Island Rush (Sample)

Chapter 2

"Listen, I know that if I took this to the cops, you would be in trouble—" he started.

"No, asshole! Killed. I would be killed," I gaped.

His eyes closed tightly and he flinched. He didn't look surprised, though. Because that's right, he already knew that little fact. "I don't appreciate the language, Janice."

"I don't care! Shit, damn, bitch. I'm not a child and should not be treated like one. You read the texts, you know."

"Yes, and that is why the cops should know about this. I would have already gone to the police if I didn't know that it wouldn't help," he shook his head. From that... it sounded like he had a good idea what I was going through.

"What do you know?"

"I know your father is a sick human being. He hurts you and is very abusive. I know he has done other awful things, but I don't know what." When he said that, he paused, getting a hold of himself. Another strange and surreal sight... him actually appearing like he was going to lose his cool. He continued after a deep breath. "I know your brother is in jail, and your father is forcing you to help get the money to bail him out. If you don't help, he will hurt you. He's threatened to kill you." His breath picked up, and he had to look away. "I read about his friends and connections, which is the only reason I haven't gone to the police," he said, almost whispering. He was clearly conflicted over that.

When he didn't continue like I expected him to, I felt relief wash over me. Well, he didn't know they both killed my mother. I guess there was nothing detailing that in my text messages. Thank God.

However, I still felt incredibly nervous. Especially when he mentioned the police. Just he bringing that up put me on edge. Regarding everything else he said... I didn't know how to reply. He was right on everything he read.

"Yeah, what do you want me to say? It's happening and has been. It's nothing I can't handle. I know that sounds stupid, but it's true."

"'Nothing I can't handle?' Are you serious?" He shook his head and spoke in disgust. "I couldn't stop reading those messages over and over. Couldn't get it through my head that this was actually happening to you. He said some really sick things to you."

I sighed. "He tries to scare me a lot of the time. He enjoys it." So strange... I couldn't believe I was actually talking to this stiff about my situation. Not like I had a choice. He knew, and I couldn't take that away from him.

After a long pause, I continued. Evenly looking at him, I stressed my words. "You are not going to the cops, right? I need to make sure you won't, even though you haven't yet and said you understand why you can't."

Mr. Rush realized that he just couldn't because of my dad's connections. That didn't mean he wasn't tempted to. I could see it in his eyes. "That's why I wanted to talk to you. I want to know about your father's connections and check with you about it. Because I want to go to the police but need to know more about these connections."

I shook my head before he could continue. "No. You can't. Thank God, you didn't," I said, needing to explain. "It doesn't matter if my dad is locked away or not. He will still have a way of taking me down. I will be killed if he ends up in prison."

"That's what I don't understand. How?"

I groaned. Why couldn't my explanation have been enough? "He has friends in very... high up places I guess you could say. They have his back." That was all I wanted to tell him. I really did not want to tell this dude any more than I had to. "If you go to the cops, I am literally dead. So please don't. I will be eighteen soon. I can get through this then I am leaving. No big deal." That was a lie. I only just turned seventeen. Plus, dad would never let me leave with all I knew. Mr. Rush only had a fraction of the facts and he was lucky with just that. "Please trust me. I will be fine without the cops."

He sat and pondered over something. "Why is your brother in jail? He killed somebody, didn't he?"

"You read the other texts?"

"One of the messages just mentioned the knife he used for something. That was my worst assumption."

"Well, yes he did. But that isn't important right now. All you need to know is that I will be fine. Trust me."

I waited, and he nodded. "Fine," he said with that stone face again. "However, you need to - and therefore will - tell me if anything happens."

I nodded but knew it was a lie. I couldn't get him involved anymore. It hurt a bit too because he actually cared or seemed to anyway. But I would not and could not, share anymore with him.

"Can I go now? I need to get to my job."

His features were those of anger, sadness, worry, and curiosity. "Yeah. Just be careful. It sickens me to know what I know and that I'm not doing anything about it right now."

I felt guilt wash through me. "This has been going on for a while. Please don't worry about it," I said as we walked to the door. He opened it for me, but before leaving, I turned and faced him. I know I was being paranoid, but I had to push once more. I needed to feel safe with him knowing this. "Don't go to the cops, got it?"

"Yes! I heard you," he growled, annoyed at what he was doing. He didn't want the reminder, and I understood.

I started to walk away when he grabbed my arm, stopping me. Along with rare features, another one crossed him as I stared up at him: unexpected shock. He closed his eyes and shook his head. "Um, I just want to know this. What does 'my baby girl' mean? It was in a lot of the texts and stressed enough to where it must mean something."

He felt me tense under his arm, and he raised his eyebrow. Dad added that name in there while texting me sometimes. It made me flinch a lot of the time, but sometimes it just annoyed me. "Nothing important."

He didn't move but only looked me over. I knew it was with worry, but I couldn't handle how serious this was getting. I rolled my eyes. "Mr. Rush, you may want to go to the police with this, but I would watch your own back. I think the cops would be interested in knowing how much you love to stare at your students. Especially me," I said with a smile. His face and expression returned to that of cold stone and perfection. Neutral with annoyance.

"Goodbye, Miss Reeves," he said, irritated. He let me go and walked back towards his desk.

I pulled out my phone and read the message from my dad as I walked down the hall. Sure enough, there was that nickname. "If you don't get this raise, you will be hurting later. Good luck baby girl," it said.

I shuttered. He hit me but only occasionally. I was sure he wouldn't hesitate though if I didn't get the raise. We already had the money I was saving up for college and the money he received from selling everything mom had. And with both our jobs, we made up most of the money we needed. It just wasn't enough yet. This raise wouldn't help much, but it will do us some good.

That's what I had to remember as I pulled up to the coffee shop I work at thirty minutes later. I learned to know it as my safe place. I got along with the people here, and I didn't have a father to fear.

Today, though, I felt anything but safe with the pressure I felt. I took a deep breath. The raise would either go to me or my coworker, Donna. She was so nice and deserved it, but I needed it more. I braced myself for the worst, got out of my car, and went inside.