I've been working at the Faded Cross for over 4 years and it's been quiet the experience for me. My best friend Rex has gotten me through the last 6 years with ease. I've told her my whole life story and she's helped me to better myself. 2 years ago, a man walked into the Cross and listened to me perform and right after closing time he asked me out on a date. I wasn't going to accept his offer because of the love I still have for Zacky but I knew Zacky was probably married or at least had a girlfriend. It has been 6 years. Immediately after my first date, Rex didn't like him and I can now see why.

Xavier, my boyfriend, used to be such a gentleman and everything I wished for but a year into our relationship he started beating me. I would always tell myself that he'll change but Rex's words flow back into my head telling me he never will change. I can see that she's right. One day he loves me to death and the next he cant stand to be around me and beats the shit out of me. Rex has attended to me every time I come to work with a black eye or a busted lip and I will always be indebted to her. I can't leave when I'm 9 months pregnant with his child and could be having the baby any day.

When I told him I was pregnant he beat me worse everyday. I'm in fear for my child's life. When I was 6 months pregnant he beat me for no reason and I told him if he ever did it again I was leaving. He threatened that if I ever leave him, he would hunt me down and kill both me and my child. I walked into the Cross and Rex rushed over to my side.

"What are you doing here?"

"I need a break from Xavier. I told him I had to go to work. Rex...I need your help." I said laying my hand on my stomach.

"Sure anything."

"I want to go back to California." I said sitting down.

"Did he do something to you?!" I turned my head and showed her the burn mark on my face that he put on me with his cigarette.

"He did that?!" I nodded.

"I'll fucking kill him!"

"Rex please I need your help. I need to get my child away from him." I pleaded.

"Don't worry Rae. You're already taken care of."

"What do you mean?" I asked puzzled.

"I've been setting aside some money and I have enough to get you and your child back to California."

"Really?" I said smiling.

"Yes really."

"There's only one problem." I said looking down.

"What?"

"He said if I ever left him he would hunt me and my child down and kill us." I said fighting back to the tears.

"He won't do shit. Wait here." I watched Rex go up on the stage and the whole place went quiet.

"Hey everyone. I just wanted to tell you that the Cross will be staying open 2 hours later tonight. Now for some entertainment. Jason will you help Rae to the stage." I seen Rex go behind the curtain and pull out a stool as Jason, one of the bouncers, helped me to the stage where I sat down. I adjusted the microphone.

"How are you guys doing tonight?" I asked and the crowd cheered loudly.

"That's good. Tonight's first song is Everything Changes by Staind." Rex hit the button for music and I began singing.

If you just walked away
What could I really say?
Would it matter anyway?
Would it change how you feel?

I am the mess you chose
The closet you can not close
The devil in you, I suppose
'Cause the wounds never heal

But everything changes if I could
Turn back the years if you could
Learn to forgive me
Then I could learn to feel

Sometimes the things I say
In moments of disarray
Succumbing to the games we play
To make sure that it's real

But everything changes if I could
Turn back the years if you could
Learn to forgive me
Then I could learn to feel

When it's just me and you
Who knows what we could do?
If we can just make it through
The toughest part of the day

But everything changes if I could
Turn back the years if you could
Learn to forgive me
Then I could learn how to feel

Then we could stay here together
And we could conquer the world
If we could say that forever Is more than just a word
If you just walked away
What could I really say?
And would it matter anyway?
It wouldn't change how you feel

I sang a few more songs before leaving the stage with the help of Jason and sitting down at the bar.

"Can I get you anything? Hungry? Thirsty?"

"I would love one of your famous cheeseburgers and a Dr. Pepper." I said smiling.

"Of course." Rex went over to the small window and told her husband Raphael to fix me a cheeseburger just the way I like it. She came back over to me with a glass filled with Dr. Pepper and I started drinking some.

"Turn you phone so he won't be calling you."

"What if he come here?" I said in fear.

"Let him come here. He lays one finger on you and Jason, Mike, Donny, and Leo will be holding him down until the police arrive."

"You planned all of this didn't you?" I asked.

"Maybe."

"Rex, you're going to get me killed." I said in panic.

"Rae relax. All the guys will keep an eye on you."

"You sure?" I asked.

"I'm damn sure." I took out my phone and turned it off as Rex went to get my food. She sat down the plate in front of me and I couldn't help but smile. Raphael has always given me tons of fries since I became pregnant. I grabbed the burger and took a huge bite out of it.

"Oh God Rex! This is still so fucking amazing!" I said with a mouthful.

"You want ranch?" I nodded eating more of the delicious meat. Rex opened the fridge and got me a small container filled with Ranch Dressing. I took it from her eagerly and dipped the fries into it. It was still so good!

"Enjoying yourself?" I gave her a thumbs up and she laughed. When I finished my plate, Rex took it and Jason helped me back to the stage.

I sat back down on the stool and started singing for the crowd again. An hours after closing time, I was getting nervous about Xavier showing up. I finished up another song and looked at the door as Xavier walked through staring hatefully at me. Rex saw this and whispered something to the guys and they watched him intently.

"This last son before I take a break is called Nutshell." I said into the Mic.

We chase misprinted lies
We chase the tracks of time
And yet, I fight
And yet, I fight
This battle all alone
No one to cry to
No place to call home
Oooh... oooh... Oooh... oooh...

My gift of self is raped
My privacy is raked
And yet, I find
And yet, I find
Repeating in my head
If I can't be my own
I'd feel better dead
Oooh... oooh... Oooh... oooh...

I finished the song and walked off stage and Xavier approached me.

"Why the fuck didn't you answer you phone?"

"I can't have it near the stage and besides it's dead." I said cowering.

"Come with me." he grabbed my arm roughly and Rex followed us with the guys right behind her. Xavier pushed open the back door and backhanded me in the face.

"I highly doubt your phone is dead. You stupid bitch." he punched me in the face and I fell to the ground hitting my head on the hard pavement.

"I'll teach you to fucking lie to me." he kicked me several times in the ribs and the gut. I seen Jason, Mike Donny, and Leo all tackle Xavier to the ground and preventing him from getting up.

Rex rushed over to me and the pin in my stomach became unbearable. I could feel a warm liquid running down my leg and Rex looked down and picked up her phone.

"I'm calling an ambulance and police." Rex dialed 911 and I could feel my eyes getting heavy.

"Rae don't you close your eyes!" I felt her tap lightly on my cheek but my eyes wouldn't stay open. I could hear sirens and then nothing. I was out.

Notes

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