"How'd you find that out?" "James. I told you. He hacked the police files, your mother has a pretty lengthy record." He shrugged. "Also he found a picture of her wearing that same necklace." "Got it. What do we do?" "I don't know. We need to think...plan.""So this means...my mother murdered my grandmother? But the voice in the video sounded male." I was confused. This made no sense. Why harm your own mother? Just why!?"Voice changer." He shrugged. "He is still trying to piece this together." He got up from his chair and pulled me up with him. "Get some rest, we will check more out tomorrow."I did what he asked and made my way to my room. I couldn't sleep, so I lay there staring up at the ceiling. Thoughts about my own mother swirled my mind. Why her? Why my grams? Then I got a funny filling, what if it was Ben and not my mother...or worse; what if it was both of them!? I pulled out my phone and did a search-Franklin, Ben Moore. My face lit up when I found a police record and a m
I spent the rest of the day yesterday in my room. I didn't want to face anyone, especially Bran. I can't believe I actually kissed him. I mean did he like it or not? Who knows. I only walked down for a bit then walked back upstairs. I have a duffle bag and a gun and a knife stuffed under my bed. Now to wait for the right moment, after their gone. I tied up some sheets and blankets to help me sneak out and down my window. Hopefully I can do it without being caught. The day is going by so slow. It's only four in the afternoon. The others leave at seven. I can't leave too early, or they'll notice. But if I leave too late, then I'll be screwed. I guess I can be patient and wait. As the time goes on, I grow more and more anxious. I can't believe I'm doing this. I'm stupid, but I have to help. A knock on my door startled me. I pushed everything under my bed just where it was and opened it. "What are you doing up here!?" Marla shrieked. "I can hear you all the way down the hall." I tri
I woke up still tied up. Luckily my jacket was still on. I'm trying so hard to reach in my sleeve pocket and grab my knife, with my hands tied it's kind of hard. I can do it. I have to. I have to fight. At least until I'm free or hopefully Bran shows up."Come on Laura, you can do this." I muttered over and over again. I finally managed to snag my knife free and cut one hand free. Now to the other. Before I could even start, foot steps echoed in the hall getting closer. "Shi-" I put my knife back and hung looking exhausted. "Well, ain't you a pretty thing." A guy dressed in all green with blonde hair and deep green eyes stood in front of me. "Let's have some fun." He smirked tugging on my shirt. "Let. Go. Of. Me." I whispered. "You're my new toy. Come on, let Robby see what he's got." He pouted loosening my other hand. "Back off." I growled. "Or what?" He chuckled. "You're too weak to do anything." He pulled my shirt up and started undoing my pants. I decided to go along with h
"Tell me, why were you paying the leader of your gang?" A loud blow landing over and over again from the chamber Ben and Mom were in. A man laughing and spitting rang out. More blows landed. "Answer me!" More laughter. "You'll soon find out!" Ben yelled. "Come in here, girl! I know you're listening." I opened the door and stepped inside. Ben was covered in blood from all the punches he took. My mother was cowering in the corner still tied up. "Please stop them." My mother pleaded. "I can't." I shook my head turning away from her. "You're a stupid girl," Ben muttered and spat. "Well, you killed my grandmother, tied me up to let some sicko try and rape me. And you were going to kill me. So no, I'd say I'm smarter than you." I smirked. "You really think we were gonna kill you?" Ben chuckled hysterically. "No. We were going to marry you off to the Snakes leader to marry his son!" "Then why pay him?" I folded my arms over my chest. "Because you stupid girl, we paid him to help us
Waking up in this room beside Bran, was almost like a dream. Getting up was hard, I mean I know we kind of slept together last night, but I still wasn't use to having a "boyfriend". It was weird, especially after swearing I'd never date a guy, let alone a gang leader. But it was awkward now considering I was butt ass naked under these sheets. I swung one leg over the side of the bed slowly, then the other. I used my feet to fill around for my underwear and clothes. When I didn't fill them anywhere I gave up. I scooted back up, when I turned to look at bran he was awake and watching me with amusement all over his face."Really?" He tried so hard not to laugh. "I-i usually always do this." I lied growing embarrassed. He laughed and pulled all the sheets off me exposing my bare skin. "There. Embarrassment over." "That's not fair." I pulled the sheets back on me and off him. Of course he'd be wearing his boxers. I rolled my eyes."I don't sleep naked." He shrugged with a laugh. "I m
Afternoon crept up faster than we realized. Before I knew it we were walking outside to a car. The plan was to go play mini-golf then get food and maybe a movie. This was our first date, also our first double date. "You nervous?" Bran leaned in and whispered. "No." I shook my head. "Why would I be?" "It's our first date." He chuckled with a shrug. "And we have already slept together. What is there to be nervous about?" "Good point." He laughed. We pulled out front of an arcade which had glow in the dark mini-golf. Also laser tag. Even has a food court. So I think I'll be ok hanging here all night for our date. "What's First Ladies?" Mark asked motioning into the arcade."Let's do golf first." Lisa nodded then looked at me looking for confirmation."I'm ok with that." I smiled nodding. "Oh wait!" I stopped looking at a sign that says 'glow in the dark paint for $2' "we have to buy some!" I shrieked running to the counter."Wait up!" Lisa yelled running behind me. "Pink for me,"
Today was the day I go talk to my mom about her choice to join us or die. I hope she chooses us, I hate to admit it but I really needed her. I crawled out of bed slowly and threw on a clean pair of clothes and walked to the elevator to go down. Bran was sprawled out on the couch passed out with a blanket thrown over him. Part of me wanted to jump on top of him and kiss him, but. I still needed time. Marla saying she was pregnant was a slap to the face. "Morning." Lisa whispered frowning. "I heard what happened. We need to talk." I nodded my head "ok." She grabbed my hand and pulled me to a corner away from the other gang members. "I'm pregnant. Bran showed me the test Marla give him. It was mine not hers." She let out a sigh. "It was in my room, she must've taken it while we were gone. We were wanting it to be a surprise." "So I owe him an enormous apology." I frowned looking over at bran. "I just- I don't know if I can right now." "Take your time." She half smiled. "He cares ab
My phone beeping like crazy woke me up from my nap. 'Come upstairs.' From bran. I sighed and got up slowly. I don't know what this is about but I have to go. My mom wasn't in the room, neither was sunny. Maybe they were upstairs. I took the stairs since they were faster and not crowded. I knocked a couple of times before Sunny opened the door motioning for me to enter. I sat at the Long Island table away from everyone else. Bran started talking. "Everyone's here. Good. Let's get started." He stopped and looked at me with sadness in his eyes. I've never seen him look like this. It broke me. "We are executing Ben... tonight. Also, we are taking votes about Marla." "Seriously? Votes?" My mom scoffed. "That's you growing a spine?" "Mom, it's fine. You all know my vote. But now I'm laying an alternative down. She goes or I do." I grabbed my phone from the table and walked to the door. "Hey," Bran whispered running after me. "Why do you want to leave?" "I don't." I sighed kicking the
Christmas Eve "Did you get everything?" Amber yelled from opening of the trunk."I think so." I sighed. "I'm like a huge whale, can you double-check?" I chuckled handing her the list.She skimmed through it and checked the bags. "You're missing a cake." "Oh, crap!" I took out my phone and called to the deli. "Hello, can you make a Christmas cake? It's for a party tonight." "Yes. We actually have an extra, if you'd like." The woman answered."I'll be there soon." I hung up and climbed into ambers car and buckled up. "Deli?" She asked climbing into the drivers' side. I nodded.It's been good seeing Amber again, it's been months and we were both doing good. She moved to Horton valley a month ago, and we've been spending time together. She even signed on with bran as an extra doctor. We pulled up to the curb of the deli and I climb out and walked inside."Hello. I called a minute ago about the cake?" I told the woman behind the counter. She smiled up at me and held up a finger. She
We slowly made our way through the building not completely sure where to go. "Follow the shots." The doctor whispered. "What's your name anyways?" I looked around a corner and moved up. "Amber." "Well, Amber. I'm Laura." I peered around the next corner and seen a group of men running with guns raised. I reached back taking the gun from Amber and raising it up ready to shoot. I walked around and waited to see if someone else shot. When they did I moved in that direction. Peering around corners and waiting was getting old, but I promised Amber I'd get her home safely. I missed a person who was seemingly walking slower than the others and he shot hitting me in the arm. "Oh." I groaned squeezing it. I tightened my handle on the gun raising it at the man and squeezing the trigger. The body landed with a thud. "Here." Amber took my arm and took some gauze from her pocket wrapping it up. "Thanks," I muttered. I peered back around seeing several men appear by the dead body. They wer
Chelsea and I found a picnic table in the small park that Horton has and sat down. It was a peaceful and sunny day today so it wouldn't look too weird for us to sit here. "So, I'm sorry about your grams." Chelsea frowned at the drink she was holding. "I'm fine. Really." "I wish you would've talked to me." "I know and I'm sorry I didn't." Chelsea didn't say much after that and looked behind me while I kept an eye open behind her. But we had to make it look like we were talking so no one would know this was a trap. So we talked about what school was like and how good it was to catch up. Before long, a red laser was pointed at my chest. I sat there frozen looking around for the source. "Get down," Chelsea yelled yanking my arm making me fall. "Their watching." "They're wanting to kill me now," I whispered. "Let's go." I pulled her up and we ran around the restrooms. I took out my phone and dialed brans number. But he didn't answer. I tried Jerry, no answer. "Maybe they saw the l
It took over an hour to get back into Horton Valley. Everything was still the same, although it's been a week or so since I've been here last-against my will I may add. I didn't miss it all that much, but part of me wandered if after all this, if we would come back or stay in Monroe. "What are you thinking?" Bran leaned over and whispered."I want to go see my grams." I frowned out at the town. "We can." He nodded locking our hands together. I was sitting and staring out the window, we probably looked like a parade rolling through with all the cars. Some people knew who we were, and they looked frightened. I didn't ask why, but it was nagging at me. Jerry's driver stopped in the parking lot of the church. My grams and gramps were buried just behind it in the small cemetery. I had to walk to the aisle that was labeled 'J's' to find their headstones. It didn't take long considering the cemetery didn't hold many people. I knelt in front of their names and rubbed my fingers over them
I felt miserable all night, constantly getting up and puking. I couldn't even go back to sleep until it was already six in the morning. Then everyone calling my name from downstairs woke me up. "What the fuck do y'all want?" I yelled walking down the stairs. "Damn, someone's in a mood." Mark snickered earning him a slap from Lisa. "You ok?" Bran whispered walking towards me."No, I was up all night puking and now I'm up because no one can leave me alone.""Go back to bed." He chuckled kissing my forehead. "I'll get you if anything happens." "I'm up. I just need something to wake me up." Sunny ruffled through the cabinets for a cup and poured me some coffee she had made. "Drink up." She said smiling sitting it front of me. I gulped it all down and felt more awake and ready for the day. At least as much as I could be. "Jerry will be here in an hour." Bran yelled to everyone who was present. "Roger that boss." Mark give a thumbs up.So that gives me an hour to wake up more. What
I jerked awake in the middle of the night with cold shakes and sweat running down my face. "You ok?" Bran was sitting up in the bed watching me."Bad dream." I groaned leaning back against the head board. "Your safe now." He whispered lacing his fingers with mine. "For how long?" I let out a sigh. "They'll come for me." "No. They won't." He growled. "Jerry will find their hideout and we will kill them all if necessary." "I'm sorry." I let all my tear flow out which made me a mess. Bran didn't know what to do, as usual and just held onto me not letting go.The rest of the night was spent channel surfing and crying some more. I need to toughen up, but it's getting harder. The snakes won't stop until I give in or they have me for what they want. And while I'm pregnant I can't do anything. "You haven't slept." Chels said coming down the stairs. It was more of an observation the a question. "Not really. I don't think I can." "Girl, you need rest. It's not about you anymore. You're
I ran as far as my legs could carry me. I ended up stopping at an abandoned farm somewhere in the woods. I was quiet and peaceful. Luckily whoever owned it still had food and running water, so maybe it wasn't abandoned at all. I ate quickly and drank enough water to have to pee a gallon or bucket full. When the door swung open, I knew I was in trouble. But maybe if I explained my situation they'd understand. A man and woman stood at the door in horror at me just sitting there eating what little I could."Who are you?" The man growled."My names.... Sam." I lied. "I need help, please. Do you have a phone?" "No, we don't." The woman whispered approaching me slowly. "Are you hurt?" "I'm pregnant. And I'm tired. I was kidnapped, I need to get home." "Where's home?" The man arched his brow."Monroe city.""Your in Horton valley." The woman explained calmly. "I'm from here, but I don't think I've ever been to this part." I frowned laying my head down on my arms. "We can take you to
Days have passed and I still refused the test. Jacob senior was getting annoyed and frustrated. He even tried to hold a gun to my head, I didn't flinch. He even tried my mom, I ignored her. He's running out of options. I'm hoping he shoots me and it's serious enough to rush me to an emergency room, but this being a gang they probably have a doctor like bran does. "Laura, please make this easier on yourself." My mom pleaded. "Fuck you." Is all I could say. "You have to test, that's all. Just to make sure you can give him an heir." "I'd rather die." "Please sweetie." My mom reached for my hand making me jerk away from her. "Don't touch me. I hate you!" She sobbed a little and ran from the room. I heard it click and then silence. A week passed by before I started feeling sick. I kept throwing up and wanted nothing but to be free. I wanted bran. I didn't sleep much. I didn't even eat much. I just sat by the window and cried. I know, I'm being a baby about this. But who wouldn't? E
Morning came and went with no sign of bran, again. He must've got up early and left. Mark was also absent so I'm assuming their with Jerry. I fought the urge to call him, so I opted to text him instead.'Where are you?' 'With mark.' Was all he said. 'I know that. But where? You're hardly ever here anymore.' 'I know. I'm doing something. I'll be back soon. Just relax and hang out with sunny.' I huffed and threw my phone down. I'm so tired of sitting here while he's always gone. It's getting annoying. I threw on today's clothes and stalked off down the stairs and into the kitchen for some cereal. Sunny was sitting with her back to me acting strange. Like if she'd look at me, she'd give something away. I tried to avoid it."Morning." I chimed walking to the fridge."Morning." Sunny sounded conflicted. "We have plans today." "What plans?" "Just something." She shrugged not looking at me. "Uh, ok then." I sat down across from her and started eating in silence. After a while, meani