Out of Darkness

The entire day after Alex’s hang over finally wore off, he and Tori fought. He lied about having to work, and was extremely snappy with her. As if it wasn’t bad enough being lied to by someone she cared about, and thought loved her, but he had been saying very hurtful things to her all day, and she wasn’t taking it lightly.

The arguing went on until late in the evening, and Tori was thankful for some peace in the house. Amber had come home just in time for dinner to be delivered, since they had ordered out due to the fact Alex couldn’t cook and Tori was blind.

“I’m sorry for being such a dick.” Alex sighed as he and Tori sat in his room. The lights were off and he was watching a movie while she read one of her books.

“It’s okay, Alex. You’re tired and have a hangover.” She sighed, not wanting to argue anymore.

“Do you forgive me?” he asked quietly, turning from his movie to look at her as she let her finger trace over the lines in the book. She sighed and stopped reading, placing a piece of paper in the book to hold her place before setting it aside.

“I don’t like fighting with you, Alex. You mean so much to me. Before I went blind, I had an amazing life. Great friends, crazy memories, and an incredible boyfriend, and I loved them all so much! But when I lost my eyes I lost all of that, too. I’ve never had someone that I could be close to until now. I don’t want to be alone anymore.” She confessed.

“What happened? Did he hurt you?”

“No. Not on purpose. He was driving when it happened, but we all agreed to get in the car. We all agreed to sneak out for that party.”

“What happened, Tori?”

“We were all drinking after the party and having a great time in the car, and Shane was going too fast. He lost control and died on impact. I was beside him, and hit my head and some glass got into my eyes. Four tiny pieces in my left eye, nine on my right… In one crash I lost Shane, my sight, my friend Shiloh, and my friend Jenna… only me and Jesse lived and she was never the same.” She explained blankly.

He didn’t say anything to reply. He just scooted closer and held her tightly, letting her feel the love and comfort from his embrace as an answer. After nearly an hour, he moved his arms and kissed her gently, letting her respond before moving farther with his actions. He only stopped when she pulled away, pushing her nightgown back down her legs and getting out of the bed.

“I told you, I couldn’t do that Alex. I’m sorry but I just can’t!” she sighed, hearing him take a deep, frustrated breath before getting out of the bed.

“Just trust me, Tori, I won’t hurt you! It won’t hurt at all; I’ll be careful! It’ll feel good, I promise.” He spoke, trying to convince her while going to hug her but she slid away from his touch.

“I’m not afraid of it hurting.” She retorted. He, like her entire family, thought that she was a virgin. She never brought it up, but why else could she possibly be afraid to sleep with him?

“Then why the hell won’t you let me touch you?!” he demanded.

“Don’t yell at me, Alex.” She ordered, “If I don’t want you to touch me, then you won’t touch me!”

“I need this, Tori, I need YOU! I… I love you so much! I just want to be close to you. To have that deep, intimate connection with you!”

“Alex please, calm down.” She pleaded, now growing fearful. He was starting to worry her with the desperation in his voice. Lately he had been pushing intimacy, and with the way they had been fighting lately, and how rocky their relationship had become because of her being uncomfortable getting into bed with him, she was beginning to be afraid that he would try to harm her.

“You don’t get it!” he snapped, “Please, just trust me! I’m only upset because you don’t trust me!”

“I do trust you, I’m just uncomfortable being touched that way. By anyone!”

“Not by that drummer,” he scoffed.

“Shinya has NEVER touched me that way! I doubt he ever would; he has too much respect! He cares about me in an honest way; a true friendship! And I’m starting to think that all you care about is having sex!”

He snapped in a rage, and she defended herself against him still for another ten minutes until he finally crossed the line and pushed her into the wall. She froze in fear, too afraid to even take a breath as he held her there for a few moments before kissing her again. Fury mixed with survival instinct filled her the moment his lips touched hers, and she tried to push him away. The end result was her being angrily thrown to the floor.

“Don’t you dare touch me,” she threatened darkly as he stood there, watching a drop of blood slide down her face from a cut on her cheekbone. A cut HE had given her. Without another word she stood and felt for the door.

“Where are you going?”

“To call Brandon. I’m leaving, Alex. I can’t stay with you like this.” She answered.

“You can’t leave!”

“Why the hell not?!” she snapped.

“What are you two… oh my god, Triina, what happened to your cheek?!” Amber gasped. Originally she was going to demand that the lovers stop fighting until morning, so she could sleep, but now she suspected that they had something worth fighting over. Triina wasn’t bleeding before she went to sit with Alex.

“He just wants to have sex, and I’m not ready. He’s getting pissed over it, and threw me into the floor!” She answered, “I don’t know if he’s drunk or stoned, but I can’t stay with him…. I, I’m not sure if I want to be with you at all anymore, Alex.” She muttered as tears filled her eyes.

“You wanna go? Fine! GO! You’re worthless anyway! It’s going to be too fucking late when you get back!”

“Alex what are you talking about?” Amber demanded, furious with her brother.

“Just forget it. Go ahead and get out, Tori, see where you can find and call me when you get there. Being blind you probably won’t get far.” He sighed.

She shook her head and felt her way to her cane, which was beside her phone, and left.

“Where are going to go?” Amber asked worriedly.

“I’m calling Brandon. I’ll either stay with him or one of the guys. I can’t do this, Alex. I’ll get my things tomorrow.” She answered seriously.

That sent Alex into another rage, and he shouted something that made even Amber snap.

“Fine! Leave bitch! You’re nothing but a bet anyway!”

“What did you just call her?” Amber demanded, taking a step to him while Tori’s throat tightened.

“If I fuck her, I get one thousand yen and a week of free drinks! But no, she ruined it, and I lose the bet at sunrise. I only had tonight to get her to put out. That whore is nothing but a lost bet!” he spat and left to his room, slamming the door behind him.

Amber turned around to comfort Tori, but she was already gone.