This is my second installment of this story. This story will get a little dark because it pulls from personal experiences. I hope this does not turn you away and if anything, encourages you to read more into this. A lot of you will notice I have switched it from first person to third person. It just made for an easier moment to kind of fade in the back ground and see this better. Thank you so much for your emails and comments and without any further ado:
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Cold, sinister, coal eyes pierced into her body as the demon rammed her body into the wall, over and over. The grip around her neck, cutting off her only source of life, became tighter with every growing second. Grappling against his arms in a weak attempt to breathe, the darkness creeping over her like a funeral shroud, she struggled with all her might.
She tasted blood on her tongue as it rushed in her ears. The tormentor watched her, laughing in this foolish attempt for freedom. If she just understood that her life was now forfeit, this could all be so much easier on her.
"Till death, bitch. Till death do us part. Remember that vow? That's why you can't leave me. I own your soul and all that surrounds it. Since you now desire freedom, I will grant your request. Thank me, your god, for being so merciful."
Her heart beating faster as sheer terror took over. The demon eyes flared with a cursed fire as it wallowed in her feeble attempt to live. Maniacal laughter echoed in time and space.
"I SAID THANK ME BITCH......me bitch.......me bitch........bitch......"
Jade shot up in bed, shaken from head to toe, sweating profusely. Taking deep breaths, she had to force this panic attack under control. "God, nightmares. I hate nightmares."
Getting up finally, she showered to get ready for her day. Staring down at the scars on her body, she knew the story behind each one. Tracing over the burns, starting with the ones she received from cooking in the kitchen, to the ones from battles with psoriasis, down to the ones from early child hood across her wrists. However, the ones that would remind of the cruelty of evil men would be the one under her left rib, the one radiating down the right thigh and the one faintly under her neck. Shaking over the guilt, she finished her daily routine, heading out the door.
Opening the door, she goes around welcoming her workmates as she suits up. She has worked at this French Bistro, Zest for Life, for four years, initially starring as a waitress and working up to sous chef.
"Customers have been requesting that you bring back the Roasted Garlic and Vegetable soup with Gruyere shavings. Should we make it the weekend special?" Laurie remarks as she walks over and plops the prep list in front of her.
"Well its either that or the Heirloom Tomato Basil Bisque. Just got a good deal from one of our local farmers and I really want to try this cheese aperitif with Local cane Gouda with the greens dressed in a Pear and Strawberry Vinaigrette and Midnight Moon Goat Cheese."
Jade loved the kitchen. She didn't have to think of anything but pleasing her customers. She loved new recipes and definitely ones that encouraged her community. More farmers were starting to bring their best crops to the little bistro and more restaurants were following in her foot steps.
"Has Chef Myron and Chef Laurent called today? We were supposed to talk about the class we were gonna run a class on the history of cuisine." Laurie spoke up from the various salad dressings she was preparing for this evening.
"He called me yesterday. You and I need to sit down after the lunch rush and bang out what three items we are bring to the table. Oh! What music are we rocking out today?" Jade asks as she walks over into the cooler to start working on the Pork Loin special for that night.
Laurie smirks and walks over to her massive CD collection. Both women had very eclectic tastes in music, Jade more heavy metal and J pop and Laurie more hip hop and electronica, but she brought something that not even Jade would suspect. She pops in the CD and immediately the first notes ring out.
Jade pops her head from the cooler. "OH MY GOD! IS THAT MAXIMUM the HORMONE?" Zetsubou Billy blaring over the speakers.
Laurie had been shopping and saw this CD and immediately thought of her chocolate heavy metal diva. "You do know that CD is for you right?" Laurie laughing out loud as she walks over to Jade, hugging her tight. "You would do the same for me girl, I'm just beating you to the punch."
"Thank you, Laurie. Thanks for everything. Okay! We gotta get back to it!"
Jade hugged her back with fervor as she starts working on the pork loin for a Roasted Pork dish glazed with homemade Peach Chutney. Lunch and dinner went by without too many hiccups as they clean up and get ready to go home. Looking down at her cell phone, she noticed two calls from Mitch and a voice mail. Calling her voice mail, she couldn't help but break out in a smile as he croons how much he misses her and wanting to know when they could go out on an official date. It had been a week since that wonderful night and like love sick puppies, they made sure they at least messaged or called each other once a day. She had been hesitant to go forward with her heart and the nightmares like this morning didn't help. Too many memories.
When she got home, she goes to her kitchen, putting on a pot of green mint tea and prepared her bubble bath. She was off tomorrow and wanted to start it right. Checking to make sure none of her scars are open or bleeding, she takes her cup of tea, her phone and sets the mood with music from Cowboy Bebop by Yoko Kanno. Slowly stepping into the bath, she settles in for a bit before calling Mitch.
"Hey, handsome? How was your day?" Jade's body warming up, anticipating his voice.
"Its been okay, but its better now that you called me. What are you doing?" Mitch's heart sped up just a little.
"Oh nothing but sitting in my bubble bath, thinking of you. What about you?" Jade voice dropped a little as scenes of that night runs through her mind.
