Julie Fights Back

Memories of the girls flash through Julie's mind as she races up the stairs. Their first smiles, first laugh the girl's first words, and their first steps. She then recalls all the fun they've shared. Family time makes everything alright again, even on the worst days. He better not lay a finger on my babies. More determined than ever, she storms up the remaining stairs.

Reaching the top, Julie looks over to find the intruder slipping into her daughter's room. A flashback of when she was Rebecca's age stops Julie in her tracks. Her legs become spaghetti-like, then threaten to give. She grabs the railing for support. Julie tries to push the horrid nightmare aside, but try as she might, the memory continues to replay in her mind. Please give me strength. Oh, please give me strength, she sobs, falling to her knees.

A man everyone lovingly referred to as Uncle Charley would sneak into her room late at night and force her to do unimaginable things with him. He'd threaten to kill everyone she loved if she stopped or told anyone.

Jeff said that he'd passed a few months back. Julie hopes he suffered to the end. Despite the news and her wishes for his ill fate, the twenty-three-year-old inner battle continues. This dark secret, forever hidden in the depths of her soul feeds her misery, self-doubt, and self-hate, silently crippling her in so many ways. Outsiders would see her as a charismatic soul because Julie carefully hides the personal war ragging inside her with charm and grace. Pretending everything is ok.

Sniffing, she wipes the tears from her face and then glances at the door again. Furry surges through every cell in her body when she pictures Uncle Charley and all his wrongdoings in her mind. Her rage is quickly replaced by inner strength. I refuse to give you power over me, my life, anymore. Springing to her feet, Julie races down the hall. Charley's face pops into her head again. Rot in hell, you bastards. She plunges the knife into the intruder's back. The man crumbles to the floor. Jerking the knife out, she raises it above her head again. No one will hurt my babies as long as I'm alive. She's swinging the knife down when a large, cold hand grabs her wrist. His firm grip makes her hand go numb. The knife tumbles to the floor. "Let go of me, you monster," Julie yells, struggling to break free of his hold.

The first intruder struggles to his feet. Blood is streaming down his back, puddling on the floor. A common occupational hazard when you're in this line of work. Grabbing his gun from his waistband, he presses it against Julie's head. He glares into her eyes and growls, "I oughta kill you where you stand." Fury rages through him when he cocks the gun. He eyes the twin beds, smiles, and says, "I have a better idea. One I think my partner will even enjoy."

The second man excitedly shifts his weight."What is it, boss? Hu, what?"

The man eyes the rustled sheets. His smile broadens when he says, "You'll see,"

Remembering the same look on Uncle Charley's face, Julie struggles to break free. Finding it an impossible task, she jerks forward and yells, "Leave my babies alone."

I told you what would happen if you did something stupid."

His haunting words replayed in her mind. With tears streaming down her face, Julie gulps and says, "No, please, don't hurt my babies. Please. They shouldn't have to suffer because of me"

"You should've thought about that before you stabbed my partner in the back."

"Do whatever you want to me, but please don't hurt the girls."

Raising his hand, he slaps her across the face. "Enough."

Julie gulps back sobs threatening to escape.

"That's better." Grabbing hold of Julie, he turns to his partner and says, "I'll take care of Mom. You grab the brats."

No, please, don't hurt the girls."

He shoves his gun against her head. "I won't tell you again."

Tears stream down Julie's face. She glances toward the ceiling and silently prays, please don't let them hurt my girls, please, I beg you, don't let them harm my girls.

***

Jeff is lying motionless across the front seat of his car, hoping the tinted windows will shield him from the intruder's view. Sharp, stabbing pains shoot across his abdomen. Urine continues to trickle down his leg. What did I get myself into? He thinks, trying to lie motionless despite the unbearable pain. He's dealt with abdominal pain most of his life, being diagnosed with Crohn's disease and all, but that pain is nothing compared to this. The doctor warned me about what stress will do, he thinks.

The intruder pounds on his window.

Jeff's stomach quivers as he scrunches down further in the seat.

The intruder strikes the cold barrier harder than before.

Jeff's entire body tenses up, expecting the fragile glass to break.

"Open the damn door, now," the invader yells.

Jeff lifts his head from the leather interior to find Luigi impatiently shifting his weight.

"Either open this damn door, or I'll break the glass," he warns.

Reaching over, Jeff lets him in. "I didn't realize it was you," he apologizes, straightening up in his seat.

Luigi sneers. "What happened back there?" Luigi folds his muscular body into the car and then closes the door.

"I started to grab the money like you said when the damn lights and sirens went off. I panicked and ran to my car."

"Did anyone see you?"

Jeff thinks back. I didn't look.

"Well?"

"I... I don't think so." Jeff answers, fidgeting in his seat.

"The boss called and said he wants to talk to you."

Jeff feels like he's been gut-punched. Leaning over, he wraps his arm around his waist. "Why... Why does he want to talk to me?"

"He didn't say."

"I'm... I'm not in any trouble, am I?"

"There's only one way to find out."

Jeff reaches for his keys and then nervously glances at his passenger.

"Well?"

Gulping back his fear, Jeff pulls away. Thoughts race through his mind as they continue down the road. Why does he want to talk to me? Is it because I screwed up? I had no way of knowing the alarm was there. Besides, I did what they asked. He glances over at Luigi, who's staring straight ahead. Maybe they decided this isn't working out, and they're going to end it once and for all. What will happen to Julie and the girls if they do? Luigi's warning replays in his mind. I can't let that happen. I can't, but how am I going to stop it? Jeff anxiously searches for a solution. I'll text Julie and tell her she's in danger and that she and the girls should go to the police. Can I send her a message without him catching on? He glances at Luigi to find he's still concentrating on the road ahead. I have to try. Jeff searches for his phone but can't find it anywhere. He checks his pockets and finds they're empty. I hope I didn't drop it in the store. He thinks as he continues to look around.

"What are you doing over there?"

"Nothing, nothing." Jeff settles back in his seat.

"It better be nothing." Luigi looks towards the road again.

I have to warn Julie, but how? I could call her from a business, but I'll need an excuse for stopping. I'll tell him I have to pee or I'm about to get sick. Yeah, that'll work.

"Make a left," Luigi says, pointing to a small dirt road.

I better speak up before it's too late. "I have to pee." Jeff squirms around in his seat, hoping to make it look legit. "I can't hold it much more," he adds.

"Wait until we get to the house."

"But..."

"We're almost there." He points ahead.

Jeff turns to find a well-lit cabin. I could make a run for it, but where would I go if I did? He notices two burly men with machine guns on either side of the door. I doubt I'll get far with them standing guard.

Luigi slides out of the car. He looks back in to find Jeff still sitting there. "Let's go, let's go."

"But..."

"The longer he waits, the worse it'll be for you."