Chapter 6 Fired

It felt like hours, but I didn't move from where I was. It made me feel safe and sound than my home. Everything ended with a ringing sound coming from the room I was in. The light was all I saw as my eyes opened. It wasn't bright, but it was a pain to look where I was at. A room with grey walls and not much on decorations.

"Hello?" I called out, but there was nothing as I tried to get up. "Fuck…"

The floor was nice as I stood up and headed for the oak door, hoping to find someone there. In the hall, I heard voices but didn't know what was going on. The closer I got the clearer I heard James and his mother talking about me. His mother was worried about all the bruises and cuts I had on my body. I knew that she saw the ones on my arm as it was wrapped and the same with my cheek.

"You know that she is lucky that she didn't break a bone," his mother said in a calm tone.

"I know but I don't want to scare her away," James said sadly.

"Well, she isn't going home tonight," she replied and turned towards where the hallways were. I know that I was spotted as she smiled and came forwards to me. She was happy about me being here but worried at the same time. Pulled away from my hiding spot and placed in front of James. She smiled and I didn't know what to do as I felt alone.

"Well since your awake," she smiles, "You might want something to eat."

"What?" I stuttered as I looked at James, confused about why I was there,

"I took you here," James spoke calmly, "since that asshole beat you up for no reason."

"Language!" his mother snapped at him, "Now what do you want to eat?"

"I'm fine," I replied, trying to find a way to go home or even to work at the manner. "But I really should be heading to work."

"Pretty sure you missed it," James sighed, and it made me panic. I never missed a day of work, and my boss wasn't very kind.

"Do you have a phone I could use?" I asked.

"Yes, but why do you want to call?" James' mother asked.

"My shift should be going still," I replied as she pointed me to the phone. I remembered Milo and Jack's number for the bar well, but the feeling I had made it worst. Dialing it wasn't a problem, but the only thing is that the boss was going to be pissed. One ring, two and finally it came to his gruff voice. I could tell that he wasn't happy, but it took time for me to speak.

"Hello, Jack?" I answered with a squeak.

"Let me guess," he sighed, "Caroline?"

"Yes sir," I answered

"I heard about what happened last night," he said, "but it seemed that I'll have to let you go."

"What!" I almost screamed.

"It's not that you're a hard worker, but I know that your mother is forcing you to do all of the work. You should be a kid and not an adult with two jobs and having to deal with school at the same time. So, I am letting you go. You need to be taking care of yourself better with rest and eating right." Jack sighed, "But I'll give your check to you tomorrow okay."

"Okay…" I replied in shock. I was never fired, but I understood what was going on. He might have been a tough boss, but he seemed to care about his workers. Soon as the phone hung up and I had one problem. Home? Do I go back home or stay here for the night? Mother went with one of her "friends".

"Are you okay dear?" I heard James' mom asked

"Yeah…" I answered, "I was wondering if I could go back home?"

"I don't think so," I hear James jump up. His face was red, and I could tell if he was angry or not. But it didn't take him long to grab my arm and pulled me toward his room. His mother was laughing at how he acted, but I was confused. I could ask, but the words didn't come to mind. All I felt was something warm around me and his arm around me on his bed. He was forcing me to sleep and there was augmenting with him on it. It felt weird to be in a place with being beaten or yelled at. It was nice but would end the next day with me heading back.

"James?" I softly called out to him. Maybe he was asleep.

"Yeah…" his voice sounded a bit tired.

"Didn't you tell Alice to come here?" I asked

"She was here a few hours ago," he answered, "How did you know about that?"

"I don't know if I was awake or asleep." I laughed a bit. But it soon went back to being quiet and me hearing his breathing. He seemed so calm, but his heart rate was rising every time I move. But a part of me felt safe and I didn't want to leave or even move. It was late and I'm pretty sure I don't have school the next day, due to it being the weekend. But I could get a few hours at the grocery store and maybe buy food for the house.

"Is it bad that I can't sleep?" I said softly.

"Sometimes," he mumbled under his breath as his arms tighten.

"Even if I don't get much sleep?" I asked and wondered what he was going to say.

"You should go to bed then," he answered and went silent. I knew that he was falling asleep, and I thought it was cute in a way. He held onto me with an iron grip like I was going to disappear. At this point, I was starting to enjoy his touch and it was making me fall asleep. It was weird to feel love or even be held like I was depended on for dear life. So, I stayed there a thing about what to do and if I should move to get comfortable in the first place. But it didn't take long for James to roll over and set me free. Moving a bit to make sure I was happy and not feel like I should jump when she would call me out in the morning.

But something felt off as I tried to sleep. The thoughts of being fired and how I was being treated right now were both good and bad. The job wasn't bad, but I was paid well each night for making drinks and even keeping the peace. Normally Hanna would wait at the tables, so I wasn't harassed or bothered while making drinks. Now I had to find another job to make sure that we still had a house to live in. Soon I know that I'll leave, and it'll be much harder to take care of myself. I never understood why I was being abused or bullied for years, but now it seems to feel better.

I still wanted to find the killer who killed Lize and Marry, but I had to get to the crime scene. Over time the police will leave the area and it'll leave the chance to figure out what is going on. There would have to be an area or items that haven't been touched or looked at. It might be a good idea to check it out tomorrow as I head to get my check from Jack. But when I get home with my mother there was going to be a problem. She might either be drunk or angry for me to be gone for a whole night.

But it was something that I was going to have to worry about later and not now. The feeling of being tired was taking over as my thoughts became clouded. I could let James come along with me or tell him that I must go home in the morning. The lights of the hallway became dark as my body relaxed and leaned more toward James. He seemed warm and I didn't realize how cold I was till now as I wrapped my arms around him. Finally falling asleep into a deep slumber.