Fright

Joey spent the night awake, Lauren wrapped tightly in his arms. It had really shaken her to the core; she had never experienced something like that before. Running his fingers through her hair, he couldn't quite believe what had happened today, why it happened?.

The area wasn't known for muggings or for anything like this to happen, that's why Joey had chosen it for its good reputation. Looking down at Lauren, he felt scared that something could have happened to her, she was everything to him, his world. Picking up his phone he laid Lauren down softly onto the pillows, sliding out from the sheet and walking into the living room.

"Hi, sorry its late, but I was wondering if you could send someone over to install some security cameras tomorrow" Joey paused for a second, hearing Lauren stir from her sleep, "Yes its urgent, thank you, I will text the address" ending the call, he crept back into the bedroom closing the door behind him and locking it. Walking over to the window, he brushed the curtain aside glancing outside into the pitch black night. Each time he did this throughout the night, he felt uneasy as if someone was watching him, the events of the day scaring him just as much as Lauren, especially as the person came right to the door.

Climbing back into bed, he pulled Lauren back onto his chest, wanting to be as close to her as he could. Letting tiredness set in, his eyelids drooped, feeling his body relax for the first time that day, although his mind was wide awake with fear, this had certainly given him a fright.

"Joey we don't need security cameras" Lauren protested, sighing as she lent on the kitchen camera. Joey had let in the worker to place the security cameras around and outside the apartment, not wanting to risk the same thing happening again.

"I'm not arguing with you Lo, it's happening whether you like It or not" he was firm stating it how it was, Lauren was his number one priority in life, he had to protect her the best he could, starting with cameras.

After the security man left, Lauren sat on the sofa looking around at the cameras, they didn't make her feel any safer, if she was honest they made her feel uneasy. "I feel like I'm in the Big Brother house" she called to Joey who was changing in the bedroom, she heard him chuckle as he came back through.

"Now I can see what you get up to all day" he smirked, slouching down next to her.

"My days are boring I need a job" she winged, to be fair some days were boring, but she enjoyed the freedom, now she wanted a job more than anything just to be away from the apartment alone, the fear of being here and something happening was firmly written in the back of her mind.

"Did you send off more of your stuff to art shops?" he quizzed, generally interested in his girlfriend's efforts to get a job.

"Yup yesterday I did, still waiting to hear back" she smiled desperately trying to forget yesterday, shoving it to the back of her mind, locking it tightly in a box.

"Babe, I'm going to have to go to work tomorrow, you be okay with that?" he watched as she tried to hold her expression of clear fear, she nodded politely burying her head into his chest. "I'll be back early I promise" he smiled, kissing the top of her head trying to relax a now tense Lauren.

Tomorrow came too soon for Lauren, she held on tightly to Joey, when she felt him wake up knowing he would be leaving her for the day soon. Joey reluctantly left for work, locking the door behind him, instructing Lauren to turn on the security cameras. "I'll be home before you know it baby, I love you" kissing her soft lips. "I love you more" she replied, smiling bravely as he left her.

Lauren find herself sitting on Joey's Ipad, he had connected to the cameras, studying each one obsessively, flicking between the rooms and the outside. Seeing nothing for a few hours, Lauren decided to jump in the bath quickly, taking the Ipad with her, before going in she checked all the doors were locked, before locking the bathroom door behind her. Placing the device on the side she shrugged from her clothing, she stepped into the hot warm, soaking her tensed skin.

Finally feeling herself relaxing without Joey there was a miracle, enjoying the peace and quiet with any worry. Sitting up in the bath, she heard keys being put into the front door, the walls in the apartment were thin you could practically hear anything. Stilling, she heard the door swing open, as footsteps entered the apartment. Freezing in the bath she suddenly felt sick. If it was Joey he would of let her know, called out her name. Listening out she heard the muffled voices move through the large apartment. Silently she climbed out from the bath, wrapping herself in a towel, grabbing the Ipad she slid down the wall opposite the door. Her hands shaking uncontrollably as she watched in horror as 3 men hunted around the apartment, all their faces covered in black balaclavas.

She watched as they entered each room, but didn't move anything, they didn't destroy anything or create a mess, and they just looked through their belongings. Their voices remained quiet as they talked whilst searching. Lauren gasped as she saw one of the men place a gun onto the kitchen counter, covering her mouth with her shaking hand she watched in horror as one descended to the bathroom door. Pulling down on the door handle she saw it release as thank fully she had locked the door.

"This is one is locked" the voice echoed, Lauren physically shaking in the corner of the bathroom as they stood outside the door.

"Must be the loo, forget it, he didn't want anything from the bathroom, he wanted accounts" the other voice stated, she watched as the cameras followed them back into the living room, pulling through the draws.

"Nothing here, we will have to find another way, the boss will understand" the men, closed the draws, walking back through the apartment, picking up the gun on the way, leaving the apartment without a trace.

Hearing the door click shut, Lauren let out a deep breath she never knew she was holding in. The overwhelming sensation of sickness washed through her body. Leaning over the toilet she threw up violently. Wiping her mouth, she picked up her phone, ringing Joey immediately he was going to be furious.

"J J Joey" her voice stuttered, Joey knowing something was up immediately.

"Baby, talk to me" his voice panicking as it mimicked what happened the day before.

"They were here, they came into the apartment" she cried, letting loose the tears of completely and utter fright.

"WHAT" he shouted, "I'm coming" putting down the phone abruptly. Seconds later Joey was home, bounding through the door, he found Lauren crouched into a ball in the bathroom.

"Hello" her voice tiny and quiet, struggling to find her voice.

"Baby" he brushed his fingers through her hair, seeing she had been sick. "I shouldn't have gone into work today, I had a bad feeling" he whispered, why was this happening to them, and what did these people want from them.

"It's happening" rubbing his head, this was a huge concern. "Whats happening?" she whispered, looking up at him, what was he thinking.

"Derek, this has Derek written all over it" he sighed, standing Lauren on her feet holding her close to his body.

"What does he want?" she cried, why was her Uncle doing this.

"Revenge" he stated simply.

"We need to talk to him, see what he wants" Lauren suggested, pulling Joey towards the kitchen, although it sent shivers down her spine being in the same room as where those men were a few minutes ago.

"I'm calling Jack" Joey stated, he didn't want to talk to Derek, there was no chance, Uncle Jack was the only one to help this time.

"Joey, he will worry" Lauren cried trying to convince him otherwise as he dialled Jacks number.

"No Lauren, I'm calling Jack of end" placing the phone to his ear as it began ringing.

"Alright Joe? What's up?" Uncle Jack's voice filled with concern. "We need your help" Joey replied simply, they needed help, and Jack was the only one to give it.

Thanks for the reviews! hope you like this chapter, more to come tomorrow :) night all :) x