‘Will you tell me?'
I genuinely wanted to know why she looked haunted. Her eyes were hooded and hid something from the world. My own demons stayed locked away behind the drugs. When they were released, they were ugly.
‘I don't know, maybe one day.'
Her statement was a promise that I wanted her to keep. My brothers and sisters didn't understand me. Something about Kerry made me believe that she would. I would never tell Sophie what haunted me. I had never told anyone what made me drown myself in drugs and sorrow. Kerry seemed like a fellow lost soul. A friend that wouldn't judge me for hiding the truth about myself.
‘I'll hold you to that,' I whispered, reaching out and placing my hand over her arm gently.
Her smile was wonky as our eyes met, but she quickly looked away.
‘Until then, I need to figure out a way to get out of here. My joint is calling me from my bedroom.'
Standing, I took her plate and went into the kitchen. The water splashed everywhere as I rinsed them in the sink and put them away.
‘It's weird seeing you do domestic work,' Kerry said from behind me.
I let myself laugh as she folded her arms across her chest. The simple gesture caused her cleavage to deepen. No matter how hard I tried to avert my eyes, I couldn't.
‘Have you heard from Sophie this morning?'
My gaze shot to hers. I hadn't thought about Sophie at all. I had been so worried about getting drugs, I hadn't even thought about my new girlfriend. Squeezing past her, I stood in front of the window and got my phone out of my pocket.
‘Oh no!' The words left my lips as my gaze caught sight of Nick's men down by the station.
‘What is it?'
My heartbeat tripled as I watched one of Nick's men put his arm around a blonde haired woman. She moved slightly and her full face came into view.
‘Isn't that Sophie?' Kerry gasped.
My fist was clenched around my phone. Sophie's back was straight. Her eyes darted around as she fiddled with the hem of her jumper. People rushed past them, ignoring the couple that lounged against the wall.
‘What are they doing?' Kerry was leaning on the window, her forehead pressed against the glass through the net.
‘They're using her as bait.' I swallowed hard. The saliva in my throat had dried up so I grabbed the black tea that Kerry had made and downed it.
‘Okay, calm down,' Kerry said as I swore from the burning liquid.
///
How dare they put someone in danger because of me? Why was I so important to them?
Sophie's gorgeous face was pale. Her hair was messy, which meant they took her against her will. She would never go anywhere without doing her hair first.
‘I need to go down there. You stay here,' I said, leaving the window.
Going into the kitchen, I grabbed a sharp knife and put it in my pocket. Hopefully I wouldn't have to use it, but I would do anything to protect Sophie.
I was at the front door in two steps. Kerry was beside me in three.
‘What are you doing? Stay here!' I forced myself not to punch the door as she looked up at me.
‘I can't stay here. I'm going to help!'
Her eyes were wide. Her whole body was tight and ready for action. I wasn't going to put her in danger, too.
‘Please, Kerry. I need you to stay here.' I cupped the back of her upturned head and squeezed gently.
Her breath grew faster and she went to pull away. I put my other hand on her shoulder to stop her from moving.
‘I know you don't know me well but please trust me. I need you to stay here and watch from the window. Ring Cancer and tell her what's happening. Get her to send Aries down here to rescue you and Sophie. Okay?'
Her throat moved as she swallowed. My eyes traced the movement. She was a good friend now. Being trapped with her for twenty four hours had made us form a bond unlike any I had experienced before.
‘Okay. Please be careful.'
Nodding once, I took my hands away from her warm skin and opened the door. I heard the click of the lock behind me and felt my muscles relax. At least I would only have to rescue one woman.
‘Taurus?'
The shout came from the other side of the door.
‘What?'
I leant my head against it to listen to her answer. I could tell she did the same when her muffled voice came through it. ‘I'll tell you my dark secret, when you tell me yours.'
The sentimental words made my skin heat up and my heart beat faster. What made her want to share her secret with me? I was a waste of space.
‘Deal!' I shouted back, pushing away from the door.
My phone was still in my hand. I dialled Gemini as I skipped down the stairs, two at a time.
‘What do you want?'
‘That's a nice way to greet your brother,' I replied.
His chuckle was seductive, which meant he was with a woman. His showmanship was excellent whenever he was with a fine lady.
‘I'm in trouble. Nick's men have Sophie, so I'm going in. I just need you to do me a favour. Aries will know soon and come storming down here. You need to be the cool one. I'm going to Nick. I want to speak to him-'
‘Taurus, don't be a fool!' Gemini had woken up. His tone changed. I was about to hang up the phone when he said something that I never thought I would hear. ‘We need you.'
The step slipped out from under me as I faltered on the concrete stairs. I stayed upright, but my head started to spin.
‘No you don't. I'll be perfectly fine. I want to talk to him, that's all. Aries said we couldn't kill each other, so there's no need to worry. I need you to get Sophie and take her to a safe place. They obviously think she's my … '
I couldn't voice it. How could I say the words out loud when I didn't even believe in it?
‘Twin Flame?' He sounded calm, but I heard the shake of his voice. ‘Who would've thought that the mighty, meaty Taurus would find a woman that-'
‘Shut up! She's just a woman. A fine one at that. I don't want her in any danger. When Aries brings her back to the house, will you take her somewhere safe?'
The truth was, I had made my decision. Seeing Sophie cringing away from Nick's man was enough to make me want to break his neck. It was also enough to put me off women for life. I would never again let a woman be in that position because of me.
‘Yes, I'll do that.'
The bottom step loomed. I paused to catch my breath.
‘Thank you.'
‘Taurus?' His voice was breathy. He was acting already. ‘Don't do anything stupid.'
‘Me? How could you even think that?' I laughed. ‘Stupid is far too intelligent to come near me.'
My footsteps echoed as I went to the communal door and pushed it open. The blast of noise from the street made me smile. My nerves made my whole body shake. The adrenaline was a welcome boost. The drugs never made me feel this good. I was ready for a fight.
‘Excuse me, can you tell me how to get to Victoria?' someone asked as I paused on the pavement.
The men were directly opposite where I stood. They caught sight of me as I came into view. Their backs straightened as they stepped forward. Sophie hadn't noticed me. She tried to rip her arm away from the man that gripped it.
///
‘Yes, there's a map just inside the tube station over there. Come, I'll show you,' I replied, taking the woman's arm and crossing the road. Nick's men stepped back when I approached. I hated using the innocent as a shield, but it worked.
‘Taurus!' Sophie's squeak was silenced as Nick's man put his arm around her neck and pulled her to him. His lips crushed hers and she went still.
‘You're such a nice young man,' the woman said.
I smiled and nodded, keeping one eye on the steps to the tube and the other on Nick's men. They stood back, watching my every move. They each had one hand in a pocket, probably holding weapons, ready to respond if I attacked.
‘Thank you!' the woman said as I pointed out the tube station.
She went on her way and I stayed where I was.
‘Take me to Nick,' I called.
People rushed between us into the tube station. My words hit the crowd, but one of the men raised his eyebrows. Sophie was still locked in a fake kiss with the other one. The man that had heard me smacked his arm, so he released her. She spluttered as she glanced at me.
‘Come here, then,' the man without Sophie called.
The knife was heavy in my pocket. I didn't want to use it in the street. I didn't want to use it at all. But I would if I had to.
‘Let her go first,' I shouted.
One passing man glanced at me. He quickly shuffled on when I snarled at him.
‘This isn't the best place to talk,' the other man shouted.
I shrugged, uninterested in our surroundings. The more open we were, the less likely they would be to hurt Sophie.
‘You have my word that as soon as you let her go, I will come with you.'
The man holding Sophie stepped back as curious glances looked our way. Most of them shuffled past, keeping their heads down. People were such sheep. And my siblings wondered why I thought robots would be better than humans? They were too scared to even question what might be happening.