Black Dahlia

I am drenched, terrified, bewildered and half starved. My stomach makes a very annoying noise reminding it's owner that it hadn't had food. I scowl with frustration at myself damn my stomach-it just won't behave,and damn John for leaving us alone. I clutch Malory my little sister's hand closer where are my parents?

John Jesus! I move my dirty hands to my hair out of habit,I have short curly hair that sometimes looked too much for my smaller face. John where was he? My fifteen year old brother had gone outside when he heard father screams he had immediately woken Malory and I, and had transferred us to father study, the glass is a one way glass only we inside could see others outside.

'Eva' Malory calls my name in her rasping soar throat voice. 'Where is everyone,I am so startled.'

I glance at her with eyes surprisingly dry. I give her a big smile when all I really want to do is wail. 'John is bringing them.'

She is trembling,I have no idea if it is because of what I said. Suddenly, someone starts pounding the glass and my heart instantly jumps to my mouth.

'Eva open the door,it's me.' I shift to the door snappily smoothing the path. Livy walks in holding a child and at her right side my cousin Quinn.

Mother is a family woman and loves having people around, Livy is my Father's sister,when their parents deserted her and her child, Mother had instantly insisted she come stay with us. Livy is a very tall woman with plump lips,bright eyes and a face you would definitely remember in a room full of people.

'Where are my parents' If someone doesn't reply I would squeal for real.

'We need to get out of here Eva,we are not save here.' I observe Sarah when she speaks. She is a petite woman with long straight hair she had been able to stay at Livy's back unnoticed. Sarah had come into our home in quest of shelter she had been heavily pregnant,dazed,and wrecked my mother in her good nature had welcomed her in.

'Did you say leave?my parents and brother are out there and you want us to leave.' I shift to the door but she stops me.

'It's unsafe outside.'

'I need to find my brother Sarah. Mama has been nice to you,I am surprised you are proposing we flit.' I haven't the foggiest idea of our situation,and being clueless terrifies me. I hug her firmly and start sobbing. 'Please bring them to me.'

Sarah turns facing Livy when they remain calm I push ahead to the door but Sarah is faster. 'No Eva,you can't go outside.'

'Then bring them to me,you love John as much as I do,you cannot leave him outside.' I howl,something I have never done to an older person. The room is silent and the only sound is my heart beating madly in my chest.

'Take my baby Eva, I will go outside.'

No Sarah that is reckless.,you need to stay here.'

Sarah had conceived yesterday,I would never forget holding her small hands in my much bigger ones- it had been fun murmuring words of encouragement while mother and Livy kept screaming push.

'It's okay Livy I will be cautious. Promise me Eva,you will take my baby out of here as soon as you figure out it is unsafe. Please take care of my child, promise me you would take care of her even if I don't return.' She hands over the sleeping child to me,she looks at her baby and smiles.

For some reasons,her smile I love and fondly anticipate appeared so different,her face I always professed was too perfect looked older and tired. She faces livy and mutters unintelligible words.

'What is happening outside.' I say to the air. My first priority right now is finding my parents and ensuring John is okay. I am too stunned to be bothered that Sarah had just asked me to take care of her child like a mother on her death bed. 'Livy please tell me why we need to flit,why did Sarah sound like we might never see her again?why would I need to take care of her child when she is still alive.'

She neglects me again I am miffed now,if no one would speak,I would go find answers myself. For the third time I shift to the door but Livy beat me to it our eyes meet and I grasp for the first time since her entrance that she was sobbing.

'Get back here Robert.' she only called me that when she was infuriated.

''No I need to find my parents and then John,I need to know what the hell is going on here.' The thought of John out there on his own made me sick.

'Please listen to me Eva'. she yanks me away from the door I hit her careful of the baby I'm holding. I move fast to the door and immediately halt,my hand freezing on the handle. I see my mother and a man beside her. My mother puts perfection to shame,unlike mine,her hair is brown,and very long she has a small mouth that fits her perfect face,her eyes are so blue it made me think of the sea. Mother loves piercing her ears one for each of her mind blowing success,she has five piercings on each lobe. I always told her it made her look fierce and powerful. She is a gorgeous and intelligent woman who even sick looked gamine.

'Please'. She places her hand on her baby bump as she stumbles.

I force my stupid legs to move,to quickly run to her rescue but I am frozen on the spot. My eyes are widely open I can see everything from the glass. Father had built this room cause of mother he said it was only fair he worked and watched her too. Mother loves to sing and play the piano and would always shout sweetly at father when he insisted on watching her play.

'No don't watch me play,you distract me.' father would laugh and she would blush in return,when he refused to leave,she stopped playing. He had then broken his study door and put the glass door that way he got to watch her and she in return never got uncomfortable cause she never saw him watch her through the glass.

'Please' She keeps pleading and whimpering,the huge man beside her has ugly hands unlike Father's own he starts undressing her.

Sideways, I see Quinn turning to her mother, holding unto her skirt too scared to look. I will myself to avert my eyes from this horrible scene playing in front of me.what kind of mad man rapes an helpless pregnant woman?I stand there frozen watching him rape my mother.

She continues to struggle,I can hear her silent sobs ,the two men at his back starts clapping and laughing the one with a crocked face moves to the front and I immediately see my father on the floor in the pool of his own blood. A knife in his chest and another in his stomach. The crocked face man begins to remove his trousers.

I am grabbing the door handle now,determined to get to my parents. Livy is faster holding me in place with her hand over my mouth ensuring my screams are muffled. Mother spits on his face and bites his hands he lands her a heavy slap and angrily stabs her.

I quickly stop struggling too shocked by what has just happened. My head is fuzzy and my mind jumbled I throw up all over the floor.

'Baby am sorry you had to see that.' she says sobbing and hugging me.

'John I need to find him' I recall I had sent Sarah out there too.'oh God I forced Sarah out there too.'

'No' Quinn says crying . Malory is behind the curtain with her face in between her legs. 'If they came in here to rob it won't be long before they wonder what is behind this glass'.

I stare at her surprised at her outburst,I have just witnessed my mother's death and she is worried about her safety.

'Flower.' I shift to the glass my brother John has always called me flower, I love flowers it is a nickname he came up with. He is banging on the door,I figure out Livy had locked it during my conversation. 'Flower open the door.'

I move my weak legs to the door determined to let my brother in. 'The key.'

'No'.

'Why?' My voice is super calm and low compared to how i really feel inside. I am 16 years old,my father has always said I was very clever for my age. I knew that if I opened the door they would see us and probably do worse than they did to my parents.

I see the three men coming towards John who is still banging on the glass hoping I open up. He is my brother,and every single soul in this room were my family if those men got any closer they would realise something was behind these glass and that there are survivers.

I know I have to decide to either risk our lives to save John. I look at the sleeping child in my arms and I remember Sarah had begged me to keep her safe. She is still so little and can't die here,my heart begins to ache for the little baby in my arms. She opens her eyes looking at me, although I know she can't really see me, she smiles. I know deep down that I would be a monster if I let her die here. I silently promise her that I would ensure she is safe. I turn away from the door with only one thought "Escape"we had to leave before those men got to us,the banging on the glass becomes louder so does his voice.

'Flower,Eva, sister.'

'You prick come here' I hear one of the killers say to my brother,he pulls him by the hair towards him. I see the crocked face man pouring kerosene on the floor ignoring my brother oblivious of the fact that we are in the room.

'We have to leave now, Malory stand up.'

'How there is no way out of here.' I am too hurt to hit Quinn with my sass.

'You see that door I say pointing at the red door at the end of the room. 'It will lead us to the backyard.' I silently pray that they didn't have one more bastard outside. I turn back to see a fire starting to spread I see Mama favourite chair fall on her.

I pull Malory up with my free hand and we all move towards the door. When outside we run,we run as fast as our legs could carry us,we run to safety. Even while I escape,I am hunted by images from that room,I know that even in his grave John would never forgive me.

I rouse from sleep, standing to my feet slowly I am trembling and drenched, something that hadn't stopped for the past seven years. I take the bottled water from the night stand drinking great gulps.

I step out of the room,I just want to clear my head of the images that keeps hunting me in my dreams. In the lounge,I see livy who immediately smiles when she sees me.

'Honey another nightmare?' She gives me a consoling look.

'Yes it's worse.' I reply settling down beside her.

'Tell me about it' She says taking my right hand and squeezing.

I am not shocked,I have outgrown that stage. I never understood why she kept asking about my dreams when she knew she would get the same reply. 'I keep seeing him,he begged me to open that door,he cried and asked me to save him but i let him burn, i ran for my own sake.'

'No honey you were going to ,you stopped because you were thinking about Quinn,Malory,Crystabel,you were thinking about your family.' she sniffs and touches my face 'You knew there was too much at risk.'

'Too much at risk?' I yell frantically. 'He was my brother,I could have saved him,we could have fought together.'

'Fought together?we would have all died,you didn't want that.'

I know she is right,I know we would have all died. You would think one would rehabilitate after a long time. I ache everyday,I never have a dreamless night cause I am hunted by memories of that night. I will myself to forget it all,to heal and move on but everyday I convince myself that I am making progress I close my eyes and I see myself in my Father's study room.

Ever since that incident seven years ago,I have never cried I cut myself once but the tears never came. I sit back curling myself and livy immediately hugs me. 'God the last good sleep I had was years ago,I remember I was so happy Miss Sarah delivered a baby girl and I slept dreaming of happy things before John woke me up'.

'Dont blame yourself,blame me.' she is whimpering, I shift to look at her.

How can I blame this woman,how can I blame a woman that nursed me and helped me heal. After we escaped,we didn't go to the station to report the crime,we had been so petrified and had straightway made arrangements to leave the state. I spent two years of my life in the hospital,well,under the special care of Doctor Ben livy once upon a time lover. He had taken a look at me,talked to me and didn't give up even when I didn't respond.

I had put them in pain because they had to live their own lives to favour mine. After two years,I finally spoke,I still remember the smiles on their faces. Crystabel we decided to name her that, was already 2 going to three in few months when I came home. How can I blame a woman who has done nothing more than love me.

I stop my patter the minute Malory my younger sister encroach. She is exactly like my Mother with big blue eyes and long brown hair. She is fair in complexion and doesn't act her age, you would expect every 18 year old to be a little bit unwise well not in Malory's case my sister had to grow up fast all thanks to me who refused to speak for two years.

'Wow I can't miss this little party'. She raises her eyebrow, something my mother used to do when scolding us. She waves her hand in the air like a magic wand. 'Eva you have a big day tomorrow,you should be resting your bones.'

Trust Malory to keep tabs on everybody life,she is always fussing that I work too hard and never rest. She looks at me scowling. 'I am really upset nobody told me Travis Scott has dimples.'

'Jesus'. It is all I manage to say while laughing.i have an appointment with Mr Scott and I am honestly clueless ,well I know nothing about him

'Malory' I say with my hands towards the heavens in prayer. 'You are 18,you shouldn't be engrossed in men'. I muse picking up my bottle water and taking a sip.

'Sis some people have a love life. Well I looked him up on the net that man is so hot.'

'He doesn't have dimple' Livy says surprising me 'He just smiles real good.'

Okay I really cannot believe these two plus this is not the kind of conversation I want to be having few hours before a professional meeting. I am surprised this woman still happens to shock me trust her to run a background check on anyone who meets her girls.

'It is dimple'. Malory says frowning.

'You are obsessed with dimples.' I say laughing. She is like our mother,she once told me her love story. it was love at first sight for her cause my father had dint which she really liked. Well her joy knew no bound when John was born with it too. Livy obviously too tired to start any bickering with Malory stands up. She kisses our faces before finally resigning to her room.

'You should go to bed,I will be up early to dress you'.

'Me?'. I ask confused 'Do I need to be dressed'.

'Well,my fashion sense is way better than yours and you can't wear those horrible things you call dresses to meet Travis Scott remember he is handsome.' she says the last part with a shriek.

I sigh 'No.'

'Eva,you are meeting that fine man,he has his face on different magazines plus he is sinfully handsome,rich and single'.

'Of course I know all this' Well I didn't and how the hell does she. I am sure she turned the net sideways digging up everything on the poor man.

'I love you okay,let me dress you up in the morning'.

I know it is arduous to win a brawl with Malory,plus I am too tired to start one now. 'I love you more'.

'Ugh that is my line,and you know I love you more'.

'I said it first,so I do love you more.'

'You wanna argue'. She replies hugging me.

'No no,sleep tight' I retort standing.

***

'I think the purple fits you more.' I roll my eyes sitting exhausted,Malory had come into my room this morning and had hauled me to my closet and for almost an hour I have been given different clothes to try on.

'I have tried the purple,you said I looked like a Christmas tree,I am pretty sure they aren't purple'.

'well,don't blame me can't remember when I last saw one'.

I sniff shamefacedly,after that incident,I couldn't bear the thought of christmas. As always,my family has been tolerant, following my demands without remonstrance

'I try Malory,I wish I could do it,at least for Crystabel.'

Malory immediately bear hugs me. 'I know honey,I know how much you do for us all,you built a company on your own to ensure we never have any financial problems.'she shoves my shoulder playfully. 'Well, except in the relationship aspect you know.'

I laugh,a full belly own cause I don't think Malory would ever stop surprising me with the things she says. 'Oh please shut up.'

She stands up,back to playing fashion designer. 'wear this'.

I inhale, gathering the cloth. 'What about the one I have on.'

'No,this colour makes you look like a yoke,you look like a normal worker not the boss'.

'Okay make up your mind,I need to leave already.'

She pouts 'Don't be like that Eva,you are meeting Travis scott ...'

'Okay' I interrupt her before she begins her love session. I sit down defeated watching my sister mess my once upon a time perfect room. She laughs at my green undies and widens her eyes when she sees my Barbie gown. After what feels like forever,she stands with a red suit.

'Wear this,then we change your makeup.' she begins to clap her hands , dancing and singing.

Malory has great fashion sense,the suit trouser is a perfect fit and it hugs my every curve. I am not slim like Malory I am a size 8 my hair is longer and straighter than when I was younger,my eyes is brown like my father's. I have a small mouth and a dimple in my left cheek- well Mother would argue that it shouldn't be called one cause it only appeared when I laughed. I am tall,unlike my Mother,I have only one piercing on each ear. My father would describe me as a beautiful woman with the face of an angel.

Malory hands me a silver necklace without the earrings.

'I think the earrings would be good.'

'No,let them guess about you in one.'

Puzzled I sigh. 'Why would anyone.'

'Eva'. she puts her hands towards the heavens. 'It gives you this sexy bossy look'.

An hour later,after changing my makeup thanks to Malory who insisted it looked so wrong,I smile at myself in the mirror.

'I look so beautiful'.

She let me flush over myself without interruption. She turns towards the door and smiles.

Crystabel bounces on me and I would landed on my ass if Malory hadn't steadied me.

'My sweet bunny.' I plaster kisses all over her face making her scream in delight. 'You didn't dry your hair?'

'Mama will you take me to school.' she gives me her sweetest face,the one that always keeps me on my toes.

'Honey you have Mr Benson for that.' I say referring to the driver.

'Mama, other kids come with their mother or father.' she looks teary now.

'You know mama has to work.'She is sobbing immediately, wrapping her small hands around my neck.

'Take me! Gloria asks of mama alot,she is laughing'.

I have had so much stress in just a few hours and I most definitely don't have the strength to deal with Crystabel tantrums.

'Gloria laughs alot,she isn't right now' I say correcting her. I glance at my watch and I almost squeal .Crystabel is not an arduous child,If she is like this today,then she must really need me. I am sure she is hurt that I have never dropped her off at school. I look at Malory hoping to get some help only to see her shrug her shoulders. I immediately try another technique.

'Take me,take me mama.' Her voice is louder now, Malory rescues me by transferring Crystabel to her lap.

'Please honey let Malory take you' I say standing to find my car keys.

'Sorry Eva I have exams today I have less than one hour to prepare.'

And I have a meeting in less than an hour I almost fire back. I take Crystabel back to my lap. Resigned I kiss her head. 'Let Mrs Thelma dress you up.' I say referring to her nanny of three years now.

'Dress me Mama,I want you to dress me up.' she is on my bed instantly.

I look at Malory with teary eyes. 'I am going to be late'.

'Ugh' she replies 'Be a boss today'.

.

I arrive at the office much later,I am clammy and drained I had to drop Crystabel off and speed like a mad woman to the office. I look up smiling broadly at the large board that read "Robert fame".

I remember how hard I had to work after leaving the hospital. I took online courses cause Livy still scared of my mental health didn't like the idea of me going to school well I also didn't argue cause I wasn't ready to mingle with people.

At twenty,I launched my first ever business idea which I named K2. I had been shocked when companies reached out to me and were ready to pay alot to get it. I made alot of money after selling it. With the money and also the help of livy I started my own company.

I clap eyes on Quinn my cousin approaching me with a grin. She is a slim lady that has the look of an actress,she has perfect skin one you would argue has never seen the sun. She fancies short hair and never keeps it below her shoulders. Trust Quinn to always look astounding.

She is wearing a strapless short blue gown with black heels. Quinn is a tall woman like her mother Livy and even without the heels she is a good six inches taller than I am. She embraces me,then steps back to look at me.

'Malory's handiwork right.'

'Hello to you too.'

'You look spectacular Eva,let me take a moment to digest this you don't look this dreamy everyday.'

'What?' I smack her playfully.

'I missed you baby girl.'

'Now when did you get back.' Quinn had travelled to Canada for her masters.After I came back home from the hospital,I felt so guilty that she had to put her school life on a hold cause all the funds were going to my hospital bills. Quinn had always wanted to be a lawyer ever since we were kids. After I came home,I worked my ass off to make money,maybe part of the reasons was my guilt I wanted to make enough money to ensure she went to school.

Months after K2 sold out,I made sure she travelled out to do what she always wanted.

'I arrived yesterday.' She replies me patting her face. She would retouch her makeup even in the labour room.

'I didn't see you at home yesterday'.

'Relax mummy I didn't loose my virginity last night.'

'You were at Gideon's. I comment dryly referring to her boyfriend who I didn't like.

She rolls her eye at me,Quinn is older than I am. She is 25 years old and I am 23 I have this motherly instinct it all started with Crystabel she learnt over the years to put up with me acting like her mother.

'Easy ma I am here now.'

'Don't ma me,am I late?' she checks her watch nodding

'You are an hour and twenty minutes late.'

'What! tell me he didn't leave already'. I am moving fast to the door,I quickly sight livy. 'Morning'.

'You are late.' She stops on her track observing me 'You look good.' she resumes her walk to the conference room.

'I will get you coffee'.

Quinn had called me last week and said she wanted to work as my secretary part time until she has to go back to Canada.

'Mr Scott'

'He arrived like an thirty min ago,so you are still kinda good.'

I half walk and run to the conference room,I am late and I hate being late what must he think of me,I stop to catch my breath

'Eva you look so stunning,now don't get teary.' Quinn says to my back 'Go do what you do best,let's go home after a long nice bath I have alot to tell you about Canada.'

'That is the spirit'. I say dancing silently

Quinn starts laughing at my comment 'You are the best girl.'

I smile back at her,at least my day just got better.

***

I stand rather shakily trying to suppress my nerves, gathering up my satchel I make my way to the partially open door. I push open the door and almost stumble I try to avert my eyes when I feel his on me. I have to steel myself to glance up. Holy cow-he's so young

I am immediately captivated when I catch his eyes. Malory's synopsis did not prepare me for this man here,he is beautiful. He is looking at me,baring me with those eyes. I knew he was watching me when I came in and I had tried not to look at him.

He has dreamy eyes,one you would look at and see yourself in,his hair is perfect for that beautiful face,he has one stubborn hair touching his brows and my hands itch to push it back. His mouth,that mouth would do things to a woman.I begin to ache all over and breathing becomes very difficult.

No man has ever affected me the way Travis Scott has,and I cannot fathom why. I look at him with pleading eyes and my brain is fuzzy. I don't know what I am begging him for as if figuring out that he could only give me what i want in a bedroom he smirks and looks away.

I take few seconds to catch my breath before realizing the looks fixed on me,damn it,I am the late damsel who hasn't apologized yet.

'You kept us waiting Eva'. Travis says smirking.

My name has never sounded better,this man made it sound so sinful. What is it with first name basics today I think pouting. He may be arrogant, but then he has a right to be. i realise I have been silent since my entrance I immediately snap back to reality.

'We are both late Travis.' I say adopting the first name thing. 'I know you arrived not too long.'

Livy gawk at me with raised brows probably thinking I might have lost it,news flash I have. Quinn secretly pinches my lap which has me wincing.

He laughs,it sounds like good music that slow and sexual music you play so you can have a sexy dream of a prince on a horse...okay what am I thinking about right now.

'Miss Robert,I fear I like you already'.

I am about to reply that I do actually hate him, anything to wipe that grin off his beautiful face but Livy beat me to it.

'Let's get to business shall we.'

***

'That obnoxious jerk.' I move my back into the hot water,I sigh once I get the contact I have been craving all day.

We are in the bathroom,Malory is seated on the toilet seat, Quinn is standing while I am naked in the tub.

'Eva I can't believe you are still furious,you were late give the guy a break.'

I face her looking stern,I wag a finger at her. 'Dont you dare start with me. You did your spruce-up,and also refused to take Crystabel to school. So don't tell me I was late.'

She starts giggling, falling off the toilet seat. I huff.

After the meeting which lasted way too long ,I had ignored Livy and had gone home with Quinn who started rambling the instant she spotted Malory.

'You know what' I say closing my eyes. 'You and Quinn pack up and go live with him. You should be supporting me.'

'Miss Eva,I fear I like you.'

I pop one eye open to see Quinn dancing in circles. 'It was so romantic,you should have seen Eva's face when he said it.'

'What!'

Trust Malory to be dramatic. 'He said he liked you o- my- God.' she joins Quinn in dancing, screaming and jumping.

'No' I come out of the tub cloaking a towel around me. 'Sarcasm ladies.'

They seal their lips. 'I mean such a fine,rich man gets to work for you.'

'No not for me,he is helping me.' I correct Malory. 'We are under the water right now and Livy has assured me that Mr Scott is all we need.'

'I mean that man has enough money to buy your company.'

'Thanks for the support Malory,but no it is not for sale.'

I laugh when I see fear cross her face because she thinks I might have taken it personal. 'Mr Scott is going to be around for a while to help with the security issues,our computer system is wack and security a total fiasco. He is going to ensure we don't have any problem in the future.'

'Wow, it is surprising he is doing all this. I mean he has money,he runs the best security company in the state and this year his company ranked number seven in the world,you certainly can't afford his pay.'

'I also panicked about the meeting too.Livy seems to have favours everywhere.'

Malory and Quinn stare at me beat. I grin understanding their confusion,I was also shocked when she told me Travis was going to help me. 'She knows his father,and as much as I hate asking for favours,I knew we would run down if we didnt get help.'

'What?' Malory's screeching makes me jump this time. 'Your mum has a rich boyfriend.'

'Malory.' I call laughing. 'Dont get into the match making spirit. His father is the doctor that tended to me while I was in the hospital.'

That man is tied to me,to us all I am not dazed that he asked his son to come to my rescue.

'I know his father is a doctor,I didn't know he was the same one that treated you, I never got to meet him.'

It is still a sore topic for me and I am glad Malory doesn't push it either.

'Well,his mother is dead,she died when he was ten. Travis went to a boarding school and won his first competition...'

'Stop' I gaze at Malory surprised 'Did you really check all that.' I turn to Quinn for support and I huff when she shrugs her shoulders chuckling.

'All that matters right now is that he has a single dad who happens to be livy good friend. Travis is a super man he would do this in other companies and gain alot.'

Malory has a very wild imagination they are just friends and nothing more.

'It would be more exciting if you marry on the same day,every news paper is going to have you on their first page.'

'I would be his step daughter,and have so many shares.' Quinn says dancing again.

'You are both unbelievable.' Malory leans closer to me.

'He has dimples?'

'Oh Malory that man is so handsome.'

I swish when they both start dancing and laughing. 'You two go live with him I am sure he has more than enough rooms in his house.' I toss my sponge at Malory and brush at Quinn when they keep dancing and laughing.