Page 66 of Fragile

Logging onto Google, I opened my emails and located the last one from Gavin Preston, my mind was made up, and I accepted his offer to start some freelance work. I then closed the lid, leaned back in my seat, and waited for Garrett’s call.

Leonie

After the horror of being mauled by Simon, I knew I needed to unwind and the only thing to help me do that was to dance. Asher had been determined to get me in the bath and force sweet tea on me, but I’d stood my ground. I knew what made me feel better when I was anxious or hurting; I purged myself with movement, always had, always would. Dance was the only thing to help me get through my parents’ death. Not that I was there yet. And I knew it was the only thing to make me feel better.

After a good fifteen minutes of following me around the apartment as I put together a fresh dance bag, Asher had given in. I’d been instructed to take my phone into the basement with me, in case I needed anything; something I wouldn’t usually have done. I hardly ever used my phone, no one ever really texted me and the only calls I received were from my foster parents. Social media-wise, I was off the radar, but Ash was right, I was on my own down there. Gabriel had said I could continue to use the room across from the gym that hadn’t been refurbished yet. It had enough floor space but no mirrors to check my alignment. It was basic but it would do.

After around an hour of practicing my routine for the showcase, I managed to push the incident with Simon from my mind. I did still come back to that niggling worry that Marco had done something bad to him. He only tried to kiss me at the end of the day, not worth getting beaten to a pulp or killed for.

I had just started my cool down routine and was mid-quad stretch when the worst happened. The lights and music cut out and I was trapped alone in what must have been a power cut.

I held my breath, praying that it wouldn’t be for long, but as I remained there on the floor, attempting to calm that panic that threatened to surface, everything stayed pitch black. There was a slight glow from the streetlights which shone in through the tiny windows of the room, but there was still way too much darkness to settle my nerves. Flashes of being trapped in the car and my parent’s dead bodies thundered through my mind; my mother’s open eyes, lifeless before me. The rate of my heart accelerated, and I pushed onto all fours and crawled towards my bag, the flooring biting into my knees.

Finding my sports holdall, I scrambled inside, my fingers curling around my phone like it was a lifeline. The threat of a panic attack circled me as I entered my pin incorrectly several times. I needed to get a grip; I was in a large building. I had my phone and could call for help, as soon as I got the code correct!

Taking a deep breath, I pushed myself back against the wall and drew my knees up to my chest. Breathing in through my nose and out through my mouth, I started to perform the coping strategies the counsellors had given me weeks after the car accident which took my parents.

After around five minutes, the thump of my heartbeat settled; the organ no longer attempting to burst through my chest.

I glanced around the space, it now felt cold and empty, and I felt alone again. Drawing my phone away from my chest, I glared down at the screen and slowly re-typed my pin. Fortunately, the screen came alive, and I scrolled through my contacts, landing on Gabriel’s number. I didn’t need to rethink my choice as I felt safer with him than I did with anyone.

Gabriel answered immediately, his voice laced with concern. “Leonie? Where are you?”

I managed to speak but couldn’t keep the panic from my tone. “I’m downstairs, the room beside the gym. Please. It’s so dark,” I rasped, my eyes wide as I tried to improve my vision. It was still so very black in there.

Gabriel must have heard how terrified I was as he said in a soft, yet authoritative tone. “Stay where you are, I’m on my way.” He then hung up and I dropped the phone, hugging my knees to my chest again. He was coming and hope rushed through my veins, creating a welcoming warmth.

It had been warm in the space, but it now felt freezing, and I searched beside myself for my wrap but couldn’t find it. My limbs felt heavy, and my legs trembled. I was wearing my leotard, tights and leg warmers but had removed my dance shoes, my toes curling with the cold.

I must have been sat there for at least five more minutes.

“Leonie,” Gabriel’s voice barked into the space, and I pushed up the wall to my feet, searching across the area towards the door, relief jetting through my system.

“I’m here.” As I shouted those two words, he appeared, a faint shadow in the doorway, his large shoulders filling the space. I released a watery laugh, feeling a cocktail of embarrassment and relief.

He saw me and set off across the floor with powerful strides and I ran towards him, throwing myself into his arms. Gabriel’s large, strong, warm body stiffened at first as I clung onto him as if my life depended on it. After a beat or two, his arms came around me and he drew me further against his body, his face in my hair.

His scent and warmth made me feel safe. “Hey, easy. Calm down. You’re shaking. It’s only a power cut. I’m here, kitten. You’re safe,” he whispered into my neck in a soothing voice. And that is exactly how I felt; safe and for the first time in years; I didn’t feel alone.

Pushing myself further against him, his hold tightened, and we must have remained like that for several minutes; Gabriel was whispering reassuring words and holding me close. I felt him stroking my hair and I pushed against him, seeking his strength.

Eventually, he drew back and gently untangled himself, taking a step back to look down at me. I knew my face would be tear-stained as I could feel the sticky moisture on my face.

I couldn’t help but lean into his palm when he placed a hand on my cheek in an almost loving gesture, his eyes tangling with mine. I could see genuine concern and something else reflected in them. He was looking at me like I was his everything and it felt wonderful.

“Come on, let’s get you out of here,” he said with a smile and glanced over to my stuff. “Leave your bag. We’ll get it when the power comes back on. OK?”

“Yes, OK and thank you—for coming I mean.”

“Here, take my hand, let’s go.”

My fingers were swallowed in Gabriel’s large paw, and we made our way out of the room and down the corridor towards the stairs.

“The lifts are out so we’ll have to walk. Do you think you can make it? You look a bit wobbly.”

I pursed my lips and swallowed as he pushed the door open, and we stood before the bottom of the stairs. “I think so?” But I wasn’t sure, my legs were suddenly like jelly.

“You think so? Not good enough, kitten. Here.” My tummy somersaulted as Gabriel released my hand, bent over and swept me up into his arms again like I weighed nothing.

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