Endangering My Life For My Angel

“Ready to die, Xyla?” His evil voice rang in my ears, but I couldn't speak. There I was, about to be shot, about to have my life taken. I didn't know if I had anything to live for anymore anyways besides Rydyr, so I was planning to accept it if it was my fate.

That was December 20th. Let's take a few steps back. Let's go to December 18th.

I woke up to the sound of my alarm clock and to the sight of the sun hiding behind the beautiful clouds. Those were my favorite type of days. I sat up and pushed off the satin sheet from my legs.

I saw my beautiful son and smiled. I noticed his red face and saw the way his face glistened. Another bad dream... I thought. His bad dreams were becoming frequent. He usually only had bad dreams when things were about to go bad. It was just an old and stupid superstition. He had bad dreams for a week straight once, and then our dog died. Rydyr was a wreck, bless his heart. He was close to the dog. Well, as close as you can be to an animal. Rydyr believed everything that had a heartbeat was as precious as a human. The thought may have crossed his mind because he was autistic, or maybe it was he was so caring and loving, but wherever the thought came from, it taught me that everyone deserves a chance for life. A chance and a second chance, and if they really deserved it, they would get a third.

I nudged at Rydyr's shoulder. His ice blue eyes shot open, and his skinny body flew up. I held his hand, and I could feel him calm down when he realized I was the one who awoke him. “It's okay, baby.” I reassured him. He latched onto me. “Bad dream?” I asked. I felt him nodding. I knew he wasn't much of a talker, especially after a bad dream. “Aw, honey. Look at me.” Rydyr removed his head from my waist and looked up at me with his beautiful blue eyes. “They're just dreams, okay? They aren't real. I'll protect you no matter what, baby.” Rydyr smiled at me. That smile was beautiful. Rydyr's teeth weren't perfect, but they weren't ugly. They were just right for a little boy. Rydyr was the most beautiful little boy from his dark brown hair to his freckled nose and his beautiful smile and his skinny figure. Everything about my son was perfect in my eyes.

“Come on.” I told him after I looked at the time. “You're going to be late for school. Let's go.”

***

After a day of cleaning and relaxing, I went to pick up Rydyr from school. On my way there, something didn't feel right. Something was wrong, but I didn't know what. I let it slip off my shoulders until I arrived at the school.

I walked into the front office and walked over to Ellie and said, “I'm here to pick up Rydyr.” She looked at me like she was crazy. “What is it?” My heart started beating faster, and my palms were starting to get sweaty.

“Rydyr was picked up at noon.” Ellie told me, and I got dizzy.

“There's no way!” I yelled a bit loud. I got a few stares, but I didn't care. My son was missing! “You know that I'm the only one who is supposed to pick him up unless I call and tell you otherwise!” I was enraged!

“But that's the thing, Xyla; you did call. I heard your voice through the phone.” Ellie looked like she was scared of me, and I felt bad, but what could I do?! Say 'I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you, but I need to find my autistic son who flips out every time someone he doesn't know touches him,' in a calm voice? I looked at the 'Sign-Out' sheet. 'Time: 11:54 Student: Rydyr Zypher Signature: Benjamin Krow'

“No!” I told myself. “Not Benjy! No, no, no!” I started hyperventilating. Ellie grabbed her lunch bag and threw out her lunch, leaving just a paper bag. She handed it to me, and I attempted to calm my breathing.

“Who's 'Benjy'?” Ellie asked me. I looked to her with tears in my eyes. I let out a whimper.

“It's Rydyr father.” I sobbed. “He's not supposed to be near Rydyr. Ever! There's a restraining order against him and everything!”

“Calm down. I'll call the police and-” Ellie started to pick up her phone.

“No!” I pushed down the phone and moved her auburn bangs from her eyes. “You can't” I whispered. “He must have a reason for what he's doing, and I'm sure he'll do anything to get his son back. Please don't call the police.” I saw the gleam of worry in her eyes because her pail complexion made her sea green eyes seem as if they would pop out of her head and strangle you with care and love. That was the reason Rydyr trusted her. “Help me get him back, please, but please, Ellie, I'm begging you. Don't call the police.” The tears started to fall down my face. Ellie only nodded and hugged me, knowing it was the one thing I needed. Hugs were my thing.

Ellie clocked out of work early. She drove to my house because she knew I wasn't good at driving when I was stressed. Ellie and I were close. We became friends after we moved to Dexter from Dublin. Rydyr and I had left because of Benjy. We had lived with Benjy, but when I left him, we had to get away from him. I couldn't take Rydyr too far away from Dublin, but I had to get us far enough away from Benjy. Ellie was one of the first people that we met. She came with cookies. She was so sweet, and she never stopped being sweet to Rydyr and me. I loved her like the sister I never had. I had never told her about Benjy. I was trying to forget him. I didn't want to be judged for my past anymore.

I snapped back into reality when I heard sirens. There was a cop car behind us. “That's weird. I didn't think I was speeding.” Ellie mumbled loud enough for me to hear. Two officers stepped out of the police car that was as loud as a jet plane. There were no other cars around because everyone was picking up their kids or at work; plus it was a small town.

The officers were at the window on either side of the car. “Would you ladies please step out of the car?” asked the officer on my side of the car. Ellie and I did as they asked us.

“Is something wrong, officers?” I asked them. The devil's smirk played across the other officer's lips. Something was definitely wrong.

“Everything in this world is wrong. But don't you already know that Xyla?” The voice was all too familiar, but by the time I recognized it, I couldn't say a thing. It was too late. The first officer placed a piece of cloth over my lips. I inhaled as I gasped. Chloroform! I told myself. My struggling stopped as I passed out.

***

When I regained consciousness, I saw him. I saw my baby, my angel, my piece of heaven. My son. “Rydyr!” I tried screaming and running to him, but my voice was raspy, and I was tied up. My wrists were tied to a pole and my ankles were tied together. My clothes seemed to be intact. I was just dehydrated a bit and hungry. I assumed it was the next day at least.

Rydyr seemed to be fine; he didn't look harmed. I prayed he wasn't harmed. Salty tears fell out of my eyes, blurring my vision. The only thing I saw was the darkness of the room; not much to see.

“Mommy?” I heard Rydyr say with a gleam of hope in his voice. I looked up and smiled at him.

“Yes, honey, it's Mommy.” I responded with my motherly voice. Everything that was wrong in the world.... Rydyr made it worthwhile. Seeing his perfect smile and eyes and hair and freckles. That boy was an angel sent from heaven to make everything worthwhile. He could even make a battlefield seem serene and calm just from his smile. Nothing could take away my love for him. He was too precious for me to even consider hurting.

“Mommy, I'm scared. Daddy hurt Ellie. I thought you were dead. You were sleeping for two days.” Rydyr had tears in his eyes, and I could see them clearly. Someone walked in as I broke down into a waterfall. How could I forget Ellie? I screamed at myself. I looked up at the person who had just walked into the room. He was headed towards me.

“Don't be afraid. My name is Nykolas. I'm here to help you.” I recognized his voice. He was the other police officer. Nykolas tried walking closer to me, but I hissed at him, and he backed off a bit. “You probably know my voice. I swear, I didn't want to help Benjamin. He forced me. I'm in debt for some things that can't be discussed right now, so I had to take this job. I didn't know he'd hurt you or the other girl. When I saw how he treated you two, I knew I couldn't do it anymore.” Nykolas had truth pouring out of his voice. His hazel eyes with gold flecks were filled with concern only. No greed or lies; only concern. “H-he killed your friend.” Nykolas told me. I fell harder into my tears. It hurt to move, but I had to cry. “He was hurting you so badly. You wouldn't wake up for two days. He didn't feed you and barely gave you any water. He was acting like a horrid creature to you and your friend.”

“What are you doing, Nykolas?!” A voice asked, causing Nykolas to jump. I knew that voice. It was the voice of a terrible demon.

“I was trying to trick her and make her think I'd help her.” Nykolas lied. I could tell he was lying. His voice was too sincere to me to have been lying. I can read expressions very well. It's a nice skill to learn when you have an autistic child.

“I heard what you said, you traitor!” Benjy screamed, obviously infuriated with Nykolas. Nykolas walked over to Benjy. They spoke, and Benjy gave Nykolas a gun. Nykolas walked over to me and pointed it at me. “Ready to die, Xyla?” His evil voice rang in my ears, but I couldn't speak. There I was, about to be shot, about to have my life taken. I didn't know if I had anything to live for anymore anyways besides Rydyr, so I was planning to accept it if it was my fate.

“I'm so sorry, Xyla. I really am,” he muttered just loud enough for me to hear. I felt the cold barrel of the gun on my forehead. I squeezed my eyes closed, causing more tears to slip out.

“I love you, Rydyr.” I sobbed. I felt the gun leave my head, but I heard gunshots. I opened my eyes, and I saw Benjy laying on the floor with bullet holes in his chest. Blood oozed everywhere. “Wha-? Why did you-?” I couldn't seem to get a full sentence to escape my mouth.

“Xyla, I saw the way you looked at your son. Your eyes, filled with happiness, even in this place. The way you talk to Rydyr, it's like you are talking to an angel. Your son is your faith, and I can tell he loves you the same way. He can't lose you, and you can't lose him.” Nykolas untied me, and I ran to Rydyr. I picked him up, and I cried. “And you hug him like he's the only thing in the world that you couldn't bear to lose. I can't hurt anyone like you. Everyone should be as good a parent as you.” Nykolas told me as I heard his footsteps come closer. “I called the cops an hour ago. They're gonna be here any minute to help you and your son. I hope you guys are safe.” Nykolas started to leave, but I grabbed his arm.

“You can't leave. You just saved us. Thank you.” I told him with tears of joy streaming my face.

“I have to go, but I promise that you will be safe.” Nykolas vanished, and I heard the sirens...