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Fifty-eight: lives on the line
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
A Thousand Lies Fifty-nine: At this point in time
TemperanceIt's been a year since my kidnapping. A year with constant nightmares haunting my sleep, but the nightmares have always been there. It's been a year since I was saved and placed back into Alec's care. Alec, who is now my fiance after proposing to me a few montha ago. Other than preparing for a wedding that I never thought would happen, nothing else is going on around us.Since i've gotten my newfound freedom I had started college, I wanted to be a therapist of some sort to help victims of abuse. Sadly, that dream of mine failed whenever my nightmares got so bad I couldn't find the energy to show up for classes. I will eventually continue with my future job, but i'm at a standstill for now.In the time i've had away from college I have gone to my mothers grave at least once a week. Talking to my mother who I only hope can hear me is theraputic in some ways. I've only wished to have a mother like everyone else has gotten. Zander has tried to move on from Emaline with multipl
A Thousand Lies Sixty: Remember how far you've come
TemperanceWithout thinking, I swiftly aim my gun to his thigh, pulling the trigger. The gun lurches back, causing me to flinch as my ears ring. As I look at the man, his hands fly to his thigh, grunting in agony.Before he can lift his head, Zander appears behind him, clocking him on the head with the handle of his gun. The man falls to the floor unconscious as Zander steps over him, walking towards Connor and me."You missed his head." He tells me, obviously worried that I was in danger only seconds ago. "I wasn't aiming for his head," I respond as he squats down to Connor. "Do you want to die, Temp?" He asks me. I am taken aback by his question.If I were still like I was a while back, I would've said yes, maybe even let the guy kill me. But that's not me now."I don't mean like that. I mean... If you don't kill him first, then he will kill you." He stands, gently taking Connors's gun from my hand. "I don't think I can kill a person," I respond honestly, my legs shaking at the thou
A Thousand Lies Sixty-one: Unforgiving nightmares
Temperance I sit at a table in the house I grew up in after mom died. Alec and Emaline sit in front of me. Multiple pictures of younger me align the walls. Those are the pictures that my late mother used to have on the walls in the house we lived in all together. I laugh with Alec about something I don't remember as Emalines eyes are filled with terror, staring at the front door as a man walks in. I ignore the man, looking at her with wide eyes. "I thought you were dead?" I suddenly remember seeing Emalines dead body. I remember holding her dead body. My heart begins to race. "That's not what you should be worried about Temp." She responds, her eyes not leaving the man at the door. I glance at the door, my heart drops and I feel my blood start to flow backwards as I see my father. "I... I thought you were dead? I thought you were dead how are you here?" I gasp, I stand up, backing up. I glance towards Alec and Emaline only to find them gone. "I never died. I was just waiting f
A Thousand Lies Sixty-two: She's gone
Alec"Ok so when can I leave here?" My voice is laced with irritation as I grit my teeth at the nurse.Zander sets a glass of water at the bedside table, annoyed with my complaining."You're still extremely weak. You can't put too much stress on your mind and body. You'll overexert yourself.""I'm already fucking stressed being down here."She opens her mouth to respond but is interrupted by Ethan's frantic yelling.We go silent, watching the door together as footsteps get closer. I reach for my gun, glancing at the nurse who steps back, placing her hand on Connors forehead.Zander straightens his back, reaching for his gun, standing in front of Connor and the nurse to protect them incase Ethan attracts an opposing member.I cock the gun as the door bursts open, revealing Ethan who buffs in the doorway, catching himself as he almost falls forward."What the fuck are you doing?" I question, ignoring the pain as I sit up. "Temperance... she's...""She's WHAT?!" I interrupt, my patience
A Thousand Lies Sixty-three:Leadership
Temperance I stare at the dead man in front of me, foam drying onto his skin as Alec paces angrily. I open my mouth to say something but then put my hands up to my neck, gently rubbing the place where his hands were. I'm so cold I feel my nipples poke out, stabbing my shirt. I'm trembling not only from the cold but from the fear I just had shoot through me. My throat is scratchy and my neck is tender. My cheek hurts from where he slapped me. I haven't felt so beat up in a long time. On the way outside he shoved me multiple times, ending up halfway dragging me, yanking my arm. It took Alec ten minutes to get to me. I could've died in that time. I'm going to have to start defending myself if I want to continue staying here. "What's going on out here?" I feel a cruel presence behind me as Adams voice booms through the quiet patters of the rain. Before anyone can react I watch in slow motion as Alec's already weak body gives out, collapsing onto the wet grass. "Alec!" I scream hi
A Thousand Lies Sixty-four: Betrothal
AlecMy head pounds and my stomach aches.Is this how it feels to be dead?I keep my eyes closed, trying to go back to sleep."Alec?" The sweet voice of my mother perks my ears. I open my eyes, immediately wondering why she's back from her trip so early."You've been asleep for two days." She thins her lips, pushing her hair back as she stands up from her chair.I glance around the room, the nurse is gone and my mother is the only one in here aside from Connor who now looks like he's awake."I thought I was dead." He whispers, looking at his shaky hands before laying them down by his side."Has Temp been down?" I question them, suddenly concerned on where she might be.My mother shifts on her feet, pulling her chair back to the wall to get it out of the way.Why is she so silent?I repeat my question, glancing at both of them."Adam has swamped her with other things." Connor speaks up for my mom."What do you mean by that?" I sit up, grabbing the glass of water beside me and taking a
A Thousand Lies Sixty-five: Just like you
TemperanceI thought everyone is supposed to have character growth. Not just in books but in real life. Yet it's been a year and a half and I'm still stuck on what happened during my adolescence.I stare in the mirror I stand in front of. Things are definitely different from back then. My looks included.Back then my hair was long and thin. Now it's thick and short, down to my shoulders. My eyes used to be dull and lifeless but now they are bright. My thin and honey body is now healthy and I'm never starving.To think I almost killed myself.If I would have I wouldn't be where I am now. Both of my parents are dead, anyone who's wronged me is gone, I'm surrounded by a loving husband and amazing friends.Several times my mind has gone back to the one person that escaped my grasp. The one person that slipped through my fingers.Emaline.My best friend.I see her every time I closed my eyes. Her face is morphed now, it's blurry. Her face has faded from my mind. I haven't forgotten her, ju
A Thousand Lies Sixty-six: Temperance
AlecI watch in shock as the woman I love throws things at me, glass cutting my face as she screams.She looks insane as she screams. In her eyes there's an emptiness. Like she's not all there. Somethings different about her.Connor has watched this whole thing play out, I can tell he's clearly on Temperances side. He watches with a hint of interest as she screams at me. Like he's studying the human emotion on someone who is severely angry.Ella turns the water off, pulling Connor back as Temp makes her way to me.Temperance isn't after Connor. She wouldn't hurt Connor. She's after me.She doesn't understand my reasons. I'm doing this for her. I love her so much that I would marry another woman just to keep her safe.Her safety is my main priority.There's multiple eyes from our friends on her. I feel almost embarrassed to be screamed at by her in this manner.Zander stands in front of the crowd. Rea clings onto his arm. Damien and Ethan stare dumbfounded, not knowing what to do.I ca
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A Thousand Lies Seventy-three: the lies
Alec"You think this isn't hard for me?" Chris runs his fingers through his hair."I didn't say that." I grit my teeth, my ears ring with annoyance.I slam my hands on the table, snapping everyone's attention back to me. "Even if she's happier gone, did you guys forget that she was almost taken a few weeks ago?"I can almost see her small body fighting off her attempted kidnapper. If he would've overtaken her I swear I would've shot him right then and there."So you think she's in danger?" Chris grits his teeth."I'm saying I don't know what kind of trouble she's in!" I want to yell at everyone, telling them to search until the bottoms of their feet are rubbing off."I have something you need to see!" Bee and Rea bust through the door. I watch as Rea slightly glances at Connor before pushing her long hair out of her face.I stand to my feet, glancing at everyone at the table before leaving with the two girls. My heart races in my chest as we enter the security room."So... you're not
A Thousand Lies Seventy-two: I'm happy to be here
I stand completely still, my hands behind my back as my posture tightens."Is this fun for you?" My father asks me, shoving his pointer finger at me. My head gets knocked back and my body follows before catching myself with a stumble."I-is what fun?" The corners of my lips threaten to turn downwards."Watching me take care of you while you stay completely selfish. Do you not understand that I'm suffering because of you?" He squats down, bringing his hands to his face.Tears fall down his cheeks and onto the floor. Light sobs fill the room and I can't help but copy his crying.My hands come up to my face to wipe my tears away.I don't know why I'm crying because of him. Maybe it's this love I still have for him that makes me upset when he cries."I-I'm sorry." I hiccup, watching him lift his head. He crawls towards me, bringing himself upwards and wrapping his arms around me.He places his chin on my shoulders and softly cries.Maybe this is a turning point? Maybe he will finally real
A Thousand Lies Seventy-one: She's dead
TemperanceMy legs threaten to give out as I continue to pump them, trying to find my destination. In some sick way this reminds me of the times growing up that I was forced to run away from my father. Through my life with him, the familiar pain I would feel in my bones would cause me to sob as my legs continued to sprint.After years of the abuse I suffer with complex ptsd. I have a slight limp in my left leg where my knee is. Every-time I run like this I feel fire ignite in my knee. Not only that but my eyesight has also faltered through the abuse. From constantly pouring alcohol into my eyes as a form of punishment I was forced to get eye surgery two months ago. Even with the surgery I will eventually need glasses since my eyesight is still poor. My body is littered with scars from that monster. I got out alive but with the cost of my leg, my eyesight, and my skin."S-she's dead Temperance!" Danny yells at me, dragging me out of my thoughts.Her breathing is rigid as she slows down
A Thousand Lies Seventy: Lack of understanding
AlecI thin my lips out, wanting to crush the note she's left me in my hands. I've read it over and over.I love Temperance with everything in me but the notes she always leaves when she runs away are starting to get annoying.I've never understood her reasonings for running away aside from right now. In the past, she knew I could protect her. She knew she didn't have to go back but she still did.Now, she thought I was replacing her. I almost did replace her."Dear Alec, I don't know why I bother with these notes anymore. They seem like such a childish thing. How else would you know I left on my own will Vs if I was kidnapped?Anyways, I can't stay here while someone else is in my place by your side. I can't watch you be happy with another woman while I'm simply cast aside. I know you say this is for me but I never asked you to do this. I love you dearly and I want a future with you so bad but now I know that I can't have one with you. As soon as you picked a stranger over me is when
A Thousand Lies Sixty-nine: Strength
TemperanceTossing and turning through the night.My sleep has always been weary. The only time I ever got a full night of sleep was whenever my father would knock me unconscious.Being by Alec would help me. All I would do is put my hand on his chest. His chest moving up and down would help lull me to sleep.I turn towards the wall on the stained twin sized mattress. I look at the door, staring through the fist sized hole.Alec isn't here anymore. It's just me.My sheets and pillow smell like my room. Our room. They smell like Alec.I inhale the scent, letting a tear slip down my scarred cheek.I feel disgusted letting my wonderful sheets touch this disgusting mattress. It's the only thing blocking my skin from touching the stains but it still makes me cringe.People have no doubt had sex on this mattress. This is a whore house after all. My only question is how long will I be able to stay here?I have to pay up someday and they will make me do it with my body.I don't want that.I'v
A Thousand Lies Sixty-eight: Another note
Alec I sit uncomfortably in a seat in an empty meeting room. My heart aches in my chest. I feel physically fatigued from the pain I feel mentally. Who knew a breakup could hurt like this? I can't help but want to cry as I replay the events from hours ago. I can't forget the pain in her eyes as she screamed. There was so much emotion built up. Her eyes showed so much pain... so much anger. I was almost afraid she would punch me. I never would've imagine she would throw things at me. Arellas words play in my head over and over again. "You took her in and killed her father. The day you took her in is the day you signed a contract to protect her. That girl is more of your responsibility than I am." I've always thought of Arella as my responsibility. Temperance too... but not in the way Arella has put it. I have taken everything Temperance has never known away from her. I've stolen her old life and basically forced her to live with me. "Alec, what the hell are you doing?" I feel a
A Thousand Lies Sixty-seven: Gracelyn Sinclair
Temperance"He might not even go through with the marriage." Connor states, leaning on my dresser beside me as we stare at the wall opposite to us.I shake my head no, giving a sad smile, "The fact t-that he's e-even going is enough d-disrespect to me. I'm... I'm not-not staying here." I try to twist my ring around only to get a stab in the heart when I find nothing there.Connor turns towards me, "You're leaving. What about us? You'll be leaving everyone. Me, Zander, Ethan, Damien, Rea, Bee, and Ella. Can you really handle that?"I have made amazing friends while being here... but I can't just walk around this mansion like it's mine whenever Alec will take a wife soon."I c-can see you... and Z-Zander-no not him. Chris, I can see him. No o-one else." I love them all but I know I'll only be able to keep a tight circle if it means leaving. I know Alec will look for me when I leave and I'm not planning to let him find me.He tries to speak, trying to get me in my right mind before I beg
A Thousand Lies Sixty-six: Temperance
AlecI watch in shock as the woman I love throws things at me, glass cutting my face as she screams.She looks insane as she screams. In her eyes there's an emptiness. Like she's not all there. Somethings different about her.Connor has watched this whole thing play out, I can tell he's clearly on Temperances side. He watches with a hint of interest as she screams at me. Like he's studying the human emotion on someone who is severely angry.Ella turns the water off, pulling Connor back as Temp makes her way to me.Temperance isn't after Connor. She wouldn't hurt Connor. She's after me.She doesn't understand my reasons. I'm doing this for her. I love her so much that I would marry another woman just to keep her safe.Her safety is my main priority.There's multiple eyes from our friends on her. I feel almost embarrassed to be screamed at by her in this manner.Zander stands in front of the crowd. Rea clings onto his arm. Damien and Ethan stare dumbfounded, not knowing what to do.I ca
A Thousand Lies Sixty-five: Just like you
TemperanceI thought everyone is supposed to have character growth. Not just in books but in real life. Yet it's been a year and a half and I'm still stuck on what happened during my adolescence.I stare in the mirror I stand in front of. Things are definitely different from back then. My looks included.Back then my hair was long and thin. Now it's thick and short, down to my shoulders. My eyes used to be dull and lifeless but now they are bright. My thin and honey body is now healthy and I'm never starving.To think I almost killed myself.If I would have I wouldn't be where I am now. Both of my parents are dead, anyone who's wronged me is gone, I'm surrounded by a loving husband and amazing friends.Several times my mind has gone back to the one person that escaped my grasp. The one person that slipped through my fingers.Emaline.My best friend.I see her every time I closed my eyes. Her face is morphed now, it's blurry. Her face has faded from my mind. I haven't forgotten her, ju
