A Jaded Kind of Love

REALLY OLD!! I found this in my pile from freshman year and thought maybe i could revive it. I re-read it and realized that MAYBE with a lot of help i could fix this one

“All right sir tell us everything you know”, a stuffy officer stated, clicking the tape recorder on.

 

The chairs were cold and hard. The strains in my back began to make themselves known. But it wasn’t my back that was being torn…it was my heart. In myself I felt the deepest sadness a person could ever feel. Leaning on one arm on the desk I took a deep, calming breath before telling them our story.

 

“Any time, Mr. Richards…” that same stuffy cop said to me.

God how I wanted to hit him. Hard…right in the big nasty nose of his. No….that’s not what I’m here to do…gotta keep my mind focused. I took a deep breath and began. My mind swirled with the images as I relived what had happened.

------------------------------------------------

Springtime. A name that’s associated with sunshine and flowers, love in the air, and a new kind of fever. But looking at the desolate land in front of me was hardly that. Most here, who were quick with their wit called it nature’s rebellion. Her fury and rage carved in a secluded strip of land in the countryside. Buried in the slopes and hills of a mountain range, the plush green grass and snowy hilltops reflected nothing on the little town of Barbury. Repetitive rain pounded the rooftops and unpaved streets for months on end making it seemingly impossible to tell most of the changes in season. Spring was fall….summer was winter….if it wasn’t for the assault of hail in the colder months no one would have any recollection of the time around them. You ask why we didn’t just pack up and move away…why we didn’t just gather our belongings and travel someplace better. It’s simple really. This place, this horrible monotonous place—is our home. Every member of our fragile little society was born, raised, and cared for here. Though we hate the surroundings, we couldn’t stand to leave.

 

            My name is Ian Richards. And I was born in this little town. My parents; Rebecca and Liam, were both doctors. This pretty much meant there was no person in town that didn’t know my name—and any embarrassing thing I had ever done. Our two room house was just big enough to fit my parents and I. As a child the days seemed monotonous. Help out around the house, go to school, and learn how to play most games inside the house without breaking anything. Everything seemed to be traveling in a slow unmoving circle. As an adult, the days seemed longer. With the knowledge that you Could leave—but the magnetism to this place sucking you in like a whirlpool that pulled you down into the depths, the days would drag on as if to torture us. Until They came to town.

           

Unaccustomed to strangers ending up in our secluded little town, certainly the arrival of 3 strange people in the middle of the night brought the hairs rising up on all of our backs. They checked into the small little tavern in the heart of town and by morning the whole town knew they were there. They arrived with little to no bags and paid in cash. The children came up with imaginative tales that only the creative innocence and insight that a child is capable of. The biggest tale was that they were bank robbers who had just hijacked the bank in the city and had been chased by the cops and this was the only place they had to hide. Parents shook their heads to feign their disbelief in the imaginative tale, but inside they worried that maybe the fiction their children had created was actually fact. They kept mostly to themselves in their separate rooms and only went into the town to get simple necessities. The two men were quiet, big heavy men that made most of the children hide behind their mother’s skirts when they entered the room. But the woman with them, as told by the more hormonal of the teenagers was as they called it ‘Smokin’. With black waved hair to her hips and pale skin of milk she filled the fantasies of most of the warm blooded males in town.

 

It was sunny for the first time in weeks when I got to meet one of them. Rushing to reach my parents office in time, I bumped into something hard. My briefcase went soaring into the crystal blue sky spilling the contents over the caked dirt on the ground still mushy from the rain. Dirt and mud covered my fitted black pants as I rubbed the shoulder that had been rammed.

 

“Would you mind getting off of me…” said a female voice from next to me.

In the tumble I had managed to land on her legs and we were rapped together in some sort of knot.

 

“I’m…so sorry…” I said in embarrassment as I scrambled to collect myself.

 

When I raised my head I was greeted with the sight of the most beautiful woman I had ever seen in my life. Her hair was midnight black to the point, in the sun, it would glow blue. Her face, so pale and fragile looking, like that of a china doll. Her eyes were a cerulean blue so deep I felt as if I could drown.

 

“Will you stop staring already and get the hell off of me!”

 

            With a startled jump from being torn out of my little fantasies I rose to my feet and extended a hand to help her up. She delicately brushed off as much dirt as physically possible. The mud stains clung in groups on her shirt like little colonies. Under her breath I could hear her mumbling and cursing. I probably should have been offended by what she was saying—I just couldn’t see it any other way but cute. I raised my hand to introduce myself and met with her icy glare.

 

“Hi—I’m Ian.”

 

 She stared long and hard at my hand as if she’s never seen such common courtesy before. With slow and confused motions she raised her hand and grasped mine. Her hand was so delicate, so soft in my calloused ones. Hands that didn’t in anyway seem to represent her apparently strong nature.

 

“Jade” she said in one simple word. “My name is Jade.”

 

“Pretty name to go with a pretty girl” Her eyes widened as my heart rate sped up “Did…I just say that out loud?” A light red blush covered both our cheeks.

 

“Well now that I just made a fool of myself I think I’ll be going.”  She let out a little chuckle at my embarrassment and smiled.

 

For some reason I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. It’s not like I’ve never seen a gorgeous woman before. As I raced off I couldn’t help but keep looking back to where she was standing, of course not without making a fool of myself again and tripping over everything…even if it was just the air and couldn’t help but smile to myself.

 

**

I watched the bumbling idiot run off to wherever he had been headed. The smile was still on my face long after he was out of sight. Maybe it was because for the first time in this little piece of hell, I found something to make me smile.

 

The sun was shining for the first time and the sky was cloudless. Despite being covered in dirt and god knows what else it was hard not to enjoy the day. But of course, soon my few minutes of joy had to be crushed. A dark shadow covered me blocking out the warmth from the sun. When I turned to face the cause I was greeted by Harris. A big bulk of a man whose whole identity was to frighten you.

 

“What, has Kris got you stalking me now?” The irritation clear in my voice.

 

“He just wants to make sure you don’t do anything stupid in our stay here.” He made his emphasis by placing the butt of his gun to the small of my back.

 

“Now, now Harris, I though we were friends” I couldn’t put enough sarcasm in my voice.

 

He let out a deep laugh and pushed harder on my back to get me moving in the direction he was leading me. Always—like a dog and its master. And that’s what they were…my masters…and me their dog.

 

“We are friends Jade. But you ain’t the one paying me now are ya” Again he shoved the butt of his gun into my back hard enough to hurt—but soft enough to not bring attention.

 

When we reached the silly little cabin that we had rented I was shoved—hard might I add—into Kris’s room. He sat in a heap on the floor surrounded by his treasure. His stupid treasure was the whole reason they were stuck in this little town.

“What did we tell you about wandering around Jade” he said raising his head to stare at me. His eyes held that intense look to them that made you feel like a child. Menacing dark eyes that carried in them the final looks of all that he had destroyed. Families, women, children, he was nothing short of a monster. 

 

“I didn’t do anything, I just walked around. It’s not like I tried to escape.”

 

His chuckle left me chilled. “Oh Jade, innocent, beautiful Jade.” He rose from his spot and ran his hand softly down my face. To me it felt like a trail of corruption ran where his fingers had grazed like the trail of slime from the common snail. I couldn’t help but flinch.

 

“What was the whole incident with the boy? Care to tell us about your little escapade?” Harris stated.

 

“He was just some guy I ran into. Nothing special.” I tried to hide my eyes from them; I didn’t want them to know how those simple few minutes had actually affected me.

“Good” Kris said moving back to his sea of treasure. “We wouldn’t want to have to do something drastic to him now would we?”

 

“You wouldn’t. We just bumped into each other…He knows nothing. I didn’t tell anything.” Kris’s eyes bore into mine. Searching what seemed my soul. It felt so humiliating. To have someone stare through you with piercing eyes. A sensation that can only be closely related to being forced to walk naked through a crowed of judgmental perfectionalists.

 

“Of course you didn’t. Because you’re my good girl now aren’t you. Now leave. I have counting to do.”

 

With a quick shove past Harris, I hurried to my little hole in the wall. As I lay on the stiff mattress that was in desperate need of airing out. I couldn’t help but see Ian’s face in my head. He had been so cute. With a smile I drifted off to sleep. And worried what tomorrow might bring.

 

**

 

The sun was shining brightly in the blue sky the next day. I hadn’t been able to get my mind off Jade the whole night. After two cups of coffee, three pacing laps around my living room, and four different changes of my shirt, I made up my mind to head back to where we had bumped into each other. God I hope she is there…

 

Outside the children were soaking up the few precious hours of sunshine and a cloud free sky while they could. Who knew when the sunshine would leave them again…When I reached that little spot by the big oak tree, I felt my heart sink when I looked around and there was no one there. How could I have been so stupid! I mean come on I practically rammed her over onto the ground…and with those expensive clothes on too…With a sigh I turned back and headed in the direction of the office. Turning, I stared at the inn where she was staying. I could just stop by….or would that seem like I’m a stalker? I had so much inner conflictions it was making me dizzy. I settled on just stopping by for a friendly hello, I traveled up to the stone building with the forest green window shutters. Bertha,  the old inn keeper, stood there with her never wavering smile that made even the newest of strangers feel welcome. After her husband died late last year, Bertha took over the Inn to keep his memory alive. Their two sons, David and Malcolm, were both handymen around the town but always made time to help their mother when called upon.

 

“Hey Bertha, how’s that ankle?”

“Oh it’s just been wonderful dear! You have your daddy’s magic touch.”

“I don’t know if I’m as good as him but it’s defiantly good to hear.”

“Oh don’t be so modest. Is there something you wanted?”

“Yea…what rooms are the new guests in town are staying in?”

 

            A weird look crossed over her eyes...It was a look I had never seen on Bertha before.

 

“I think we have to be worried about those three…”she said cautiously “There is something fishy going on with them…gives me the heebie-jeebies…they stay in their rooms most of the time and never come out except when they need something. Never let me in to clean either…Very secretive….I don’t like it….don’t like it at all…”

 

“I’m sure there is nothing to worry about Bertha. You’ve just been listening to the kids’ stories to much. They seem pretty normal to me.”

 

There must have been some sort of look that covered my face because when I finished talking a knowing smile crossed her lips.

 

“You like the girl don’t you?….Cant say I blame you…she is a pretty one.”

 

Not wanting to extend me more embarrassment she directed me to the three rooms that had been rented. The old rickety steps, built by Bertha’s husband almost 50 years ago, creaked under my weight as I climbed to the top floor. B-245, B-246, B-247, B-248, Ah here we go B-248, 249, and B-250. My hand rested mere centimeters from the solid oak door with the faded gold coloring of the door numberings. The door next to me, which I’m sure belonged to another member of their little group, was cracked open just a smidgen letting me see inside. I could see the crisp white sheets folded and piled neatly on the bed and a pile of suitcases next to them. Despite my wasted attempt to not listen to my curiosity, I pushed the door open a little more to get a better look. When the door opened my eyes were met with the glittering refection of beautifully cut diamonds and other priceless jewels. Cases surrounded a man that sat on the floor like a rock placed into the sea leaving him stranded. He sat there focused on his task of counting and piling the money in the empty cases. Behind him on the other bed sat another man. He was the one everyone in town called the Bear…now I know why he got that name. Slowly and quietly pushing the door open more I could feel my heart race. The children had been right…they were robbers…Jade….was a thief….I couldn’t describe the pain I felt at that moment. Pushing on the door a little too hard caused a small creak that in reality was as soft as a mouse squeak, but in my mind as loud as a war drum. I could see the men’s eyes shoot up and I sat like a deer in the headlights. Their eyes bore into me…the man that sat surrounded by their stolen materials stared deep into my eyes. I couldn’t blink….I couldn’t move. The moments that followed were the fastest…yet slowest moments of my life. Snapping into action the bear grabbed me from behind the door and raised all of my 170lbs into the air as if I was nothing more the a doll. He slammed me hard against the wood door that I had been peering from behind. Slowly the man rose from his place and paced back and forth in a continuous pattern. With a nod of his head his little man servant let me down to the ground. My body hit the hard wooden floor with a thud…The man continued to pace in front of me. My heart raced and I couldn’t stop the horrible thoughts rambling on in my head. Oh god….I’m gonna die….oh god. I could hear a pounding on the door behind me and hoped to god that maybe someone had come to help me.

*****

            With a final shove I pushed the door open. I had heard something crash from the lower rooms. When I reached the top I saw Harris drag Ian’s body into the room and tried my hardest not to let out a scream. No…if I had done that…it would have caused more problems then solutions. When I pushed my way into the room Ian’s terrified body sat almost curled into the corner. Our eyes met and instead of seeing the flirtatious lively look I had received only 24 hours ago…I was met with hateful glares. Turning to Kris I pleaded to him.

 

“Kris doesn’t…let him go he won’t say anything…”

 

“How can you be so sure my little Jade….I mean what if he just waits for us to leave and then tells all the cops in god knows where, and who we really are? Then what will we do Jade?”

 

            In the corner of my eye Harris stood with his gun hung loosely in his back pocket. Trying to keep Kris in the dark I paced in a circle slowly moving closer and closer with each circle.

 

“Just let him go….please” I begged. Unable to bring my eyes up to Ian’s. So close to the gun….just a few more inches……

 

“Why so worried about this one….huh…true he has got some handsome features to him…but he’s nothing to out of the ordinary.”

 

SO close! One more circle.

 

“I’m just sick of this Kris…Come on! We will grab our stuff and be gone before tomorrow morning. He won’t say anything! I swear!”

 

Once I was in reaching distance I grabbed the gun as quick as I could. Harris turned around sharply.

 

“Jade what are you doing!?” Kris bellowed.

 

With a head nod he sent Harris after me. I backed myself so far up against that wall I felt as if I was going to meld into it. With a lunge he skyrocketed towards me. Instinctively my finger pulled the trigger sending a bullet right into his chest. His large body wavered a few moments before falling lifelessly to the ground. My heart was racing. Ian sat staring between me and the gun. Kris sat staring at Harris. His eyes turning that deep black that came when he was enraged. Quickly I ran over to Ian and grabbed him by his crumbled collar and dragged us out of the room and out of the Inn. It wasn’t until we were on the borders of the town that we stopped. Trying to catch our breath Ian shoved away from me and rested on a mis-shapened tree.

 

“It’s not what you think….” The words sounded phony even to me.

 

“How do you know what I’m thinking?” His voice had a chilled tone that froze me, deeper then words for an almost stranger should have.

 

“Because I can see it in the way that you’re looking at me….”

 

“How do you expect me to react! You’re a fricken Bank Robber! You just killed a man…!” his voice echoed in the woods around us.

 

“He’s my cousin….when my father died…I was left in the care of my uncle….and when he died…the care of my cousin. He’s sick Ian…really sick…you haven’t seen what he is willing to do to get what he wants…” Taking a deep breath and looking into his eyes I continued. “He uses me in the robberies. He grabs me and pretends that I’m a hostage so we can get out safely…”

 

“Why do you stay with him?”

 

“Where do you expect me to go…?”

 

With a sigh, Ian moved closer to me and pulled me to him. His arms were warm and claming.

 

“When we get out of this and he is in jail…you can stay with me…”

 

For such a small statement…so many tears welded up in my eyes….

 

“Aww how cute can I interrupt this little love fest.”

 

With a jerk we turned around to see Kris standing there with the same gun I had used to shoot Harris. Behind him we could hear the faint sound of sirens.

 

“Oh Jade…cute little Jade…you think you can get away! You think you can live happily ever after in the quaint little town! Never!” His gun raised in our  direction. Aimed not at me…but at Ian.

 

“Die.”

 

Shoving Ian out of the way I felt Kris’s bullet hit me hard in the chest. The air rushed out of my lungs and no air came to fill them back up. I fell to the ground and the world around me started to spin.

 

 

“Oh god…..JADE!” I grab her body and pull it to mine. I can hear the sirens really close now and hear the voices of the cops coming to get Kris.

******

“Her face was so pale…..” I told the police.

“She died…not too long after in my arms on the way to the hospital…and Kris was sentenced to prison for life. And that’s my story gentlemen….do you mind if I leave now…?”

 

The cops, who stood speechless for a moment nodded their heads that I could go. I shoved through the doors and into the clean fresh air. And as I took those deep gasps of air, I knew it was gonna be a new world and a new life for me.

 

Author's Note

Again REALLY old. and NOT one of my better stories. I think MAYBE with ALOT of help this could be fixed.

Reviews

I honestly think this is good. I thought you have enough description in it. You explained just enough to keep the reader going on! I only noticed a few words spelled wrong! Great story, unique!

[Kay]

Interesting how you wrote from the view of the oppisite sex. Most people don't do that, but more power to you. The only thing I might say is that you could really draw this out. Other than that keep up the good work!