‹ Prequel: As Free as a Caged Bird
Uncaged
set me free.
I had to leave. I had to get as far away from this place as I could. I had to leave and never look back.
The time had finally come that I could no longer stay at the mansion, and while it hurt me more than it did the last time I left, I had to go.
Groaning, I grab at my sore ribs. Six months ago I had been kidnapped because of Brian and the gang, but thankfully found and saved. The bruises were still an ugly yellow and dull purple, but I had my cast taken off my ankle two months ago. Lots of stairs and heels were still a 'no'. Once the throb disappears enough for me to breathe without hurting, I start moving again. I enter the large walk-in closet that held Brian and I's clothes. The first bar I come to is emptied by my hands grabbing what they can carry and I take them back into the bedroom.
Laying on the plush bed that I have shared with Brian for six months now, and two years before leaving for the first time, sits an open, plain black suitcase. I toss the clothes, still on the hangers, into the bag before going back to the closet and repeating the process once again. My ribs ache from the strain of the weight in my arms, but I ignore it and go for my shoes and underwear. They are piled on top of the clothes.
I didn't bother folding anything, and simply stuffed all the things hanging out into the bag. I pushed the top down, grunting as I pushed all my weight on to it and ignoring the pain in my ribs once again. The bedroom door opens behind me.
"Hey. Bee, the girls were wondering if-"
I stop closing the bag and stare up at Jimmy in horror. He wasn't supposed to be here. He wasn't supposed to be in the mansion. He was supposed to be in Sacramento with Brian and Zack going over a business contract with Gontier and Tuck. But if Jimmy was here, that means so were Brian and Zack.
"Becca, what are you doing?" he asks slowly, his voice soft as I stand there, not daring to move. He steps forward, hands up in an innocent manner. My eyes flicker from his tall, lanky form to the half-zipped suitcase. I wouldn't dare hurt Jimmy, but I had to leave. I had to get out of here. "Becca, please, don't do this again-"
"I have to Jimmy!" I cry out, reaching for the suitcase handle. "I can't stay here any longer!"
"Bee, we can talk about this, okay? Did Brian do something? I'll go kick his ass if you want me to. Please, Bee, don't do this again."
I pull the suitcase off the bed and wince at the pain that skyrockets through my limbs. The bag was heavier than I thought. It clatters to the floor as I wrap an arm around around my ribs. Jimmy hears my whimper and rushes over, kicking the bag out of reach.
"Are you okay?" he asks, trying to pull my hands away from my torso.
"My ribs," I whisper, wincing again when Jimmy touches the still-healing bruises.
"Why are you trying to leave, Bee?" he asks me, his tall form bending over to fall to my eye level. My face contorts with pain as his fingers touch my side again.
"I can't stay here," I whisper, wiping away a few tears before he can see them. Jimmy frowns and pulls his hands away from the yellow and purple skin.
"Has Syn hurt you?" he asks me, placing his hands softly on my shoulders. I shake my head and wipe my eyes again. The pain became almost unbearable.
"No, he hasn't hurt me, it's from those douchebags that kidnapped me."
Jimmy's frown deepens. "Then why are you leaving?"
I press my face against his chest, and keep down my sobs as I start to shake. My emotions have been coasting over everything the past few weeks and it hurts me to know why.
"I can't stay," I tell him again, but it's muffled against his shirt. I feel a sigh leave his chest, and he gently pulls me back. His eyes burn into mine, searching for the truth.
"Why, Bee? You just came back. Bry is so happy. You have no idea how depressed he was during those months you were gone. Please, Bee, don't leave. If not for him, then for me."
I try to wipe away the tears, but more take their place.
"I'm pregnant, Jim," I finally admit, and his arms envelope me instantly.
"That's great news, Becca!" He tells me, holding me firmly against his chest. I shake my head and pull away from the warm embrace.
"No it's not, Jimmy! I'm sure as hell not ready to be a mom, let alone raise a kid in this kind of lifestyle! And you know damn well that Brian isn't going to drop it all just like that because his whore has his bun in the oven."
Jimmy frowns and gives me a stern look. I'm surprised at the seriousness, but try to hide it.
"Rebecca, that is far from the truth. All Bry has been able to talk about since you came back is starting a family. He is crazy about you, Becca. He loves you more than either of you will admit and is willing to do anything for you."
I look away from his burning gaze, not able to take it with my roaring emotions. What he says can't be true... can it?
"Becca..." I don't look up at my name. A thin, long finger is placed under my chin and he slowly lifts my head up. His eyes meet mine again. "Listen to me, Bee. Don't run, please. Go find Brian, sit him down, and tell him. I can guarantee he'll be jumping for joy."
"But what if he's not?" I question, sniffling to clear my nose and wipe at my eyes one last time. I know I'm a mess, and I know I should just crawl under the covers, or sneak out the side door that leads into the garden, but I know Jimmy will follow me like a hawk eyeing its prey.
"He will be, trust me, Bee," he whispers before pressing a kind kiss to my forehead. I sigh, letting my eyes fall closed as I fidget from foot to foot. I'm weary to go find Brian and tell him what has been eating at me for the past two weeks. Finally, I give in because there is no use in fighting with Jimmy.
"Okay, Jim, I'll go tell him."
"That's my girl!" he says happily, giving me another soft squeeze with his arms before pushing me out of the bedroom. I look back at him, and he gives me an assuring grin. I take a deep breath and, slowly, my feet walk the descent down the long hallway to one of the many stair cases of the mansion. I pass a few girls, all of them bare of anything other than their collar and issued high heels. Just at the sight of the familiar collar makes me reach up to finger the small amethyst pendent that I wear - Brian found it more appropriate than a collar.
I take the stairs slowly, wincing whenever I put too much pressure on my ankle. Once to the bottom, I take a moment to rest before easing around the first floor of the mansion, looking for a familiar dark haired, dark eyed gangster.
The game room is empty for other than the girls - the ones officially claimed by the men of the Sevenfold Gang - but I ease past them silently without being seen. I pass by Shadows' office, leaning toward it slightly to listen in. There's nothing, not even Shadows' voice. Sighing, I go to the only other place Brian could possibly be - the kitchen.
It's a large kitchen, in fact, with plenty of space to cook and eat. When I first step in, I find the large space empty, and turn around to go back through the first floor and look. But then I hear it.
I stop mid-step and listen, straining my ears for the sound. There it is again!
I turn back around and look around the kitchen. I step farther in, getting a better look at the wall closest to the door I had come in and freeze, suddenly. At first, I think my eyes are deceiving me, playing tricks in front of my vision and making my worst nightmares come true-
But it's not a nightmare, no matter how hard I wish for it to be.
He has his back turned to me, but the naked girl on her knees in front of him, and his hand tight in her dark hair gives me the perfect picture of what is going on. I can hear his grunts and her gagging sounds, and find it hard to breathe. Once I am able to breathe, I take in a deep gasp of air, and cover my mouth with my hands. He turns his head to look back at me, but makes no notion to stop what he's doing.
I feel sick to my stomach from the look he gives me. The kind brown eyes that had saved me are no longer there. In their place, are two black orbs that give me a nonchalant expression. I can't make myself breathe, again. His hips are in a rhythmic thrust into the girl's mouth, and I know I'm going to vomit if I stay any longer.
"Can't you see I'm busy, bitch?" he growls before going back to his actions.
My hand falls from my mouth and to the necklace I've worn around my neck since Brian gave it to me just over six months ago. My chest aches, but it's from heartbreak more than my sore ribs. I grip the purple stone pendant tight in my fist before tugging it off from around my neck. The small silver chain breaks apart. I drop the necklace to the counter beside me and run out of the kitchen, fresh tears dropping to the ground.
The stairs that lead up to my safe haven are suddenly blocked by a tall Shadows wearing a confused expression.
"Becca? What's wrong? Are you ok-"
I push past him, finally letting out the loud sob that I've been holding back, before taking the stairs two at a time. My ankle screams at me, and once I'm at the top I have to limp the rest of the way to my room.
"Becca!" he yells, chasing after me. I can hear the girls' chatter end immediately and they come running out to see what is going on. I narrowly miss their eyes and bound into the bedroom. My suitcase is still sitting on the floor. I grab the extending handle and jerk it up before pulling it and the small wheels roll it down the hall. Jimmy is coming back up the stairs behind Shadows and eyes the suitcase and my tears wearily.
"Bee, what happened?" he asks softly, walking up to try and stop me. I wince as I do it, but I still swat his hands away, my eyes filled with a fiery hatred.
"What happened, is I found my beloved Brian fucking some slut's mouth, that's what!" I yell, and during the moment of surprise, climb back down the stairs. I pull open the front doors of the mansion, just as Brian walks out of the kitchen, carrying a plate and a sandwich. He looks at me with unimpressed, black eyes. I'm disgusted by the fact that I loved such a monster.
Waiting outside is one of the cars that I had called up when I finally decided I was going to leave, and I'm glad I did.
Jimmy and the girls are running after me, trying to get me to stop and work things out, but it's too late. I've had enough. My body can't take anymore, and if I'm going to keep the baby growing inside me, than so be it I was going to leave them and never look back.
The feeling of freedom felt nice, but as I take one last look out the back window of the car as the mansion grows farther and farther away... I still felt trapped by all the wonderful, and horrible, memories of the Sevenfold Manor. I knew, that no matter how many times I broke my chains and became free, there would be an invisible string still tied around my heart that connected me to Brian.
The time had finally come that I could no longer stay at the mansion, and while it hurt me more than it did the last time I left, I had to go.
Groaning, I grab at my sore ribs. Six months ago I had been kidnapped because of Brian and the gang, but thankfully found and saved. The bruises were still an ugly yellow and dull purple, but I had my cast taken off my ankle two months ago. Lots of stairs and heels were still a 'no'. Once the throb disappears enough for me to breathe without hurting, I start moving again. I enter the large walk-in closet that held Brian and I's clothes. The first bar I come to is emptied by my hands grabbing what they can carry and I take them back into the bedroom.
Laying on the plush bed that I have shared with Brian for six months now, and two years before leaving for the first time, sits an open, plain black suitcase. I toss the clothes, still on the hangers, into the bag before going back to the closet and repeating the process once again. My ribs ache from the strain of the weight in my arms, but I ignore it and go for my shoes and underwear. They are piled on top of the clothes.
I didn't bother folding anything, and simply stuffed all the things hanging out into the bag. I pushed the top down, grunting as I pushed all my weight on to it and ignoring the pain in my ribs once again. The bedroom door opens behind me.
"Hey. Bee, the girls were wondering if-"
I stop closing the bag and stare up at Jimmy in horror. He wasn't supposed to be here. He wasn't supposed to be in the mansion. He was supposed to be in Sacramento with Brian and Zack going over a business contract with Gontier and Tuck. But if Jimmy was here, that means so were Brian and Zack.
"Becca, what are you doing?" he asks slowly, his voice soft as I stand there, not daring to move. He steps forward, hands up in an innocent manner. My eyes flicker from his tall, lanky form to the half-zipped suitcase. I wouldn't dare hurt Jimmy, but I had to leave. I had to get out of here. "Becca, please, don't do this again-"
"I have to Jimmy!" I cry out, reaching for the suitcase handle. "I can't stay here any longer!"
"Bee, we can talk about this, okay? Did Brian do something? I'll go kick his ass if you want me to. Please, Bee, don't do this again."
I pull the suitcase off the bed and wince at the pain that skyrockets through my limbs. The bag was heavier than I thought. It clatters to the floor as I wrap an arm around around my ribs. Jimmy hears my whimper and rushes over, kicking the bag out of reach.
"Are you okay?" he asks, trying to pull my hands away from my torso.
"My ribs," I whisper, wincing again when Jimmy touches the still-healing bruises.
"Why are you trying to leave, Bee?" he asks me, his tall form bending over to fall to my eye level. My face contorts with pain as his fingers touch my side again.
"I can't stay here," I whisper, wiping away a few tears before he can see them. Jimmy frowns and pulls his hands away from the yellow and purple skin.
"Has Syn hurt you?" he asks me, placing his hands softly on my shoulders. I shake my head and wipe my eyes again. The pain became almost unbearable.
"No, he hasn't hurt me, it's from those douchebags that kidnapped me."
Jimmy's frown deepens. "Then why are you leaving?"
I press my face against his chest, and keep down my sobs as I start to shake. My emotions have been coasting over everything the past few weeks and it hurts me to know why.
"I can't stay," I tell him again, but it's muffled against his shirt. I feel a sigh leave his chest, and he gently pulls me back. His eyes burn into mine, searching for the truth.
"Why, Bee? You just came back. Bry is so happy. You have no idea how depressed he was during those months you were gone. Please, Bee, don't leave. If not for him, then for me."
I try to wipe away the tears, but more take their place.
"I'm pregnant, Jim," I finally admit, and his arms envelope me instantly.
"That's great news, Becca!" He tells me, holding me firmly against his chest. I shake my head and pull away from the warm embrace.
"No it's not, Jimmy! I'm sure as hell not ready to be a mom, let alone raise a kid in this kind of lifestyle! And you know damn well that Brian isn't going to drop it all just like that because his whore has his bun in the oven."
Jimmy frowns and gives me a stern look. I'm surprised at the seriousness, but try to hide it.
"Rebecca, that is far from the truth. All Bry has been able to talk about since you came back is starting a family. He is crazy about you, Becca. He loves you more than either of you will admit and is willing to do anything for you."
I look away from his burning gaze, not able to take it with my roaring emotions. What he says can't be true... can it?
"Becca..." I don't look up at my name. A thin, long finger is placed under my chin and he slowly lifts my head up. His eyes meet mine again. "Listen to me, Bee. Don't run, please. Go find Brian, sit him down, and tell him. I can guarantee he'll be jumping for joy."
"But what if he's not?" I question, sniffling to clear my nose and wipe at my eyes one last time. I know I'm a mess, and I know I should just crawl under the covers, or sneak out the side door that leads into the garden, but I know Jimmy will follow me like a hawk eyeing its prey.
"He will be, trust me, Bee," he whispers before pressing a kind kiss to my forehead. I sigh, letting my eyes fall closed as I fidget from foot to foot. I'm weary to go find Brian and tell him what has been eating at me for the past two weeks. Finally, I give in because there is no use in fighting with Jimmy.
"Okay, Jim, I'll go tell him."
"That's my girl!" he says happily, giving me another soft squeeze with his arms before pushing me out of the bedroom. I look back at him, and he gives me an assuring grin. I take a deep breath and, slowly, my feet walk the descent down the long hallway to one of the many stair cases of the mansion. I pass a few girls, all of them bare of anything other than their collar and issued high heels. Just at the sight of the familiar collar makes me reach up to finger the small amethyst pendent that I wear - Brian found it more appropriate than a collar.
I take the stairs slowly, wincing whenever I put too much pressure on my ankle. Once to the bottom, I take a moment to rest before easing around the first floor of the mansion, looking for a familiar dark haired, dark eyed gangster.
The game room is empty for other than the girls - the ones officially claimed by the men of the Sevenfold Gang - but I ease past them silently without being seen. I pass by Shadows' office, leaning toward it slightly to listen in. There's nothing, not even Shadows' voice. Sighing, I go to the only other place Brian could possibly be - the kitchen.
It's a large kitchen, in fact, with plenty of space to cook and eat. When I first step in, I find the large space empty, and turn around to go back through the first floor and look. But then I hear it.
I stop mid-step and listen, straining my ears for the sound. There it is again!
I turn back around and look around the kitchen. I step farther in, getting a better look at the wall closest to the door I had come in and freeze, suddenly. At first, I think my eyes are deceiving me, playing tricks in front of my vision and making my worst nightmares come true-
But it's not a nightmare, no matter how hard I wish for it to be.
He has his back turned to me, but the naked girl on her knees in front of him, and his hand tight in her dark hair gives me the perfect picture of what is going on. I can hear his grunts and her gagging sounds, and find it hard to breathe. Once I am able to breathe, I take in a deep gasp of air, and cover my mouth with my hands. He turns his head to look back at me, but makes no notion to stop what he's doing.
I feel sick to my stomach from the look he gives me. The kind brown eyes that had saved me are no longer there. In their place, are two black orbs that give me a nonchalant expression. I can't make myself breathe, again. His hips are in a rhythmic thrust into the girl's mouth, and I know I'm going to vomit if I stay any longer.
"Can't you see I'm busy, bitch?" he growls before going back to his actions.
My hand falls from my mouth and to the necklace I've worn around my neck since Brian gave it to me just over six months ago. My chest aches, but it's from heartbreak more than my sore ribs. I grip the purple stone pendant tight in my fist before tugging it off from around my neck. The small silver chain breaks apart. I drop the necklace to the counter beside me and run out of the kitchen, fresh tears dropping to the ground.
The stairs that lead up to my safe haven are suddenly blocked by a tall Shadows wearing a confused expression.
"Becca? What's wrong? Are you ok-"
I push past him, finally letting out the loud sob that I've been holding back, before taking the stairs two at a time. My ankle screams at me, and once I'm at the top I have to limp the rest of the way to my room.
"Becca!" he yells, chasing after me. I can hear the girls' chatter end immediately and they come running out to see what is going on. I narrowly miss their eyes and bound into the bedroom. My suitcase is still sitting on the floor. I grab the extending handle and jerk it up before pulling it and the small wheels roll it down the hall. Jimmy is coming back up the stairs behind Shadows and eyes the suitcase and my tears wearily.
"Bee, what happened?" he asks softly, walking up to try and stop me. I wince as I do it, but I still swat his hands away, my eyes filled with a fiery hatred.
"What happened, is I found my beloved Brian fucking some slut's mouth, that's what!" I yell, and during the moment of surprise, climb back down the stairs. I pull open the front doors of the mansion, just as Brian walks out of the kitchen, carrying a plate and a sandwich. He looks at me with unimpressed, black eyes. I'm disgusted by the fact that I loved such a monster.
Waiting outside is one of the cars that I had called up when I finally decided I was going to leave, and I'm glad I did.
Jimmy and the girls are running after me, trying to get me to stop and work things out, but it's too late. I've had enough. My body can't take anymore, and if I'm going to keep the baby growing inside me, than so be it I was going to leave them and never look back.
The feeling of freedom felt nice, but as I take one last look out the back window of the car as the mansion grows farther and farther away... I still felt trapped by all the wonderful, and horrible, memories of the Sevenfold Manor. I knew, that no matter how many times I broke my chains and became free, there would be an invisible string still tied around my heart that connected me to Brian.