Page 40 of Ruthless

Chapter 16

Ginger

The pelting of rain against my window gradually roused me from sleep. At least, I'd thought it was rain. There was no doubt that there was a storm raging full blast outside, but in the middle of stretching against my warm, twisted covers I heard the muffled sound of a scream, and then a heavy sounding thump. I stilled for a second, trying to decipher was it was that I'd heard. The second scream registered more clearly, and so did the frantic pounding on my door. I shot up from my bed and rushed through my apartment without thinking, recognizing Della's panicked cries as I grew near the door.

Her terrified screams sent a chill through me. I didn't even hesitate to open my door, but I'd been unprepared for the solid weight that had been pressing against the other side at the same time, and I stumbled backwards into my apartment. I was momentarily stunned, taking in the scene playing out before my eyes with disbelief. Della was there, but so was Daryl, and he was going at her in a crazed, frenzied way with his fists, muttering angrily beneath his breath as he hit her mercilessly. I screamed and jumped him, trying to pull him off of her until she fell and they were inside my apartment.

"Let her go!" I screamed clawing at Daryl wherever I thought it would make a difference, trying to get his attention off of Della and onto me. He was like a madman, though, fueled by some unseen rage. I was amazed at his strength as he ignored my pounding on his shoulders and backside, and swatted me aside when I pulled at his hair. Undaunted, I went at him again, punching him in the side of the head and pulling his hair again until I came away with clumps of it in my hands.

Della had stopped screaming and was crying now, curling into herself with her arms over her head and doing the only thing she could do to try and lesson the pain of his blows. It was clear from her appearance that this attack had been going on for some time. Her clothes were torn and hanging off of her, her face was swollen and bruised, and there was blood. So much blood! Tears spilled from my eyes as I looked around my apartment, searching wildly for something that I could use as a weapon. I was certain that Daryl meant to kill her.

"Ginger?" Her murmur was low and weak.

"Shut the fuck up, bitch! This is your fault! All you had to do was give me money!" Daryl cut Della's desperate plea off by kicking her in the ribs. The sickening crack sounded through my apartment like a gunshot blast.

"You fucking bastard!" I screamed, jumping onto his back and wrapping my arms around his neck. I pulled with all my might, but Daryl seemed to have gained super human strength. I punched him repeatedly in the neck and head, not satisfied with the sound of his meager grunts. It wasn't until I bit down on his ear that I got the reaction I wanted.

He swore viciously, grabbing at his ear and swing around to face me. "Fuck!" he snarled, spit flying from his mouth. "You're gonna pay for that!"

His face was a twisted mask of rage. This wasn't the Daryl that I knew. This was a monster. His face was red and blotchy, his eyes glittering with uncontrolled rage that made me wonder what Della had done to provoke him to such viciousness. He shoved me backwards with a sneer, clenching his fists at his sides as he glared retribution down at me.

"Are you fucking crazy?" I screeched at him, backing up with fear. I wanted to get to Della, who was lying motionless against the wall, but his threatening presence terrified me. Tears fell down my cheeks as a deep hopelessness suddenly overwhelmed me.

"Yes!" he replied through clenched teeth. "I'm fucking crazy!" He was on me before I could stop him.

My breath caught because of what I saw in his eyes. Death stared back at me, soulless and evil, convincing me that Daryl no longer cared about anything or anyone other than satisfying the darkness that controlled him. There was also desperation in his dilated eyes, which frightened me most of all. I pulled out of his grasp and backed up, holding my arms out in front of me as if they alone could stop him from getting to me.

"Just get out!" I screamed, realizing that there was no reasoning with him. The door was open, why didn't he just leave?

He ignored me, stepping closer. "Someone needs to teach you a fucking lesson, too!" he seethed, more spit flying. "You're always around! Always interfering!" he snapped, his fists clenching and unclenching.

"Daryl, just leave so I can help Della, please!" I begged, my heart pounding fast. "She needs?"

"Shut the fuck up!" he growled, cutting me off. "I don't give a shit what she needs!"

I threw myself at him with a frustrated scream. I wasn’t sure what I would gain, but doing nothing while Della was suffering drove me to act. I couldn't hold out hope that a neighbor may hear the attack and call the police. In this neighborhood, folks kept to themselves and turned up their TVs to drown out the things they didn't want to hear.

I managed to get a punch to his mouth before he shoved me back roughly. "You fucking bitch!" He spit blood and narrowed his furious eyes on me, wiping the corner of his busted lip. "I've about had enough of you!"

I landed on my butt, and glared up at him. For the first time I noticed the deep scratches lining his face and neck.

"Daryl, stop…" Both our gazes shot to Della. She'd managed to pull herself up into a sitting position, her head rolling against the wall, her eyes closed. Seeing her condition, I didn't know how she managed to remain upright. "Le-Leave her alone. Please," she pleaded. The strength of her tone belied her appearance.

It broke my heart that she was worried about me. I crab-walked backwards when Daryl stepped closer, bending over me slightly. Part of me was thankful that he was leaving Della alone, the other half scared shitless that I was now his target. I couldn't help but wonder where Rebel was. Apparently he hadn't returned yet from whatever business he'd needed to take care of.

"Don't touch me!" I hissed, kicking out at him as he reached down for me.

"You got any money, bitch?"

I just blinked up at him.

"Do you?" he yelled when I hesitated. I shook my head.

A movement drew my gaze to Della. She was clutching her side, slowly tilting to the side. I could see the regret in her wet eyes and the trembling of her swollen mouth. I knew that she was in pain. It was painful looking at her.

Daryl snorted. "I knew you'd be no use to me. Just like her," he grumbled with a sneer on his face. "You bitches are only good for one thing."

He brought his foot back and I knew that he was going to kick me. I braced myself for the blow.

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