?”

“Proceed.”

“Emerson.”

I stand and make my way to the witness stand and take my oaths, then sit.

“Emerson, is it true that you stayed with these men for two weeks?”

“Yes.”

“And in that time you were abused?”

“Yes.”

“Where you there willingly?”

“Yes.” I say, and he glares at me. Yeah that’s right buddy, I am stuffing up your little plan.

“Pardon?”

“Yes, I was there willingly. I am guilty of setting up two innocent men to get back at my parents for not giving me the money I wanted and for not paying attention to me.”

“EMERSON!” My mother screeches, standing.

“Sit down mam!” The judge orders.

“So you are saying this was an act of teenage rebellion? What about the gunshot wound?”

“Yes it was an act of rebellion and I paid them to shoot me and abuse me. I had to make it real so my parents would give up the money.”

“You did this for money?”

“Yes mam.”

“You risked two innocent men and your parents just for some money?”

“Yes.”

“I have never heard of something so selfish in my life. Not only did you risk innocent lives but you put your family through hell, wasted police time and lied to us. You’re a spoilt child, and I am going to give you the adequate punishment, that I believe will show you the true depth of what you have done.”

“Yes mam.” I whisper.

“Emerson Lacey, I am sentencing you to thirty days in a low security prison. In this time visitors are forbidden. Then you will pay a fine of three thousand dollars. Then perhaps you will realize the true meaning of life and community; instead of money. It is so ordered.” She says, slamming her mallet down.

“No,” My mother cries. “There is something about her you don’t know.”

My eyes widen, and I stand. “It is over mother.”

“Emerson had a rough childhood and was abused, she has never been in the right frame of mind.”

“STOP!” I scream at my mother.

“Abuse or not mam, she commit a crime. She must pay for her actions.”

I glance at Blade who is narrowing his eyes at me. I look away. He doesn’t need to know my secret and neither does the whole court room.

“Guards.” The judge orders and they come over handcuffing me.

Tears fall from my eyes as the two men drag me from the room; I can hear Nessie sobbing and my mother screaming. When we are outside, I begin to pant. Prison? No, I don’t want to go there. I am beyond help now; I made a choice and now I have to live with it.