Sleep Tight, page 16
I held on to her wrist a little longer than I should have, feeling her pulse under my fingers beating faster, and she was concentrating a little too hard on my hand on her wrist, her cheeks flushing red. I let go and motioned at her other fist for her to fix. She moved her thumb and tightened her fists.
I looked at her stance and moved to her side gently placing my hands on her waist and moving her slightly. “You’ll get knocked over by someone just blowing on you. You want to always stand like this.”
She nodded and kept her eyes forward.
My hands lifted from her waist, the heat of her still burning my palms.
“Okay spread your legs a little more.”
She looked down and moved her legs further apart.
“Good right there is just right.” I moved in front of her. “Okay you're ready.”
I lifted my hands into fists. “I’m going to take a couple of jabs at you, and I want you to try your best to either block them or dodge them and then I want you to take a couple of swings at me. And don’t be afraid to hit me for real, I can take it.”
She nodded and concentrated on my fists. I wasn’t entirely worried about her hitting me, I was sure that I could block or dodge them with ease. And even if I didn’t do any of those, I was sure her punches wouldn’t hurt me.
Counting to four I threw the first punch straight for her face. I was quick enough to stop myself in time from actually hitting her in case she didn’t block me in time.
But I didn’t have to. She twirled away from me and swept her leg under me, knocking me to the floor.
I looked up at the ceiling in shock. I was not expecting that. At all.
“Damn! Ava has some secret moves!” Olivia ran towards us with everyone else following close behind.
Ava’s green eyes appeared above me, her hair tickling my nose. “Are you okay? Did I hurt you?” She stuck her hand out and I reached for it.
She was about to help pull me up when I decided to have a little fun. I gripped her hand, her eyes widened for a second before I pulled her down. She gasped as she fell on top of me.
Her face now inches from mine. Her eyes were wide, her cheeks flushed and I couldn’t stop staring. Why was I fascinated with every little freckle and mole on her face?
She scrambled up and I almost didn’t let go of her hand.
“Sorry but that was payback.”
Blake snorted. “He can’t help it, trust me.”
She bit her lip and grabbed her necklace. “That’s okay.”
“Ava, you have to do that again! That was awesome.” Priya said.
Ava looked at her and shook her head. “Priya I’m not doing that again.”
“Have you had training before?” Ethan asked.
“No, I haven’t, I swear,” Ava turned to me. “Elijah I’m so sorry, I don’t know what happened. I just saw your fist coming towards me and it’s like something came over me and moved me. I hope I didn’t hurt you.”
“Stop apologizing! It’s about time someone knocked Elijah down, I’m glad it was you.” Blake laughed and looked at me. “Looks like we have a natural.”
I watched Ava as her face turned red again and she looked down at her shoes.
“Looks like we do.” I said impressed.
She looked up at me surprised.
I smiled. “That was impressive. You’ll have to teach me that one day.”
“Oh no, I don’t even know if I could do that again. I don’t even know how I did it in the first place.” Ava was flustered. “Plus, you don’t need me to teach you anything.”
“Don’t be so sure.”
Olivia glanced at Ava, noticed her flushed face and turned to everyone. “Alright guys, shows over let’s get back to our stations.”
Ava gave her a grateful smile as everyone went back to their stations and continued training.
Once everyone was gone Ava turned back to me. “Seriously are you okay?”
I laughed; she really was worried. “Seriously. Stop asking me that, I’m fine and I really meant what I said. That was impressive.”
“Well, it wasn’t that impressive. You don’t have to be nice.”
“Nice? Since when am I nice?” I smirked at her.
“No, I guess you’re right. You never are.”
We laughed together and the mood was starting to change between us. I could see she was relaxing more.
“Remember what I said? Don’t be afraid to hit me, I can take it.”
“I don’t know, that fall you took seemed to really hurt you.” Her eyes twinkled as she teased me and my breath caught.
“Ha. Ha. Very funny.” I chuckled. “Alright let’s see if you can do it again.” I lifted my hands up again.
She looked at me with determination this time, no longer shy. “Okay let’s do this.”
This time I didn’t count to four, I just went straight for it testing her reflex. Again, she twirled away from me but this time I was prepared and swept my foot under her causing her to lose her balance and fall on her back.
“Maybe don’t use the same move.” I smirked down at her and held out my hand lifting her up.
“A taste of my own medicine, harsh but respectable.” She grinned at me, and I couldn’t help but grin back.
“Ava! Jesse! Daniel!”
We all turned and saw my dad standing in the doorway, a worried expression on his face.
“What’s wrong?” Ava asked as she ran over to him, I followed closely behind.
“Dad’s what’s going on?”
Dad looked at me for a second before turning to look at Ava and her brothers. “Your mom and aunt are outside.”
“What? They’re here? How?” Jesse asked.
Ava groaned. “Damn it. They probably followed us here.”
“Well however they found you doesn’t matter. They’re outside and they want to see you guys, Wendy is trying her best to calm her down.”
“Oh no.” Ava sighed and ran out with her bothers following. We all ran after them too.
As we got closer to the front of the house, we could hear shouting.
“No, I want to go in and see my kids! Who are you people? I should call the cops!”
“Please there’s really no need for that.” Mom said in a calm voice.
“Mom!” Ava yelled. Layla turned to look at her and her brothers and she relaxed a little, relieved to see her kids. Her brown eyes scanned the rest of us quickly and recognition flashed across her face.
“So, this is where you guys come every day?”
“Mom, how did you find us?” Daniel asked ignoring the question.
“You should be thanking us for coming to your rescue.” Lusila said stepping closer to her sister as she looked at the rest of us with suspicion.
“Rescue? What are you talking about tia?” Ava asked.
“We’re here to take you away from these people. You think I would let a cult brainwash my kids.” Layla lashed out, her eyes accusing us.
Cult? Oh boy not this again.
“What?” Ava lifted her hand and rubbed her temple. “What cult?”
“What cult? Them, Ava!” She gestured towards us. “They’re a cult!”
We all looked at each with the same expression. We were used to people thinking we were a cult; this wasn’t the first time someone tried to accuse us of that. And usually, we just let them think we were, it was better than them finding out the truth.
Ava looked at us and silently apologized with her eyes, she was stuck in the middle and didn’t know what to say. Mom stepped forward and put her hands on Ava’s shoulders gently.
“We are not a cult. Trust me.”
“Trust you? Of course, you wouldn’t think you’re a cult, that’s how all cults think.” Lusila stepped forward. “Let go of my niece. We’ll be taking them with us, we don’t want any problems.” She looked around as a small crowd was starting to gather around us, I could see they were starting to get nervous, even afraid of us.
Dad saw this too and cleared his throat looking around at everyone. That was all he had to do for everyone to know to walk away.
Ava stepped forward. “Mom please don’t do this. You have no idea who these people are, and I can tell you with confidence that they aren’t a cult.”
“No Ava. I’m your mom and you’re going to listen to me. I don’t care how old you get; I will always look out for you. Now the three of you get in the car now.”
“No.” Ava stood her ground. “I brought my car, and we’ll leave when we’re good and ready.”
Layla looked at her surprised and even a little hurt.
“Get. In. The. Car.” Her eyes hardened. “I won’t ask again.”
Ava gulped, her hands starting to slightly shake. “We won’t. Please I need you to trust me for once.”
“I do trust you. But I also need to protect you.”
“That’s the thing mom. We don’t need protecting from anybody here. We’re safe.”
She looked at every face slowly before turning back to Ava. “No, I don’t know these people. I can’t trust them.”
“Please let us show you who we are then. Stay for dinner.” Mom chimed in.
“No thank you.” She answered back with a clipped tone. “You leave me with no choice Ava.”
Ava looked confused as Layla turned around and nodded at someone inside her car.
We all looked behind them as the back door opened and someone stepped out.
Ava’s eyes widened as she grabbed hold of her mom’s arm. “What is Balin doing here?”
Balin sauntered to us with a smug look on his face, as he reached her mom’s side, he looked at me and smirked. I took a step forward but Ethan grabbed my arm, stopping me from making things worse.
“Balin is the one who warned me about them. He helped me find you guys.”
“Balin? What the heck dude.” Jesse looked at him in surprise.
“Mom you can’t believe or listen to Balin. He’s a lair. He’s the one you can’t trust.” Ava pleaded with her.
“Balin is a good kid and is only looking out for you guys, he was worried about what they might do to you.
“Baby doll, just listen to your mom and come with us, don’t make this difficult.” Lusila stepped forward and touched Ava’s arm.
Ava yanked away from her touch and stepped back. Lusila dropped her hand to her side, hurt and confused at her niece's rejection.
“I’m just looking out for you guys; you can’t trust these people. Come with us Ava.” Balin eyed Ava with a look that made me want to run over there and punch his face in.
“No. I said we would go when we were ready and no sooner.” Ava looked at her mom, ignoring Balin.
“Yeah, mom we’re staying here with Ava.” Daniel said. Jesse nodded in agreement.
Layla looked at each of their faces in silence. We were all holding our breath, waiting for her response. The situation was getting intense and Balin showing up was only making things worse.
She finally spoke. “Fine. Then you leave me with no choice.” She turned to Balin and nodded once. Balin motioned to a second car and two big men came out.
“You two get Jesse and Daniel.” Balin instructed, pointing towards the boys. They walked towards them and quickly grabbed them, dragging them to the car.
“What is this? Let me go!” Jesse yelled out as he and Daniel struggled to get out of the men’s grip.
“Whoa. There really is no need for this.” Dad stepped forward trying to diffuse the situation. “Please just sit down with us and we can talk about this civilly.”
“Get back!” Layla pulled out mace and aimed it at dad.
Ava quickly stepped between them facing her mom.
“Mom put that down! Stop. I’m begging you.”
“Get in the car now! I won’t say it again!”
“No.” She ran towards the men holding her brothers as they neared the car. “Let them go!”
Balin ran up behind her and lifted her up, gripping her in his arms, he started moving around to the other side of the car.
“Let me go! Let me go!” She struggled to break free.
He made a mistake grabbing her. Breaking away from Ethan’s grip, I rushed over and grabbed Balin by the shoulder, twisting him around. I ripped Ava free from his grip and then punched his face in just how I wanted to earlier.
The two men that were dragging Jesse and Daniel let them go and ran towards me. Blake and Ethan were by my side in a flash, just as the men reached for me Blake and Ethan each took one on.
I faced Balin again as he stood up from the ground, blood pouring from his nose ran down his shirt, hitting the floor. That gave me a little bit of satisfaction.
“You have a little something right here.” I pointed at my shirt and smirked as he lunged for me, throwing a punch. I blocked it and went straight for his gut. He wheezed and threw another punch hitting me straight in the gut too.
I grunted and punched him again in the face. I could hear Blake and Ethan fighting the other two guys. My fist was raised, ready to throw another punch when a gunshot rang out stopping all of us at once.
Dad was standing at the front steps with his shotgun. “That’s enough!”
Ava reached for me and gently put a hand on my stomach. “Are you okay?”
“I’m okay.” I turned and looked at Balin, instinctively putting my arm around Ava without even thinking. “Next time you touch her I’ll shatter your arms.”
Balin spat out blood near my feet. “Maybe you won’t be there the next time I do.”
I lunged for him, but Ava grabbed me tightly. “Hey that’s enough. Please.”
That please was all I needed to hear to stop.
“I’ll make you pay Elijah, I promise.” Balin laughed.
Ava walked me back towards mom, who grabbed me and held on as if she was afraid I would run after Balin again. And honestly, I probably would.
Ava started to walk away but I held her hand tightly. She looked down at my hand and smiled.
“Ava this is enough! Stop acting like a child. I might not be able to force you or Jesse to come home with me because you’re both adults but I’m taking Daniel with me.” Layla called out distracting us both.
“What?” Daniel asked. “What do you mean?”
“You’re still underage Daniel, that means you still have to listen to me. So we’re going home. If Ava and Jesse want to stay, then fine. I can’t force them anymore.”
Daniel looked at Ava and Jesse with a desperate look.
“Mom please don’t do that.” Ava begged.
“You leave me with no choice! Daniel if you don’t get in the car right now, I will call the police and they’ll force you to come with me. We can do this the easy way or the hard way. It's up to you.” She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at him.
He looked at Ava and Jesse again and I could see they were all having a hard time deciding on what to do.
“Fine.” She pulled out her phone. “I guess it’s the hard way.”
“No stop! I’ll go with you.” Daniel said defeated.
“Good choice. Let’s go now.” She moved towards the car with her sister following behind her.
Daniel slowly walked towards the car and looked back at his siblings; his eyes pleading with them.
Ava and Jesse looked at each other and it was like they were having a discussion between each other with just their eyes. Jesse nodded and walked towards the car to his brother.
Ava turned to look at us with a small smile then she looked down, not being able to meet any of our eyes.
“You’re going with them, aren’t you?” I said what I knew she couldn’t.
She nodded and finally looked me in the eyes. “Yes, we can’t leave Daniel alone, it would be unfair. I am so sorry we caused all of you these problems. I’m so embarrassed.”
“Oh, honey don’t feel like that. You have nothing to be embarrassed about.” Mom walked over and hugged her tightly. “We’ll figure out a solution okay. This isn’t goodbye.”
Ava nodded as mom let her go.
“Don’t worry Ava. Like Wendy said, we’ll figure something out.” Dad said as he smiled at her. “You just go home and worry about your family right now.”
“You aren’t alone Ava. We’ll be close by always.” Olivia pulled Ava into a tight hug.
“Thank you, guys.” Ava turned and started walking back towards the car.
I ran forward. “Ava, hold on.”
She turned around and faced me as I reached her. “Olivia is right. We’ll always be close by, to protect you guys from anyone. And call me if Balin bothers you again. I have to be a good boyfriend remember.”
Ava chuckled as she looked up at me, her eyes shining. “Well, you we’re a good boyfriend earlier so thank you for that.” She smiled at me one last time before walking away and I had to fight the urge to run after her and keep her here.
Once the car was driving away throwing a trail of dirt in its path, I turned back to everyone else.
“Now what?” Blake asked.
We all looked at each other before dad answered. “There’s nothing much for us to do now. We just have to hope that Ava and her brothers can convince their mom that we aren’t a cult and be okay with them coming here. For now, let’s just all go back inside. We’ll send someone out there later tonight to watch over them.”
As I followed everyone inside, I stopped at the doorway turning to look at the car now turning out of the driveway and disappearing.
And for a second, I thought I saw Ava staring out the back window, looking at me.
The sound of car doors slamming echoed through the air as everyone filed out of the car and stayed silent only looking at each other, not knowing what to say.
But I knew what to say. And to who.
“Balin what is wrong with you! Why would you go to my mom and tell her those lies? Who do you think you are?”
He smirked at me as he held his nose, it was still slightly bleeding from Elijah punching him. I had to hold in my satisfied smile.
“Who am I? I'm just a good friend to your brothers. I was only looking out for you guys. Those people are dangerous.”
“They aren't dangerous. You don't even know them, so how could you say that?” Jesse looked at Balin, disappointed at who he thought was his friend.
