Page 15

CHAPTER 14

AURORA

“You seem to be in better spirits today.” Jessa smiles.

It’s our weekly FaceTime therapy session. I promised my dad I would continue working with Dr. Stark since she was already familiar with my case. I didn’t want to find a new psychiatrist who could also do therapy or have to meet with two different people. Besides, I really enjoy Jessa’s demeanor.

“Jaxson brought me a surprise, and for the first time in weeks, I slept without nightmares,” I announce.

“What did he br—” Lykos’ head enters the screen, causing Jessa to gasp. “What the hell is that thing?”

“Wolamute.”

“Is he a wolf?” she whispers.

“He’s half wolf, half Malamute.” I scratch his head. “Down, Lykos.” He lays back down at my feet. “He’s a licensed therapy dog for people with PTSD and a trained guard dog.”

Jessa whistles. “Impressive. So, Jaxson is back?”

“Yep.”

“How do you feel about that?”

How do I feel about that? I hadn’t really thought about it either way. Don’t kid yourself, you want to see him again. Only to thank him… That’s it.

“I mean, I finally got to tell him thanks for rescuing me.” I fidget with my shirt.

This conversation is going down a road I’m not ready to travel. I’m finally starting to feel good, and I don’t want to rip open wounds again. Jessa must sense my withdrawal because she switches gears.

“Do you have any special plans while you stay with your dad?”

I grin. “Actually, I asked Jaxson to teach me self-defense.”

“I think that’s a fantastic idea!”

“My dad taught me the basics growing up,” I say, opening up for the first time. “W-w-when I was with them, I froze. I couldn’t fight back.” I blink back tears, refusing to let them fall.

Jessa straightens in her chair. “Even if you had fought back, no means no, and you were taken against your will.”

“I never want to feel that helpless again.”

“I understand.” She nods. “Promise you’ll be careful and not push yourself too hard. Even though you think you’re ready, some situations that Jaxson may put you in, could trigger you.”

“Promise.”

“Alright.” She glances at her wrist. “That’s our time. I’m very proud of the strides you made in the last two weeks. I can’t wait to hear about your progress next time we speak. You know the drill, if you need anything before then, call me.”

“I will. Thanks, Jessa.” I disconnect the video chat and take a moment to gather my composure before typing in the next number. I cross my fingers, hoping he answers.

“Hello?” A long-haired man with a bushy beard answers.

I stare at him for a moment before I speak. “Are you Yazzie?”

“Who’s asking?” Lykos jumps up and barks at the computer screen. “Lykos! Quiet.” Lykos immediately stops barking, but his tail wags enthusiastically at seeing his old handler.

“Lykos, down,” I command. He sits by my side, watching the screen.

Yazzie clicks his tongue. “You must be Aurora.”

“I am.”

“Lykos is working out for you?”

“He’s amazing, thank you.”

Yazzie smiles. “That’s what I like to hear. What can I do for you?”

I tap my fingers on my desk. I didn’t think this all the way through before I called. “Jaxson said I could call you if I had any questions about Lykos’ training.”

Yazzie cocks his eyebrow. “That’s right. Something wrong?”

I wave my hands frantically. “No… no… nothing like that. How can I teach him to attack a certain body part?”

“Which body part?”

“A dick,” I answer honestly.

Yazzie winces. “Jaxson explained that if you give the g-u-a-r-d command, Lykos will respond and act accordingly, right? He’ll protect you at all costs even if you don’t say it?”

“He did,” I reply. “If Lykos ever feels I’m in enough danger to attack on his own, I want to be able to direct him to an area that will totally incapacitate my assailant.”

“Brutal,” he wheezes. “Alright. Here’s what you do. Lykos already knows certain commands, as you’re aware.” I jerk my chin in agreement. “Good. Now, you need a word that will coincide with the area you want him to attack if you’re ever in that situation. Let’s hope you’re not, though,” he tacks on.

“Crotch!” I blurt.

“Crotch.” He scratches his chin. “I like it, but how about we use the German word for it instead? This way, if you say ‘crotch’ it won’t give your attacker a heads up.”

I snicker. “That’s probably a good idea. What’s the German word?”

“Zwickel,” he replies.

“Zwickel,” I repeat. “Cool. Sounds close to pickle.”

Yazzie’s face turns serious. “Next, you’ll need someone or a dummy for Lykos to practice on.”

“A real person?” Sweat beads on my brow. I never took into consideration that Lykos would actually need real-life training experience. This could be difficult.

“Yep,” he says, popping the ‘p’. “Or a dummy. When you’re targeting a specific body part, the dog needs to know exactly where you want him to aim for. Point and specify the attack, along with the word you’re going to use.”

“Wow.”

“Lykos is pretty smart,” Yazzie brags. “I have no doubt he’ll pick it up in no time. He will become aggressive during training, but that’s what he’s supposed to do. Give him the command to settle and wait him out. Once he’s calm, slowly approach, praise him, and give him a treat.”

“You think I can do this?”

“Definitely,” he confirms. “If not, Jaxson ca?—”

“I’d like to keep this between us for now, if possible,” I say, the words coming out in a rush. “I’ll eventually tell him, but for now, this is something I need to do for myself.”

Yazzie's eyes soften with understanding. “I’ll forward you some training videos I have.”

“That would be great. Thank you.”

“Call me if you have any other questions.” He gives me a mock salute before hanging up.

I rub Lykos’ head. “Looks like you and I have some training to do, buddy.”

Lykos gives a soft bark and licks my hand in response. “First, we’re gonna do our research.”

My fingers dance over the keyboard as I use the program Willow installed on my computer the last time she visited. She’s an extremely talented software engineer. It encrypts all of my files and allows me to search anything on the internet without leaving any trace in my history of what I was looking for.

Thank you, Willow!

The first article I uncover is a bill introduced by Senator Timothy Briggs on human trafficking and how tougher laws need to be instituted to prevent or reduce the growing threat within our nation.

The bill stipulates that the government will boost support and protection for human trafficking victims by increasing law enforcement, providing more services for recovered victims, and strengthening the laws to ensure that both buyers and sellers who engage in sex trafficking are held accountable and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

In one of his speeches, Senator Briggs also pledges to raise money to build rehabilitation homes for victims around the country.

Bile rises up the back of my throat, and I race to the bathroom, crashing to my knees in front of the toilet. I gag between bouts of retching into the bowl. Lykos whines and nudges me with his nose until I lay my hand on his fur. I inhale deeply through my nose and blow out through my mouth until my stomach settles.

That stupid low-life son of a bitch! He’s a goddamn fraud.

After a few minutes, I feel well enough to stand with Lykos’ help. He presses his body against my wobbly legs, steadying me while I grip the counter. I wash my face and rinse out my mouth before returning to my computer.

The more I read, the more my blood boils. Everything the senator claims to stand for, written in black and white in front of me, is a farce. I’ve seen his true colors and bled for him and his cronies. Hell, I was probably even bought and paid for by the American people’s tax money.

A picture in a local paper catches my eye in the corner of my screen. Standing next to the senator, are the remaining assholes who were in that room the night I was broken .

They didn’t break you. Remember what Jaxson said… Don’t let them fucking win .

I grab a piece of paper and pen and jot down the names of the five men staring at me.

Kill List

1) Senator Briggs

2) Terry Potts

3) Cal Jameson

4) James Dows

5) Patrick Tyson

Ping. Ping. Ping.

I glance around for my phone when it goes off again and scoop it off the bed to read.

Jaxson: We can start tomorrow morning. Gun range first?

Jaxson: Do you own a gun?

Jaxson: Nvmd. Your dad’s a general. You have a gun.

Jaxson: Pick you up at six

Jaxson: A.M.

Me: I’ll be ready

Jaxson: See you then

Grinning, I pick up my kill list.

I’m coming for you, assholes.