New York, January 1st, 2016
Aidan stared at the phone where it sat on the coffee table in front of the sofa. Resting beside her on the cushion was the small holder for the throwing knife set Bryan had gotten her for Christmas. One of the blades was missing from it, currently balanced point down where her knee was upturned in front of her chest from having her foot on the edge of the couch. She rotated it back and forth, lost deep in thought. Though her eyes were fixed on her phone, she wasn't truly seeing it. She was seeing the message she knew was on it.
I need your help. I'm in trouble.
FRI JAN 1, 2016, 4:43AM
- - - - -
England 2008
“Guys... I need your help.”
Aidan looked up from the cards in her hand, noting from the corner of her eye how Belinda's head followed the same motion. Thea, whose back was to the kitchen, turned all the way around in her chair as Elsie closed the door behind her and immediately leaned back on it. Her lower lip was quivering in that way that always preceded an emotional meltdown. Aidan could feel the other two women tense up in preparation along with her.
“I think I'm in trouble...”
“What's wrong, Elsie?”
The truth was, she didn't really want to know. The girl was always a mess, always having a breakdown over something other another. If it weren't for how goddamn good she was in the ring, none of them would have tolerated her constant drama. It was draining.
“I... I don't want to say. I just need some help.”
“We can't help you if we don't know what's going on. What did you get yourself in to?”
“I swear I didn't mean to, I really didn't. I just met this guy at the pub a little while ago. He was really nice and sweet. We saw each other a few times, and now he won't leave me alone.”
Aidan could feel her face falling into that expression as Elsie revealed this big trouble to be some over-enthusiastic suitor. Belinda's countenance had dropped into the same exact one. Thea was perhaps the only one who still looked concerned. Elsie took in their expressions and started to crack.
“It's not like that. He's not just calling or texting a whole bunch. He's shown up at all of our shows, waiting when I get there and when we leave. He's been waiting outside my building every time I go somewhere or come home. I tried telling him nicely that I wasn't interested, but he just kept insisting I give him another chance. Tonight when he stopped me at my door I just told him to go away and I never wanted to see him again. And... and...”
God. Here came the tears. Aidan's eyes slipped to Belinda, and the bigger woman was already looking over at her. They each turned back to Elsie just as the slightly waifish blonde pulled one of her sleeves up.
A cold feeling set in just below Aidan's heart as she abruptly stood up from the table. Her card cards were left behind on the table, face up, without further thought for the game. Elsie was melting into sniffles by the time Aidan took her arm gingerly in hand and turned it from side to side to examine the handprint around her wrist and forearm.
“How long ago did this happen?”
“An hour or so, I guess?”
An hour. Aidan's expression darkened further as she looked at the bruising. She knew just how much force would have been required for the marks to be that dark so soon. A swell of guilt filled the pit of her stomach at her initial dismissal of the Elsie's current “drama” when the woman had walked in the door. Now she moved her hand to the other girl's back and guided her through the kitchen.
“Come on, you're going to stay here tonight. We'll get you set up on the couch.”
Belinda had left the table as well, moving to the liquor cabinet and getting glasses for all four of them.
“Did he follow you here?”
The question made Elsie give a little wail, one that was just a bit piercing at close range. Aidan hoped she didn't wince too noticeably.
“I think he did. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to. I didn't know where else to go.”
“Calm down El. You don't have to be sorry. Here. Have a drink, try to calm down a little.”
Belinda put the glass in the girl's hand and brought it up to her lips without waiting to see if Elsie wanted it at all. Linnie was like that. As it was, Elsie drained it in one big gulp and tried to stifle her sniffling. Thea emerged hesitantly from the kitchen with a ziploc full of ice.
“Here you go, El.”
Aidan took the ice pack and laid it on Elsie's arm. The gears in her head were already turning. When she looked up to Belinda, she knew the other woman was thinking the same thing.
“Let's go say hello.”
“Nononono, please don't go down there! You don't understand.”
The outburst made Aidan arch a brow. Leaving Elsie on the couch, she turned toward the window that overlooked the street below and edged the curtain aside just enough to peek out. Her eyes fell upon the first figure that seemed out of place, pacing back and forth with eyes turned upward.
“Brown hair, button down shirt, khaki pants?”
“Yes.”
“That's a big fucker.”
“I'm sorry! I'm so so sorry. I didn't mean to get anyone involved. Someone's going to get hurt and it's going to be all my fault. I'm sorry!”
“Elsie, calm down. No one is blaming you. No one is going to get hurt. You were right to come here. You should have spoken up sooner.”
“I wanted to, I did. But I'm always fucking something up, I know it. You guys are tired of me. I always need help. I didn't want to do that again, I didn't want to be a burden.”
That little bit of guilt that had been churning Aidan's stomach was quickly becoming a kraken, trying to fight its way out. Movement in front of her caught her eye and she could see Thea fidgeting at the edge of the kitchen, looking unsure of herself. Of course, when did she not?
“Guys... I kind of want to go home.”
Elsie made to protest, but Aidan hushed her quickly. Belinda made a gesture toward the door.
“I'll make sure you get to your car.”
Looking over her shoulder, mostly at Elsie, her expression grew more serious.
“And when I do, we're going to sort this out.”
By the end of the evening she and Belinda had picked up a temporary new roommate at the flat. They had assured Elsie that they would travel to and from shows together and everything would be fine. Once the little blonde was passed out on the couch, Aidan had sat down with Linnie at the table where they had left their card game for the real talk.
“So, thoughts?”
“We'll see if he fucks with us first. Then we'll go from there.”
“Agreed.”
- - - - -
New York, January 1st, 2016
Aidan closed her eyes and sighed heavily. The throwing knife clanked on the glass top of the coffee table as she leaned forward and set it down, trading it for the phone. She swiped in the unlock pattern and hit the call button with her thumb in practically one continuous motion. Once the line connected it didn't even get through a full ring, but she didn't wait for a hello.
“Tell me what's wrong Elsie.”
“I'm so sorry, Aidan. I didn't know who else to call. I didn't mean to, I swear. I've been so careful, everything's been so perfect, but—”
“Cut through the shit and tell me what's wrong, El.”
“It's bad, Aidan, it's really bad.”
“I don't know how much I can do, I'm not in England anymore.”
“I know. Neither am I. I'm in New York.”
Fuck.
“Where? I'll come get you.”
“You can't. I mean... not yet. I'm going to send you directions to a place. Can you go there and meet someone. His name is Frankie. He's... it's a long story. Please, just be careful. ...I've got to go. I promise I'll explain everything when I see you.”
The line went dead before Aidan could get another word out.