Tammy’s POV:
“Lets get this over with stubby.” I said to Johnny hopping up on the hospital bed. “Don’t tell me you’re going start on me too?” he asked with a slight smirk. “Not my fault you’re a gnome.” I said smiling wide. He chuckled and shook his head. I was getting my stitches out today. Its been about a week since I got here. I’m not sure what I’m going to be doing around here. I know I will still be playing at the club, but surely that’s not all. Brian pushed back the opening date to give me time to heal. He also notified the rest of the band since first practice would be pushed back too.
“Here you are.’ Brian said walking into the infirmary. “What’s up?” I asked. “Matt wants to see you in his office.” he said. “Let him know she’ll be done in about 10 minutes.” Johnny said not looking up from the stitches he was removing. Brian nodded even though Johnny didn’t see. He sent me a wide smile before he left. He’s been so nice to me. I’m beginning to think that the things I have heard are a lie. I’m not sure though. He may be just trying to get into my pants. I haven’t been with anyone in 4 years. Not since Miles. If it wasn’t for Jacoby I probably would hate sex all together, but we loved each other, and it was different with him. I didn’t feel with Miles as what I did with Jacoby. Miles gained my trust in rehab. He was a volunteer there, and seemed like he cared. He ended up sponsoring me once the money Jacoby left me ran out. We started dating after I got out of rehab, and he let me move in with him. He helped me to get back on my feet. I had a job, and things went well for awhile. Until I opened up completely to him, and he started manipulating my broken self-esteem.
“Is there any medications you’re on that need to be maintained?” Johnny asked pulling me out of my thoughts. “Just birth control.” I said. I may not have been with anyone in awhile, but you never know what could happen. He nodded. “Which one?” He asked headed to a tall cabinet. “The shot.” I told him. Watching him, I seen him pull out another small clear bottle of something and a syringe. “Um why do you have that in a house full of guys?” I asked. He just shrugged before injecting the shot into my hip. “Ok you’re all done here.” He said tossing the syringe in the Sharps container. “Sweet.” I said hopping off the bed. “Before you go, I got a quick question?” he said. I turned to face him. “Do you suffer from any Post Traumatic Stress?” he asked. “Just nightmares.” I said. He nodded. “Why?” I asked. “Well living in this house, I needed to know just in case.” he said. I nodded, and headed towards Matt’s office.
I knocked on his closed office door. “Come in.” I heard him from inside. I opened the door to see Matt behind his desk, and Brian in a chair in front of it. They smiled at me. “Have a seat.’ Matt said motioning to the chair next to Brian. I sat down, and there was a slight awkward silence for a moment. “I suppose you’re wondering what you’re going to be doing around here.” he started. “Thought never crossed my mind.” I joked earning some smiles. “First I wanna make clear that you won’t be here forever. You’re not a slave, nor will you be treated as one.” he stated. Ok that makes me feel better. “However, to avoid that your fathers debt needs to be paid off.” Awesome. If you could see me now you’d be wondering how I could get my eyes to roll that high. “Could you please not call him that?” I asked flatly. He gave me a sad nod. “So what’s this mean?” I asked getting back on subject. “Well the fastest way we could think of to pay this down is if you play at the club for free starting out.” Brian chimed in. That wouldn’t be to bad. “Ok. I can live with that, at least I can still have fun.” I said receiving smiles. “What else?” I asked. “We haven’t really thought of much.” Matt said. “We thought about a live in maid for awhile, but with the shows and practice it would only be like 3 days a week that you could do that.” Brian said. “I don’t care I can do that too.” I said. They looked at me a little surprised. “Whatever will get this paid faster.” I said quietly. They nodded. “Anything else?” I asked. “Eager to leave?” Matt questioned. “Sooner its paid the sooner I can get back to my life.” I stated. I saw a slight look of disappointment come across Brian’s face, but it was gone as quickly as I noticed. “No we haven’t thought of much else.” Matt told me. I nodded. “Open to suggestion?” I asked. “Always.” Matt said. “I can hustle.” I said. Surprised smiles, such wonderful smiles. “You play pool?” Brian asked. “Yea kind of a family tradition.” I said. “You ever hustled before?” Matt asked. “What do you think he made me do during the day,” I said kind of bitter, “sure as hell wasn’t going to school.” I said softly looking down. “I’ll think about it.” Matt said, before excusing me.
I made my way back up to my room. I’ve spent the most time up here these past few days. Not really been in the social mood, but I sure as hell am enjoying the view from my balcony. Jimmy hangs with me out here sometimes. He said he has been working on drums for some of my songs, but I’m not allowed to hear any of it till he’s done. He told me like computer code, drums help him calm his fast pasted, slightly on the insane side, but in a good way, mind. I think if there is anyone here I’m going to like, it’s him.
Not soon after I closed the door I heard a knock. Really I just got in here. I opened it to reveal Johnny holding several tubes of something. “What do you wanna dope me up with now doc?” I asked with a smirk stepping aside so he could step in. He chuckled shaking his head as he entered. “Nothing. I forgot to give you this before you left.” he said handing me five tubes of some cream. “What is it?” “Apply it twice a day for as long as you want. It will reduce the appearance of the scars,” he explained pausing, “New and old.” he finished. I looked up at him. “Really they make shit for that?” I always figured you had to let them fade. I mean yea there were creams and lotions that claimed they could, but none of it ever worked. Trust me I’ve tried. “It’s not readily available, but we have our ways.” he said with a grin. I smiled. “And it really works?” I asked hopeful. “I guarantee it.” he said “Thank you.” I said with a smile that he returned. “You’re welcome.” he said heading for the door. “I have more if you need.” he said before walking out closing the door behind him. I’m going to rip that gnome in half if this shit doesn’t work. Ok probably not, but I will be upset for getting my hopes up. All I’ve ever wanted was to get rid of these constant reminders of my past. I’m tired of hiding. This better work short-shit.
*Knock, knock. Oh come on really. “Hey Jimmy.” I greeted with a smile. “I’m done.” he sang out. I knew exactly what he was talking about. “Lets go.” I said grabbing his hand, and taking off down the hall. Moments later we were in the music room. “Which one first?’ I asked picking up my guitar. “The long one.” he said with a grin. “It’s not that long.” “It’s 3 seconds shy of 11 minutes.” “Is that a problem?” “Nope.” he said with a wide smile. He pushed a button on a remote, and soon I heard my bass line play. I smiled wide as I listened to Jimmy’s drums. Such a talent that one there. Hope Jason will be able to play this.
“Can I ask you a question?” he asked as I started playing. “You just did.” I said with a smirk. He chuckled, and shook his head. “What really happened with Miles?” he asked. “Everything I told the cops.” I said flatly. I hate talking about this shit. I hate being looked at like a victim. I’m not a victim, I’m a survivor. “How did it start?” he asked. I sighed, I guess I should just get it over with. “A year and a half into the relationship he asked me to dance for him,” I started “I didn’t think anything of it. I mean if you had a girl that could dance for you, wouldn’t you ask?” He nodded. “About a month later he started inviting his friends over. I wanted to stop, but he insisted.” I said as my voice started to crack. “He played at my low self-esteem. Told me how beautiful I was, and how much he liked showing me off.” I said as I regained my composure. “I started loosing time.” I said. “Loosing time?” he questioned still annihilating his amazing drum beat. “One minute I would be dancing, the next waking up the next day usually naked….” I trailed off quietly. I didn’t notice that we had stopped playing. I didn’t notice the look of rage sweeping into Jimmy’s eyes. I just stared at the floor as I finished. “I started to develop a tolerance to the drug they were using. One night I woke up. Four of them including Miles, standing around watching as his friend fucked me.” I choked out as the tears started to flow silently down. I heard a crack, breaking my gaze from the floor I looked at Jimmy. His expression was angry and cold. I saw one of his drum sticks snapped in two. The top still slightly attached as it hung over his hand. He wasn’t looking at me just strait ahead. He didn’t notice me stand and walk to him. Not till I put my hand on his arm as I said his name, did he look at me his expression softening instantly. “You broke your stick.” I said with a small smile. He let out a breathy chuckle, and stood enveloping me into a Jimmy hug. “Sorry for asking.” he said softly. “Don’t be. It’s just nice to know someone believes me.” I said melting into his hug. No one ever believed me. I was just a former prostitute with a previous drug addiction. They were five outstanding citizens. Even with the evidence it was still my word against theirs.

Brian’s POV:
I peeked into the music room as Jimmy pulled her in for one of his infamous hugs. I heard every word. I remember this case. I watch the news like a hawk. One of the businesses we do is bring justice to those that deserve it. Usually the victims or the family come to us, and for a price we’ll bring down the hammer of justice. As long as they are truly guilty. The Berry’s comb through every case brought too us, and only till they approve do we act. She never came to us. I know now cause she avoided the gangs. I even sent her a card. A simple business card with a deathbat on the front, We can bring you justice, written on the back, but she never contacted us. That’s how I found my location for Gates of Syn actually. It’s only five blocks away now that I remember.
I quickly made my way to Matt’s office. She was going to get justice weather she asked for it or not. His door was open slightly, I walked in. He was sitting with his back turned watching the security monitor for the music room. I sat in a chair in front of his desk. “I heard the music playing and turned these on to listen.” he said not facing me. “She deserves justice.” I said. “Then lets give her justice.” he said turning his chair an evil grin on his face. I couldn’t help but smirk. I already knew they were guilty. I had the Berry’s follow the case 4 years ago. Matt sent a text out to all the guys, and soon all 7 of us were spread throughout his office.
“We got a new job to do,” Matt started “it’s kind of different from the rest.” he said. “We will need everyone on this there are five of them we have to subdue.” he stated. Jimmy’s head perked up with a wicked grin. “Say it’s them,” he jumped up waving his hands in the air preaching like he was at church, “Lord say it’s them.” We all chuckled at him. “It’s them.” Matt confirmed. “Yesss.” he said bringing down his fist as he pulled his elbow back. “Who?” Zacky questioned. “Where’s Tammy?” I asked “In her room.” Jimmy said making sure the door was closed. “Tammy’s ex and his friends.” I told Zack. “Is this that case you had us follow a few years ago?” JB asked. I nodded. “But she never came to us.” MB said. “She’s here now.” I stated. They just nodded. “Does she know about this?” Johnny questioned. “No.” Matt said giving everyone a don’t say a word look. “Probably a not good idea. Something tells me she wouldn’t approve.” I said. They nodded. We didn’t need to go into details about the case everyone already knew. “Jimmy I need you to work your magic, and find all you can on these assholes.” Matt said as we started discussing the plan. “Aye, aye, Captain.” he said giving Matt a salute, and pulling out his phone. “Once we have their location.” “LA.” Jimmy interrupted Matt not looking up from his phone. I chuckled. “Ok. You two,” Matt said pointing to the Berry’s, “pack for LA. You’ll be following them, and getting to know their routine.” he explained. “Focus on one at a time till you have it down. Then befriend them.” he said pausing. The Berry’s were good at making friends. People find them easy to be around. They nodded. “Zack, Jimmy I need you two to find a location for the job, and rig it with all kinds of fun things to play with.” he said grinning. They returned the grins as they nodded. “Once you’ve gained their trust notify me, and we’ll prepare for our arrival.” he continued. “You think it’s a good idea to leave Tammy here by herself?” Johnny questioned. “She’s a big girl. She can take care of herself.” I said. “Yea but with everything she’s been through…” he trailed off. “She’s spent the past 4 years by herself, I think she’ll be alright.” I said. He nodded. “Besides she’ll have the lockdown button if she doesn’t feel safe.” Matt said. The lockdown button released steel bars and slabs down over all the doors and windows. It also locked all doors and windows. The only way out is a hidden tunnel down in the basement that leads just outside the property in case if for some reason shit got hairy around here and we had to abandon house. “I want to subdue them all together. So I need everyone,” Matt said sternly, “They want to play together, they can suffer together.”

Notes

Oooo some people are going to die. 10 points to whomever can guess the song Jimmy was playing. I was conflicted on the time because my computer says 10.57 mins and my phone says 10.56 and I cant find my CD case.