Broken Dreams(6)

The sound of Claire screaming and grabbing at me brought me back from my vomit-fest. She was looking out the window behind us. I turned around and there was our limo driver, Ray, tearing out Henry’s father’s throat. I turned back to find Henry again, but he wasn’t anywhere to be seen. I started to panic. My body began to shake. I was so fucking scared.

“Henry! Where’s Henry?! What the fuck is happening, Claire?!” I screamed. I knew I shouldn’t have yelled in such a confined space, since Claire’s yelling was getting to me, but I do believe that it was warranted. Then I saw him sprint past the end of the limo, and run toward the other side of the car.

“Oh, my god, Henry! Henry!” I screamed and pounded on the window with the heel of my hand. I felt like I was trapped in a cage. He shot at the driver, but missed as he tripped over his father’s body and fell to the ground. The driver started coming at him, snarling. “Henry!” I felt helpless watching it all unfold in front of me. I wanted to help. I needed to help. “Claire, stay here.” Before she could protest, I unlocked the door and jumped out of the limo.

I could hear her screaming my name. I ran around the limo toward Henry. Before I could get to him, he jumped up, grabbed the gun, and annihilated the driver.

Ray’s head exploded all over. My stomach lurched again. He turned with his gun aimed at me. “Elaina! Damn it, I almost shot you! Get your ass back in the fucking limo! Now!” he bellowed at me.

“What’s going on? Where did you get that gun? Are you all right?” His tuxedo was bloodied, his shirt was torn and he had his mad face on. I looked back at the driver and it dawned on me. “Is…I mean, was that...? Wait.” I put my hands in front of my mouth. My stomach continued to protest. Somehow, I stopped myself from throwing up.

He spoke a little more calmly, “Elaina, please. We need to get to the limo and get out of here.”

“But my mom and dad, Nick, our friends. We have to make sure they are all safe!” I pleaded with him.

“Damn it, Elaina, stop arguing with me! Just get in the fucking limo! I will tell you everything once we get moving!”

“But my parents, my brother. Where are they?”

He tucked the gun in the back of his tux pants and walked over to me. In the midst of the chaos, his face changed from Crazy Henry to the Henry I knew. “Love, please. Just go to the limo. There’s no time.” I did what I was told without protest. There was always a first time for everything.

Claire whipped open the door as soon as I came around to the other side. I watched Henry search the driver’s corpse. He grabbed Ray’s keys and ran to the driver’s door. He was fumbling with them, due to all the gore that was covering his hands.

Claire moved quickly to the door and unlocked it. Henry jumped in, slammed the door, and started the car. I looked around, and it was utter chaos everywhere. I felt the limo lurch forward and we sped away.



***



Henry drove the limo like a pro, cutting around corners closely, but with control and precision. We looked to be heading toward his apartment. Yes, his apartment. Not our apartment, but his apartment.

Henry wanted to be proper and not live together until we were married, even though he spent many nights -- okay, most nights -- in my bed. He said it would please his mother to be proper. I wonder if it would please his mother knowing he wasn’t that good boy she thought he was when he would spend the night. He was actually rather naughty, and I loved that about him.

He looked back at me in the rearview mirror. “Elaina,” he whispered. I looked up at him and started to cry. I don’t cry on a regular basis like some girls…Claire, for instance. There has to be a damn good reason for me to cry, and I’m not talking about a broken nail or a bad hair day.

Thinking about what had happened in the moments before we sped off in the limo, it occurred to me that I wasn’t exactly sure who this guy really was.

Typically, my Henry was gentle, soft spoken, and would only enter conflict when it was absolutely necessary. Unless, of course, he was liquored up and some pervert tried to fondle my goods. The Henry I knew would never kill anyone, or even think about yelling at me.

“Elaina, come up to the window.” I shook my head. I was frightened by him. “Elaina, please. I need to talk to you.” He was begging me.

“You think? I’m staying right here with Claire, thank you very much. I can listen from here.” My sadness turned to pissyness and I narrowed my eyes at him. “Who are you, and what have you done with my Henry?” I snapped.

With part of my dress, I wiped the last tear that trickled down my face. Claire grabbed my hand and we scooted closer together. She put her head on my shoulder and continued to cry.