Come To Me (Owned 3)

“What the fuck do you want?” Never mind he didn’t answer my question. If Seven wanted me dead, it wouldn’t matter what I did. I could ABC, do-si-do, or hide in the presidential bunker. Seven wants you dead, you’re dead.

“I’ve got some information that might interest you,” Seven continued.

“What do you want?” I moved the phone from one ear to the other, preparing for whatever sacrifice Seven would surely request.

“Can’t a guy just do something nice?”

“Sure, a guy can.” I let my words lie like hardening cement.

“Jesus, you fucks fall in love and it’s like all the humor drains out your dick.” I stood and sat down on the chair opposite Lenny. Her breathing was still a little shallow and that didn’t sit well with me. Whatever drug she’d taken, she’d taken too much. Seven continued when I didn’t respond, “Consider it a wedding present.”

“I’m not married.”

“You’re bound more than those that are.” I wasn’t about to argue with that, though I did say, “For a man who isn’t in love, you sure seem to know a lot about it.”

Ignoring me, Seven said, “After you called, you piqued my interest.”

“Lucky me.”

“I learned of your really half-assed attempt at a hit.” Seven paused to laugh, which took about a minute. I frowned, waiting for him to stop. “You couldn’t even get to the fucking airport! Oh god…okay… You should leave that shit to the professionals, but that’s not why I’m calling. I’m calling because of GEM.” Grimacing, I turned away from Lenny and to my computer. The screen was blank now, but I faced it anyway.

“What, now they got you on my ass, too?” I asked.

“Nah, man. Let’s just say sometime in the near future you’re going to need my help.”

“I didn’t think The Boogieman helped. I thought The Boogieman—”

“Before you go postulating and shit,” Seven cut me off. “Let me just remind you that you aren’t the only one who’s been fucked in the ass by the long arm of GEM, Vic.”

“Still doesn’t explain why I’m going to need your help.”

“In due time.” The words were cryptic, but it was his tone that gave me pause and stopped my fingers from drumming against the desk. His brogue had taken a dark turn. I stared at the fingerprints I’d made on the glass, waiting for him to speak. When he didn’t, I made my position clear.

“My death toll has risen high enough, Seven.” Seven laughed, but this was not the same laugh as before. It was long and mirthless, and then the line went dead. I wasn’t given any time to wonder at Seven’s call. Barely had I put the phone down when the next fire sprouted.

“Your death toll?” I spun around at the sound of Lenny’s voice. She was sitting partially up, her arm propped on a forest green couch cushion. Hair a mess, pillow indents on her cheek, she looked absolutely fuckable. I shook my head, trying to get my mind clear. I stood slightly up, reaching an arm out, but she was already up and running away. Her footfalls faded and then I heard a door slam seconds later.

“Goddammit,” I said under my breath.

“Lennox!” I banged on the bathroom door. “Let me the fuck inside.”

“Go murder someone,” she yelled back. “It’s what you love to do. I’m the idiot in this relationship! I’m the one who actually believed the lies! I’m the one who took the lies and loved them! Dean…Maybe Black Dahlia if we’re being honest for once…Are you responsible for all unsolved California murders?” She started to giggle and I frowned. It wasn’t exactly a funny topic of conversation. Through the wood I could hear a song starting to play. It was slow and melodious, with a high harmonic voice.

“Let me in Lennox,” I demanded, biting down until I felt my jaw tighten and teeth crunch.

“Swallow the demons away, that’s what I always say…” Her voice drifted out, a sing song quality to it. My mind quickly ran through the drugs I had in the medicine cabinet. Klonopin, Xanax…I might even have had Lortab from the time she fell.

Fuck.

I started to run into the door, hoping to break it down. I banged my shoulder against the weak part of the hinges and the door splintered. When I entered, I surveyed the bathroom. Lennox was on the floor, knees catawampus, her head resting on the porcelain tub. She looked so small and childlike.

“What the fuck are you doing?” She shrugged at my question, too high to care. I sighed, tired and over it. I turned back, but I wanted to give one last “Fuck you!” As I readied to slam the bathroom door in my wake, I realized there was no door to slam. For a few seconds I stood frozen in my position, looking at the broken remains of a door I had just broken seconds before. I almost laughed at the ridiculousness, but my chest was still too full. There was nothing left to break in this stupid fucking bathroom. We’d already broken everything.

Spinning around, I turned my attention back to her. “It’s not fucking fair, Lennox. It’s not fair that you take those pills and get to float away while I’m here dealing with this shit!” Another song came on that sounded exactly like the first. Lilting with a high voice, I hated it, and I hated that Lenny was letting it inside her. Lenny was The Dead Kennedys and The Cure, not whatever the fuck this shit was.

Lennox shrugged again and smiled a dopy, opium smile. “I don’t care. I’m too happy right now. You can’t take that away from me.”

“Yeah, well you’re going to care.” I stepped over the wood shards until I was at her feet. “You’re going to come down from that high and feel everything. You’re going to feel the shame of leaving me alone. You’re going to feel regret. And I might not be here when you do.”