Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ A Matter Of Choice ❯ Disturbing Events ( Chapter 16 )

Disturbing Events

 

Christmas came and went, Tegan and her friends spending as much time together as they could. After all school would soon be starting again and a new round of exams and assignments would begin. The weeks passed and all too soon term began again. As life settled back into its usual routine Tegan went through the usual teenage juggling act of managing her schoolwork, social life, and seeing her boyfriend. She loved spending time with Michael, but she had more sense than to let her work suffer. The Valentines ball was a few weeks away and she was looking forward to it. It would give her time to spend all night with Michael so she focused on that as most girls do. She sat one evening doing her homework at the kitchen table when Stuart walked in.

 

“Hi.” She smiled at him warmly, always glad to see him.

 

He smiled in response, but there seemed to be no feeling behind it. She had found him quiet and thoughtful these past few weeks. He was obviously bothered by something, but didn't look like he was going to open up about it. While her relationship with her guardians was good, even very close, sometimes Stuart would be very tight lipped about something.

 

“You okay?” She asked as Lynn set his breakfast in front of him, wondering if she could get him to talk.

 

“Of course I am.” He replied genuinely, smiling softly.

 

She trusted him, but thought that she caught him wincing as he moved his left arm. He was secretive about his work, he had started working nights two years ago, and Tegan found that she was sometimes worried for him. She had tried to probe into the situation before to no avail. She studied him for a minute and he seemed far away in his own thoughts. She left it at that though, knowing that he was not about to reveal anything and turned back to her work. After a while, his breakfast finished, Stuart decided to speak his mind.

 

“You know, I've been thinking, you have your final exams coming up in a few months. What do you think you will do once they are over?”

 

She looked up, a little surprised at his decision to engage in conversation after seeing his mood earlier. “Well I've not made any decisions yet.” She replied truthfully.

 

“What about university?” He asked earnestly.

 

“Well, I want to go, that's for sure. I have applied through UCAS of course, but I just haven't made my mind up yet is all.” She replied brightly.

 

“Why not?” He pressed.

 

Her eyes narrowed a fraction as annoyance at his constant questioning started to prick at her. She questioned his motives, but took a deep breath and decided to answer anyway. “Well, I suppose its Michael.” She sighed, reluctantly revealing her feelings about the subject at hand. “We've applied for totally different universities. I think I love him and it complicates things. We need to talk it over between us.”

 

Stuart sighed, Tegan surprised by his reaction. He seemed a little too worried about her almost. Sure he had always been a bit on the overprotective side towards her, but then again, her natural parents were both gone as far as she knew, in circumstances that had not yet been disclosed to her. She had known for years the real nature of her relationship with her guardians, but they had always been tight lipped about her parents. She guessed they had a good reason, after all she trusted them, but sometimes she wondered why it had to be kept so secret.

 

“I know how close you two are,” Stuart said soothingly. “And he obviously cares about you as much as you do about him. I know it's hard but you really do have to think about your future. There is more to life than this little town.”

 

“I know.” She sighed. “I know its being unreasonable but I want it all. I wish there was a way is all.”

 

“Look, I'll be frank with you. The time may come when you have to let him go. You can't hold yourself back.” His tone becoming a touch harder now, making that annoyance prick at her again.

 

“I don't plan to, but I am happy and I don't want to let that go.” She wasn't going to back down about how she felt.

 

“If it's meant to be then letting him go for a while won't hurt. I'm sure you could visit each other.” He was starting to get insistent now.

 

“I know it's just…”

 

Stuart suddenly became exasperated. “For heaven's sake, can't you see that I want the best for you? You are young and if you cling to him and give up your dreams you may well regret it.”

 

“But…”

 

“No buts. You need to think about this carefully, think with your head and not your heart. Be mindful of your feelings.”

 

Tegan found a knot tighten in her stomach. She didn't like being talked down to like this. The annoyance now gave way to anger.

 

“I will do what I want.” She snapped, her temper flaring.

 

“Just make sure that you choose wisely.” He replied coldly.

 

With that he got up and left quickly before she could retaliate. She huffed angrily. Why was he being like this? She looked at her homework and knew she wouldn't be able to concentrate, packed up her things and headed upstairs. She flung herself on her bed and mused moodily. No matter how she tried to relax throughout the rest of the evening, Stuart's sudden change in attitude would not leave her. In her mind she asked the same question over and over again. What would make him behave like this?

 

* * * * *

 

She was withdrawn the next day, Stuart's words and behaviour playing on her mind. The more she thought about it, the more she came to realise that no matter how little she liked it, what he had said made sense. The fact annoyed her and saddened her at the same time. She hadn't seen it, but if she was honest, perhaps she hadn't wanted to. She swapped books in her locker sighing heavily. Michael came up to her, sliding an arm round her waist, pulling her into him.

 

“Don't Mike, I'm not in the mood.” She said shrugging him off at little testily.

 

“What is it?” He asked gently.

 

“It's nothing.” She replied, closing her locker quickly, trying to close the subject at the same time.

 

“Really.” He asked, pressing her.

 

She breathed out heavily and gave in. “Okay, my Uncle and I had words last night. I hate to admit it but he is right. That's a part of it.”

 

“And the rest?” Michael wasn't about to let this go now.

 

“I don't know.” She said, leaning back on the lockers, closing her eyes momentarily. “I just resent him being so condescending. I'm old enough to make my own decisions.”

 

He smiled at her. “That sounds more like it, and more like you too.”

 

She smiled at his slight tease. Her mood did lighten, but the subject would have to be broached at some point. “You and I need to talk about what happens after school, about university. We have to make some decisions.”

 

“I know, it's…”

 

“No, not now.” She interrupted. “I need to do some thinking first, I think we both do.” She forced herself to relax and smile. “Look, we'll deal with this later. Let's wait for our offers to come in and things will be clearer.”

 

He nodded. “Come on, let me walk you home.”

 

She laughed. “Don't be daft; you live in the other direction. Besides, I'm a big girl!”

 

He grinned. “I just care about you is all.”

 

“Look I'll be fine.” She reassured him. “It will give me time to think, and hopefully Stuart and I can patch things up.”

 

“You sure you'll be okay?”

 

“Positive.” She was smiling, genuinely amused by his attitude.

 

With that she kissed him gently. She picked up her bag, gave him a quick squeeze and headed out of the building. It was normally a short walk home, but she decided to take the long way round. It would give her time and space, something she needed before facing Stuart again. Besides, if she was late enough he may well have gone out already by the time she got in. This route took her away from the main roads, around the back of the allotments and through a housing estate. It was pleasant enough, but it was already getting dark. She didn't want to linger too long.

 

She made her way quickly, yet it was still half past four before the housing estate came into sight. She made her way through Sodium lights, their orange glow strangely eerie. She had a sense of foreboding and was beginning to regret her decision. The darkness of the alleyways she needed to take seemed to press in on her, putting her on edge but there was no going back now. She had made her choice and she would have to live with it. Her heart pounded in her chest as she heard something to her right, turning sharply. Stood there was a group of four men, older than her, smoking what smelled like cannabis. She didn't like the look of them in the slightest. One stepped out towards her.

 

“So what are you doing out here on your own?” Something about his tone made her skin crawl.

 

“I'm just going home.” She said, hoping she sounded more confident than she felt, a mild panic starting to set in.

 

The other approached now, starting to block her path.

 

“You're pretty, why don't you stay here with us a while?” He grinned showing stained teeth, stubbing out his cigarette.

 

“No thanks.” She replied sharply, a little disgust creeping into her tone.

 

“Why not? It's been a while since I had a school girl.” He leered at her.

 

“I'm flattered, but I already have a boyfriend.”

 

“But he's not here.” He smiled cruelly.

 

She had had just about enough of this, her temper beginning to flare, overriding her fear. She barged past him, one of his companions stopping her.

 

“And where do you think you are going?”

 

“Away from you!” She retorted.

 

Tegan tried to barge past him but he caught her arm.

 

“Let go!” She cried alarmed, the fear suddenly back, adrenaline soaring through her system, her heart suddenly pounding a fierce tattoo within her chest.

 

“Make me.” He laughed harshly.

 

She looked around her as they closed in on her. She swallowed hard and she knew she had to get away somehow, she dreaded to think what was going to happen to her if she didn't. She wrenched her arm away from him and began to run, but she was caught again. Suddenly angry she struck out at him, punching him in the stomach. He let go, shocked by the sudden blow. Another dived for her but she kicked him in the knee, pain sending him into retreat.

 

That was it, they decided on a mass attack, now angry as well as intent on their goal. Time appeared to slow around her, panic setting in; she didn't know what to do! Some inner instinct decided enough was enough and kicked in, taking control as one reached her first. She put all her strength into a punch between his eyes pushing him into the others behind him. One came at her from behind, kicking her in the knees and sending her sprawling to the ground. She rolled scrambling to her feet trying to gain some space.

 

As another came at her she kicked him as hard as she could in the stomach. He doubled over and she grabbed his head, bringing her knee into his face. He fell dazed and stunned in a heap on the ground. The first approached her again, grabbing her arm and twisting it up her back. Pain shot up her arm, making her cry out, but she retaliated. She hammered her free elbow into his ribs and was rewarded with a yelp of pain and he released her.

 

Suddenly she was attacked from the side, her assailant sending her crashing into the alley wall. Her face hit the wall hard, pain exploding through her. He went to punch her in the face but she saw it in time and ducked. He roared in pain as his fist hit the wall. Tegan took the opening, grabbing his jacket, pulling him in as her knee went into his crotch. He yelped, Tegan pushing him away from her. He fell to the floor and she kicked him in the ribs winding him.

 

She didn't hesitate, not waiting for another attack to come. She dived at the closest, hitting him with the heel of her hand on his square jaw, but had not anticipated his reaction. His fist ploughed into her stomach with a force that knocked the breath out of her and sent her sprawling on the ground. The leader of the group approached her as his companion grabbed her arms pinning her down.

 

“How are you going to get away now?” He asked with an evil grin, Tegan feeling the fear wash over her, now surrendering completely to it.

 

He knelt over her, punching her in the face, blood rising in her mouth. Tegan struggled but was not strong enough. All she could do was wait for this to be over and hope she would come out of this alive. She closed her eyes, fearing the worst. Suddenly the grip on her arms was gone, and she opened her eyes in shock. A dark figure pulled the kneeling man off her, lifting him unbelievably high and flinging him into the wall. The other three quickly scattered. She lay, frozen in shock as the figure turned to her, but in the dark she could not see his face.

 

“Go!” Her rescuer hissed intensely.

 

She didn't need to be told twice. Scrambling to her feet she grabbed her bag and ran. She ran hard and kept on running until she came to the top of the hill and home was in sight. Now she looked back for the first time to find herself mercifully alone. She stopped for a moment panting for breath assailed by her emotions. Relief, anger, hurt and shock all vied for attention as she stood wondering who it was that had come to her rescue.

 

Suddenly she sobbed, tears threatening to fall, but she was too stubborn to let them. She fought against the sobs her breath hitching, forcing herself to bring her breathing under control. She found herself trembling, overwhelmed by what had just occurred, the scene around her starting to come back into focus. It was now pitch black out and she was tired from the run. Her face throbbed and she knew she must be a state, and she needed to get home. She could see the house from here, and took a deep breath to steady herself. She wrapped her arms around her as she made her way down the hill, almost staggering into the house.

 

“Where the hell have you been!” Stuart barked at her as he heard the front door shut.

 

She dumped her bag on the floor, her back to him.

 

“We've been worried sick, not knowing…” He stopped mid-sentence as she turned to him and he saw her face. “Christ Tegan, what happened?” He asked suddenly concerned.

 

Tears sprang unbidden to her eyes and he came in to hold her as they rolled down her cheeks. She cried softly into his shoulder for a while, the shock finally hitting her full force. He held her tight, stroking her back and soothing her until she calmed. He stroked her hair as he released her, smiling at her kindly.

 

“Come on, let's get you cleaned up. You'd better tell me everything.” He stated seriously.

 

He called for her aunt, who while obviously shocked when she saw Tegan, set to the task of cleaning up her cuts and grazes with a strange calmness. She told them everything, finally admitting how scared she had been, her voice trembling at times, still scared if she was honest. She winced as the antiseptic stung in her wounds. She couldn't help but notice her uncle's face darken as she talked about her rescuer. She wondered why it would bother him; surely he must be grateful that someone had come to her aid.

 

“You didn't see his face?” he asked.

 

“No, I have no idea who he was. He seemed to come out of nowhere. I'm just grateful he turned up when he did.” She felt so drained now.

 

“Was it dark when this happened?”

 

“Yes, well not quite totally, but yes.”

 

Stuart fell silent and brooding. Lynn put her hand on Tegan's shoulder.

 

“Come on, go upstairs and get changed. I'll get you something to eat.” She urged gently, eager to get her niece away from Stuart's relentless barrage of questions.

 

Her aunt and uncle watched her go, Lynn sensing the worry that now clouded her husband's thoughts.

 

“You think it was one of them don't you. Him perhaps.”

 

Stuart sighed heavily. “Maybe. I might just be paranoid, but I can't help but wonder. It seems likely.”

 

“She's alright, and that's what matters.”

 

“I can't help but think that he's coming for her. That it may be soon, and that I won't be able to stop him.”

 

“I know. Look, we need to help her forget all this; otherwise she is going to be permanently scared. There is no point in adding any worries.”

 

“I just wonder if keeping her in the dark is the best thing for her.”

 

“I think that its best, don't you? With any luck in a few months she will be gone from here and then you won't have to worry anymore.”

 

He smiled at his wife. “You're right, I know that.”

 

“Just don't nag her. You were a little harsh last night, I heard you, and if you had handled it better this may not have happened at all.”

 

“But it has, and it looks like he's watching her closer than I thought. I worry for her.”

 

“She's not a little girl anymore, and you are going to have to let her go soon. I know you want to protect her, but the best way may be to send her off to her future and take care of things at home.”

 

“I know, but it won't stop me worrying.” He paused. “How are we going to get her to forget this though?”

 

“By not talking about it and be happy around her. I'm taking her shopping for her dress for the ball on Saturday. That should be a good start.”

 

He smiled warmly at her. “You know best.”

 

“Of course I do, I'm your wife.”

 

She kissed him on the forehead and turned to her cooking.

 

 

 

 

Author's notes:

Mwa ha ha ha ha ha. Tegan's normal life has started down the slippery slope. Next chapter we step things up a gear. Tegan finds out that all in her world is not as it seems.