Ok, so this is only my second fanfiction ever and it is drastically different then my first. I hope it is enjoyable. Please read and review if youd like. Critism is always helpful :)

This takes place not too long after Billy and his Gang broke in and killed the Hume family, causing Nick and Luke to go into the hospital. I have added a daughter to the family that was off in college but has no come home to the disaster. Then again i am sure you will gather that from reading. Anyway, hope you like the concept. :)

All around town, threats of gang activity hung in the air. Thankfully, the threats were easily looked past if you lived in the comfortability of suburbia. Rumors of Billy Darley and his followers were ignored by those who never moved in the same circle. He was as invisible to most families because his threat was always minimal and always taken out on people that higher class never cared to remember. But his tyranny became all too public on this side of town when his gang murdered Nick Hume's eldest son as an initiation killing for his younger brother. It wasn't until Nick Hume decided he wanted revenge on the son of bitch that killed Brendan that Billy decided to unleash his true rage. The day that my dad killed Billy's brother was the day he signed a death sentence for my family. That's what Billy told him, and then he capitalized on his promise. He broke into our house; he shot them all.

Except for me.

I am the daughter Billy Darley knew nothing about. I am the daughter that was off in college. I am the daughter that has to carry on the legacy of an entire family that was supposed to be pushed from existence.

I'd sit in the hospital and spend time bouncing back and forth between my father and brother's rooms, hoping that one day one of them will stir even just a little. So far, two weeks later, nothing's happened. I left today more negative than I had in a long time. No progress had been made with either of the remaining members of my family.

I drove back to the house I'd left a little over three years ago, and prayed that the tears that never seemed to run out wouldn't cloud my vision. The whole way I tried to stay away from thoughts about how much I hated the man who caused all this to happen. At the hospital I listened to whispers about how my dad was the reason and deserved to stay in his unconscious state till his heart stopped. That wasn't what he deserved though. Billy Darley is the one who deserved to be six feet under. I hated him more than words could ever express. I knew this was wrong because my mom had taught me better than this but it didn't stop my chest from filling with rage. If I were going to ever feel whole again I'd have to forgive the monster but even considering that was like acid melting away my nerves. It might happen one day, but at my current state of being it would not be anytime soon.

I parked in the drive way and cut across the lawn to the door still wrapped in yellow the police tape I'd never taken down, figuring it would keep unwanted sympathizers away. I unlocked it and stepped inside. The stairs were still in disarray from when the break in initially happened. I tried to picture what would cause the rails to be knocked completely off but came up empty. I walked into the family room where the outlines of my family's bodies and the blood still lay stained in the carpet. My heart burned at the sight. The tears I'd been fighting crept to the top of my lids and boiled over as I sank unsteadily to my knees gasping helplessly for air. I'd been waiting for the numbness to take over since I first got the call. It never came. There was nothing to ease the pain; not even the sweetness of no feeling at all. I'd waited, begged, and wished for it to give me some sort of release but it never came.

I remembered it clearly, starting back when Brendan was killed and I'd come home for a few days. I saw how it reduced my whole family to nothing more than a weeping puddle but what I failed to see was my father's raging need for vengeance. I knew it stemmed from the trial going wrong but I was never clued into the details. I never thought he would have resorted to killing someone. Then again if this is how he felt at the time I wasn't so sure I could blame him.

I had gone back to Oklahoma thinking that with time all the wounds would be healed and I could bury my head in my studies. Had I known I was terribly mistaken I probably would have never left.

I had been sitting in my Polly Sci class when our professor's phone rang. While he was distracted the whole class was talking amongst themselves. He called my name and I looked up at his pained expression.

"Yes?"

"The dean would like to see you."

I shoved my binder into my bag and took off. My chest was filled with air I couldn't let go of even though it was choking me. The last time I'd gotten called to the dean was Brendan. My body had begun to shake uncontrollably with fear. If something else had happened, I thought at the time, I'd never make it. Maybe he just wanted to see how I was doing – I'd tried to reason in a feeble attempt to squelch the fear. Man, how I wished it were true.

Then I found out it was not just one more of my family, but everyone; so no matter how badly I wanted to give up I couldn't any more. I had to uphold their memory.

I shook myself back to reality and stood up. I couldn't allow myself to fall to pieces again. I had to do something.

Anything.

I turned around and was startled by a tall black woman with her hair neatly tied in a bun.

"Oh, Detective Wallis, you scared me."

"I am sorry, McKenzie, I rang the bell but I guess you didn't hear it. I just wanted to see how you were doing. I saw your car out front."

"I," I searched for the words, "I'm ok."

She studied my lifeless expression for a long time before continuing. It looked as though she was contemplating a subject she'd decided to drop.

"I heard there's been nothing new with your father and brother. Have the doctors said anything?"

"No, not lately."

"Alright, if you need anything, be sure to call me."

"What was it you came here for?"

"What do you mean?"

"You had something you wanted to talk to about, what was it?" I demanded.

"I don't think it is the most appropriate time," she consented.

"Detective, I don't think there will ever be an appropriate time, so might as well ask now."

She sighed and gave in. "I was going to ask about your father and what you wanted to about his current situation."

"How do you mean?" I crossed my arms over my chest.

"He hasn't admitted anything yet but I am afraid that he may have to own up to some of the things he did to cause this." She motioned around the room and finally letting her hand point toward some blood.

I knew she was right but it didn't stop me from angrily defending him. "He caused this all to happen? He caused some psychotic gangster to lash out at him? He caused them to break into an unsecured house, one that YOU said would be protected and kill my family? HE caused your men not to be smart enough to make them leave? Please tell me how all of these factors can be placed on his shoulders. I would love to understand your logic."

"McKenzie, that isn't how I meant it."

"How else can you have meant it? Look, I know that everyone thinks that he killed the asshole that murdered Brendan, but is there any solid evidence? How does anyone know it was him? I mean that guy was a gangster too, right? A guy that could have pissed off anyone! Anyone could have killed him! Yet, my father gets every ounce of that blame. The problem is no one really knows for sure, do they?" The anger I was displaying hid the fact that I knew for a certainty, just as much as she did, that it was in fact, my father that killed Joe Darley.

"There's nothing significant just yet but your dad has already skated around the fact that he did. I am sorry. I know that is hard on you right now, but like you said, you needed to know. I just want you to know that the investigation isn't going to simply disappear, so he can't hide from it. I will do my best to continue it, unbiased, but the evidence will be there.

"Yes, I understand." I shuffled my feet uncomfortably knowing that if he admitted to it, his life would be no better than it was at this very second.

"Just as long as you do," She said. "I am sorry to add that stress."

"Yeah, you keep saying that." I snapped, instantly feeling bad for being so harsh with her.

She nodded and headed out the door.

I stood there a few moments longer before running up the stairs into my parent's bedroom. I collapsed onto their bed and buried my face into their pillows. I took a deep breath and took in the faint scent of my mom's shampoo. I hugged a pillow tight and allowed unconsciousness to take over.

I woke the next morning to the shrill of the telephone ringing next to the bed. I reached for the receiver.

"Hello," my sleep clogged voice mumbled.

"Miss Hume, its Doctor Marshall. I just thought you should know your brother has started moving."

"I'm on my way." I said slamming the receiver back onto the cradle. I was still clothed from the night before and I was sure that my long dark hair was a mess but I didn't care. I threw on my shoes and was out the door.

I sped through town not worrying about who saw. When I arrived at the hospital I didn't think twice about stopping at the check in desk but kept running back to his room. I smacked into several nurses who complained and begged me to slow down but I ignored them. I reached his room and pushed past the small crowd that assembled at the door.

"Luke!" I cried as I saw his eyes slightly open. "Luke! Oh my God! It's me, Kenz. Look at me buddy, please."

His eyes fluttered upward and around until they landed on my face. He was confused for a moment but once I saw the recognition kick his brain into gear I breathed in the relief.

"Sis, is, is that you?" His voice was the awkward in between a whisper and a croak.

"Yes, buddy, it's me! Are you ok?" My hands stroked his face softly not wanting to put too much pressure on his bruises.

"Uh, where am I?"

"Lukey, you're in the hospital, bud. What do you remember?"

"I was in bed, and then there were these… guys and, and then…." Luke gasped for air. His throat seemed so constricted.

"It's ok, if you don't want to talk about this now if you don't have to."

"They shot me, Kenz!"

"I know, sweetheart, I know. Don't worry, you're safe now." I said leaning down to hug him awkwardly.

When I looked back at him, his eyes were filled with moisture.

"Where's everybody else? Are they…" His throat made the croaking sound again and he stopped.

"Dad's down the hall, he hasn't woken up yet." I explained.

"And mom?" he whispered.

I shook my head and felt the lump begin kneading its way up my throat. I tried to swallow it. I had to be strong for Luke.

"No… No… Why?" His whispered pain was worse than if he had spoken aloud.

"I don't know, honey. I don't know." I was whispering too.

"We never did anything to him."

"Luke, do you remember what he looked like?"

"It was dark, I can't be sure. I remember the tattoos. They were on his neck. He was bald. His eyes were, um, just… I don't know. That was it."

"That's ok, it's at least something. I mean with the shot to the head, your memory should be gone. I need to talk to your doctor." I said nodding my head in his direction where he stood talking to a nurse.

"Ok."

"I won't be far, alright?"

He nodded once and laid his head back on the pillow closing his eyes.

"Doc," I said motioning for him to come over to the door with me. When he joined me I spoke. "What happened? Is he alright? What is the damage?"

"I don't know yet. He seems to be reacting fine. His memory doesn't seem seriously impacted. That much I wasn't expecting. He must have gotten lucky. I won't know more till later. We are going to run some tests on him and see what they can come up with. This is miraculous to say the least."

I took in a deep breath. "If his memory is back now will it stay? I mean he won't just stop remembering after we leave or anything will he?"

"I don't know for sure, Miss Hume. Only time will tell, but we aren't going to release him for another day or two."

"Of course, I know that. I am just asking for future reference."

"Right, well the sooner we run the tests, the sooner we will have answers."

I nodded then looked back to my battered younger brother. "Luke, I have to go but I will be back later ok?"

"Alright. Where are you going?"

"I just have a few errands to run while the doctors take a closer look at your head."

"Is dad going to be ok?"

"I am not sure, but we will know soon hopefully."

I gave him another light embrace not wanting to rock him too much.

"I love you."

"I love you too, Kenz."

I turned quickly and walked back out to my car thanking God that he was ok. I felt a prickle of something I'd lost what seemed like too long ago.

Hope.

Then again, I knew that if he caught wind of his miraculous healing there would be more bloodshed. But then, the police did have a warrant out for his immediate arrest. Though there would be no guarantee they'd get to him first, seeing how incompetent they were on protecting my family the first go round.

I figured it might be up to me to take Darley out first. I was taken aback quickly at the thought of how easily I'd considered killing another human. Course, it was for the sake of my little brother's life. I knew I couldn't use that as a crutch but the more I thought about it the more I knew that it was going to be the only way to ensure his safety and I'd be damned before anything ever happened to him again because of this jerk.

During the three days it took to release my brother from the hospital, I balanced my time with Luke and the other half finding out what I could about Billy Darley. Sadly, my search had landed me with almost nothing. I pulled a few strings with a college friend of mine that TA-ed for the law department at OU and asked if he could do some digging. It wouldn't be the first time he was asked to do research for other lawyers in different states so I figured he could pass it off as another job. Plus he owed me anyway. So far though, he hadn't gotten back to me. I'd discovered were articles written about his possible involvement with the death of my brother and even one on the 'slaughter of my family', but the rest was related to his brother's death and drug related crimes. There was no mother mentioned but in one of the spreads there was mention of a 'Bones Darley bailing him out for the last time.' I assumed this was another brother but it could have very well been his father for all I knew. I don't know what I expected when I'd begun my search but I did wish I'd come with more.

His followers were also mentioned a couple times but nothing about their names or locations. I started to wonder about how I was even going to find him.

That's when Jesse called me back. He'd found a possible address but once he'd run down the location he said it was an abandoned church on the other side of town. He found out that Billy liked to hang out at this local bar near the church called Four Roses. I thanked him and decided that would be added to the list of places to check out.

When I arrived at the hospital to get Luke, I was met with a significant bill and a delirious younger brother. I was given a large orange bottle filled with pain medication and a list of things to do for him.

"He obviously has a severe concussion so be sure to check on him when he is sleeping just to make sure that he seems alright. He needs to take the medication four times a day no less than five hours in between. I want him to come back in about two weeks from now so I can scan again and see if there is any improvements."

"What exactly is wrong with his head now?"

"Well, there were dark spots on the scan that show us trauma to his pallium, which affects his spatial memory, which will in turn will affect how he functions in certain environments. His body's neurotransmitters in that area of his brain aren't completely dead but he may not realize when he shouldn't be somewhere that is too cold or too hot. His temperature and diseases that stem from too much exposure could be very detrimental. So keep a close eye on him. I don't want Luke involved with any sports for another two months or so. Don't let him rock too much and watch his head. You don't want it smack into anything because that could cause more damage in other areas. He shouldn't move too fast. If he gets headaches too frequently I want you to bring him back, alright?"

I nodded writing down as much as I could and shook the doctor's hand. "Thank you so much for your help."

"Of course, I will call if anything new turns up about your father."

I nodded again and steered Luke out of the hospital and into the dreary day.

The drive home was filled with a loaded silence that I was unsure how to fix. Lucas hadn't been home since the accident, so I wanted this to be easy on him. I knew that was too much to ask for though. Everything was cleaned out of rug and most of the staircase had been replaced but simply shoving dirt underneath the carpet wouldn't be enough to hide the truth.

Lucas stepped out of the car before I'd even turned it off. He was rapidly walking toward the door and I knew he wanted to see if there was still evidence of the night.

"Luke! Not too fast ok? The doctor said you have to take it easy."

He looked at me for less than a second then continued his trek inside.

I grabbed his bag out of the back and followed after; wanting to be there to catch him should he fall.

He looked around the room before walking into the scene of his nightmare.

His eyes landed on the spot where our mom had been shot, and he watched an invisible movie in his mind.

"Luke," I said putting my hand on his shoulder.

He shrugged me off before bolting out of the room and up the stairs. I followed after him slowly and found him in our parent's room in the same position I'd donned the night before he woke up.

"Lukey, you gotta talk to me. I want to help you." I said pulling his smaller frame into my arms.

He hugged me back for a long time saying nothing. "Kenz, you wouldn't understand. You just weren't here. I don't… Mom…"

I felt the tears he allowed to fall without a sound. They began soaking into my shirt. "It wasn't your fault you know."

"I know but I just… I want to go back and find a way to save them."

"Luke, do you want to tell me what happened?" I knew that it was better to get this question out of the way sooner rather than later.

"We got escorted home from school that day by the police. Dad came home and he was frantic. I didn't know why. They never told me. I just remember I had to go to bed earlier than usual. It was ok because I was tired anyway, but then I woke up when I hit the ground. At first I thought it was because I rolled out of bed but then there was this guy; he was huge; standing above me. He was shouting, and kicking me. He picked me up and threw me out of the door. Then he grabbed at my shirt and yanked me down the stairs. He threw me into the living room. I looked up at the biggest guy and he…" Luke took a deep breath trying to steady himself. I tried to see his face but he kept it hidden in my shoulder. "He was angry; with these piercing eyes that just shot straight into your soul. He didn't look at me for more than a second but it was long enough for me to realize that he wanted to kill me. There was…" His breathing accelerated again and I squeezed him closer. "Nothing, but like, I don't know sadistic glee. It was the most horrifying thing I think I've ever seen. So I looked to mom begging her for help. I don't know why I did. It was, stupid. I knew she couldn't. But I did and then I heard a crack and everything was black." He leaned up to look at me then. "I didn't even get to say goodbye. It was so fast. She had my hand." The tears were running like a tap down his face and no matter how hard I wished to hide mine I knew they'd turned on free fall too.

I held him close to me unsure of how I was supposed to comfort him. There was nothing and I knew it. My mind sped recklessly for something to soothe him anyway just because I knew that was what I should have done. We stayed like that for a long time; crying and holding onto the other. Who knew when our dad was going to wake up, or if he ever would? For now, I was all Luke had left. He was all that was left for me. All the little pieces that were falling had finally shattered. The shards of the family were too far gone to try and put back together. But I decided that as soon as I carried out my plan, Luke and I would find a way to put it all back together.

The next morning I woke up early intent on learning more about Billy Darley but I wasn't sure where I could go from what I had gathered. I didn't want to look into the church and it was far too early for the bad. It was only harder now that Luke was going to be at home and still a week away from going back to school.

I wasn't sure if it was due to pure, sick curiosity or if I thought it would really help; I decided to look into the spot where Brendan was murdered. It was a run down gas station in the middle of down town. The windows were still partially boarded up and the caution tape was reduced to shreds on the windows. I tried to peer through an uncovered window but I couldn't see anything other than grime on the floor and things thrown to the ground. It looked as though no one had even thought twice about this place since the event.

Dark stains were still visible on the counter from where I assume the attendant that night was shot.

I turned around instantly wishing I hadn't come here. It was overwhelming and I was beginning to wonder if the dark obsession with trying to piece together the last moments for my family was my only motivation.

I had to pull myself from my musings because I had almost missed the large man that I'd almost smacked into.

"Oh, excuse me," I said trying to move around the stranger but in stead he placed himself in my path.

"What's a pretty girl like you doin round a place like this?" He taunted, moving a stray piece of my hair behind my ear, then running it down till his hand gripped my shoulder. His voice made my skin feel like it was being run along a cheese grater.

"I'm sorry sir, but I don't know you. Please take your hand off of me."

His brown eyes looked deep into my green ones. Then they raked themselves over my body, taking in my slender form. His hand slid downward almost connecting with my chest but I shook it off.

"Don't touch me." I said straightening my spine and narrowing my eyes.

"What you think just because you some rich bitch you can come round here n' command anyone round?" He growled.

"Our social status has nothing to do with your lack of respect for my personal space." I retorted trying to keep the pride out of my voice.

"You dumb bitch! You don't talk to me bout respect!" He said backhanding me.

I held my hand up to my mouth as I felt the blood pour out of lip.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I cried.

"Round here bitches don't tell any man what to do. They don't talk like you to a man eitha." He said towering over me.

He raised his hand again but I cowered. Before I'd really given myself permission to react my foot was connecting with his crotch and I hit the concrete at a full sprint. I was so thankful I'd left my purse under the seat in my car so I wasn't carrying anything, but I was regretting leaving it more than two blocks away.

My chest began screaming for air but I didn't stop running. When I caught sight of my silver Mazda less than fifty feet away, I slowed to walk allowing the air to saturate my lungs again. After a shot like that, no guy would be able to catch up anyway. That's what I thought before I was hit from behind. I feel to my hands and knees, hearing the rip in my jeans and the cuts that were sure to be bleeding in a second.

"Bitch, you don't know nothing bout livin' out here." I turned over to see the smile creep onto his face. I started backing away crab style but his arm shot out and grabbed at my ankle drawing me close to him again. "Hitting like a scared little girl don't do nothin for you." His tanned arm shot out and his hand closed around a chunk of my hair. The intricate tribal tattoos on his arms screamed danger and his eyes burned with power. He pulled backwards causing my face to shoot upward. I screamed in pain. He began lowering himself toward me. I lashed out with everything in me; kicking, scratching, clawing. I kept screaming at full volume but I heard no one coming to my rescue. Is that how people reacted these days? No one cared about the fact there was a man attacking me in broad daylight. Finally, both of my feet connected with his chest and I shoved upward with all my might. His body shot up off of mine, and he fell backward onto his ass. I crawled forward, my nails colliding with concrete. I hauled myself upward and took off running again. I glanced over my shoulder to see him not far behind me.

I pushed forward rounding corners here and there hoping to lose him but nothing ever seemed good enough. I turned blindly into an ally only to pray it wasn't a dead end. I was passing a small street to my right but then was pulled sideways by a strong arm. It slammed me against the brick siding then covered me with his body. I heard my assailant run past but refused to pull my face away from the strong chest that helped hide me from sight.

"He's gone." A deep voice stated.

I pulled my tear stained face out of his black shirt realizing that I'd been sobbing into it and looked up to his face. The first thing that stood out was the deep blue iris' staring back at me. They were depthless yet slightly red rimmed, hinting at a past high or a current hang over. Both wouldn't have surprised me. The red only seemed to accent the blue. Next was the scar on his straight nose that distracted from his pretty yet rough face. His bald head was pale after what looked like a recent shave. There were a few other scars dug into his cheeks and neck. But it was the tattoos on his neck that led me to realize who my savior was.

I did my best not to panic but I could feel the fear squeezing my lungs. The air flow started coming faster and faster.

"Hey, hey! Chill out! He is gone." He said again.

I retracted the fistfuls of shirt I grabbed hold of and flattened myself against the bricks to put as much space between me and him as possible.

His eyes flared as he caught on to my objective. "Wow, I go all out of my way to save your ass n you get all fuckin snooty on me. That will be the last fuckin time that shit ever happens. Jesus, you think you're doin a damn good deed."

My nostrils flared, my eyes bulged as my breathing kept up its frantic pace. I fought through it in order to respond. "I'm sorry you confused fear with attitude. I am not sure if you realize but I was just beaten up and I am sure almost raped! How do you expect me to react?" I figured that was close enough to a realistic reaction.

"I don't know if you realized, but you weren't. No need to freak the fuck out."

"You wouldn't understand." I muttered and tried to move past him.

He didn't budge. He was too big to move myself so I just stared up into his eyes. He cocked an eyebrow.

"Want somethin?"

"Yes, you to move out of my way, that way I can get back to my car."

"Say please." He teased.

I clenched my jaw wishing that I could rip his heart out right then and there.

"Please." It was said through my teeth.

His expression remained amused as I pushed off the wall and I walked out of the crevice he'd been hiding me in.

I stumbled the first couple of steps, realizing my knees had blood caked on them but he was there to catch my fall. He pulled me upright again and I leaned on his strong frame.

"Shit," I mumbled.

He laughed.

"What?"

"The Ritchie cursed. It just doesn't sound right."

"Whatever."

Once I righted myself I tried to detach from him again but he didn't let me.

"Please let me go." I begged.

"Where are you parked?"

"Why does it matter?"

"Cuz I wanna help you get there without you getting yourself killed."

"Why are you helping me anyway?"

"For one, I hate that asshole. For two, you're cute. For three, am I not allowed to be a good citizen?"

I had a hard time deciphering if he was serious or not but I shrugged it off. Whether he saved me or not, he was still a sick son of bitch.

"State, and fifth." I said trying to pull my own weight.

He had my arm strung around his neck but he was so tall I was surprised my feet were even still slightly dragging on the ground.

"I think I can walk myself," I hoped I was convincing.

He let go of me but stayed by my side. I was surprised when he walked my pace instead of bounding away.

"So you said you hated that guy?" I asked not knowing what else to say.

"Yeah, he's a prick. He runs with some bastards down south. They don't usually fuck around up here. When they decide to venture up here I make it my business to see what shit they are getting into."

"So you saw what was happening?"

"Most of it."

"Why didn't you step in five minutes ago?" I stopped suddenly and whipped around to face him.

"You looked like you were doin fine."

"He was beating me up! I looked like I was doing fine? Are you crazy?"

"Debatable."

I made a disgusted noise before turning and marching as fast as I could manage ahead. His long stride helped him keep up easily.

I made it to my car finally and didn't even pause to say goodbye. I shoved the key in the lock and moved to open the door. My conscience got the better of me and I faced him before getting in.

"Thank you for saving me. Even if it was, after, well you get it. Thank you."

He smiled. If it weren't for the fact that I hated this man so much I might have actually been attracted to him. Shit, I screamed at myself. This is the bastard that… that… I didn't finish the thought for fear he'd figure it out.

"Your welcome. Sorry I waited." He didn't seem too genuine but it was at least something I thought. "I'm Billy by the way."

"Nice to meet you. Thanks again." I said getting in.

"You don't got a name?"

I stared at him thinking about my options. I didn't want to seem rude but at the same time I didn't want him knowing anything about me.

His smile became tight, nervous almost.

Then it hit me. I knew exactly how I was going to take this man out. It was the perfect plan.

"I'm McKenzie."

Hope that was enjoyable. Feel free to review