Tag: Swingers

Several weeks passed since the night of the rave party and the traumatic events of that took place that night, and though some time had been put between then and now, the memory still lingered for all involved. Jake, through deep mediation managed to put the event in context, but nightmares plagued Bree day and night.
A simple knock on the door to her home that morning made her jump as she made her cup of coffee. She crossed the room to the door and opened it slowly, peering around the side as the outside world came into view.
“Jake? What are you doing here?” she asked with relief.
He smiled and handed her a pack of chocolates, looking at her tired eyes, her frazzled hair and sloppy attire. This was not the woman Jake knew, this was a traumatized woman who was suffering.
“I figured I owed you a visit. You come back to work today don’t you?” he asked.
She nodded, beckoning him to enter.
She sat on the lounge and let out a sigh, Jake sat opposite her on a soft, brown leather recliner.
“I just. I don’t know if I can go back there.” she stammered.
Jake nodded, letting her talk. He wanted to hear how she honestly felt with her most pure words; not polluted by verbal interjections or influence.
“I just can’t stop seeing him, that figure, those eyes. I can’t forget, I can’t even sleep with the fucking light off.” she cried.
Jake reached out over the coffee table and held her hands in his as she sobbed.
“I don’t know if I am ready Jake.” she said.
He stood up from the table, guided her to the centre of the room and sat on the shag rug. He gave it a pat, telling her to sit.
She sat beside him and Jake took out a small incense burner and lit up a stick, placing it on the floor in front of them. He placed one hand on his knee and took Bree’s hand in his other and closed his eyes. The incense burnt brightly and the sandalwood scent filled the immediate area.
“Close your eyes and think. Picture that night.” he instructed.
She attempted to close her eyes but her mind wouldn’t allow her to as if some self preservation was engaged in her brain to protect her from those thoughts.
“It’s okay, I’m here. Just breathe, feel the floor beneath you and let your eyes close.” he said.
Bree glanced at Jake who sat with his eyes closed, facing the front of the room.
“How could he possibly know that my eyes weren’t closed?” she thought.
Bree did as he said and took a deep breath, allowing herself to feel the shag carpet beneath her and the polished wood floorboards beneath that. Gradually, moment by moment, she allowed her eyelids to feel heavy and she closed them. She began to feel cold and the wind blowing against her. She opened her eyes to find herself standing outside the function room at the Capital Racing Club grounds. Standing before her, still holding her hand, was Jake.
“What? How?” she stammered.
“It’s okay. It’s a meditative trance. Don’t panic and just hold my hand. You’ll be safe.” Jake instructed as he led her towards the stairs.
“But why here?” Bree asked.
“You picked the location not me. It’s obviously still present in your mind and I want to help put it behind you.” he said, leading her up the stairs.
Bree looked at the storm blowing in, it felt so real. The cold hand railing beneath the palm of her hand, the biting wind, it was as if she were truly back there. They entered the function room and Jake led her down the stairs to the Finish Line Bar. As they entered, Bree stumbled and dropped to her knees, taking in the scene. Bagman held her against the wall, his grubby gloved hand around her throat with the other on her breast. Jake lie under a stack of tables as Andy fumbled with the lock of the shutter.
“That man. His hands, his eyes. I’ll never forget those eyes.” she whimpered as Jake helped her up.
They moved to the centre of the room behind Bagman and took in the scene.
“He had you against the wall. I was under some tables. I’m sorry I couldn’t keep you safe.” Jake said calmly.
Bree shook her head at him.
“No, you did. You did your best but he overpowered you.” she replied as the scene slowly started moving.
Jake slowly pushed himself from under the tables and then it froze again.
“No. I could have done more, I just didn’t allow myself to. Look.” he said, pointing to the image emerging from the stack of tables.
Bree crossed the room, still holding Jake’s hand and she looked at him.
“You look….scared? And angry.” she asked.
Jake nodded, remaining calm.
“I’ve thought about it every day since. I’ve meditated, I’ve reflected and acknowledged the whole night. I was scared, but not of him.” he explained.
“Then what?” Bree asked.
Jake shook his head once more.
“We aren’t here for me, we are here for you.” he explained as the scene began to move once more.
Jake’s form emerged from the tables and sprinted at Bagman, delivering a flying kick to the back of Bagman’s head. As he stumbled, Bree watched herself fall to the floor, his knife falling from it’s sheath and her keys tearing off her skirt. Bree then grabbed the knife and looked to Jake.
“That look there. That was the look of strength. You didn’t look for help, you looked for acknowledgment.” Jake said as Bree looked at the determination in her own eyes.
Bree brought the knife down on Bagman as he spun to her and the scene froze as the pair circled around the room and stood between the figures, the knife embedded deep in his shoulder.
“Look at your eyes, that isn’t fear. That is strength, the desire to live and the will to survive.” Jake explained.
Tears welled in Bree’s eyes and rolled down her tired face.
“Don’t let that night rule you. You are stronger than you know.” he explained.
The whole scene flashed in bright white as another lightning stike filled the room, Jake and Bree now standing atop the balcony once more in the wind, Jake’s form leaning on the the rail and staring at Bagman. Bree watched as he embedded the knife in the tree and took off into the darkness.
“He left the knife behind?” she asked.
“Yeah. I think it was a sign that he wasn’t done with us” Jake sighed, the image starting to blur as he let go of Bree’s hand.
They opened their eyes at the same time and Bree looked to Jake who was holding the large knife in both hands.
“What, why have you got that?” she asked, shuffling aside, scared momentarily.
“I took it before the police found it. It could be useful if he shows back up.” Jake smiled, holding it out in open palms.
“You want it?” he asked.
Bree grinned.
“Well it could serve as good bit of home defence.” she smiled.
They both stood up and Bree sat the knife atop the fireplace.
“Thank you Jake.” she said, wrapping her arms around him.
“No worries, just know that I’m always around if you need to talk.” he said.
“That and more.” she winked, grabbing him on the buttocks. Read more »