WEIGHTED 30

ELIZE ROBERT

‘Elize!’ Jason’s shout was the last thing I heard before I welcomed the darkness.

I woke up after what seems to be quite sometime later. Jason was right by my bed’s side, nursing me as always.

‘What the hell happened to you?’ He asked angrily.

‘I - He - he took everything away from me. He - he robbed me out of my life.’ I cried.

He immediately took me in his arms. ‘Okay, shhh, it’s okay now. I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you.’ He comforted me soothingly, kissing my temple.

‘It wasn’t your fault! Don’t blame yourself for their mistakes.’ I said hugging him tightly.

‘No, I should have known that that fucking bastard would try something. There was something about him that gave me the negative vibes.’ He said.

‘Bu…’ I was cut off with multiple gunshots resonating in the air.

They’re here! They fucking broke their promise, I should have never trusted a bunch of lying trash.

Jason looked up confused as to what the commotion was about, since he wasn’t aware of anything.

‘Jason, we need to go now!’ I whisper yelled at him when he tried to loosen my grip on him to go to the door to see what’s happening.

‘What do you mea…’ The door broke open cutting him off, and five men each holding a gun in his hand, pointing it at us.

Jason looked at me as if he realised what exactly was going on, and shouted.

‘ELIZE, RUN!’

Jason threw me through the window before those men had the chance to pull the trigger. I whimpered a feeble ‘NO’ before my body landed on the grass outside the apartment with glass form the window surrounding me, some pieces even piercing through my body.

I was surprised I could lift myself up immediately after I got shoved from a second floor window, maybe the grass lessened the impact of the blow.

I was about to run back up to our floor when Jason shouted from above freezing me in my place. ‘Run, Elize. Don’t waste my sacrifice. Please just go as far away from here as possible.’ He pleaded looking down at me with a sad look before he was dragged back in the room. Then not even a second later, a sound of a bullet resonated through the air.

‘GET HER!’ The voices at the entrance of the building snapped me back out of my daze, I lifted my gaze up to see three of those bulky men charging towards me with their guns raised high.

Jason’s plea echoed in my head, and as if my feet have a mind of their own, I started running like my life depended on it.

However the sound of their heavy footsteps on the pavement didn’t leave my ears no matter how much I increased my pace.

It was like my body was punishing me for neglecting it, their loud and steady footsteps’ sounds were clearly mocking my weight. Reminding me that I can never outpace them.

‘Don’t let her escape! Kill her or your heads will roll.’

I woke up panting like I’ve been running a marathon, my throat, head and my whole body felt sore. Sweat was all over my body.

What wouldn’t I give to stop these nightmares - like - memories, they’ve been haunting for nine long years. Every time I blink the same gruesome pictures replay in front of my eyes, depriving me of the smallest bit of rest.

I need to find where the kids are. They must be terrified in the woods all alone.

With that thought in my mind, I rubbed my hands on my face to ease the stinging in my eyes, and was about to stretch my hands to the nightstand to grab a cup of water when what felt like a small fist was holding my hand in place. I looked down to see my little charmer snoring down lightly with his cute little mouth slightly open, and his small fists clenching my nightwear tightly.

I was shocked, when did he return? For how long was I unconscious? Endless unanswered question marks swarmed into my head, confusing me.

I gently threaded my fingers through his dark locks, and caressed his tear - stained cheek with my free hand. Gently easing the tears stains off of it.

The door drew open minutes later revealing my husband’s rigid figure. ‘Seen a ghost?’

Chuckling slightly he made his way towards me, and laid on the edge of the bed next to me before kissing my forehead, his lips lingering more than usual. Almost as if he was relieved.

‘Don’t ever do that to me again, you scared me senseless when you suddenly collapsed before my eyes.’ He sighed slowly, his chin on the crown of my head.

‘What happened? How did you find the kids?’ My voice was hoarse and scratchy due to the thirst I was feeling. Tyrone handed me a glass full of water form the nightstand, seeing I was unable to move or I would wake my little Cutie Pie.

‘They were lost in the woods.’ There was something about his voice that told me that what he just said wasn’t the truth.

‘Really they were just lost?’ I asked again.

And my suspicions got confirmed when his body tensed beneath me. ‘Yeah.’ He was hiding something, and I need to find what that is.

‘What about me, for how long was I out?’ I asked instead of voicing my suspicions since I knew it would be futile if he doesn’t want to disclose anything.

‘Just few hours, but the doctor said to stay away from stress. It could harm our baby.’ He said putting his hand on my belly, softly drawing soothing circles in the process.

‘You brought Elton here?’ I asked looking down at my little bundle of Joy.

‘Yes, he was a crying mess when we found them, and kept crying for you until I brought him up here.’ He answered following my actions. ‘He slept almost immediately after he curled up against you.’ This time he was looking at me adoringly.

‘What?’ I asked after awhile.

‘It’s still baffles me how our children found solace and comfort in you even in your unconscious state, that too no matter what their age is.’ He caressed my cheek before dipping his head to kiss me on the lips.

‘It’s a mothers thing.’ I replied. ‘Jealous?’ I teased.

He smiled and kissed me again. ‘Just happy they have you, happy I have you.’ His green gems reflected his love and affection for me, and I couldn’t be happier.

My family completes me, without my husband and kids I’m nothing.