Do you feel like a man when you push her around?

Do you feel better now as she falls to the ground?

Well I'll tell you my friend, one day this world's going to end

as your lies crumble down, a new life she has found.

…

Face down in the dirt, she said

"This doesn't hurt", she said

"I finally had enough."

Face down in the dirt, she said

"This doesn't hurt", she said

"I finally had enough."

Face Down, Red Jumpsuit Apparatus

Disclaimer: I don't own the Fallen series.

Nora's POV

I was standing in front of a warehouse. Drew had left me out front and gone inside. I hadn't paid attention on the way here, but I knew we were in the industrial district of Coldwater. All I could see were seemingly abandoned warehouses with broken windows and graffiti covered walls. In the back of my mind something screamed, "RUN", but I swept that voice away. Drew came back out through the front doors of the warehouse.

"Come on." he said.

He took my hand and walked me through the front doors. As we walked through the warehouse, I saw a long row of cots stretching to the back wall. In one corner, there was a large group of guys crowded around a t.v. They diverted their attention to me as I walked. I could feel Drew tense next to me. He moved his hand to my waist, pulling me closer to him. We walked to another door on the other side of the room. The door was guarded on both sides by two very large men. Tensing, they looked down at us. One of them pointed to me.

"She can go in, you stay." He said motioning to Drew. "No way I'm letting her go alone."

"I'll be fine." I stepped forward and into the room. Once inside, I saw that the room was dimly lit. I could just barely make out a table in the center. David sat at the table surrounded by others. I could feel the power radiating off of them. I didn't doubt they were Nephilim. They were playing poker.

"Well, isn't this a nice surprise. Hello, Nora." he said. He never looked up, his eyes were focused on the game. "I take it you aren't here to say hi."

"I have questions about what happened the other night." I said.

"I knew you would." he said, smiling. "That's what I admire about you, among other things. You're curious. Half the Nephilim in the other room wouldn't have the guts to come here to ask me anything."

"Those men are Nephilim?" I asked. This was starting to make absolutely no sense. "That little boy, he's Nephilim to, isn't he? Where is he?"

"He's where he belongs."

"He belongs with his family." I said. "Why would you take him away from his mother?"

"It's safer for him to be with others of his kind, leave it at that. Now run along, I'll call you when I need you. Which will be soon." he said.

"No, I'm not leaving. I won't have any part in this. There's something else going on, something bigger than just some kids' disappearance." He finally looked up. He played out his hand and pushed his chair away from the table. He got up and walked towards me, but stopped short.

"But you're already involved, more than you think."

"What do you mean? I don't understand"

You don't know what you're talking about. Do yourself a favor, stop asking questions. I can't promise you won't end up hurt." He said it as though a threat.

"Are you threatening me?" I said.

"I'm trying to reason with you. You may know somethings, but there's a lot more you're never going to understand. If not for you, than for your friends, your mom, stop." he said, taking another step towards me. I clenched my fist. The floor boards under us shook. He took another step and raised his hand. The shaking stopped.

"I'll tell." I said, using the coldest voice I dared.

"You made a promise long before we started any of this. Did you forget that? You swore. You vowed to all of us to keep your mouth shut. Talking would mean breaking that promise. That makes you dead to me, to us." He gestured to the others who were no longer sitting at the table. They stood in a line, watching me.

"I'm done being your puppet." I said. I turned to walk away, but before leaving I heard David mutter something.

"There's a storm coming Nora, and you just put yourself right in the middle of it. You'll get what's coming to you. Sooner than you think, that's a promise, Rogue."

I left the room, I didn't even bother to look back. I almost bumped into Drew. Steadying myself, I felt him grab my arm.

"We need to leave, now." He said. I heard the seriousness in my voice. He stayed quiet as we walked back through the warehouse we were in the car, on the rode, he finally spoke.

"What the hell were you thinking? He could kill you Nora." he said.

"He doesn't scare me." I said.

"I know you're lying. Did you forget I'm an empath?" he said, taking a glance at me.

"Whatever, look I need to get home before my mom kills me." I said. "Take me home, tomorrow we can talk this over, but right now, I'm tired."

"Fine. Have it your way." he said. Minutes later, Drew dropped me off in front of my house. The lights were off, so I guessed my Mom was asleep. Hopefully, I could sneak in without waking her. Opening the door, I walked into the dark kitchen. Flipping on the light, I noticed a note taped to the fridge. Walking to the fridge, I read the note.

Nora,

I got called to the office, I need to file some paperwork, so I'll be home late. Don't wait up. Call if you need me.

Love, Mom

Opening the fridge, I grabbed a water bottle. Leaving the note, I walked up the stairs to my room. I stripped down to my underwear and grabbed a t shirt from my drawer. Climbing into bed, I let out a breath and closed my eyes.

~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~

I'd spent the better part of the morning researching. What had he meant? Before I knew it I was at Enzo's, working through the lunch rush. I took my break and was back at it in ten. By the time I checked my phone, I had missed 6 calls. Three from Vee, one from my mom, and two from Patch. I worked throught the rest of my shift, unaware that something was coming. I'd ignored his threat, but I truthfully, he'd terrified me. He threatened my mom, and Vee.

It was now ten o'clock and my shift had ended. Hanging up my apron, I walked to the employee exit and out onto the street. I walked to the parking lot, and pulled out my cell phone. Drew was supposed to pick me up. He must be late.

I felt a sharp pain in my head. I fell to the ground. Looking up, I saw three hooded figures standing over me.

"Did you really think I'd just let you go?"