Nick shuddered as he thought about what could have happened to her. But he still wasn’t satisfied with the police. They hadn’t been able to figure out if he’d been lying in wait for them or if he had followed them and gotten in when Nick had stepped out. Though the chief investigator did say the last option seemed the most reasonable.
And no one knew if this was the same guy who had raped Celeste in the beginning, or if it was someone new. Though Nick felt it was that same guy. He’d somehow found where she lived and was back to do more damage. This time it would have been worse. A sick feeling started in the pit of his stomach and he had to push himself away from the door and force himself not to think about it.
Nick made his way down the hallway and back into the bedroom, where Celeste still sat on the bed, a blanket tucked around her frail shoulders. Her hair hung limply around her face, and a blank distant look was in her eyes. She was staring at the wall, not moving, not even blinking.
“Hey.” Nick sank down on the bed next to her and reached out to rub her shoulder.
She didn’t move, she didn’t even flinch.
Nick’s eyes wandered her body, and he remembered the ripped shirt. The cops hadn’t let her change when they’d been there; they hadn’t wanted to disturb any evidence. So she’d been wrapped in a blue police blanket.
“Let’s get you another shirt.” He pushed himself off the bed and over to where her black duffel bag lay on the floor, pushed into a corner. He pulled it over and began a search through it, concluding with a pale blue shirt. It would work. He stood back up. “Here.” He held it out to her.
Again, she didn’t move.
Nick sighed. This was getting more and more difficult. “Baby, we need to get you out of that shirt.” He sank back down on the bed and tugged lightly on the blanket, pulling it off her shoulders.
She didn’t object; just continued to stare blankly at the wall.
With little resistance, Nick managed to get her ripped shirt off and the new one on. He pulled it down around her waist and straightened it. Then he wrapped the blanket back around her shoulders. “There, that’s better.” He ran his fingers through her hair, tucking some behind her ear. He cocked his head at her. She hadn’t moved, she hadn’t uttered a sound, she had barely blinked. This was just great.
“Honey,” he reached out and turned her head to his, their eyes meeting. She still had that far off look in her eyes. “You ready to go back to my place?”
She just blinked. It was as if everything had passed over her head.
Nick sighed. “Let’s go. I’m gonna just get a few more of your things, then we’re gone.” He made sure Celeste’s blanket was tucked around securely then Nick spent the next few minutes gathering some of the things they’d come over to get.
Finally he zipped her bag and tossed it over his shoulder. He watched Celeste for a moment. She was still in that same position. Nick pursed his lips. How the hell was he going to get her to the car? Looked like all he could do was carry her.
“Babe, let’s go.” He approached the bed and, making sure her bag was safely on his shoulder, scooped her up in his arms. She was limp and didn’t protest. Then he easily carried her down the hall, out of the apartment, and to his Durango. There Nick tucked Celeste safely in to the front seat, buckling her in. Then tossing her bag into the back he went around to the driver’s side and climbed in.
The ride back to his place was eerily quiet. Nick couldn’t even find himself turning on the radio. The entire way Celeste stared out the window, her forehead leaning against it. She didn’t even flinch when they hit a bump and she was knocked against the glass
Nick finally pulled into his driveway and frowned at the silver BMW that sat there. Who the hell? Then he recognized it. AJ. What the hell was he doing over here? And why would he drive the couple hours and show up unannounced? He would never do that. He hadn’t even called Nick’s cell.
With a frown, Nick climbed out of the Durango. He decided to leave her bag there till later and he’d come back for it. He went around to Celeste’s side and pulled her out. Then he lifted her into his arms and made his way up the walk and to his front porch.
Just as Nick was opening his door, it was jerked out of his fingers and pulled open.
“NICKY!” AJ’s voice rang out as he popped into the doorway, a bright smile on his face. He cast his eyes from Nick to Celeste in Nick’s arms, then back to Nick as the smile slowly slipped off his face. “What happened?” He stepped back to allow Nick to move into the house.
Nick stepped in and brushed past AJ. “I don’t wanna talk about it now. What are you doing here?” He moved into the living room and headed straight for the stairs. He was gonna go put Celeste in bed. Maybe some sleep would help her. Hell, he didn’t know what else to do.
AJ looked concerned at Celeste. “We were in the neighborhood and thought we’d stop by. Need any help?” He held out a hand.
Nick shook his head as he stepped up the first few steps. Then he stopped. “We?” He backed down them to the floor. His blue eyes looked questioningly at AJ.
AJ nodded. “Yeah, we. Me…Fred…Rod…” he trailed off as he announced each name.
Nick’s eyes grew wide. “What are they doing here?” It was unlike AJ to bring strange people into his house, especially when he wasn’t home.
AJ shrugged. “I told you. We were out here and thought we’d stop by.” He lifted an arm and glanced at his watch. “We’ve only been here for like 10 minutes.”
Nick shook his head. “Were are they?” He glanced around the room.
AJ thumbed towards the large game room. “They’re playing with your game systems. We were just gonna wait a little bit and see if you showed up.” He looked back at Celeste. “Are you sure you don’t need help.”
Nick shook his head as he sighed. “No, but I don’t want them to see her like this.” He nodded his head towards where Celeste lay in his arms, her head tucked against his chest. “So I’d really appreciate it……”
“KID NICKY!” A deep male voice called out as Fred Durst entered into the living room, Rod trailing behind. He smiled brightly at the blond, taking in Celeste in his arms. “Oooh, did we interrupt something?” One lone eyebrow went up.
Nick opened his mouth to respond. “Actually you….”
“Hey, is that Celeste?” Rod inquired, moving around Fred to come stand next to AJ. His eyes scanned the girl.
Nick half turned from Rod’s gaze. “Um…yeah,” he sent AJ a scowl. “She’s not feeling too well. So I’m gonna go put her in bed. I’ll be right back.” Then he turned and hurried up the stairs.
He entered Celeste’s room and gently settled her in the bed. Then he moved down and pulled her shoes off. He considered taking her jeans off, but decided against it. There were unfamiliar people in the house…and he just didn’t like that idea. So they stayed.
Then Nick moved and pulled the blankets up, tucking them around her lithe body. He swept some of her hair off her forehead and stopped. Was that sweat? He gently brushed her forehead and felt the warm moisture. Yeah it sure was. Now why would she be sweating? Was she that hot?
He quickly pulled the blankets off, and noticed the sudden tears that seemed to be sliding down her face. He hadn’t noticed till he set her on the bed, but her eyes were also closed tightly, and she appeared to be trembling. What the hell was going on? Was she having a bad dream? Wait, she wasn’t sleeping.
“Celeste? Celeste?” Gently Nick rubbed her shoulder. “Baby, what’s wrong?”
She didn’t respond. Instead, more tears slid down her face. Oh, this was not good. Was she getting over the shock of what had happened to her this afternoon, and was now finally feeling it? He had no clue. But he suddenly had an uneasy feeling in his stomach.
With a start he stood up. He had to go downstairs and let AJ know that they had to leave. He couldn’t leave Celeste up here by herself right now. She needed him. He wanted to crawl into the bed and hold her in his arms, keep her from trembling and dry her tears.
Quickly he crossed the room and swung the door open, letting out a small yelp as he came face to face with AJ. “What the hell?” He exclaimed suddenly.
AJ pulled back, a surprised look on his face also. “Whoa, sorry.” He blinked. “I was coming up to see what was up.” He stuffed his hands into his pockets. “You looked a little frazzled down there, what’s up?”
Nick sighed as he ran a hand over his face. “Look, it’s not something I care to discuss right now.” He glanced back to the bed to see that Celeste had curled up on her side, drawing her knees up to her chest. “Actually,” he turned back to AJ. “I think it best right now if you take Fred and Rod and just go.”
AJ frowned. “Leave?”
Nick nodded. “Yeah.” He sighed. “I’ll call you later and explain.”
AJ watched him for a minute. Then he finally nodded. “Aright. If that’s what you want.”
Nick nodded again. “Thanks.”
“No prob.” AJ turned and headed back down the hall. He suddenly stopped and turned back to Nick. “You still planning on coming over Friday? You know, play a lil more pool?”
Nick groaned. In the recent events he had completely forgotten about that. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I really don’t know right now Aje.”
AJ nodded. “Right. Okay, we’ll talk more when you call me tonight.”
“Yeah.” Nick smiled at him. “Sounds good.”
AJ smiled back. “Just remember to call me.”
“I will.” Nick nodded.
AJ smiled again then turned and headed back off and to the stairs.
Nick watched until he had disappeared down the stairs. Then he entered back into the room and closed the door behind him. He crossed the room and climbed up on the bed beside Celeste. Pulling his shoes off, he crawled under the blanket.
“It’s okay, baby. I’m here.” He soothed as he pulled her into his arms and up against his chest. He rested his cheek against her hair and rubbed her back. She was still trembling, and her hands came up and tightly gripped his shirt.
Nick frowned. Her behavior was really worrying him. He had no idea what was going on…and he had no idea how to help her. But what was new? He’d felt that way since all this mess had started. He just wished that there was something he could do. That she would get better. And that whoever the sick fuck was that had done this to her, that they died a very slow and very painful death.