Page 50 of Ivy

“I got it, Mum.” I smile at him, knowing I probably look like a demon from a horror film.

“I am so bloody proud of you, honey.” I gingerly sit up, and bless Carter, he helps me, holding me up when I almost fall back due to the pain being too much. I wince and bite my bottom lip when the agony gets too much.

I painfully reach for the rope around my feet and tug and pull, trying with all my might to undo the knots. After a few attempts, I get the knots undone. I snap my eyes back and forth between the ropes and the door, praying to every God that will listen to save us. To help us get home safely to our family.

“Mum, if you are up there looking down on us, please help us. I need to get Carter out of here,” I whisper to the room, sending a quiet prayer to my mother. I usually talk to her when I need her. Luke caught me one time. He smiled and kissed my head, before walking out of the room.

We manage to untie my feet and I carefully slide my legs off the bed. Seeing Carter standing there with puffy eyes from crying makes my determination to get us out of here grow to DEFCON 1.

I carefully climb to my feet. Carter tries to take some of my weight when he puts his arm around my waist. Could I have asked for a better son? NO!

“Careful, Mum.”

“I will be. Thank you, baby.” We step slowly towards the door, hoping that in his drunk and raging state, Tim forgot to lock the door. My breathing is laboured due to the broken ribs, but I hold on to Carter as little as I can, still making sure he thinks he’s helping me out. My other hand is holding tight across my middle, making sure that I move my ribs as little as possible.

As we reach the door, it swings open, and a furious Tim is standing there. He lunges for me, knocking me off my feet. I scream in pain as we hit the concrete floor. We wrestle around on the ground, me trying to scratch and hit Tim as much as I can. Even with the pain coursing through my body, I know I need to fight.

I close my eyes as I scratch at Tim’s face, when I hear him roar in pain. I look to see Carter hitting Tim over the back with a wooden sweeping brush handle. I have no time to take a breath as Tim spins and goes for my baby. I jump to my feet, adrenaline pushing me to protect Carter. Tim slaps Carter and he drops the wooden pole. I bend and pick it up and hit Tim with it before he can strike Carter again.

Tim falls to the floor and I grab Carter’s jacket, pulling him behind me. Ignoring the pain in my ribs, I bring the wooden brush handle up over my head and bring it down with as much force as I can on Tim’s back and shoulders. I hit him so many times I lose count.

“We don’t owe you anything.” Hit.

“You made our lives a living misery.” Hit.

“You raped and beat me.” Hit.

“You ruined us.” Hit.

“You don’t deserve us or anyone.” Hit.

“You are a fucking monster.” Hit.

I’m huffing and puffing, and my arms feel like lead by the time I stop.

“Mum, he isn’t moving.” Carter’s voice stops me from the next hit. I drop the brush and turn to look at my boy.

I take a look down at Tim’s body. Carter is correct, he isn’t moving but he is alive. He’s moaning from the pain. Good, he deserves everything he gets. I close my eyes and take a jagged breath. I collect my thoughts until I hear a phone ringing. My gaze snaps to Tim’s body and I drop to my knees. I fish through his pockets and find his mobile phone.

I cancel the call and dial nine-nine-nine.

“Nine-nine-nine, what’s your emergency?”

“My name is Ivy Bilson, and my son and I have been kidnapped. I don’t know where we are.”

“Okay, Ivy, are you hurt? Is the man that took you still there?”

“I am hurt; he beat me badly. He’s here. We managed to hit him with a brush handle. Please, hurry, I don’t know how much longer he will be unconscious for.” I’m crying now. Carter cuddles into my side, careful not to hurt me.

“Okay, we’re tracking the phone you’re using. Officers are on their way, and so is an ambulance. Can you stay on the line for me?”

“Yeah, please hurry. Can someone go to my house and get my family, please?” I reel off my home address and ignore the pain, pulling Carter tighter to me again. We sit on the bed and wait for help to arrive. I’m fearful of leaving the room in case Tim comes around and escapes.

I have no clue how much times passes, but the sirens are a welcome sound.

“Police. Ivy, you here?” a man’s voice comes.

“Here,” I call out. I breath a heavy sigh of relief when I see two police officers come into the room, taser guns raised. I pull Carter to his feet and gingerly stand. I stumble and one of the officers runs to my side.

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