DANGEROUS ELYSIUM

PART SEVENTEEN

SHARNA

I sat in class, in my own dulled silence for a moment before I reached for my phone again. The sight of the blank screen made my throat tighten. Something just felt wrong. Something in my gut was telling this was all wrong. I've been master planning since yesterday on how to rid my life of Morgan. Apparently the more picturesquely awful the manner of the demise, the greater its attractive force was, but I needed to not go down with him and I definitely had to see Oliver, even if it would be the last time for quite some time. I needed to tell him to please wait for me. Then I'll do it, kill my brother.

I gasped at the thought and looked up. Everyone in the class was looking at me, the teacher included. So I stood. "I need to leave," I rushed and grabbed my bag. "Sorry sir."

"Wait, Sharna…." He started to say, but I shook my head and left the room. I quickened my walking until I was running out of campus to my car. Chucking my bag on the passenger seat I left it no more seconds and let my car roar to life and I left.

It felt like all my planning was going up in flames, but I had to see Oliver, no matter the cost. Just….let me see his face, hear his voice. Angry. Happy. It didn't matter. I'm a desperate man. I'm a selfish man. But I'm a man so in love it physically hurts. I'll rip my heart out of my chest and I'll give it to Oliver so it doesn't hurt anymore. So I can do what needs to be done without my heart stopping me.

I tapped Eden in my sat nav. I didn't have any address, but I had the place. I'd already done my research on the small town in the valley. It was a vast piece of land, but the town was small so I'm guessing it's a town where people knew people and they'll know Oliver and his uncle Curtis who I only met a couple of times years before. I was determined. So determined in finding him that I didn't care if Morgan caught wind off it. If he got angry then it was another reason to get rid of him. Set his life on fire, make him beg on his knees. That was a nice picture I'd painted in my mind, Morgan staring at his own demise. Tears falling relentless out of his eyes. His voice pleading, begging. "Yeah." I whispered and grinned to myself. A fire didn't sound like such a bad idea. I thought, as I sped through back roads. It will be hours before I get to Eden, so I'd use that time wisely. Then I wondered for a moment and quickly unlocked my phone and pressed on his number, then put it on loudspeaker and placed it on my dash.

"....hello…"

"Raine. You alone?"

I heard him sigh and the phone crackle a little. "Yeah. I'm alone. What do you want?"

"A favor."

"Why? Why would you call me for a favor?"

I took a deep calming breath. "You want it to be over, right? With Morgan?"

"Huh, obviously," he snorted. "So what is it?"

"I won't say much yet, but when I call you again you better be ready."

"What are you going to do?" He asked, his voice sounding a little concerned.

"Something that should have been done a long time ago."

Raine chuckled and I swear I heard him tear his hands through his hair. "Is that so? Sure, I'll be ready."

"I don't trust you Raine, but if you want him gone as much as I do you'll keep this to yourself. You want freedom as much as me, so you gotta help me."

"I got you and I'll keep this between me and you, but you need to promise me one thing…." He went silent for a beat. "Make sure he never gets back up."

I laughed, it's madness. "I promise."

"Good. Talk to you soon."

I nodded as the call ended. That is a promise I'll never break. Morgan will….stay down.

The drive to Eden seemed like the longest hours of my entire life, but I was finally here. The sun was slowly setting, giving the town a soft orange glow of warmth. I smiled, because I hated small towns, but this town looked….comfortable? Easy. No wonder Oliver came here on every break from uni. I could see it's appeal. There weren't many shops and only a few restaurants and bars, but I guess the people here didn't need all that much. Just another couple of short hours passed this town was an even bigger one they could go to if there wasn't anything they needed here. It was like being in an western. Guys walking the streets in jeans and t-shirts and cowboy hats, with the boots too. I liked it. But putting those thoughts away I kept driving until I came to the end of the strip and took a left onto a dirt track. I saw a sign in the dim lighting that said, Holloway Ranch, No trespassing. I wondered if maybe that was his uncle's place. Oliver didn't share his uncle's name, so it's possible. It's a long shot, but a shot at least and if it wasn't his uncle's place I'd get directions. I just hoped to god I don't get gunned down by the guy if it is.

I sighed impatiently because the road was fucking long, then just past a tree line I could see a house. I wound down my window and the strong scent of horse manure hit that back of my throat making me feel nauseous. But I kept on until I came upto a huge driveway. There was a new looking SUV and a battered old truck too. There were lights on in the house and on the porch, but for some strange reason it looked empty of people. "Right," I breathed out on a long breath and pulled up next to the SUV, when a guy appeared. Maybe he's one of those….what do they call them? Ranch hands, that's it. "Excuse me!" I called out. The guy looked up from his phone and cocked his head. "I know it's late! But is this Curtis…." Then I stopped talking when the guy frowned and started walking towards my car.

"Who are you?" He snapped and put his phone in his jeans pocket.

"Right," well this was weird and oddly intimidating. "I'm looking for Curtis, is this his place?" I asked as politely as possible. "Or if not could you give me directions, please."

"I don't give information to strangers." I leaned back a bit as he stood tall by my window. This guy looked like he could probably kick my ass and I didn't really want to get my ass kicked.

"I'm not really a stranger…."

"Oh right. If you're not 'really' a stranger," he signalled with his fingers. Prick, I thought. "Then why are you asking?"

Shit, he got me there. "Well…" Fuck! "I know someone who's at his place and I need to see him urgently," The guy's eyes darkened as he stared down at me. I'm so definitely at the wrong place. "You know what, never mind…"

Then his big hand slapped down on the hood of my car. "I'm guessing on whim here," he said, leaning in a bit. "You're here for a certain guy?"

Oh my god. This guy knows Oliver, it's pretty damn clear and I didn't like it. I didn't like the glare in his eyes. What was this guy to Oliver? The look in his eyes spoke a million words. Words I didn't want to hear. Thoughts and pictures of them whirled through my racked brain. Like, would this guy make sure to pick up on the fact that Oliver even had needs or needed to be saved? Would he read him the way he needed to be read? Would he know how to touch him to bring him the most pleasure? Would he drink down the sound of Oliver's moans and whimpers as he willingly accepted him, drew him in, and gave back all the pleasure he was being given himself? The answer to all those questions, of course, was an unequivocal no. But more importantly was that I wanted to kill any man who even dared try to find out the answers. Rage burned within me as I considered the possibility that this guy was very much involved with Oliver. Just by his eyes alone. "Forget it, I'll find Curtis's place myself."

"Or you could just turn this flashy car around and leave."

"Or not," I snapped. "You can't tell me what to do."

"No? My sign specifically said no trespassing and your trespassing."

"I see…." Then my words were cut off when a car made its way onto the drive and I immediately recognized the guy behind the wheel. "Curtis." I mumbled and the guy leaning on my car, wasn't leaning on my car anymore. He'd started to make his way to Curtis.

I watched them talk briefly and Curtis stepped out of his vehicle. His eyes shot to me and then he started in my direction. I swear to god I just shrunk a few inches. I was in for it. "Why are you here?" He asked. His voice was deep and even more intimidating than the other guys, but I had to see Oliver. I needed to suck it up and try.

"....Curtis, it's been a long time but I really have to see Oliver…."

I was cut off with a sharp shush. "No you don't. That boy came here to get away from you, so why in the hell would I let you near him?"

I swallowed, mostly my pride in these few seconds. "Please Curtis….I need to tell him that…"

"No! Boy. You will not. Now turn around and never come back. That boy has spent too many years being hurt by you and your twisted family. I will never let you near him, ever again and if you do come back, I'll make sure you stop moving."

I'd never heard Oliver mention that Curtis was ever a violent man, but that threat definitely had truth behind it and the guy standing just a few feet from us definitely looked like he would make me disappear. So I nodded. "Fine, I'll go." That was a lie, even though I'd been threatened. I wasn't fucking going nowhere. I'd stay in this town and I'll wait until I see Oliver. Then I'll tell him everything. I'll beg for forgiveness. I'll pull him to me and beg him to please choose me….because I love him. I love him so much. Curtis and that guy will not get in my way, no one will ever get in my way again.