Second Chances and Choices

Chapter 11

For the next couple of days Briar and Lit’l Bit kept to themselves. Lit’l Bit was always around either Mush or Racetrack, which drove Jack out of his mind with jealousy though he would never admit it out loud. Mush knew about Lit’l Bit seeing Racetrack and vice versa and they never said anything about it. Briar, on the other hand, would finish selling her papes then spend the rest of her time in the sickroom, or she would disappear and nobody knew where she went. The only times they saw her were when she came to the bunkroom to talk to Lit’l Bit.
David came to see her on the third day but she ignored his persistent knocking and pleading.
"Why won’t she talk to me?" he asked Lit’l Bit.
"She’s... not in a very good mood," explained Lit’l Bit.
"Do you know why she’s been acting so weird lately? I mean, I know this sounds crazy but it’s almost like she’s afraid of me."
Seeing the sincere concern in his eyes Lit’l Bit decided to tell him the truth. "Blink really hurt her, Dave. She is afraid of you, in a way."
"But... I’d never do that to her. You believe me don’t you?"
"Yeah, I do but it’s gonna take a little more to convince her."
Briar looked up from the bed when she heard David’s knocking cease. Finally! I thought he’d never give up.
Just then, the lock clicked and David came inside.
"How’d you get in?" demanded Briar jumping up to face him.
"Spare key from Kloppman," he told her.
"What do you want?"
"I want to know what I can do to show you that I really care about you," said David.
"Lit’l Bit told you huh?"
He nodded.
"Well, then that’s all you need to know. Now give me those keys." She held out her hand for them but David continued.
"Briar, I’d never hurt you."
"That’s what Blink said! He also said he cared about me!" She shook her head. "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. I’m not falling for another smooth talking perverted jerk!"
"Do you really think I’m like that?"
"I don’t know what you’re like!"
"Exactly! You never gave me a chance to prove to you that I care. That’s all I’m asking Briar, one chance."
"Dave, it wasn’t easy to get over what he did to me. He... he tricked me and used me. And I’m not the kind to let people walk all over me. I’m sorry, I can’t give you that chance to do that."
"Right here in this room, One chance, Briar," he pleaded.
"I can’t."
David watched her for a minute then let out a sigh of defeat. "Fine. If you want me to go, I’ll go. But I have something for you first."
Briar waited as he went out of the sickroom then came back again with a parcel in his hands tied with red ribbon. "What it is?" she asked.
He just handed it to her and left. Lit’l Bit popped into the room in an instant and stood next to Briar. "Poor guy," she said. "Don’t you think you were a little hard on him?"
"He’ll get over it," Briar assured her. She sat down on the bed and UN wrapped the parcel. A book dropped out, gold and covered with the most beautiful engravings Briar had ever seen. The title stood out, carved deep into the center of the cover: Sleeping Beauty. She opened the first page and picked up a dried red rose and a note.
I’ve missed you, Aurora
"Is he talking about the fairy tale character?" asked Lit’l Bit.
"That’s my middle name," replied Briar. "But how did he know?"
"Oh, this is so sweet!" gushed Lit’l Bit.
Briar’s cheeks burned and she grinned slightly. "I know. I was hard on him wasn’t I?"
"Only a little," Lit’l Bit replied smiling. "I think you can catch up with him if you hurry."
Briar leaned over and hugged her quickly before running out of the sickroom and down the stairs. She stopped running when she was a distance from the Lodging House and settled for taking long, fast strides. She couldn’t see David around but she would go to the tenement and wait for him anyway. Just as she passed an alley hidden in the shadows of two buildings, a hand shot out and clamped her mouth shut, while a strong arm wrapped around her waist, pinning her arms to her sides.
She screamed into the hand as she was dragged further down the alley, twisting her body at the waist to get free. The figure behind her grunted with the effort of holding her,
"Hold still!"
Briar recognized the voice as Oscar Delancy’s and she struggled to get away.
"Help me will you?" hissed Oscar. Briar tried to twist her head to see whom he was talking to but he tightened his grip around her. They were now as far into the alley as they could get. She saw Morris peer around the corner them come over to them fishing something out of his pocket. Briar’s eyes widened when she saw the medical syringe in his hand, she was willing to bet anything that he wasn’t going to give her any medicine.
She screamed again and tried to free her arms.
"Come on!" said Oscar hoarsely. His voice was near her ear and it made her sick.
"Shh…stop…stop moving," he whispered hotly as she whimpered into his hand. She felt the telltale prick of the needle in her inner arm and her knees buckled. The effect of the drug was fast, but she couldn’t let it get to her, not yet. Her body stilled its trails and she felt herself being lowered onto the ground. Her arms thrashed with whatever strength they had left to fight the body that was on top of her now. Tears slid down her face as he pressed his lips roughly on hers, his hands quickly getting through her clothes. Whether it was from the pain, fear, the drug, or all of the above, she passed out.
"Are you sure you didn’t see her?" asked Lit’l Bit.
David shook his head and frowned, stepping out of the apartment. "Are you sure she came to see me?" he asked.
"Of course you idiot! I sent her after you!" she yelled.
"Take it easy, Lit’l Bit," said Mush.
"I won’t take it easy! It’s past midnight and Briar’s not back yet!"
"Why didn’t you go looking for her sooner?" said David.
"I thought she made up with you and spent the night here!" she admitted. "Oh god, where is she?"
"We’ll go look for her." Mush hugged her reassuringly.
"And I’m coming with you," said David, grabbing his coat.
"Any luck?" asked David. He put a hand to his chest to calm his rapid breathing. Mush shook his head and David swore.
"Don’t just stand there!" He yelled. "Go to Medda’s, ask her if she’s seen Briar. Check the D.C.!" he didn’t wait for an answer, he just turned on his heel and turned into another street. Mush sighed and went in the opposite direction.
David was getting hysterical with worry. It wasn’t like Briar to disappear so late at night. Lit’l Bit had gone back to the Lodging House in case she showed up and he and Mush were searching the streets. He was just about to give up when he heard hushed voices coming from an alley to his right.
"Hurry up!" someone hissed.
"Shut up!" another voice said.
David strained to hear as he walked slowly down the alley. His brows knitted together when he recognized the voices as the Delancy brothers’.
He increased his pace till he got to the very end of the alley. Morris stood in his face but he knocked him aside with a swift blow to the head. He did the same to Oscar who was on all fours, rendering him unconscious when the side of his head collided with the hard stone wall.
David stared unseeingly at the sight in front of him. Briar sprawled on the floor with her clothes undone, an injection a few feet away from her and Oscar… who had his pants unzipped. A sick feeling settled in his stomach when he realized what had happened. He just stood still unable to move. "Mush! Mush! Get here now!" he shouted at the top of his lungs. Mush appeared a few minutes later bending over to catch his breath. He saw Briar and Oscar and fell as stiff as David.
"Get help," said David. "NOW!"
Back the Lodging House, Lit’l Bit stood with Doctor Evans peering over Briar lying in bed in the sickroom. He held her arm out and wiped the puncture the syringe had caused with an alcohol soaked cloth. David stood at the foot of the bed, the color drained out his face.
"Is she going to be okay?" he croaked as Dr. Evans put a stethoscope to her chest.
Dr. Evans looked up at him with a solemn expression. "I want you to step outside, please," he instructed quietly. David exchanged glances with Lit’l Bit and did as he was told. The minute the door was opened everybody jumped at him, bombarding him with questions.
"What the hell happened?" asked Snoddy in a low raspy whisper.
David looked him in the eye, seeing the same sick, worried expression in his face. "The Delancy’s drugged her and.." he stopped as his stomach churned at the thought of what must have happened.
Snoddy finished David’s sentence for himself and clenched his fist. "If he hurt her..."
"The doctor is checking her right now," said David.
Ten minutes later, Dr. Evans came out of the sickroom and David and Snoddy both stood up. "How old is she?" asked Dr. Evans.
Snoddy’s knees buckled. There’s only one reason for him to ask that question. "16 I think," he said. "15 or 16."
The doctor let out his breath. "I’m afraid she was raped."
David sank back into the chair.
"Is she..." began Snoddy.
"Pregnant, We won’t be able to tell yet," replied Dr. Evans. "She should be out of the sedation by tomorrow morning." He drew David aside and gave him a few instructions before leaving.
Meanwhile, Snoddy knocked on the door and peered inside.
"If I ever see those Delancys," said Lit’l Bit as he put his hand on her shoulder. "I’ll hurt them so bad."
"If you get to them before I kill them," said Snoddy gravely. "Get some sleep. I’ll stay with her."
Briar felt like a huge boulder had been dropped on her and was just removed. She opened her eyes halfway in the warm light and flexed her fingers, wincing as hot pain swept through her limbs. Slowly and painfully, she tried to revive every muscle in her body, realizing she was dressed in only a shirt. She felt nauseous, confused and weak. She held her head up and looked around, her gaze landing on Snoddy who was asleep at the end of the bed, lying on his side. He felt her move and sat up.
"What are you doing here?" she whispered, her throat was tight and dry.
"How’re you feeling?" he bent over her and pressed his palm against her forehead then cheek. "Lie down."
Briar obeyed but kept her eyes locked with his. "I don’t feel so good," she whimpered.
"I know. Do you remember anything that happened last night?" he asked. He knew she should be resting but he had to know the whole story.
"I... went to see David," she said. "And."
Lit’l Bit opened the door and frowned down at Snoddy. "Leave her alone," she said kindly but firmly.
"I want to know what happened," said Snoddy.
"Not now."
Their voices were muted as Briar’s mind reeled back to the night before. "Oscar and Morris." She looked up at the two grave faces. "They..."
"Forget about it for now and get some rest," said Lit’l Bit pushing her down gently but Briar pushed her hand away.
Snoddy glanced over at Lit’l Bit. "She has to know," he whispered.
"No, she’ll know later."
Briar’s stomach lurched, her face was suddenly drenched with cold sweat and her hands shook. "Oscar... he... oh god!"
Snoddy leaned over and held her tight, her warm tears seeping through his shirt and onto his chest.
"They won’t get away with this," said Lit’l Bit gravely. "I promise." She put a hand on Snoddy’s shoulder and cocked her head towards the door, suggesting that they leave Briar alone. He nodded and laid Briar back on the bed where she buried her face in the pillow and sobbed quietly. Snoddy closed the door behind him then started down the stairs.

"Hey where’re you going?" asked Lit’l Bit.
"To find those two pieces of shit," he replied grimly.
"Not without me you’re not!" she cried catching up with him.
They got to the D.C. and Snoddy pounded on the office door with his fist. Weasel answered with an annoyed look on his face and said, "What the hell is wrong with you kids?"
Snoddy pushed him out the door and went inside while Lit’l Bit locked it behind him. Oscar and Morris turned to each other with worried glances.
"Which one of you assholes did it?" asked Snoddy. Lit’l Bit had never seen him so angry.
"WHICH ONE!" he bellowed again. "Fine. Then I guess I’ll have to beat the shit out of both of you!" he tackled Morris to the ground and broke his nose with one punch. Blood spurted onto his shirt and Snoddy stood up, yanking Morris up by the collar and slamming him against the wall.
"I’m gonna..." sneered Snoddy but Morris spoke up.
"It was Oscar!" he gasped, his fingers trying to release the grip Snoddy had on his neck. "He... he raped her."
Lit’l Bit turned to Oscar and let her fist fly at his face, sending him reeling onto the floor. She threw another punch at him and almost unhinged his jaw. She kicked him over and over in the stomach and groin till he could barely breathe. With one last blow, he was unconscious and Lit’l Bit kicked him in the balls one last time for good measure.
When they were back, Lit’l Bit saw Spot waiting for her in the lobby and smiled. "What’re you doing here?" she asked, glad that Jack wasn’t around.
"I came to see you. I would’ve come before but I was afraid Jack would kill me. Why didn’t you come to Brooklyn?" he wrapped his arm around her waist to the dislike of Mush and Racetrack.
"Uh, I was a little preoccupied," she admitted and Spot leaned in and kissed her softly.
"Is Jack here?" he whispered.
"No, but Spot... I can’t see you right now."
"Why? What’s wrong?"
"Briar’s not feeling so good and I want to stay with her. I’m sorry. Maybe in another couple of days?" she added hopefully for she really wanted to see him again.
"Of course." He gave her one last kiss and left.
Lit’l Bit sighed and turned to the others. "How’s Briar?"
"David just went up to see her," replied Specs.
Lit’l Bit looked up the stairs and sighed again. I sure hope you can work your magic this time Davie.
David opened the door quietly and saw Briar pulling her shirt over her head. She jumped slightly when the door closed then relaxed.
"You’re out of bed, that’s good," he said smiling nervously at her.
"Yeah. I mean, it happened, it’s over, time to move on, right?" she sighed. "Thanks for helping me out last night. Really." She grinned at him.
"You’re welcome. Really." He watched as she pulled her hair into a ponytail and then shook it out again.
"You’re going out?" he asked.
"Sure. What’s the point of staying indoors?" she walked over to the door but David held her arm.
"Are you sure you’re okay?"
"Dave, I’m fine I promise." She smiled at him and went down the stairs to the others’ surprise.
"Briar, How are you feeling?" asked Lit’l Bit.
"Better. A lot better, actually."
"Briar..." began Lit’l Bit.
"I don’t want to talk about it, end of subject," she said firmly. "Thank you for everything you guys, I mean it." She waved at them before heading out the door.
Lit’l Bit looked over at David.
"Is she really okay?" she asked him
“There’s only one way to find out,” he replied. “I’ll keep an eye on her.”

Briar walked for a while then stopped and let out her breath.
"I’m fine. You didn’t have to follow me." She turned around and saw David grinning sheepishly.
"How’d you know?" he asked falling into step next to her.
"I have eyes in the back of my head," she replied darkly. "That, and I saw your reflection in the store window."
David laughed. "I’m glad you’re yourself again."
"Why shouldn’t I be? I mean, I guess I’m a little shook up about the whole thing but no sense wasting my whole life worrying about it, right?"
"Uh, right. How bout coming over tonight? You know, finish that story for Les," suggested David.
"I’d like that. I’ll be there at..."
"Seven?"
"Seven’s good. See you then."