C.R.I.M.S.O.N

I.N.T.R.O.D.U.C.T.I.O.N

Charlie POV:
"And you must be Charlie? Correct?" Russian man 1 asks.

"Yes. I am Charlie Costa...and you two are?"

"Oh yes. Well this here is my younger brother Oleg. I am Lev. Oleg and Lev Ivanov." He smiles at me with his pearly whites. Obviously veneers. Hate those things. Never really understood how they fit them into your mouth, drilling teeth down, it sounds horrendous.

Russian man 1: Lev
Russian man 2: Oleg

I nod my head out of respect for the men, but i could really use some air. I had been chatting to people since i had left Asher and hadn't managed to squeeze myself out of the hall just yet.

"Well it was nice meeting you, Oleg and Lev, but i need to get going.." I state a bit awkwardly.

"Of course, i hope to hear from you soon." Lev states, it is quite clear who is the talker of the two men. Oleg has said not one thing to me. But stared at me very intensely.

I excuse myself giving a polite hand shake to the russians.

I felt my hands get clammy and fingers begin to shake the longer i spoke to them.

My anxiety medication.

I forgot it. Shit.

I had been on anxiety meds since i was 13, my dad was first to say anything about it and noticed that the older i got, the worse my anxiety got.

And after i killed my mother, which he was still oblivious, it began to cool down.

It's clear as day to me now, that it was the fear of that putrid woman that had made me so feeble and weak. I thought people would see the bruises and cuts. The scars and bags under my eyes. I was so used to being isolated and used by my mother that i had gotten used to the feeling.

And having to be surrounded by people petrified me.
I'm not so bad now, it just happens to rise a little at events like these.

In this case, where i had no medication on me, i would just take myself out of the situation, have a drink (water) and have some fresh air. It's the most cliché remedy but it's very helpful.

I step outside and just breathe.

Let myself just. Be calm. For once.

Recently my mind has been all over the place. Planning events, having to take over the business sooner than later, my side hussle at the diner, Just everything.
I feel so alone and isolated. Just how i used to. Maybe it's just who i am. Who i am meant to be. But i can only pray to be free. Imagine what it's like to just be free. I have everything i could ask for. But i can't help it..

I break down.
I cry to myself silently, tears streaming down my cheeks, small whimpers leaving my lips. The breeze is calm but my mind is in havoc. My hair blows behind me and i just breathe.
Breathe in and out slowly.

one breath.

two breaths.

three breaths.

I calm myself down. Why the fuck am i crying. Fucking pussy, get your shit together.

I wiped my eyes quickly and let out a huff. Walking to the bathroom to sort my makeup out to see if any of it was smudged.

My journey was short lived when i head the main hall blow up in abrupt panic. What the hell?

Glasses smash, furniture breaks and snaps. I can hear the guests screaming and yelping, their shoes slap against the floor as they run to escape whatever is going on.

Me being me i mind my own business and continue walking to the bathroom.

Up until the hallway absolutely concaves inwards almost crushing me. Pieces of glass from the frames on the walls slice my arms. Some more deep than others. Shit i hope they won't scar.

I crawl my way out of the small space and am met with utter chaos. Guns. Blood. Death.

My ears were ringing and i could hardly open my eyes without barricading myself behind something to minimise the shock.

I peer out onto the "battlefield" and see Oleg and Lev. I knew they were odd. Then i see Asher.

Fucking Asher.
ASHER!

He was holding two hand guns, shooting men left and right. His clothes were ripped and torn. Dirt and blood freckles across his face as his hair blew with each slick movement.

He was at deaths door and looked hot.

I think something is wrong with me.

He was positioned in a way that would be hard to get too. Adjacent in the hallway yet had a clear view of what was infront of him.

I let my eyes wander away from Asher for an instant. Bodies of people i spoke to not even an hour ago. Dead and cold on the marble floor.

Horrific.

Some of them were assholes to be fair.

But horrific.

The russian brothers seemed to have more backup than i anticipated. Lined compactly behind Oleg and Lev. They carried large rifles and some of them even grenades strapped to their torsos.

I need to get out of here.

As i go to stand up, my dress is trapped underneath broken stone. I yank hard and nothing. The dress is still stuck.

Option 1: Take the dress off and run out of here naked.

Option 2: Rip the dress.

I went with option two.
I grab my blade from my thigh and slice horizontally across it. I grip the torn fabric and rip it even further so now it is just above my mid thigh.
I dust myself off and stand, cautiously scanning for the best way out.

My eyes fall on the fire exit which's door has been literally blown from its hinges.

I make a run for it. Ignoring the pain in my ankles from the heels crashing against the hard floor. I run as hard and fast as i can.

Then i stop.

My dad.

Where is my dad?!

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AN
We saw a vulnerable side to Charlie today. Thoughts?

Sorry i took so long for this chapter and the fact it isn't the longest.
I have school and some exams coming up so have been abit busy.

I'll try my best to be more frequent.

I love you all <3