Hated (11 page)

“Antonio do you mind
giving me a hand, I need you to hold the flashlight while I check for potentially life threatening wounds,” I told him giving him the flashlight and moving to the other side of Alexander. Antonio knelt down and held the flashlight exactly where I needed it to be so that I could see without shadows. I unzipped his sweater and found a t-shirt underneath.

I
heaved a sigh and got up. “I need to go get some scissors to get the shirt off I’ll be back in a minute,” I told them and went back to the house.

Chapter 14

Antonio
Caine

Boston 9:50 pm Thursday February 15
th
2029

I watched as Stephanie walked to the house and disappeared. Then I turned my attention back to Alexander, he looked tired and sore. I almost felt sorry for him and I would’ve, if he hadn’t kissed Stephanie’s hand and started flirting with her. Just then he looked up at me and smiled.

“Is she your girlfriend?” Alexander asked. I shook my head wary of where the conversation was going.

“Good because I’m going to make her mine,” Alexander replied and his smile changed to a devilish grin. I glared down at him; I did not want the likes of him to have Stephanie. She deserves so much better than that.

Alexander started laughing. “Oh dear me, you like her don’t you?” Alexander asked although I don’t think it was a question, more like a statement. “Well if you like her so much then why haven’t you made your move yet. Someone can easily snatch her away if you aren’t careful.”

I heard the underlining tone of a challenge in his voice and I was about to say something when Stephanie came outside. She trotted over with a small suitcase and knelt back down next to Alexander. I turned the flashlight back on and angled it so that it wouldn’t catch any shadows. Stephanie opened the suitcase and pulled out a set of scissors.

Stephanie quickly and carefully cut Alexander’s shirt off. The chest didn’t look as bad as I thought it would. But from the way Stephanie was looking at his chest, I’m guessing it was worse then it looked.
She felt around his ribs and he winced every time there was a slight bit of pressure on or around them. Stephanie kept muttering to herself and moved her hands up to his neck, felt around then moved again. She did the head last and was much more gentle and serene then I’ve seen any doctor be towards a patient. Stephanie’s face scrunched up when she found the wounds on Alexander’s head.

“Well I can’t see anything that’s life threatening at the moment
,” Stephanie murmured, and then she looked at me. “Can you help me get him into the house?”

As much as I
didn’t want to help Alexander, I nodded and helped Stephanie get him to his feet. Alexander tried not to make any pained noises but a couple did escape his lips and clenched teeth. Getting him to the house was a little less complicated but not by much. Kevin was at the door to let us in to the house and to take over helping Alexander, while Stephanie went back outside to get her first aid kit. Kevin and I put Alexander on the couch that Kevin had already set up before hand.

I noticed that Kevin was trying not to put pressure on his leg. I caught his eyes and gestured for him to take a seat. I knew enough about first aid to be able to handle most of this on my own. Kevin nodded a bit relived and took a seat, putting his leg up to rest.
His face relaxed as the pressure was taken off his wounded leg.

I set to work on clean up Alexander’s wounds.
He had several deep gashes but as Stephanie had said none of them were life-threatening. I was about to ask Kevin how he was doing when Stephanie came in the door. She took us in, in one comprehensive glance then smiled.

“Thanks Antonio,” Stephanie said looking at me still smiling, and then her expression changed to a sheepish one.
“Um, can you finish up with Kevin since I didn’t get to finish him earlier and…?”

I put my finger to her lips silencing her.

“I will,” I told her. As much as I wanted to keep her away from Alexander I knew I wouldn’t be much help to him. I would probably be more help to Kevin anyway.

“Don’t worry I’m okay,” Kevin said smiling. Both Stephanie and I gave him
sceptical looks and he gave in. I double checked Kevin’s wounds and found some ones that Stephanie forgot about. I cleaned out all the wounds that hadn’t been cleaned out and bandaged up all the wounds that needed to be bandaged. I splinted his arm and put it into a sling. I had finished a little bit before Stephanie but she was done a couple of minutes later.

No one had talked through out the whole process but now we all sighed.
Stephanie yawned and looked like she was about to fall asleep. Kevin tapped my shoulder and whispered for me to take her to bed, saying that he was going to watch Alexander tonight. I nodded and went over to Stephanie.

Stephanie was lying down on the floor beside the couch eyes almost completely shut. Alexander had already fallen asleep so I quietly tapped Stephanie on the shoulder. She groaned and turned over so that she was facing the couch. I sighed and reached down to pick her up. I got her into my arms and her eyes shot open, and her hand shot around to reach for her gun. I grabbed her arm and waited.

“What are you doing?” she asked her voice husky with sleep.

“You pretty much fell asleep on the floor so I’
m taking you to your room where you should be sleeping,” I told her letting go of her hand and standing up.

“
But what about,” Stephanie yawned and curled up against my chest, “Alexander.”

“Kevin is going to be watching him tonight and if you want I’ll watch him too,” I said and paused at
one of the doors. She shook her head and I continued down the hallway.

“No…Kevin will be okay…on his own,” Stephanie was starting to fade now.
I stopped again and I could barely tell that she shook her head. I continued down the hall to the last room, shifted Stephanie to my one arm and opened the door.

The room was very small, too small for what was in it.
In the room there were two beds, a small bookshelf and that was about it. I set Stephanie down on the one bed and I turned to go but I tripped and landed on the other bed. Stephanie opened her eyes into slits to look at me.

“Don’t leave,” she murmured still half asleep, “please stay.”

I didn’t know how conscience she was of what she said but just her saying it made my heart rate speed up. I nodded and she smiled just a little one, before falling back to sleep. Just as I was about to lie down I remembered the roses.

“I’ll be back in a minute I just forgot to take care of something,” I doubted she could hear me but it made me feel a little better.
I went back to the kitchen and tried to find where a vase would be. I heard someone clear their throat and I turned toward the sound. Kevin was leaning against the door frame. He looked tired and worn down but the small smile on his face helped soften his features.

“Wh
atcha looking for?” he asked as he hobbled into the kitchen.

“A vase,” I told him and reached into my pocket.
He looked confused but then he smiled when he saw the white rose.

“I know the perfect one for it,” Kevin replied and hobbled over to the stove. “There is one up there in the cabinet, it was our grandmother’s, then our mother’s and now it belongs to us.”

I opened up the cupboard and found a small glass vase tucked away behind a couple of old cooking books. I grabbed it carefully and brought it down for Kevin to examine. He looked at it and nodded smiling. Kevin went to the sink with the vase and filled it with water. I found a pair of scissors and snipped the stem of the rose before putting it into the vase.

“You like Stephanie, yes?” Kevin asked and I turned around to look at his face. He was smiling but his eyes were serious.
I nodded slowly.

“Then there is some
thing you must know before you make your move,” Kevin replied putting air quotes around ‘make your move’. “Steph had gone missing for three days a while back. We went to the police but they were no help. When she did return she was cut up pretty bad. She had said that she was fine but I knew something was up.”

I gave him a questioning look and he gave me a tired smile.

“She wouldn’t let anyone touch her,” Kevin replied. “Even now she still has some problems with people touching her. Steph and I, we share a room. A day or two after she came back I had forgotten to knock on the door and I walked in on her changing.”

Kevin seemed lost in thought remembering what he saw, I’d assume.

“She had bruises and cuts in places where she shouldn’t have had them if she was just being beaten,” Kevin said his voice distant, but slightly lit with anger. “Hayley used to be best friends with Steph but Hayley for some reason turned on her. She lured Steph away and sold her to some guys so that she could be their slave. I guess I don’t really have to explain what they did to her.”

Kevin’s fists and teeth were clenched, and he clamped his eyes shut against the anger that I could sense was rising in him.

“If only we’d found her sooner, we could’ve stopped them…we could’ve…” Kevin’s voice broke and a tear slid down his cheek.

“What happened to the captors?” I asked. I could feel my own anger rising as I thought about Stephanie being locked away in a cold room with a couple
of creepy perverts.

“Never found them, the lucky bastards,” Kevin replied wiping away the tear. “Stephanie won’t talk and Hayley will just beat us down before we can get a word in edge wise.”

“Anyway you better get back before she finds out that you’re gone,” Kevin said smiling, and then looked like he was considering something. “Oh and one more thing, she will try and push you away even if she does like you. A word to the wise stand by her when she needs you and you will go far, good-night.”

He turned around and headed back to the living room without another word. He was quite wise for someone his age
, and I think he was starting to grow on me. I smiled to myself and headed back to the room where Stephanie was sleeping. I opened the door and quietly stepped in to the room. I shut the door carefully behind me and went to put the rose on the small dresser that separated the two beds. There was a bit of moonlight slinking in through the blinds and as I put the rose down it sparkled. Again I saw something in the rose but I didn’t know what it was and I was too tired to try to get it.

I yawned and stretched before taking off my shoes and lying down on the bed.
My eye lids felt heavy as I lay on the bed and soon I fell into a deep sleep.

Chapter 15

Stephanie Wilson

Boston 6:05
am Friday February 16
th
2029

I awoke to the blaring sound of my alarm going off. I groaned and fumbled around for the clock. I eventually found the snooze button but by then I was wide awake. I sat up and looked around. It was still dark but there was a lamp on outside, so I could see a little bit. I heard someone groan and move but it wasn’t my brother. I froze and looked at the bed beside mine. In the bed was Antonio? What was he doing here?

Then I slowly started to remember last night. Oh man, there was a guy sleeping in my living room too.
I looked around and found a white rose on my bed side table that wasn’t there the night before. It was beautiful but who had put it there? I sat up and saw something glitter in between the petals. I reached over and looked through the petals. Sitting in the centre of the rose was a diamond the size of my ring finger nail attached to a small silver chain. Ok I really don’t know who got me this. I didn’t have time to think about it I was already late getting up.

I got up and went to the closet to find some clothes. I had to walk around where Antonio was sleeping but it wasn’t as hard as I would’ve thought. Geez, he was a heavy sleeper. I opened up the closet and found a nice set of pants and a shirt to wear.

I quickly changed right there on the spot and then quietly left the room to go make breakfast. But first I grabbed the necklace off the nightstand and threw it into my pocket. My moms were out at work already so I wouldn’t have to cook for them today, but I still had two extra mouths to feed. I put a frying pan on the stove and turned the stove on. I got out some eggs and bacon out of the fridge and some bread out of the drawer. I put the bread in the toaster and cracked some eggs on to the frying pan. I grabbed some bacon and put it on some paper towel and put it in the microwave to cook.

A few minutes later Kevin came in to the kitchen with a new set of clothes on. He wasn’t limping as badly as last night but the limp was still there. I was kind of surprised that he got the shirt on by himself with his badly bruised arm.

“How was last night?” I asked as Kevin sat down at the table.

“It wasn’t as bad as I would’ve thought,” he replied stretching his one arm.
“How about you?”

“I think I was out cold before I made it to the bedroom but I don’t remember,”
I replied turning to work on breakfast. I grabbed a plate and put two eggs, two pieces of toast and a couple pieces of bacon on it. I put it in front of Kevin along with a fork and a knife.

“Thank you,” he said and started to work away at his bacon.
I smiled and continued to work on breakfast. The next people to come out were Anthony and Andrew and they were still in there pyjamas.

“Morning,” I said as I placed their breakfast in front of them.

“Morning sister,” Anthony and Andrew said simultaneously. They both yawned and stretched before digging into their breakfast. Antonio was the last one to come to the table and he looked tired. I guess he wasn’t used to being up so early.

“Morning sunshine,” I said and placed a plate of food in front of him as he sat down.

“Thanks,” he mumbled and then yawned. He was wearing the same clothes as yesterday and that would not stand not in this house. I finished the last two plates and took one out to Alexander who was still asleep on the couch. I left the plate on the floor and went back to the kitchen to eat. Once everyone was finished eating and had their dishes in the sink. I sent the twins to go get some clothes on and went to try to find some clothes for Antonio in the basement.

I kept the extra clothes down here just in case people needed them. It was also the area where my brothers and I would practise our fighting skills. Antonio followed me and eventually we found some clothes that would fit him.
He went to go change in the bathroom and I went to check to see if Alexander was awake yet.

When I entered the living room Alexander was leaning his back against the arm of the couch. He was still lying on the couch however and it didn’t look like he could move much yet. But his breakfast was gone so that was a good sign.
His eyes were closed but I could tell that he was still awake. I cleared my throat and his eyes fluttered open.

“Morning sleepy head,” I said smiling. He
smiled back, yawned and stretched.

“Hey darling,” he said smiling and then looked around. “What’s going on?”

“Getting ready to go to school,” I replied and crouched down beside him. “You are staying here and one of my moms should be home around lunch, so she will be watching you until I get back.”

“
Awwww and I was hoping to get to know my lovely rescuer,” he said with mock disappointment. He reached forward slowly and brushed his fingers across my cheek. Alexander grabbed a stray piece of hair and tucked it behind my ear. He was being super sweet but he was also being super flirty and I hated that. I grabbed Alexander’s hand and put it back on his lap.

He looked confused so I thought I should elaborate, “I don’t like people who are super flirty it absolutely annoys the heck out of me, okay?”

Alexander nodded slowly letting it sink in.

“Good but now I’ve got to go or else I’m going to be late,” I said and got up to leave. “Good bye, Alexander.”

“See you later, beautiful,” he replied and closed his eyes to try to get some more sleep. I don’t normally like flirting but he just does it so casually that sometimes I don’t even notice it. The comments make me feel kind of fluttery and off balance. I’d sworn off men so his comments shouldn’t be affecting me like this, and yet they were.

I sighed and went to make sure everyone was ready to get going. I had tried to talk Kevin into staying home but he would hear none of it. I had no choice but to let him come with us.
With an exaggerated sigh from me we set off toward the schools.

It was cold outside but I barely noticed it while walking with everyone. We laughed and talked about so many random things
that I kind of got lost a couple times in the conversation. The first school we came to was the elementary school and Kevin, Anthony and Andrew left us to go to the school. I smiled and continued with Antonio to our high school. With Kevin, Anthony and Andrew gone the talking had completely stopped and a silence had settled over us.

I didn’t know what to say to break the silence or even if I wanted to break the silence.
But I did have a couple questions that I needed to ask and I needed to get the answers before we got to the school.

“Antonio is this okay?” I asked not bothering to look at him because I was sure that he would know what I was talking about. That and I don’t think I could stand to see his answer.

“Hmm,” he replied thinking it over I presumed. Then I felt something go over my shoulders. I looked to Antonio and saw that it was his arm over my shoulders and that he was looking at me, curiously. Against my better judgement I leaned against him. But I kept my eyes forward so that he wouldn’t see the fight that I was having with myself, because I’m sure that he would mistake it for something else. I liked him, I really did but I haven’t felt this way for a long time what should I do?

“What about Hayley?” I asked hesitantly. I knew that I might’ve crossed a line but I had to know what I was getting into.
Antonio stopped walking. I didn’t want to look up I really didn’t want to see what he looked like right then. He walked around to the front of me and now I was staring at his chest. I tried to get around him but he blocked me each time.

“Come on we’re going to be late for school,” I muttered looking anywhere but at him. I felt embarrassed and slightly anxious. I shook a little as a cold breeze got through my jacket. Antonio put his arms around me and pulled me into his embrace.
I would’ve tried to get away if not for him being so warm. We couldn’t afford real winter jackets so we got spring jackets and used a couple sweaters on the inside.

“Jeez, you should’ve said something if you were cold,” Antonio murmured
resting his chin on the top my head.

“I’m kind of used to it,” I replied q
uietly, “the not asking for help part of it anyway.”

Antonio held me tighter. But I wasn’t uncomfortable or feeling squished. I liked it when he did that, it made me feel not alone anymore.
It made me feel like I had someone who could protect me. Someone I could be myself around. I was about to tell him something but then I had this odd feeling that we were being watched. I pushed away a little and looked around. I spotted a black Cadillac on the other side of the street not too far from us.

“Antonio, I think we are being watched,” I whispered watching the car.
Antonio glanced at where I was looking and nodded. He reached inside his jacket and pulled out a pistol. I didn’t know that he had that with him. Frankly I didn’t even know that he had one. Then the car started up and sped off down the road but I caught the license plate number. Now I could recognize the car if I ever saw it again.

“W
ho do you think that was?” I asked confused as to why someone would be watching us. Antonio holstered his gun and looked thoughtful, and then it turned to rage.

“I can name three,” he replied through clenched teeth.
I hugged him and he calmed down a little. We continued on our way to the school. To my surprise we weren’t late, we were actually on time. As we got on to the school property Antonio put his arm over my shoulder. I was tempted to pull away but when I looked up at his face I changed my mind. He seemed very determined and serious. I didn’t know what he was planning but I was both excited and scared.

I didn’t know how people would react when they saw us.
But I kind of wanted to find out so that those damned people would shut up about me. Or if I think rationally it might make things a lot worse than they already were. As soon as I hit that train of thought I started to have major doubts. What was he thinking? If they saw us walk in together then there would be more rumours for sure. None of them would be about him they would all be about me. Probably about how I could possible get him to stay with me. I just have to endure these comments for a little while then I’ll be out of there.

I caught people staring at
me and others who were glaring menacingly. I just walked with my head high and smiled at them, and just because I felt really ticked off I blew a kiss to Hayley. She glared at me with such hate I knew I would be dead when she was done with me. Antonio pulled me closer to his side. I looked up at him. His face was serious but his eyes were smiling. I smiled back and we walked into the school.

Antonio pulled me into a closet as soon as we were out of sight. The closet was dark and I could feel Antonio press against me. He was laughing.

“What?” I asked not too sure what I did.

“What you just pulled with Hayley, that was priceless,” Antonio replied trying to hold back his laughter. It was the first time I’d actually heard him laugh.
His laughter made my heart skip a beat.

“You know I don’t believe I’ve laughed this much in years,” Antonio replied smiling. But then the smile disappeared when he looked down at me.
I don’t know what he saw because I was pretty sure that my face was blank.

Antonio leaned down toward me his eyes at half-mast. He paused just short of my lips.
He was waiting for my permission to continue. I leaned forward and kissed him. He wouldn’t be the first guy that I’ve ever kissed but I have to admit it he was one of the best.

I could tell he was trying to be careful and gentle, but that’s not what I wanted.
I wound my arms around his neck and he wound his arms around my back. But he was still trying to be gentle. Ok time for me to be sexy…and mean. When he was catching his breath I moved my head so that I could catch his throat with my teeth. Antonio gasped and I gently lick the spot that I had bit into.

Antonio shifted underneath me and I looked up to see what he was doing. His mouth clamped down on mine and he wasn’t being careful anymore. Just as we found our rhythm the bell rang for first period.
We looked at each other not sure what to do. I sighed and picked my bag up from the ground.

Without saying a word Antonio kissed me on my forehead and walked out of the closet.
I don’t know how much further we would’ve gone and I fear to think about it. I shook my head and tried to get rid of the heat on my face.

I peeked out of the closet and quickly made my way to my first class. I so need
ed to have a talk with Isabella…and Antonio but first I needed to make it to lunch. I tried to focus on my work but it was very difficult to. Antonio and what happened this morning kept popping into my head and interrupting my thoughts.

I barely made it to
lunch without being questioned, or stopped in the hallway. I went straight to the nurse’s office and rushed into the room. Closing the door quickly behind me and leaning against it. I slowed my breathing and Isabella looked up from her paperwork.

“What’s up dear?” Isabella asked as she got up. “Did something happen?”

“You could say that, yes,” I replied. I half smiled and started laughing. “You wouldn’t believe what I’ve been through this morning.”