Set me free - Episode 20

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I'm sorry guys. Just noticed the problem with the last two episodes so I'm reposting both as episode 20.

 

Michelle;

 

"1,2, dock!" Rory, the blind guy who has been sneaking me out of bed for many months to coach me counts as I throw two punches at him then dock once.

"good. Again!"He calls . I take deep breaths and focus on his quiet intakes of breath, giving out where he is as I throw two quick punches which he dodges. Instead of docking as usual, I follow the second punch with a arc kick. His surprised groan gives me enough thrill to throw another arc kick but the bastard catch my leg in time and hangs it in the air.

"playing a fast one on me huh?" He teases as I balance on one leg.

"you know my legs are the most dangerous part of my anatomy." I say smugly

"too bad then?" he says. I smirk as I throw my second leg only for him to catch it and throw me to the hard floor.

"ouch!"

"such a princess." he tease as I lunge at him. He grabs my waist and lift me off the ground. Throwing me down again.

"sh*t"

"still want more?"

"shut up." I pout which only amuses him the more.

"how are you so fast? Are you really blind like me?" I ask for the hundredth time since I've met him.

"no.I'm deaf as well"

"smart ass" I spit.

"come on. Its time to take you back." he says.

"I don't want to." I really don't want to go back home to be smothered by my father

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/set-me-free

. Always trying to do everything for his invalid daughter. If he knew how i spend most of my nights, he'll get a brain seizure for sure.

"Take me with you." I say when Rory remains quiet.

"where do you know that I'm going little girl?" He asks, clearly annoyed but I'm not stopping now that I know.

"to the underground fighting arena." I say smugly. I hear his sharp intake of breath showing his surprise.

"I followed you two nights ago. You were being too secretive."

"you shouldn't have." he snaps harshly.

"but--"

"no. You don't know what you have done." he sounds distraught.

"They didn't let me in if that's why you are worried."

"f*ck." he mutters under his breath.

"what?"

"This is over."

"what do you mean over!"

"I'm not teaching you anything anymore." he snaps again. What's his problem? He can't abandon me now. I'm gonna run out of my mind if I don't let out some steam every night.

"look, I'm sorry for being nosy and following you." I desperately try to reason with him.

"it's already done. I'll take you home." he tries to take my hand but I recoil.

"you are not abandoning me!" I cry out.

"Mara, don't try my patience!"

"no! I'm not going, I'm never going to see you again. I know it."

"listen to me, I never should have opted to teach you. I just--"

"You just what?!" 

"I just felt sorry for you." I scoff.

"And it comes to that. You felt sorry for the blind daughter of the man you stole from?! You expect me to believe that?!"

"I don't care if you believe it or not. This training is over." he announces as he grabs me suddenly and throws me over his shoulder.

"put me down you animal!" I snap as I slam my fist into his back.

"stay still."

"no!"

"Goddamned princess."

"i'll tell my father I found the thief" I say snottily

"he'll be happy to catch you." I continue. Every bone in Rory's body freeze up at this and i smirk. I got him where I want him.

"You don't know what you are getting yourself into." he says resigned as he drops me to my feet.

"you wouldn't hurt me." I say, a little unsure.

"ofcourse not." he says as if offended.

"then?"

"i can't hurt you but he will." he says.

"who?"

"I've said too much." he says

"Please just go home and forget you met me okay?" he pleads

"you would have to tell me who would hurt me, Rory."

"I can't and you probably won't believe me anyways."

"who, Rory?"

"forget it."

"I said who!" I knock the breath out of him with my fist to his gut.

"sh*t Mara!" he growls

"tell me." I spit

"no!"

"I'm telling my father then." I wait a few beats before shrugging.

"I guess you wouldn't mind then." I start walking away when he grabs me from behind.

"your father." he says quietly.

"my father what?" I ask, confused. When he goes silent, I read between the lines.

"You can't be serious." I scoff.

"you see what I said about you not believing me?"

"thats preposterous. Come on." I laugh drily.

"your mother knew this. That was why she ran away with you." he says

"what are you talking about?"

"your father is a very powerful man."

"thats because he's rich." I state the obvious.

"no, thats because he's associated with the Russian mob."

"have you been watching too much movies?" I snot.

"Your mother was one of the girls sold to him. She was used as a prostitute. I guess he thought he was in love with her so he kept her with him. He would beat her then apologize with gifts the next day." I gasp.

"liar."

"when Michelle got pregnant with you my father helped her run away. Back to her country." he continues like i didn't say anything.

"how do you know my mother's name?"

"Do you know what your father did when he found out your mother got away?" he asks.

"He burned down our house. I was just five years old. I was the only one who fit through the hole in our backyard door. I stood outside crying for help while my family were burnt to death." The pain in his voice is palpable in the cold warehouse.

"your father's goons were outside. They saw me and chased me. A four years old child!" I gasp as I shake my head. Willing myself to not listen to him. He's a thief. He's lying to me. But do I really know my father? Was this why mother was running away when she heard he was in the country?

"I got hit by a bus while running away from them. That was how I became blind. They left me for dead. I was on that cold lonely road for days before somebody found me but I refused to die. I needed my revenge." he says bitterly.

"that was why you broke into the house?"

"when I heard he brought you back to the country I wanted so bad to use you to get to him. But--"

"but what?"

"I discovered you were just a pun in his hands, just like your mother."

"what are you talking about?"

"your eyes. A simple surgery can fit it. Your father lied to keep you with him without you getting in his way."

"Thats impossible!" I exclaim, my eyes watery with angry tears.

"a blind daughter would never suspect anything going on around her, would she?" he asks.

"This is stupid. Why am I even listening to a thief like you." I snap.

"Your father made me, Mara and I'll make sure to make him pay."

"Take me home."

"I have proof." he says instead.

"Why are you so hellbent on making me believe you?" its suspicious.

"I can't let what happened to your mother happen to you." he says casually. I'm not fooled.

"Why else are you interested in me?"

"Well, your mother had evidence of your father's illegal businesses." he says after a long pause.

"and you think I can help you get it." I complete.

"yeah."

"Asking my father for his own side of this story wouldn't be a good idea would it?" I ask drily.

"He'll probably lie to you or lock you up somewhere no one will hear you."

"there's only one way for me to believe this farce." 

"I'll get you a surgeon. You just have to trust me." he says as if reading my mind. Can I really get my sight back?

"How do I get surgery done without his knowing?"

"Simple. I attack you in your room. He freaks and takes you to one of his safe house. We can do it there. Believe me." he holds my hand and squeeze it lightly.

 I release a long sigh then nod. If he really hurt my mother, he'll pay. But firstly, i have to try and get my sight back. That would mean my father is a lying beast and I'll bring him down.

 If this is something I can do for my mother after sending her to an early grave, I'll do it without thinking.

 

********

 

Michelle:

 

"How's my baby doing?" Dad asks the next morning. My mind is still reeling from last night's turn of events. Rory might just be fooling me afterall.

"dad?" I call quietly. Using the dad card to soften him.

"yes, baby."

"Did you love my mother?"

"Ofcourse. When she left, I almost ran out of my mind."

Was that because of love or obsession, I'm tempted to ask.

"If you guys were so in love, why did she leave then?" I ask.

"oh, you know your mother. Always overeacting. Pregnancy hormones and all that." he says casually and my brows shoot up in suspicion. I try not to let my doubt show on my face.

"You should rest now sweetheart." He says and I feel him rise from my bed.

 Thats not the answer I was expecting.

"I'm scared, father." I whine again before he reaches the door.

"what could you possibly be scared of? This place is one of the safest place in the country. I have the best security detail." He sounds exasperated but I go on.

"That thief did get in. And for the past few months I feel like I'm being watched. Here in this room."

"what?!" he's by my side in seconds.

"Did you see anythi-- I'm sorry I mean why would you think that?"

"I'm so sure someone was in here watching me last night. Where you in here last night?" I ask him.

"It was probably your help." he dismisses my fear outrightly so I shrug. What's taking Rory so long? Was he lying and now he can't show up?

"Baby you need-- my God!" i feel dad jump slightly beside me as my door burst open and the subtle scent of Rory's perfume tells me he's here now.

 My door slams shut and I hear the keys land on the floor. This should be interesting.

"Dad! What's going on? Who's there?" I exclaim as I start feeling around my bed blindly.

"Finally got you both." Rory's deepened voice snarls.

"What do you want? You can take whatever you want and leave." Dad growls.

"But I've come to take your daughter."

"You can't be serious. Security! Security! Damn those idiots!" dad snaps

"daddy, I'm scared. Who's he?" I feign fear.

"just a petty thief. Dont be scared. Security!"

"ah they won't here you, old man." Rory chuckles.

"What did you do to them?" dad grinds out. Something cold graze my leg and I startle.

"Just give me the blind girl and we'll be even. I'll take your family just like you took mine."

"You are talking nonsense." dad snaps.

"What's--" I don't finish my statement when a sudden bang rent the air. Rory's scream filter into my ears next as another gunshot is fired.

"evil old man." I hear Rory curse before I feel him close to me.

"sh*t" I hear my father exclaim.

"you will regret this." dad snarls again.

"No, I won't." Rory says smugly before I feel cold metal slash my arm.

"ouch!" I yell as I grab my arm. It doesn't even hurt that much.

"good acting." Rory whispers in my ear before he's gone from my side.

"I'll be back for her old man." He announces before everywhere goes silent. He must have gone out the window.

"Michelle? Michelle are you okay?" dad is fawning over me in seconds.

"dad.." I sob as he hugs me.

"its okay, baby. You are safe now." he coos into my ear. I dont feel close to safe, with the cold metal of his gun grazing my ankle on the bed. What does he have a gun for?

"who-why would he want me?" I cry as he pats my back.

"probably a crazy thief. Don't worry about it. You are safe now."

"no!" I snap as I pull away.

"I can never feel safe in this house after this. God, I'm going to have nightmares every night."

"baby you-"

"no daddy. Let's get out of here. I never liked it here anyways. Too big and the noise of the traffic outside gives me panic attacks."

"I can't leave this place, baby. My work--"

"What about me, dad? You said you'll give me whatever I want. All I want is some peace and quiet. A small house by the beach maybe."

"I do have a beach house but i can't leave you alone."

"I'll have my help with me, dad. Then I'll be out of your hair. I don't like bothering you or getting in your way." I take his hand and place it against my warm cheek.

"you'll never be in my way." he says but I can feel him giving in. He most certainly wouldn't want me in the way.

"take me to the beach house, father. That would make me so happy. And safe."

"fine." he finally relents and I do a victory dance inside my head.

"but you take your help, a maid and one of the bodyguards." he adds

"I don't need a bodyguard. But I'll take it." I say as I hug him. 

"Thank you, daddy."

"I can't let anything happen to you under my watch. Now, lets get your arm treated." he says as he pulls away.

*******

"Hey. Hey!" My head snap back at the whispered calling.

"Lock the door." Rory whisper yells again. I quickly get off my bed and quietly lock the door.

"I've been waiting for you for almost a week now." I snap as soon as the door is locked.

"calm down princess. Your dad did shoot me, afterall. I had to get treated." I completely forgot about that.

"I can't blame him. He was just defending his daughter." I shrug.

"Don't tell me you still don't believe me." he groans, frustrated.

"I'm still blind, aren't I?" I smirk.

"oh, I'll love to remove that smirk off your face when you finally regain your sights and see how evil your father is."

"What are you waiting for then?"

"well, I like her." I startle as the strange voice in the room chuckle. I didn't even know he came with someone. A woman for that matter.

"who's that?" I ask.

"Mara meet Jessica, Jessica, Mara." Rory introduces. I wave selfconsciously.

"nice beach house." Jessica says as I feel her seat beside me.

"She's the daughter of the doctor who helped me when your father's goons left me for dead years ago. She can be trusted." Rory says.

"Rory gave me your hospital records which he stole from your dad's study months ago. I can't believe a father would decide to keep his own daughter blind and helpless." she says sympathetically.

"I don't believe it either." I say.

"well, it's true. A simple surgery and you'll be as good as new."

"seeing is believing doctor Jessica." I say snottily.

"ofcourse. I'll like to see your father's face when he finds out you got surgery without his knowledge." she says as she giggles.

"you sound like you hate him as well. Did he kill your family as well?" I ask drily.

"A man who trafficks women and children deserves to be hated on. Plus, a man who could have wanted to kill a four years old Rory is a monster for sure." she says and I can hear her fondness for Rory in her voice.

"Enough of the chitchat. We don't have much time Jessie." Rory says impatiently.

"Right. Help her out the window."

"Hey, what bout my help and body guard? We can't have them report to my father that I'm missing." I protest as Rory lift me off the bed.

"It's 11pm. They are all asleep. You'll be back before the break of dawn." He says as he drops me down to help me into my slippers. Adrenaline pumps through my veins at the thought of all these being true and me gaining my sight back.

*******

"Are you ready?" Rory's excited voice does little to calm my nerves.

"I don't know If I am. What If it didn't work? Rory I can't have my hopes risen to be dashed out." I say brokenly as I finger the huge bandages around my eyes.

"Hey, something I've noticed in you in the past few months is you never quit. You can't stop now when it's within your grasp. Plus Jessica is the best at what she does." he says reassuringly.

"Why are you still blind then?" I have to ask.

"It may sound weird but this darkness reminds me of what I'm fighting for. You can't begin to understand it." he tells me and I nod slowly, understanding maybe a little.

"You are pretty messed up." I joke.

"And you aren't." he says right back and I grin.

"So is she ready?" Jessica's voice alerts us to her presence in the room.

"she's more than ready." Rory speaks for me as he takes my hand in his and squeeze lightly. My heart flutter a bit at the touch. It's probably nerves. I swallow my apprehension and just nod.

"okay. Let's get this off then." her fingers graze my hair as she slowly unwrap the bandages. My heart is in my mouth. I feel the bandages coming off and I close my eyes tight.

"Ta da." Jessica sings.

"You have to open your eyes now, princess." Rory chuckles.

"come on." Jessica puts in. I swallow hard then send a quick prayer to my mom before slowly letting my eyes flutter open. Bright light assault me and shut them back quickly.

"I think something is wrong." I say.

"come on. Open them. Your eyes would get use to the light." Jessica chuckles. Okay, here goes nothing. I let my eyes open again.

"oh my God." I gasp.

"what is it!"

"It worked!" I exclaim. My eyes peruse the white room before moving to settle on Rory's face.

"Rory!" I scream excitedly as I jump off the bed and hug him.

"I can see you."

"ofcourse, you can princess. Blindness never did suit you." he says and I blush.

"you didn't tell me you were black." I accuse

"I'm an African American ofcourse. Wasn't it obvious in my voice?" he asks and I shrug.

"Thank you so much, Jessica." I turn to see a stunning black American woman and Isuddenly feel self conscious in my yoga pants and plain t-shirt. I stopped caring about what I wore just because I couldn't see anything but now, standing with these two beautiful people I feel inferior.

"You look beautiful" Rory says in my ear and I blush beet red.

Read " Falling For Innocence " by the same author ( Ameh juliet )

. I guess the old Michelle is back with my sight.

"I guess you guys are right about my father." I say to change the topic. 

"I wouldn't lie about something like that." Rory States.

"Now I know." I give Rory a shy smile.

"Good. Are you ready to face your father now?" Jessica break the interaction. 

"No." I say thoughtfully. 

"Think about it. If he finds out, he'll know I know something about him and would most likely lock me up or something." I explain. 

"What do we do then?"Rory frowns.

"I want to help you guys catch him. I mean this man hurt my mother. He hurt your family. I'm the best way you have to get his secrets."

"Are you sure about this? It could take a long-time. I've been searching for almost a decade. "

"Well now you have me. I'm willing to help no matter How long it takes."

"You are saying you would play blind for as long as it takes to bring your father down?" Jessica asks.

"He hurt my mother. I should be able to do this for her."

"You'll need so much training." Rory says and I grin.

"Thank God I have the best then."

"You do have the best." He smirks smugly. 

"To catching bad guys." Jessica cheers as she place her hand in front of the three of us. I place my hand on hers and pull Rory's to join in.

"To avenge mother."