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
"It's not your time. My sweet girl, we love you. We are always with you." My grams silver hair shined in the bright light. My gramps perfect white teeth shining in his mouth. "Don't leave me again!" I begged. The light was fading along with my grandparents. Erratic beeping started and my eyes slowly opened to a bright room. "Oh, my sweet girl." My mom sobbed squeezing my hand. "Mom?" My voice came out as a whisper. "Where am I?" "You're in the hospital, my love. You've been in and out for a few days." My mom sighed wiping her tears. "Why would you try and kill yourself?" "I can't take anymore." I fought back the tears which threatened to spill. "I'm so tired." "Then don't fight, rest." My mom nodded. "But you can't leave me." "Dinners here. She awake?" Sunny chirped."She's up, come on in." My mom sighed releasing my hand.A bunch of gang members walked through the door with balloons and flowers. Not what you'd expect, but it meant they all cared. I didn't see bran anywhere th
It's been a few days and I was feeling so much better. Bran made me stay in the penthouse, back in his room. So I've either been in the room laying down or on the couch channel surfing. My moms been in and out checking on me. So I guess in a way she's trying. But I don't get where she goes everyday for hours. No one has eliminated Ben yet. I guess their waiting on me to get better. "Medicine time." Bran yelled from a foot away. I groaned and sat up on the couch. "If I have to.""Well, they did say you could stop if you wanted to." He shrugged sitting the bottle back down. "I don't need them. They make me sleepy." "Then you don't have to take them. Oh, um.. Jerry is stopping by today. He wants to meet you." Bran sighed sitting on the couch beside me."Great." I muttered picking up the tv remote.I wasn't sure how I felt about meeting a mafia king. Nervous maybe, terrified? Definitely! "He's not a scary guy." Bran chuckled wrapping his arm around my shoulder.A knock tapped on the
The sound of he bedroom door busting open and mark screaming woke me up, along with bran. "What the hell, man!?" Bran yelled rubbing his eyes."Ben is gone!" Mark yelled completely shook."What of my mother?" "She's gone too..." mark frowned.This can't be happening. I felt the betrayal of my mother hit me hard, like I been hit by a car. Bran reading the expression on my face wrapped me into a hug. "We don't know she betrayed us." He whispered kissing the top of my head."Who else would've had access to Ben, bran?" "A lot of people. Mark check the cameras footage. I wanna know who the last person in there was!" "You got it boss." I hid my face in brans chest trying to gather every ounce of courage and calm I could muster. Life was getting harder to bare. I didn't know how much more I could take. "We will find her and Ben. I promise." He muttered not letting me go. "No one will hurt you." At least that made me perk up a bit. Bran was basically my knight in shining armor. He has
Everyone has been running around frantically all day trying to find some answers. I can't blame them, I wanted answers too. Did she release Ben? Did she betray me... again? Why? I couldn't focus enough to actually work out like I was supposed to. I kept doing sit-ups then stopping to stare at the wall until Sunny snapped her fingers in my face every time."Snap out of it." She said waving her hand in my face. "What's wrong with you?" "Thinking." "About what?" "Stuff. Mostly my mom." I frowned at the ground trying to avoid eye contact."I'm sure we will find some answers." Sunny tried to be reassuring but her collapsed smile made me think otherwise."What if she..." sunny held up her hand to stop the thought from escaping my lips. "Don't." "But what if she betrayed me?" "Then you know the answer." "Kill her..." I let a frustrated sigh escape from my throat. I wish bran was here to tell me it'd be ok, but when we got up finally he and mark left to meet Jerry. They'd be with him
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
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
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