Page 144 of Chasing the Red Queen

“Come in,” Torin called out.

Lisa pushed the door which was ajar. It creaked opened.

Torin stood up, his face etched in concern.

Lisa quietly padded to the bedside and placed the tray on the nightstand. A glance to Donja’s face sent her heart into a tail-spin. “Honey, you need to eat,” she said, leaning down and removing the ice pack from her blackened eye.

Donja turned away, sobbing.

Lisa glanced to Torin, who wore his misery like a crown. “Could we have minute…please.”

“Yes,” he muttered, “I actually need to be in on the battle plans.” He leaned down and kissed the back of Donja’s head, her face to the wall. He winched his eyes tight, muscles bulging. “Try to eat,” he whispered his voice breaking.

“Are you sure our baby’s alive?” Donja sobbed without looking.

“Yes,” Torin whispered. “Now put your fears to rest and try and eat. I’ll be back soon.” He took his leave and as soon as the door closed, Donja turned and reached for Lisa. They embraced, Lisa caressing her while she cried.

“It’s all behind you now, baby,” Lisa cooed softly. “Let’s get some food in you, you’re thin as a rail.”

“I’m afraid I’ll throw up,” Donja sobbed as she pulled back from Lisa’s embrace and faced her. “It’s not behind me, Mom, it’s all around me, I can’t escape it.”

“Oh honey.” Lisa whispered. “Try to forget it...”

“I can’t,” she interrupted, gripping her head. Scarface almost raped me and now…Grandma will face the same. He’s a monster, you have no idea,” she sobbed, “and it’s all my fault.”

“No honey, it’s not.”

“Torin’s best friend is dead,” she cried, her voice breaking, “dead, along with hundreds of others, all dead because of me…how can I live with that?”

“Oh honey.”

“I almost lost this baby,” she said gripping Lisa tighter. “Garret fed on me,” she sobbed as if the horror was upon her. She pulled back, then slid her pajama pants to her thighs. When Lisa saw her groins, bruised by multiple bite marks, she grimaced. She embraced her holding her tight while she cried.

“Why would he do that?” Lisa whispered.

“After he found out I was pregnant, and that Frankie had been changed, he said I was nothing but a Participant. He was furious and took his anger out on me. I fought him,” Donja sobbed clinging tighter, “but he beat me to the point that I feared for the baby, so I gave in. I had to,” she groaned. “I can’t even look Torin in the eye and it’s killing me. How am I going to tell him?” she sobbed. “He’ll leave me!”

Lisa swallowed her tears as she stroked Donja’s hair, the pain forcing a breath to stall in her throat.

“What are we going to do?” Donja sobbed harder. “Every time I close my eyes I see Grandma and I know she’s in hell. “Why did she do it, oh Jesus? This is all my fault,” Donja blubbered, burying her face to Lisa’s shoulder. “Now I’ve lost Torin and Grandma too.”

Finally, finding her voice, which was cracked, Lisa whispered. “Torin loves you and your grandma knew what she was doing,” Lisa said, pulling back to face her. “Grandma’s tough, she’ll get past this, I just know it,” she whispered, praying Donja bought her guise. “The men are devising a plan as we speak to free her. Just have faith.”

Donja wiped at her nose with the back of her hand.

“Now,” Lisa purred. “Let’s get this soup in you. That baby needs nourishment and by the way, Makayla’s been near crazy without you. I’ll let her know you’re awake.”

“Mom, please,” she begged with hysterical eyes, “don’t tell Torin what happened. I couldn’t bear it.”

“I would never betray you,” Lisa whispered, finding her gaze, “but listen to me. You have to tell him.”

“I can’t, he’ll leave me, I just know it.”

“He loves you, Donja. Just trust his heart. Now feed that baby and I’ll go find Makayla.”

When the door closed, Donja dropped her hand to her stomach.

My God, I thought I lost you, there was so much blood.

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