Page 15 of Walk Thru The Fire

“Stacks, you gone let him talk to me like that?” she asked incredulously.

My only response was a shrug because I didn’t have the energy for this shit. Noticing she wasn’t going to get a response, I heard her bike start and seconds later, she left.

“I’on wanna be bothered wit’ yo’ ass, either. I’ll hit you up later,” I said to my brother.

“I wasn’t coming in no way. Hit me up and don’t make me bring my ass back over here, Jackson.” he warned.

“Bye, Lincoln.”

Once inside, I went straight to my room to take a shower. While in there, I let all my emotions out because after tonight, I didn’t have time or room for them. It was time for me to show muthafuckas what happened when they thought they could play with me. The jokes and game was just my personality. A psychotic menace was who I was bred to be.

9

Chapter Nine

Kasha

sometime later…

I heard voices around me, but they sounded muffled. Everything sounded as if it was buzzing. I tried to open my eyes, but they felt like they were glued shut. I tried concentrating on the voices to recognize where I was and still nothing.

“Jackson, you need to eat something, son. I’ll stay here with Kasha while you do.” I finally heard my mama’s voice, and she was talking to Jackson.

Was he here? Did they find me?

“I’m straight. I’ll get something later.” I heard Jackson’s voice, and I felt my cheeks get wet. I tried opening my eyes again and still nothing.

“Come on, Kasha. Open your damn eyes.”I coached myself.

I gave it another try and finally my eyes popped open, but I snapped them back shut because it was too bright. To get their attention, I let a groan escape my lips.

“Mmmm.”

“Oh, my God! Kasha, baby! You’re up!” I heard my mama cry. “She’s up, Jackson. Go get a doctor.” I heard shuffling and the door opening and closing. Moments later, I heard the door again and heard a woman’s voice.

“Close the curtains and dim the light,” she instructed. When I heard the curtains close, I peeled my eyes open. I focused my eyes and let them scan the room until they landed on Jackson. He stood off to the side with his hands in the pockets of his sweats and an unreadable expression on his face. Our eyes locked, and I saw the pain and anger that housed his. He hated me.

“Kasha, I’m going to have the nurse to take the tube out of your throat, okay.” I listened to the doctor and the nurse while she gave the instructions. Seconds later, it felt like I was coughing up my lungs.

“Here, drink this,” my mama offered. While she helped me drink the water, my eyes never left Jackson. He still hadn’t moved or said anything to me.

“How are you feeling?” the doctor asked.

“I-I’m okay. Tired, but I’m okay.”

She nodded.

“That’s to be expected. Your blood sugar levels dropped, which resulted in you passing out. Your son said his dad brought you all here. Is that true?” she asked.

I cut my eyes at Jackson before answering. “I guess. I don’t remember fainting.” She nodded.

“I’m going to have my nurse draw some blood to make sure that your levels are back to normal. I want to keep you a few more days just for observation. In the meantime, I want you to rest while you’re here.” I nodded while my mama thanked her. When she left, my mama got right into her line of questioning.

“What happened Kasha? You had us worried sick.” I still hadn’t taken my eyes off of Jackson.

“Where’s Jace? Is he here?”

“Your father took him to get something to eat. They should be back shortly,” she informed. “Now, tell us what happened before he gets back.”

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