Chibiyu: This chapter is THREE DAYS in the future.
Nick: She is hiding in her very elaborate shelter at the moment.
Chibiyu: That I am. It won't be a long chapter either, just so you know.
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"Lucas, here is the highest bet and bidder. He owns you for the next three hours."
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JOE'S POV
Three days. That's how long it was since we found out our last brother was alive. When he found out that he had a daughter at seventeen years old. And when he chose her over us. Kevin had lied when he said the pain would lessen. We had our brother back and he tore himself away from us. There was no healing that kind of betrayal and that kind of heart ache. I knew why Nick chose to stay with his daughter; I understand that more than anyone in this room. But it still hurt so much to know that he chose to stay where he was hurting, instead of here, where we could all heal.
"He didn't look bad…" Macy said for the 50th time in three days. And she was right. He looked stressed and tired, but he didn't physically look bad. I didn't see any scars, any signs of him being tortured or run down. He just looked like Nick, without the curls and with a little girl hugging his legs.
"You already said that Mace." Stella whispered, arm around her friend. I looked around the new hotel room, skimming over Kevin's sorrow filled face, Frankie's back as he searched on the computer, probably for ways to see Nick again and back to the girls. Stella looked like she didn't know what to feel, like she couldn't feel any more hurt or sadness. Macy just looked…lost.
"Mace?" I whispered and she looked up at me, not hiding her tears. "Do you still love Nick?"
She looked to Stella before looking back at me. "I do." She said her voice barely audible enough to be heard. "I never stopped." She took a breath, trying to compose herself. "But when I was him with Carter…I knew I would have to let him go." She shook her head. "But I don't think I can."Stella hugged her quietly.
"Umm…guys?" We all turned to look at Frankie. "Nick's name isn't on the roster anymore…"We all bolted from where we were sitting, or standing in Kevin's case, not caring that I knocked over the arm chair. Frankie pointed to the screen and sure enough, Nick was gone. And there was a new champion.
"What?" Kevin breathed, leaning over to stare at the screen.
"What does this mean?" Stella asked, tears forming her eyes. "Nick can't be…dead."
I took a single step back. No. Nick can't be gone. He can't be!
"Joe?"
I ignored whoever called my name. I turned and ran to the door, needing air, needing space. I didn't care that it was pouring rain. I didn't care that insane maniacs were looking for me. I only cared about getting far enough away to scream. I threw open the door and ran out into the rain, not looking where I was headed. Which, turned out to be bad because I barreled right into someone.
"Sorry." I muttered, pulling the up from the ground, ready to run again. But the person's hand didn't let go of my arm. Maybe running outside was a bad idea…
"Joe?" My head snapped up again at that voice. It can't be…the rain must be playing tricks on my ears…and eyes. I slowly turned to face him, letting my mouth drop open. Could it really…?
"Nick?" He nodded and I took in his appearance. He looked…terrible. His skin looked sick and pale, his hair, though plastered to his face from the rain, looked unwashed, and his eyes were lined red. Was the rain the only thing falling down his cheeks? "Why are you here?" I looked around, seeing no car, no one following him…and no Carter. "Where is Carter?"
Nick looked at me, a terrible pain flashing across his eyes. "Dead."
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Chibiyu: …Until Next Update!