Eight

RED

     I closed my eyes, trying not to show how much pain I was in. I felt pathetic. How long exactly has it been since Skull decided to use me as his toy?

Oh yeah, a week ago.

Hell, it still hurts.

It shouldn't hurt this bad but it does. My life has been thrown into a horrible mess. Skull will definitely find my mother and kill her. That's not what I want for her. She doesn't deserve it.

With my body fucked up and all, I've never felt so helpless. It's literally eating me up on the inside.

I opened my eyes, Dahlia's gaze meeting mine. All of this didn't start with Dahlia. No, it didn't. It started with that douche of a brother that she had. If he hadn't fucked up, she wouldn't be in this mess.

"Hey, talk to me. What's going on?" She asked, her brows knitting up with concern. I sighed, grimacing at the pain that exploded within my ribcage.

"Your brother used to buy drugs from Skull" I rapsed.

"What? Nolan would never do that. Who's Skull anyway?" She asked, staring at me as if I'd suddenly grown two heads.

"Skull is the asshole who decided that it was fun to smash Red's ribs like it was nothing" Lee said through gritted teeth.

"So.... You mean Nolan used to buy drugs from your boss?"

"Yes. At a point, he wasn't able to pay off his debts.....He was a coward. He took off.....went to Florida. Skull sent some people to go after him. Somehow, he knew they were going to come after him. He-" I grimaced, feeling sorry for Dahlia.

"He what?" She demanded

"He put a bullet right through his own skull" I said, watching Dahlia's expression transform into a shocked one.

"Oh come on man, did you have to be so blunt?" Lee said as Dahlia's eyes filled up with tears.

"Nolan isn't dead" she said, slowly. "Wait, you didn't know he was dead?" I asked.

She suddenly burst into tears, rocking back and forth slowly.

Tori sat down beside her, trying to console her.

"I never knew he was involved with drugs" Dahlia mumbled.

"Look, I'm sorry about this--but he's the reason Skull is after you" Lee said.

"I don't understand. I'm not Nolan"

"Skull doesn't stop until he gets what he wants. Nolan never paid his debt. Skull wants you to pay the price. He wants to kill you because you are related to him. He never lets go of his debtors, Dahlia" I said, slowly.

"Are you going to kill me now?" She suddenly asked.

"W-what? N-no" I said.

"Then, what's the plan? Red, he's going to kill your mum. I feel guilty already"

I glared at Lee who looked away instantly. I had not wanted her to know about Skull's threat but he told her anyways.

"It's not your fault, Dahlia. My mum is dying. It won't make any difference" I said through gritted teeth. I knew I was lying. I just didn't want her to blame herself.

"What do we do now?" Tori asked. "I know this is dangerous and all. But, we have to leave Wisconsin" I said.

"What? What about school? We can't just leave! Some of us have families, don't you know?" Dahlia said, swinging her hands randomly. It's something I realize that she does each time she's nervous.

"Hey, calm down. We know that. But, do you think school would matter if Skull sends someone else to do the job?" I asked.

"I'll have to leave everything behind. What if he goes after us? We're leaving Wisconsin to where? This is crazy!" She said, still moving her hands around until....

"Ow!" I yelled, clutching my aching rib section as tears filled my eyes unconsciously.

"Oh my God--- I'm so sorry" she squeaked, moving closer.

I closed my eyes, resisting the urge to let out a scream.

Lee was by my side in a split second. "Hey, let me see it" he said and I shook my head, still clutching my injured ribcage.

"I'm so so sorry. I wasn't thinking. I'm--" Dahlia's voice cracked with emotion and I knew she was about to break down. "Hey, it's okay. I'm fine. It just hurts a lot. I'll live" I choked out.

***

DAHLIA

        "Don't cry, please"

Quietly, I wiped away the tears from my eyes.

Red gave me a tight smile. I knew he was in a lot of pain. He was trying to hide it but it was clear. "Lee can I have a painkiller?" He asked.

Lee's gaze softened.

"I'm sorry, mate. I can't give you another one. You don't want to damage your liver, do you?" Lee said and Red scoffed.

"Are we all leaving?" Tori asked.

"It's supposed to be just Dahlia and I. But, it's your choice if you want to risk it"

"You very well know that I am coming with you, Red" Lee said as he took a sip of water.

"Lee, you don't have to. I mean, I'm the one having a problem with Skull. I don't want to drag you into this mess" Red said

"I don't care. If he has a problem with you, he has a problem with me too.  I'm coming with you and that's final"

I looked at Tori who looked like she was going to burst into tears. "Tori, what's wrong?" I asked. She stood up and I followed her as she left the basement.

"So, that's it. You're just going to leave me behind all by myself?" She asked.

"I'm sorry, Tori. But I have to do what I have to do to survive" I said.

"I can't deal with the fact that you're leaving" Tori said with tears crawling down her cheeks.

I hugged her, trying to suppress the emotions surfacing.

"You've been my best friend for quite a long time, Lia. I'm scared. What if Skull catches up to you guys? What if he kills all of you? Lee is leaving too and I-I can't do this"

Sobbing, she walked away.

Lee stepped out just as she was leaving.

"Vicky-"

At the sound of his voice, she broke into a sprint and didn't look back. I couldn't help but feel like I'd just lost my bestfriend. Lee looked just as torn as I felt.

"I'm sorry, Vicky" Lee rapsed, even though she was gone by then.

Red stepped out to meet us. He was a bit unsteady on his feet but he managed to make it to us. "Red, you should not be walking around. You should be in bed getting some rest" I said.

"Wow, she actually cares" he said, a small smile playing on his lips.

"I'll just- leave you two alone" Lee said, clearing his throat before going back to the basement.

"I'm really sorry, Dahlia" Red said, leaning on a pillar.

"I'm sorry too" I said.

He heaved a sigh, clutching his rib. "So, this is it. We're going to be stuck together. Are you sure you can handle it?"

"Of course, I can. This is my life we're talking about here"

He gave a half shrug.

"Go get ready, then. We're leaving early, tomorrow. We're going to Ohio"

***

RED

        "You okay, man?" Lee asked as he opened the door of the car for me to step out.

"Yeah, I'm good" I breathed and began to make my way into the hospital with Lee beside me.

"You can drop the facade now, you know" Lee said.

I remained silent even after we'd been directed to the ward we were heading to.

"It's the last time I'm ever going to see her" I said, my voice shaky.

"It's going to be okay"

I sighed.

"I don't know--I'm terrified, Lee"

"Go in. I'll wait here"

I swallowed hard, nervously.

With my hand still lingering on my rib cage, I twisted the door knob and stepped in. There she was, lying on the bed with a beautiful smile on her beautiful face. "Mum" I breathed shakily.

"My baby" she said, reaching out to hold me in her arms.

I tried to suppress the agonizing groan that escaped my lips but it was too late. She'd noticed it already.

Mum frowned and pressed a kiss to my forehead. "You're in pain. What happened to you?"

"I got ambushed" I muttered.

"It's Nathan, isn't it?"

"Yes"

"What did you do?"

"I couldn't do it, mum. It was different this time"

"Oh, my boy. Have you seen a doctor yet?"

"I have" I replied, closing my eyes as my mother caressed my hair. "Does it hurt a lot?"

"It's not too bad" I lied and she sighed.

"You shouldn't be here, sweetheart. You should be resting"

"I needed to see you"

"Tell me everything" Mum demanded and so I did.

"I'm sorry, mum. I didn't want this to happen to you" I said, tears filling my eyes. I haven't cried for a very long time. At this point, I felt so crushed, I didn't care.

"I'll never forgive myself knowing that I-"

"No, Arch. Listen to me, this is not your fault. Nathan wants me dead, so be it. I'm ready. I've accepted my fate for a long time now. Everyone has to die at one point in their lives. Do you remember what I said to you the day you returned home covered in someone else's blood?"

I squeezed my eyes shut, more tears flowing.

"You said that I'm not a monster"

"Yes, honey. You're not a monster, you're you. Don't let anyone convince you that you're a monster. Nathan has been nothing but a nightmare to us but I know one day, he'll pay for everything he did to us. You're not a lost cause, here's your chance at redemption. Promise me something"

"What?" I rasped

"Promise me you won't go back to him no matter the consequence"

"I promise" I said in between sobs.

"It's okay, everything will be fine" mum sobbed, rubbing my back soothingly.

"I love you, Arch"

"I love you, mum"

****

DAHLIA

  "You are just leaving like that? Why? What's wrong?" Aiden, my fiance said, his voice reflecting his frustration through the phone.

"I just have to, Aiden"

"But, Lia-"

"I just need to do this". "What about our engagement?"

"Some other time"

"Lia, What's wrong with you? Do you not care at all?"

"I'm sorry, Aid" I said and the line went dead. Heaving a sigh, I made my hair into a ponytail and grabbed my jacket. It was time to leave. There's no going back now. I grabbed my bags and took a step towards the door when Tori's voice stopped me.

"Wait"

I froze and turned to look at my bestfriend. Maybe, for the last time.

Tori was carrying her bags too with her jacket tied around her waist. "I'm coming with you, Lia"

***