Forbidden Lust
19
Barrett
“No, Dad, stop,” I screamed.
“Barrett, let go, you stupid child.”
I wrangled the gun, holding it tight so he couldn’t pry it from my hands, but he was bigger and stronger than me. He rolled on top of me. I extended my arms so they were over my head, but his grip was too strong. He punched me in the side, and the sickening crack sounded, followed by excruciating pain. I took one hand off the gun, curling my hands around my rib cage, trying to protect it from further blows.
“Let him go, Jason,” Mom screamed.
Bang.
My sister screamed. She held her thigh, looking at her bloodied hand.
“Evelyn,” I yelled.
“Eve!” Mom raced toward her. My grip around the gun loosened as I paled.
“This is all your fault, Violet.” He spat, his weight crushing my bruised ribs. Then, before I knew what was happening, his fingers curled around the trigger, and he pressed it once, pointing it directly in front of me at Mom.
Bang.
I screamed. The bullet pierced her chest. Her eyes widened, then she fell.
“Mom! No!”
I rolled away from him and scrambled toward her as Evelyn screamed, and he yelled. But all I could see was the blood pooling underneath her. Her face paled, and a tear fell down her cheek.
“Mom, stay with me.” I pressed down on her chest.
“Stay strong, baby boy,” she whispered in a shallow breath. Then closed her eyes.
“Mom!” I frantically screamed.
“Now, look what you did, Barrett.” He got up off his knees and pointed the gun at me.
With my bloodied hands on Mom, I held my breath, shaking.
“Dad, please!” Evelyn cried out, backed against a wall. Her leg poured out blood.
He turned to my sister.
No. You weren't taking her too. With a blinding rage, I got up and started running toward him.
He gave me a wry smile, then turned the gun on himself.
Bang.
“Barrett!”
I felt a warmth on my cheek.
“Wake up, Barrett.”
My heart was beating erratically, my chest rising and falling quickly. Sweat bubbled on my brow. I blinked a few times, adjusting before opening my eyes. Lourde’s shadowy face was strained, her brows knitted together as she kneeled over me.
Fuck, a nightmare.I hadn’t had one in some time, but it was always the same nightmare on repeat.
“Are you okay?” She put her hand on my heart. “Jesus, Barrett, your heart is racing.”
“I’m okay.” I couldn’t tell her I had a nightmare, could I?
“I heard you yell out in your sleep. I think you were having a nightmare.”
I blinked. “Yeah, I think so.”
“Shh, it’s okay.” Her soothing hand stroked my cheek, and the feeling calmed me down.
“I’m okay,” I repeated, slowing my breathing.
“Good. I’ll let you sleep now.” She lowered her hand from my face, but I reached out for her arm.
“You can stay.” She stilled. “Only if you want.”
Silently, she slid under the sheets beside me. I wrapped my arms around her, and she pressed her back into my chest. Warmth and calm washed over me. Then I drifted off to sleep.
* * *