Trip To Seattle
Chapter 21
“Meg!” Spence and Ruiz rushed into Surf – Central “Meg!” Spence called once again “Meg, are you here?” he asked but there was no answer. He saw the cut wire “Oh God! They must be upstairs” he concluded and they climbed the stairs. They entered Meg’s room and saw the bed in mess and a broken lamp.
“Damn it, what happened here?” asked Spence and left the room looking for an answer. It didn’t take him very long to find it…
He entered Casey’s room and saw Derek lying on the floor. Meg was sitting next to him, shocked and shaken. She was crying. Spence held up his breath for a second. Meg slowly looked around and noticed Spence.
“I…” she cried “I didn’t… I” she started explaining but had no strength to finish.
“Please, don’t say anything” Spence knew exactly what had happened and what Meg must have gone through. He came closer to Derek and read his pulse.
“Is he…” Meg asked frightened.
“I’m afraid so”
“Oh God… I killed him…” Meg cried once again and looked at her hands “Oh God…”
“Hey, Ruiz!” Spence called “Take her to the hospital and I’ll take care of everything here, all right?”
“Sure” Ruiz answered and came closer to Meg “Come on”
“Oh God, I killed him” Meg repeated and looked shocked at Ruiz “I did, I killed him”
“Please, just calm down. I’ll take you to the hospital”
“I don’t wanna go to the hospital”
“You have to. You have been badly injured”
“I have been badly injured?” she cried “I shot a man! God!” once again she looked at Derek’s body. She couldn’t believe that she had actually shot him.
“Let’s go” Ruiz said and almost pulled Meg out of the room. He helped her to get to the car and they drove to the hospital. Ruiz led Meg inside and asked for Tyus. When he saw her in such a bad condition, he was shocked.
“Meg, what happened?”
“What happened?” she cried “I killed a man… I killed him…”
“What the hell is she talking about?” Tyus looked surprised at Ruiz “What is going on?”
“Derek is… was back…” Ruiz answered “Anyway, he tried to kill her but ended up getting shot”
“Oh God!” Tyus said.
“Yeah – Oh God!” Ruiz agreed and asked “Can you please take care of her? She has a few bruises and scratches”
“Sure”
“Thanks. I’m gonna call her family. I’m sure she needs them very much right now”
“Good idea” Tyus agreed and Ruiz walked away. Tyus turned to Meg “Let’s go” he led her to one of the examine rooms.
“Tyus, can you please just leave me alone right now?”
“But Meg…”
“Please”
“You’re hurt…”
“I’m fine. I just need to be alone right now. Please”
“All right” Tyus finally agreed. But if you need anything, I’ll be in my office”
“OK”
“Take care” Tyus answered and left the room. Meg sat on the chair and hid her face in her hands.
“Oh God, what have I done?” she cried “What have I done? Oh my God! I didn’t want to kill him… I didn’t…” one more time she looked at her hands full of blood… Derek’s blood…
She lifted her head up and started staring at the wall.
Suddenly she realized that someone had pressed the handle. She saw her parents standing at the door. She looked at them without saying a word.
“Sweetie, are you OK?” Joan ran to her daughter and hugged her “Did he hurt you?”
“No, I was the one who hurt him… Mom, I killed Ben’s brother!” she screamed with her heart breaking apart.
“Sweetheart, you’re freezing” Hank finally noticed and gave Meg his jacket “Here, take this” she took the jacket and looked at herself. She totally forgot that she was still her night dress, or rather in what was left of it.
“Oh sweetie, it’s so good that you’re OK”
“No mom, I’m not OK. I’m not” Meg looked at Joan with tearful eyes. Joan held her daughter trying to take the pain away from her, but it wasn’t enough. Meg couldn’t believe that she had killed Ben’s brother… Her Ben’s brother…
Chapter 22
“Please, buck up” Ben and Tracy heard a voice “We’re gonna be landing in Sunset Beach in a few minutes”
“Finally!!!” Ben sighed “I thought that we would never make it”
“Yeah, this was beginning to be really frustrating”
“You’re telling me? This whole flight was driving m crazy”
“I know, I know” Tracy understood perfectly what Ben was going through and she could see how relieved he was to be finally home “Looks like we’re finally in Sunset Beach” Tracy said as the plane stopped. They got off and went to take their luggage.
“So, that would be all for now” said Ben.
“I guess so. Look, I’m gonna go down to the station and find out what’s going on with Tess and if they’ve found Derek”
“The police still haven’t arrested her?”
“No, they left that pleasure for me. They’re watching her. I’ll try to find out as much as I can about Derek and I’ll call you as soon as I have something”
“All right, thanks” Ben answered “I really need to see Meg”
“Good luck then” Tracy replied. Ben took his suitcase and took a cab to his house. He left the suitcase and rushed to Surf – Central. He went inside and saw the police officers carrying someone in a plastic bag. His first thought was Meg and his heart stopped for a moment. But then he realized that if Meg was dead, he would feel it, so it couldn’t have been her. But still someone had been killed. Who?
Ben came closer and noticed Spence.
“Hey, Spence, what’s going on here?”
“Ben, I’m so sorry”
"Why? What’s wrong? Where is Meg? Damn it, is she OK?”
“She is fine”
“Who…” Ben looked meaningfully at the bag.
“Your…” Spence started but didn’t know how to finish.
“My who?”
“Your… your brother”
“Derek?” Ben felt as if someone had hit him with a big stone.
“Yeah. I’m really sorry”
“I am too” Ben said sadly and asked “Where is Meg? I need to see her”
“She is in the hospital”
“Hospital? You said she was fine”
“Not bad. We took her there for kind of check up. She was…” Spence wanted to tell Ben that it was Meg who shot Derek, but Ben was already out of Surf – Central.
***
Tess looked impatiently at her watch.
“Damn it, Derek! Where are you? You should have been here an hour ago. God, do you want me to spend the rest of my life here waiting for you. Come on, hurry up!” she begged but there was no sign of Derek. But there were a few police officers observing her. Soon, Tracy joined them.
“Looks like Tess is waiting for her plane” she laughed.
“It’s a pity she will never get to fly anywhere” the other policeman added and they came closer to Tess.
“Going somewhere?” Tracy asked smiling and Tess froze when she saw her. Tess had known Tracy Nixon for quite some time. Actually, Tracy was one of her biggest enemy “So, where are you going? Tracy asked “Paris, Rio de Janeiro or maybe India?” Tracy stopped for a while “No, I have a better idea – state prison”
“What?”
“You’re under arrest Tess. And no tricks, the game is over this time” Tracy added and Tess didn’t even manage to say anything as she was handcuffed “Finally you’re gonna be right where you belong” Tracy laughed and watched three officers leading Tess to the police car.
Chapter 23
Ben ran out of Surf – Central and reached his house. He got into his car and started driving to the South Bay General. He couldn’t believe that his brother was actually dead. He hadn’t even thought about it up until now. He knew that Derek would pay for everything he did, but he never thought about him ending up dead. Although Derek was Ben’s brother, Ben couldn’t help feeling relieved. Looks like God has finally decided that it was high time Derek paid for everything…
Ben sped up a little. He needed to get to Meg. He needed to make sure that she is OK. He needed to hold her close and tell her that everything will be fine.
A few minutes passed and Ben found himself in front of South Bay General. He jumped out of the car and ran into the hospital as fast as he could. He saw Tyus coming out of his office.
“Hey, Tyus, where is Meg? Is she OK?”
“She says she is fine, but it’s hard to believe considering what she has been through”
“Where is she?”
“She is in the examine room number 7”
“OK, thanks”
“Ben, she doesn’t look good. She is a little bit shaky right now”
“And I’m here to help her get through this” Ben answered and went to find room number 7. Joan and Hank were outside. Although Hank wasn’t exactly Ben’s biggest fan at this time, he was glad that Ben was there because he knew that Ben was the only person to who could help Meg right now.
“How is she?” asked Ben, not sure if he wanted to hear an answer.
“Not very well” Joan answered “She is very scared how are you going to react”
“Me? Why?”
“Well, Derek was your brother” Joan said and looked at Ben. He had no idea what Meg did, but maybe it was better for him to hear this from her.
“I need to see her” said Ben after a while.
“Go ahead” Joan agreed and Ben entered the room. His heart nearly popped out when he saw the woman he loved, or rather what was left of her.
“Meg” he quietly called her name. She got scared.
“Oh my God, Ben!” she looked at him with those sad eyes. He couldn’t stand the pain he saw in them. Meg looked into Ben’s eyes and started crying “Ben, I am so sorry… Please, don’t hate me… please… I didn’t mean… I didn’t want… It was an accident…” she rubbed the tears rolling on her cheeks.
“What accident?” Ben was surprised “Meg, what are you talking about?” he came closer to her and hugged her “Hey, I know what you’ve been through because of Derek, but he is dead now. He can’t hurt you anymore. It’s going to be all right”
Meg looked at Ben shocked, but now his behavior made perfect sense to her.
“Oh my God, Ben, you have no idea what really happened, do you?” she pulled away from him.
“What are you talking about?”
“You have no idea what I did”
“And what did you do?”
“God, Ben, I was the one who shot Derek… Don’t you get it? I killed your brother!!!” she finally found her strength to say this.
“What?” Ben looked at her shocked, not being sure if he heard it right.
“You heard it… I killed your brother… I shot him… But Ben, I swear this was an accident… I didn’t want to do this… He tried to… and I… he had the gun… God, I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry, Ben…” she burst into tears again and he held her as close as he could, trying to make her feel safe.
“Hey, it’s OK, it’s OK. I’m here, I’m right here for you. Just cry if you need to… I’m here… I’m not going anywhere” he stroked her hair. His heart was breaking to see how she was beating herself up for killing such a creep Derek was.
“Does that mean that you don’t hate me?” Meg looked into his eyes.
“Hate you? God, Meg, I could never hate you. I love you”
“What?”
“I love you… I never stopped… I could never stop loving you… ever”
“Ben…” she looked straight into his eyes and saw the depth of his soul. And she saw the love he had for her. And suddenly nothing else mattered – Maria, Benjy, Tess… Nothing was more important than the love they shared.
“God, I love you too, Ben! I love you so much!” she cried and cuddled in his arms, letting him enfold her. The only thing in the world she wanted right now was to feel his warmth forever. He felt it too. He led her to the coach and they sat down. She nestled into his arms and he was gently stroking her hair.
“I’m sorry, Meg” he suddenly said.
“For what?”
“For letting Derek hurt you again. God, when I think that he could have killed you…”
“He could have, but I was the one who killed him… Ben, I’m so sorry… I’m so sorry…”
“Hey, don’t do this to yourself. Do you hear me? Don’t you dare blame yourself for anything, understood?”
“But I was the one who… I must have pulled the trigger when…”
“Meg, he was trying to kill you and God knows what else he intended to do… You had a right to protect yourself”
“Protect? I wouldn’t call it that way”
“And how would you call it? Some sick guy is after you, trying to kill you… What else were you supposed to do?”
“OK, so he didn’t leave me any choice… I know that… But he was your brother…”
“Hey, I know, I know” he kissed her forehead “It’s going to be hard for both of us. But we’re gonna get through this, OK? We are. We love each other and that’s all that matters right now. We will get through this” he repeated and looked into her eyes “Hey, it’s going to be all right”
“I wish I could believe that”
“Then believe it”
“I can’t”
“Then let me help you” he tried to smile and gently kissed her lips. She kissed him back with passion. They felt the connection between them once again.
“I love you” Ben whispered and looked into her eyes “I always will, no matter what”
“I love you too” she answered and cuddled in his arms again “But what about your wife and your son?” she asked after a while, coming back to reality.
“I don’t have a son” Ben answered shortly.
“What?” she was shocked.
“Exactly what you heard – I don’t have a son”
“But how… Benjy…”
“It’s a long story and I don’t think that it’s the right time for you to hear it”
“It is the right time, Ben. The sooner, the better”
“All right” Ben agreed and told her everything from the very beginning. He relived every second of his trip to Seattle. When he finished, Meg’s eyes were full of big, sad tears.
“I don’t believe it” she said “I just don’t know how anyone could do something so evil”
“I know”
“Ben, I don’t know what to say”
“Don’t say anything, just be here… or maybe say one thing – please say that you forgive me for everything you’ve been through since Tess interfered our life. I need to know that you don’t hate me for letting Tess manipulate us”
“Ben, that was not your fault” she tried to comfort him.
“But I almost lost you because of that… And loosing you is something I wouldn’t survive”
“Don’t worry about that. You will not loose me. Ever” she smiled through tears and let Ben wrapped his arms around her once again.
Chapter 24
Meg finally stopped sobbing and looked like she was slowly coming to herself. Ben was trying as hard as he could to make her feel better. But actually the only thing she needed was for Ben to hold her tight and never let go. And she was lucky with this one because he had no intention of ever letting her slip away from him again.
“Are you feeling better?” he asked gently stroking her hair.
“Yes, now that you’re here” she answered and tried to smile. But she was going through so much pain that she needed to use all her strength to smile. Ben noticed that.
“It’s going to be OK. It’s going to be fine, sweetheart”
“Ben, please, don’t ever leave me. Ever”
“I won’t. I promise” he kissed her forehead and held her even closer “I love you” he whispered and realized how his words were calming her down. The same minute the door open and Sara appeared in it. She hadn’t been getting on very well with Meg recently, but seeing her sister like this was breaking her heart. Her parents had told her what had happened and she couldn’t believe that Meg had to go through all this.
“Meg” Sara whispered and came closer. Meg slowly lifted her head up and looked at her.
“Hi”
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m holding on somehow. Thanks to Ben” she looked at him meaningfully.
“Looks like you two have explained a few things to each other” Sara smiled. She was glad that at least something good came up in all that mess.
“Yes” Ben answered “Your sister and I have cleared up a few things. But I guess there should be no wonder since we love each other so much” Ben said and Sara smiled.
“Listen, Meg, I brought you some clothes” Sara handed Meg a bag.
“Thanks” Meg replied.
“Yeah, it’s a good idea if you get dressed” Ben supported Sara “You’re freezing even in your father’s jacket”
“I haven’t noticed” she answered and realized that indeed she didn’t feel anything besides the piercing pain in her heart “OK, I’ll go to the bathroom”
“Do you want me to go with you?” Ben offered.
“No, thank you. I’ll be fine” she answered and took the bag.
“Are you sure?” Ben asked with concern.
“I’m positive” she replied and left the room. She went to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. That’s when she realized how bad her condition really was. There were a few scratches on her face and she knew that the bruises would appear later too. Her hands were also hurting a little since Derek was holding them so strong when he was trying to rape her.
Meg took off the night dress and realized that there was a lot of blood on it.
“Oh God!” she sighed again and remembered what had happened earlier at Surf Central. Now she knew how evil Derek really was, but still she was beating herself up for what she had done. And she knew that a lot of time would have to pass until she is back to normal…
She washed her face and her hands and put on the clothes Sara had brought for her. She put the night dress in the bag, just in case the police need it and came back to the room Sara and Ben stayed. Ben immediately ran to her and helped her to sit down.
“Are you OK?” he asked.
“Yeah, it’s just that…”
“Hey, I know, I know” he said and wrapped his arms around her. That’s when his cell phone rang.
“Who the hell…” Ben wondered and answered “Ben Evans”
“Ben? Hi, it’s Tracy”
“Oh, hi, any news about Tess?”
“Actually yes. She was safely brought to station and soon she will land in prison”
“That’s great”
“Yeah… Listen, I heard about your brother… I’m sorry”
“Thanks”
“And I’m sorry for that poor woman who had to do it”
“Actually it was Meg” Ben said with pain in her voice.
“Oh God, they didn’t tell me… How is she?”
“Not bad, considering what that creep wanted to do to her”
“Did he…”
“Yeah” Ben knew exactly what Tracy meant.
“Gosh, I’m so sorry… “
“But she’s fine – physically”
“That’s good. Listen, I’ve gotta be going. I have an appointment with our dear Tess”
“Good luck then”
“Thanks. And give my best to Meg”
“I will. Bye” Ben answered and hung up.
“Who was that?” Meg asked.
“Oh, it was my friend from Seattle Police Department. It was Tracy. She called to tell me that Tess is at the station and soon will be transferred to prison”
“A prison?” Sara was shocked “Is there something I don’t know?”
“Oh yes” Ben sighed “But I don’t feel like telling this story again right now, OK?”
“Sure… I’m gonna go to my parents. Take care” Sara said and left. She knew that Ben and Meg could use their privacy right now.
Chapter 25
“Tess, get ready. You’re gonna be transferred to the state prison right now” Tracy announced and smiled not even trying to hide the fact how glad she was that Tess was finally going to where her place was.
“So soon?” Tess asked with fright.
“And what did you think? That we’re gonna keep you here for eternity?”
“But…”
“There are no buts… not for you”
“I want to see Derek” Tess ordered not knowin what had happened to him.
“You mean his body?” Tracy asked.
“What do you mean BODY?”
“Derek is dead, sweetheart, didn’t you know that?”
“What are you talking about?”
“He is dead, Tess. DEAD”
“No!!!” Tess screamed.
“Yes. He wanted to hurt Meg and it didn’t pay off for him”
“She killed him?”
“Someone had to stop him”
“No, no!” Tess cried and after a second she screamed “I wanna see him!!!”
“I don’t think so”
“I wanna see Derek!!! Damn it, I loved him!!! I need to say goodbye to him!” Tess postulated. Tracy looked at her questioningly and came up with a conclusion that maybe Tess really loved Derek. In her own way…
“All right then” Tracy agreed “We’re gonna drive you to the South Bay before we take you to the prison” Tracy answered, called for the two police officers and passed the new instructions to them.
“Let’s go then” one of the officers said and let Tess out of her cell. He escorted her to the car and all four of them got in. After a while they reached the South Bay General. They led Tess inside and asked where they could see Derek’s body.
“Come with me” one of the doctors said and showed them the way to the room where Derek’s body was kept in. There was a police officer outside.
“Hi, I’m detective Tracy Nixon from Seattle Police Department” she showed him he badge “This woman would like to see Derek’s body”
“Come in” the officer said and Tracy looked at Tess.
“You’ve got five minutes”
Tess didn’t answer and entered the room. She felt that her heart was broken when she saw Derek’s body lying motionless on the table. She came closer.
“So, this is it for our brilliant plan, huh? Look where we’ve landed – Maria and Ben are going to raise our son… our son… Oh, Derek, that bitch Meg is going to pay for what she has done to you. I’ll make sure of that… Goodbye, Derek. I will always love you” she wiped the tear from her eye. Derek was gone. Ben’s money was gone too…
Tess went out of the room.
“Finally, we’re taking you where you belong” Tracy smiled and the policemen started leading Tess towards the exit. That’s when she noticed Ben and Meg going towards the exit too.
“You bitch” Tess thought and looked hatefully at Meg. Tess desperately looked around and noticed a knife lying on the floor “I have to do it” she thought “I have to” she pulled away from the police officers, grabbed the knife and ran at Meg with it.
“You bitch!!!” she screamed trying to stab Meg “You’re gonna pay for what you’ve done to Derek. You killed him, you bitch!! And now I’m gonna kill you!!!” Tess pushed the knife harder and Meg was to weak to stop her. Fortunately Ben was there and immediately pulled Tess away from Meg.
“Get away from her!!!” he shouted and pushed Tess onto the wall.
“It’s so easy to hit a woman, isn’t it?” Tess laughed getting up.
“A woman?” this time Ben laughed “I don’t see any woman here besides Tracy and Meg” he said looking at Tess hatefully.
“You bastard!!!” Tess screamed and ran at him, but the police had no difficulties in pulling her away. Ben turned to Meg.
“Hey, it’s OK, it’s OK” he wrapped his strong arms around her “She is not going to hurt you” Meg only cried and nestled into Ben’s arms.
“Take her to the car!” Tracy ordered and turned to Ben “Sorry about that. We shouldn’t have let that happen”
“It’s not your fault. She is sick”
“Yes. And she could have hurt your…” Tracy stopped and looked confused at Ben.
“Tracy, it’s Meg” he explained “The one I told you about" he said and turned to Meg “Sweetie, this is Tracy Nixon, the detective I met on my way to Seattle. I told you about her”
“It’s nice to meet you” Meg said.
“It’s a pity we meet in such sad circumstances” Tracy replied.
“Yeah… I heard about your sister. I’m really sorry”
“Thank you. You were really lucky to have him” Tracy looked meaningfully at Ben.
“I know” Meg answered “He is amazing”
“From what I’ve heard you are amazing too” Tracy smiled and made Meg blush “Anyway, I’ve gotta be going. I need to make sure Tess won’t play any more games”
“OK, bye” Ben answered and Tracy walked away.
“Ben” Meg looked at him trying to smile.
“What?”
“What the hell did you tell her about me?”
“Just the truth” he smiled and put his arm around her waist “Come on, let’s get you home… I mean your temporary home” he looked at her meaningfully and they went out.
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