Unforgettable Melody - S01 E44

Story 6 hours ago

Unforgettable Melody - S01 E44

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 44

As the slow number came to an end, Mike decided to take a break with a glass of water back at their table. The band resumed their up-tempo music, and Melody danced her way over to Darcy and Stephen. Encouraging Stephen to take a break, the two girls hung together on the dance floor for a few numbers. Stephen, meanwhile, returned to the table, beginning to down another beer in record time. Turning to Mike, he asked as casually as he was able, “So how the hell does a guy like you land a catch like that? I mean, seriously, she’s an absolutely perfect piece of ass! I bet she fucks like a pro…”

Containing his anger so as not to provoke Stephen further, Mike replied, “Just lucky, I guess. Of course, to quote Seneca, ‘Luck is where preparation meets opportunity,’ though I’m not sure how it’s possible to be fully prepared for a girl like Melody.”

“Whatever, man,” Stephen mumbled, slipping back into his moody demeanor. Darcy walked up to the table a moment later, grabbing a glass of water as the band took a break. Melody hung out near the stage, chatting with the girl on backing vocals about their music.

“I’m gonna go take a piss,” Stephen stated, walking off towards the bathroom.

Turning to Mike, Darcy said, “I gotta say, your girlfriend’s somethin’ else. Sweet, smart, and a lot of fun.”

“You got that right,” Mike replied, chuckling.

“As your friend,” she continued, “I’m advising you to proceed carefully. You don’t deserve to get hurt again. However, I’m not blind to the way you two look at each other. I can tell you’re serious about her, and, unless she’s the greatest liar in the universe, she feels the same about you.” She looked him dead in the eye, saying, “You take care of her. Don’t ever change. The guy you are today is exactly the kind of guy she deserves.”

Squeezing her hand in gratitude, Mike replied with a smartass grin, “Thanks Mom.”

Laughing, she punched him in the shoulder. “You know what I mean!”

“Yeah, yeah. In all seriousness, I appreciate it, Darcy. Thanks.”

“She’s really… perceptive,” Darcy continued. “When I told her that you’re exactly the kind of guy she deserves, she said the same thing right back to me…”

“Really?” Mike asked, his ears perking up.

Before they could continue their conversation, the band had started their next set of the night. As they looked over and saw Melody on the dance floor, Stephen returned from the restroom. However, rather than joining them at the table, he started making his way towards Melody. Clumsily attempting to dance with her, she moved to create a bit of separation between them. Stephen was having none of it, roughly grabbing her wrist to pull her close to him, a look of protest and displeasure clearly on Melody’s face as she tried to resist.

“What the hell?!” Darcy exclaimed, rushing after them before Mike could even think of slowing her down. Arriving on the dance floor, she attempted to pull him off of Melody, shouting, “Stephen! Let her go!”

Stephen grabbed Darcy’s shirt collar in a drunken rage, snarling, “Sorry, bitch. I’m trading up.” He pushed her backwards, causing Darcy to land square on her butt with a thump.

“Hey, asshole! Get your hands off her!” Mike threatened as he arrived on the dance floor. Stephen paid him no attention, possibly not hearing him over the music, and was solely focused on corralling Melody by grabbing both of her wrists harshly. “I said,” Mike continued, grabbing his arm and forcing him to release Melody, “Let. Her. Go.”

Stephen glared at Mike, seething with anger and jealousy. “All right, shithead, now you get yours!” Stephen growled. He lunged at Mike with a wild swing of his arm, which Mike evaded easily. This first swipe created enough space for Melody to rush over to Darcy, helping her off the floor and safely away from the fight. Stephen continued his drunken assault attempts on Mike, but was still unable to land a single punch.

As Mike continued to dodge, he paid attention to Stephen’s movements and tendencies, looking for an opening. Suddenly, Stephen charged forward, attempting to tackle Mike to the ground. Mike simply sidestepped, grabbing Stephen’s arm as he passed and swinging him around to throw him off balance. He was momentarily disoriented, but quickly focused his attentions back on Mike, going in for another haymaker. His attack was much more telegraphed this time, however, and Mike simply grabbed onto Stephen’s fist, circling around him with the momentum of the haymaker, eventually using Stephen’s own motion to land him square on his back. Mike pinned Stephen’s right arm to the floor with his left knee, placing his right foot firmly on his chest to hold him in place until help arrived.

“Congratulations, asshole,” Mike growled in his ear. “You just lost the only girl who ever gave a DAMN about you!” Stephen struggled under him, attempting to push Mike’s foot and knee off of him, but to no avail. Just then, an off duty police officer arrived, having been alerted by Melody and Darcy.

“The guy on the ground, officer. That’s him,” Darcy said.

“I’m Officer Jones. Did he hurt you, son?” the large black man asked. Mike shook his head no, keeping his eyes on Stephen. “Well, in that case, I can’t actually arrest him. But I can keep him here and take his keys until he sobers up.”

Handing Stephen’s keys to the officer, Mike responded, “That’ll do. Thank you very much, officer.” Slowly standing, he released Stephen from the ground. He was still mad, but far too drunk and dazed from the fight to continue his assault.

Turning to the girls, the officer said, “Ladies, if there are any further incidents with this gentleman, I would highly recommend a restraining order, for your own protection and peace of mind if nothing more.”

“I don’t think he will be any problem from here on, Officer Jones, but thank you,” Melody replied, glaring at Stephen the whole time. “If anything else does come up, rest assured we will take legal action.”

The officer shook Mike’s hand and bid the trio goodnight before helping Stephen up to sit on a nearby chair. As Mike rejoined the girls, Darcy was clearly shaken from the experience, rubbing her temples as Melody comforted her.

“It’s getting late, and we’ve had too much excitement for one night. We should probably head home,” Mike advised.

Melody nodded in agreement. “I’ve gotta be honest, I don’t think you or Darcy are in any state of mind to drive safely right now. I think we should let her crash on the couch tonight, and we’ll bring her back to get her car in the morning. What do you think?”

Before Darcy could even attempt a protest, Mike replied, “Done. Just let me go talk to the manager to make sure they won’t tow her car. He goes to my church, so it should be just fine.”

After a quick chat with Jim, the manager on duty, Mike confirmed that Darcy’s car would be safe for the night. Mike held the door open for the girls as they walked to the parking lot, Melody’s arm around Darcy’s shoulder the whole time. Reaching Mike’s CR-V, Melody hopped into the driver’s seat while Mike opened the passenger door for Darcy. Momentarily considering telling him to ride in the front, the look in his eyes told her she had no chance. With a stubborn, yet grateful sigh, she climbed into the front passenger seat, Mike sliding into the seat behind her.

As Melody drove them home, Darcy was clearly beating herself up for the entire situation. “I should never have gotten back together with him,” she moaned quietly.

“It’s not your fault,” Melody assured her. “None of this is.”

Shaking her head, Darcy continued, “I knew he had a temper. I had already broken up with him once for it, but I was stupid and believed his lies. I let him back into my life. I mean, if he had hurt Mike…”

“Darcy, hush,” came Mike’s voice from the back seat. “All you did was try to see the good in him. He made his choices,” he said, gently rubbing her shoulders from behind. “He chose to show you who he really was, rather than let you help him become better than that. He chose to assault Melody. He chose to push you. He chose. Not you. What Melody said was right: You deserve a great guy. Better than he is capable of being. Now, you have the chance to look for that guy. You owe it to yourself to find him.”

Nodding in agreement, Melody chimed in, “And we’ll help you. However you need us, we’re here for you.”

The rest of the ride home was quiet, but Darcy seemed slightly more relaxed and at peace after their conversation.

“Can I get you anything? Something to drink? A snack?” Mike asked Darcy as they entered his apartment.

“No thanks,” she replied wearily. “I really just need a good night’s sleep.”

Mike fetched a couple of spare pillows while Melody pulled a large throw blanket from a basket beside the sofa. Mike set up her bed for the night; the blanket itself was large enough to double as sheets and covers. As the couple turned towards their bedroom, Darcy suddenly grabbed both of them in a hug, sobbing and crying on their shoulders.

“I’m sorry… I just don’t know how I could fuck up so badly,” Darcy managed to say between her tears. “Mike,” she said, looking up, “Thank you for what you did. I’m scared shitless at the thought of what he might’ve done tonight. And Melody, thank you for sticking by my side the whole time, for comforting me, and… and promising to be there moving forward. And… I’m sorry. I should have been the one comforting you. He assaulted you, not me, but here I am weeping like a little girl and…”

Pressing her finger to Darcy’s lips, Melody smiled and replied, “No apologies.”

Without a word, the couple squeezed Darcy tightly until her tears had ceded, then wished her a restful sleep before closing the door to their bedroom. As they stripped and got ready for bed, Mike switched on his bedroom TV, finding NCIS for background noise. Relaxing in bed, the couple simply cuddled wordlessly for thirty minutes or so before one of them spoke.

“I don’t suppose the big strong man wants some hero sex tonight?” Melody asked playfully.

Mike shook his head slowly. “It’s honestly the furthest thing from my mind right now,” he replied regretfully. “I’m worried about Darcy. How’s she doing?”

Closing her eyes momentarily, Melody said, “Not well. She’s asleep, but she’s having a bad nightmare about Stephen. She’s afraid of him now that she knows what he’s really all about.”

Mike nodded. “From blind love to blind fear.” Thinking for a minute, Mike asked, “Since she can’t control her dreams, I’d like to help her. Are you able to do that?”

“It would need to be sexual in some way for me to be able to, though it may already be heading in that direction, and not in a good way. If her dream continues the way it is progressing, she will watch helplessly as he rapes me, before he turns to rape her as well,” Melody responded.

Thinking momentarily, Mike asked, “Would having her prevent him from raping you be sexual enough for your powers?”

Again closing her eyes for at least a full minute, she finally replied, “Just barely. And I must say, I approve. Such a dream is exactly the confidence boost she needs.”

Mike kissed her sweetly, saying, “You really are the best. Let’s do it.”

Tingle. Flash. “Done.”

Smiling, Mike switched off the lights and TV, taking Melody in his arms as they drifted off into a much-needed sleep.

*****

Gotta get out… got to get out!

Everywhere Darcy turned, there he was; the same menacing look on his face. A look of hate, and of anger. Pure, unabated rage. She felt trapped, like a rat in a maze. There were hallways every which way, but none of them went to where she needed. She needed to get away from him, but he was everywhere.

No escape… no escape…

She reached a long, straight hallway. No sign of him anywhere. Suddenly, a faint light shone ahead of her. She sprinted towards it; it had to be a way out. She ran faster than she ever had in her life, panting and breathing heavily. She didn’t care. She had to get out.

As she reached the light, it pulsed as if a star had exploded, blinding her momentarily. Opening her eyes slowly, there he was. It was Stephen. They were back on the dance floor, but the restaurant was empty. Looking around, she was horrified at what she saw: Mike, lying bloody and bruised on the ground, was moaning and struggling to breathe. Looking back at Stephen, he now had his hand at Melody’s throat, his knuckles coated with Mike’s blood. As he choked her, he reached his hand to Melody’s shorts, trying to rip them off of her as she struggled against him. He slapped her with his right hand, still strangling her with his left, and tore her shorts and panties off in one motion, laughing with anticipation as he did so. As he unzipped his fly, Darcy began to feel helpless, until something finally snapped within the recesses of her mind.

No. No. No, no, no, not this time. I will not be a damsel in distress. I will not watch idly as he causes pain. This ends now.

Rushing up to him, Darcy grabbed his wrist and ripped his arm from Melody’s throat with all her might. As he struggled against her grip, Darcy was surprised at her own strength; she was managing to control him enough for Melody to be able to run. His eyes turned to meet hers, his rage piercing her very soul.

“Sorry, bitch. I’m trading up. Guess that means you’re no longer necessary.”

She should have been terrified. She should have wanted to run. But she heard Mike’s labored breaths. She heard Melody’s frantic footsteps as she ran to his side. They needed her, and she refused to let them down.

Just as Stephen began to draw back his off hand to strike her, practically foaming at the mouth, Darcy focused her fingers, pressuring and twisting his left wrist to put him into an arm lock. He swung at her, but his effort was futile; the pain she was causing him made it impossible for him to get a clear shot. Continuing to twist his arm behind his back, she held him until he began to cry, begging for mercy.

“Please! Please, no more! I’ll never do it again, I promise!” he screamed.

“You fucking bastard,” she sneered. “I’m not falling for that. You have fooled me for the last time.”

Delivering a swift kick to his balls, Darcy dropped Stephen to his knees. Keeping her hand on his shoulder so he didn’t slump over, she casually sauntered around to his front. He now whimpered and sniveled like the pathetic child Darcy could finally see him for.

“You can lie, you can cheat, and you can hate me and my friends with everything you’ve got. But you will NEVER hurt them! And you won’t control me ever again…”

Picking up a nearby baseball bat, Darcy drew back to swing. She seethed with anger and righteous fury. She knew she had to protect her friends. She knew she had to protect herself. Just as she was about to drive the bat into his head, time froze and the scene faded to white…

Waking up with a slight gasp, Darcy looked around. She was in Mike’s apartment. Rubbing her eyes and laying back on the sofa, she was surprised how at ease she suddenly felt. Despite the intensity of the dream she had just had, she felt better than she had all day. A small smile gradually spread across her lips.

“I’m going to be just fine,” she said quietly to herself, brimming with confidence.

As she reached for the blanket to go back to sleep, her phone buzzed on the coffee table. It was a text message from Stephen.

Babe, I’m really sorry. I was drunk. That wasn’t the real me tonight. I promise I’ll make it up to you; just don’t give up on me. Please.

She laughed to herself, finally seeing through all of his bullshit. It all made sense to her now. His texts were always well written with proper grammar. It made him sound more mature than he actually was. Everything about him was a lie. Her response was simple, but pointed.

Fuck off. If you ever contact me or my friends again, I’m calling the police on your sorry ass. Peace out, bastard.

Deleting his name and blocking his number on her phone, she relaxed on the sofa, exceedingly proud of herself. One last thought drifted through her mind before she fell back asleep with a smile on her face.

I wonder how much a Taser and pepper spray costs?