Chapter 29 - Go to Hell

I wake Ben up with a kiss. “Honey, wake up. I want to go out.” I whisper close to his ear.
He blinks his eyes and opens them slowly. “Good morning.” I whisper. Ben moans and turns over, pulling the blankets over his head.
“Don’t make me jump on the bed.” I laugh. I try to pull away the blankets but he is holding on to them and I don’t manage to pull them away.

I stand up on the bed and start jumping. “Oh Lynn, please. You are making me nauseous.” Ben mutters. And I laugh even harder. “Well then, get your lazy ass out of bed.”

I jump up to open the curtains and the windows. “Oh no.” I pout and turn around to Ben. “What?” he asks.
“It’s raining.” I pull a face and look out of the window again.
The sky is dark and the rain is pouring down.

I was looking forward to going to Mansato Park. But not with weather like this.

“Well then, come back in the bed. I know a lot of fun things to do here.” Ben looks at me with a smirk.
I wiggle my eyebrows. “Hmmm, my dirty giant has nice plans?” I laugh and jump back on the bed.
Ben pulls me on top of him and kisses me passionately.

My phone rings and I see an unknown number. I answer it with a frown.

“I know where you are.”

A familiar voice on the other end says quietly.

Rick.

I drop my phone and look at Ben. “He found me.” I stammer. My eyes wide and my heart beating quickly.

I call Erica to see if she’s okay. She picks up the phone right away and assures me that everything is fine.
“Is Sara still there?” I ask.
“Yes, she is.” She confirms.

I sigh, at least they are safe. But how did Rick get my number?

I send Lea a text. "Have you heard anything from Rick lately?”

“No, I don’t want to talk to him after what he did.” She replies.

He must have some people who help him with things. But does he really know where I am, or did he only find my number?

“Ben, can we go?” I look at Ben. He is already dressed.

This feels more like running away, than being on a road trip. With Rick trailing me, I won’t have time to do any sight seeing.

I look outside. The rain is still pouring down. “Can we go to Monsanto Park anyway?” I ask. “I think Rick will not expect us to be there when the rain is pouring down.”

My logic makes no sense, but Ben agrees. “If that’s what you want, I am okay with it.”
He says.

I hug him. “Thank you. I am tired of running away from Rick.” I say. “And I can’t go to Porto without seeing some of Lisbon too.”

We buy some food and a umbrella at the grocery store and head to the park. It’s only a ten minute drive. The rain is still pouring down when we arrive at the park.

The park is gorgeous. It’s big and the many trees protect us from the rain. It’s like we are walking in a big green house. Ben is holding my hand. “It’s beautiful here.” Ben says.

I can’t really enjoy the walk. Rick is a big subject in my mind.

Even the Three Crosses Mill can’t distract me from my thoughts. I love old historic buildings. But today I couldn’t care less.
We find a tiny restaurant and we go inside to get something to drink. Ben leans across the table and grabs my hand. “It’ll be okay.” He assures me. I nod slowly. “Yeah, last time it did. Next time we might not be that lucky.” I shrug.

“I need to go to the bathroom.” I say before I walk off.

I step inside the little cabin and feel the back of my jeans. It’s still there, where I put it earlier this morning. I pull it out and look at it. I will not hesitate to pull the trigger when I see Rick. I think at myself.

I am sure I saw Rick when we parked the car. He was looking at me from inside a car at the parking lot. I hope he stays there. But I am afraid he will follow us.

I put the gun back in the back of my jeans and step out the cabin. Ben ordered a coffee for me and I kiss him on his lips.
“It’s all gonna be okay.” I say.

“Sure it will, as long as we’re together.” Ben replies.

We finish our coffee and continue our walk through the park. It stopped raining and a soft sun is peeking through the leaves of the tall trees.

Twigs are breaking when we walk and I hear the leaves rustle above me. I feel the serenity around us. And I calm down a bit.

I will make it through this shit. I have to. If not for me, I will do it for Ben. I have to end the stress caused by Rick. I can’t take it anymore.

Ben grabs my arm and pulls me against him for a kiss. We stand still, but there are still twigs breaking behind us.

The hairs in my neck are standing up straight, my heart is pounding and my knees buckle.

This is it.

I reach to the gun in my jeans and turn around.

“I knew I would find you here.”

Ricks’ voice is trembling with anger. “I can’t believe you both survived. I guess my work is not done yet.” He says.

I step in front of Ben. Ben tries to pull me away. “Don’t.” I snap. “This is between him and me.”
I look at Rick. His blond hair looks dirty and it seems like he hasn't shaved for weeks. His eyes are black.

It’s the cocaine.

He looks at me and I look back at him. My hand still rests on the gun.

“I am sick and tired of running away from you Rick.” I say. “I won't do it anymore.”

He looks at me.

“You don’t have to run from me. I give you two options. One, you come back with me and I let you both live. Two, you refuse to come home with me and I have to kill you both.” He says

My face is filled with anger.

“There is a third option too. What if you just move on with your life and leave us alone.” I say.

“Wrong choice.” Rick says.

Ben tries to pull me away but I push him away. He trips and falls on the grassy ground.
Rick is walking up to me. I don’t run. I don’t turn around. I only stare at him.

“I am not afraid of you anymore Rick.” I say while grabbing the gun from my jeans. I hear Ben gasp behind me and Rick looks at me with a frown.
“I am done with running away from you and your sick mind.” I snarl.

“You are not going to shoot me. You wouldn't dare shoot me.” He’s taunting me.

“Lynn, don’t do it. He’s not worth it.” Ben whispers from behind me. I never noticed he got up from the ground.

“I have to.” I say.

I point the gun at Rick.

“You are too scared to shoot me. Chicken.” Rick smirks.

My hand trembles for a moment when I place my finger on the trigger.

“Go to Hell Rick.”

A loud bang echoes through the silent forest. Rick grabs his chest with two hands. A shocked look appears on his face.

He falls on his knees. Red blood seeps through his clenching hands.

I look at Rick. He is still on his knees, his face is a mask of fear and shock.

“You shot me.” he mumbles before falling face forward on the grass.