Hi guys here is the next chapter. You don't know how many times I have changed it but I think this is the best I could have written it. Trigger warning- abuse
Disclaimer- You know what I mean
Early in the morning I wake to start packing the few belongings I have. Since joining the horseman I definitely have more belongings since Henley first made us all go shopping but it still fits into a small duffle bag and my guitar case, which is kind of sad. This morning we are flying back to New York to get the final parts of the plan done which I am glad about. Being back in New York is the best place for me and my brother given how long we have both lived their separately. Going back to that apartment will be weird because we haven't been there in a long time but it does feel as much like home as it could be. I have finished packing and walk out of my room to come face to face with my brother and I can't help but smirk at him remembering what happened last night. In response my brother rolls his eyes before brushing past me to grab his jacket. It then hits me like a ton of bricks this is my brothers last day being "alive". I'm not sure why it took me that long to remember it maybe because it's very early my brain doesn't wake up until about nine in the morning. Worry consumes me again and I don't know what to do, luckily at that second Danny notifies us all that we need to go. My mind shuts off like it usually does when I panic and I only come back to reality when Jack nudges me when we are sitting on the plane.
"You ok" my brother asks worry etched over his face. I nod and smile at him even though my insides are curling up at the thought of lying to him. However one thought calms my conscience if he is worrying about me more mistakes are likely to be made and right now that could be extremely costly. I squeeze Jacks hand and rest my head against his shoulder relaxing slightly. There is no point about worrying yet I will just savour the last moments I have with him.
A few moments later I hear someone clear their throat. Turning in Jack's arm I look over my shoulder to come face to face with the showman. Danny simply jerks his head to the side meaning he wants to speak with me. I squeeze Jack's hand once more before following Danny to a more private area of the plane. Straight when I'm there he puts his hands on my shoulders looking into my eyes "listen to me I can see you're worried about Jack" He says quietly I look down feeling guilty that I'm doubting the plans that we both spent hours labouring over. Danny notices and sighs "Hey its fine it's perfectly natural, I'm worried to" I nod slightly happy that I'm not the only one. I wonder where this conversation is going given that Danny just saying he is worried isn't his style. "Hey" Danny says gently moving my head so I'm looking at him again "when we are on the bridge I promise I will do all that I can to keep the real Jack safe". I don't usually believe people when they make promises like that but there is something about the way that Danny looks at me that makes me believe him.
Soon the plane has landed and we are back in our slightly grubby apartment. I can tell everyone is getting very stressed as Henley and Danny are yelling at each other again. I ignore them and keep helping Jack to collect and burn all the papers I don't want to think about all the many disastrous outcomes from this part of the plan. I zone back in to hear Jack say that he doesn't want to go to jail with our background going to jail is a main fear for both of us. Calmingly I put my hand on Jack's arm seconds before Merritt says "Well you have always wanted to be treated like an adult Jack so here is your chance to do it" I glare at him for his horrid remark but Danny goes over to yell at him so I turn my focus onto Jack.
"We won't go to jail" I simply tell him which he responds with a look that I translate to 'how would you know'. "It's not our style" I say with a smirk before giving his arm a quick squeeze and going to look out of the window. "Guys" I stop everyone arguing to notify them that we need to go. Merritt is the first to leave just giving Jack a reassuring hand on his shoulder followed by Henley who does the same. This leaves Jack, Danny and I in the flat still. I run at him and give him the biggest hug I have ever given him, possibly for the last time. I familiarise myself with the way he moves as he gently sways me, His breathing patterns and the fact that he somehow always smells of chocolate. Slowly I pull away, stand on my tiptoes to kiss his cheek, squeeze his hand once more and turn to walk out of the rom leaving the last two to have some privacy.
Soon Danny joins me not quite closing the door behind him we are the only two standing in this hall as Henley and Merritt have already left. Looking into Danny's eyes I see fear but at the same time hope I am almost certain that my eyes mirror his. Gently he reaches for my hand and gives it a gentle squeeze before leading me towards the trash shoot. As I am hurtling down the metal tube I realize that him holding my hand is the first proper contact while he is trying to calm me that I have ever had with the showman. When we reach the bottom of the trash shoot and are outside I give him a quick hug before bolting off in the other direction. I can't drive so I wouldn't be much use on the highway so my job for now is making sure the FBI will fall into the trap of going to the safe using the papers. I have double checked everything when I hear the helicopter overhead sighing I manage to move my way onto the roof. I'm not sure if this is good or not but I can see the highway where the crash is taking place. Soon the car flips and lands upside down from the roof I can't tell if that is the car with my brother inside or the decoy car silently I hope that it is the decoy but doubt slowly creeps in. The car explodes in a bright colour of reds and oranges I would have said it was pretty if there wasn't a possibility that someone could have died. I feel a slight wetness on my cheeks as I angrily wipe my tears away, get it together girl he is most likely alive that car was probably the decoy. Taking one last glance at the burning wreck I turn away and leave the building.
A few minutes later a taxi pulls up in front of me glancing into the front window I confirm it is Danny and climb into the car. Taking a better look at Danny a weak smile comes on my face as I see the massive fake moustache he is wearing most likely to try to keep both of us positive. At first glance you may think it is working but I know Danny well and can see the slight glassiness of his eyes. Reaching for his hand which is now on the gearshift I try to convey comfort in my touch and it works to some extent as I see him smile. Looking out of the window I try to remain hopeful that my brother is still alive as Danny keeps driving us to the safe house.
When we are finally there I go into shut down mode again, Henley's gentle questions about whether I'm alright fall upon deaf ears but luckily they all leave to make the video. Again Jack's advice rings in my ears so I start distracting myself by going through my stuff and all the plans for the final show. For the next few hours I keep working, a few times Henley tries to get me to stop but eventually she leaves me alone which I am quite glad about. Hours have past when a different voice tries to tempt me out of the room, one who has been doing the same thing as me for a while. "Annie" I suddenly realise Danny had been trying to talk to me so I turn around for the first time in hours. Danny is in the door way holding two cups of tea as he strolls towards me. Danny starts to make himself comfortable and doesn't say anything else so I start to turn back to the papers but my wrist is suddenly grabbed. Danny spins me round so I'm looking at him and takes my shoulders like he did earlier this morning. "Stop" he simply says. While holding onto my wrist he leads me into another room away from all the plans so the only thing I can focus on is him.
He sits down on a chair and pushes me down onto the one next to him. His face says it all he is worried and wants me to talk. I glance down avoiding his gaze thinking about what to say if anything. Danny simply waits, I had no idea that Danny knew anything about comforting someone but he is doing a good job of it right now. After a few minutes, I finally come up with the right words "Jack could be dead right now" I look up at Danny whose expression is completely neutral. I swallow again trying to keep the tears at bay "I've already lost one brother, I can't lose another". Danny can't mask his expression this time he looks completely shocked. I quickly realise what I admitted and my eyes start darting around looking for an escape as my instincts are kicking in. I need to get out if I don't someone will hurt me. I stand up my senses going mad trying to figure out what to do. I'm about to freak out when I collide with someone. Immediately I start fighting them I need to get away, they are here to finish the job they started when they killed Alex. I'm pulled closer to the person no matter how hard I struggle they keep hold of me. Then there is a voice, a smooth, calming voice. "Annie, you are safe, it's just me, they aren't gonna hurt you anymore". It's as if a light has been switched on as my breathing evens out and I relax into Danny's arms.
We are both breathing heavy for a moment before the floodgates open. Tears are streaming down my face like a waterfall, I have had enough of being strong I need to let it all out. Soon it becomes too much as I collapse to the ground in a heap, Danny follows me and slowly rocks me backwards and forwards. Despite my tears my brain is at peace for once. Here I am on the floor of an apartment that I can sleep in being cradled in my brother's boyfriend's arms, despite the worry about Jack I do feel quite safe. These thoughts soon stop my tears as I lean into Danny's embrace. Without thinking about it too much I start talking, telling Danny about the secret I have kept locked away inside my heart.
It was a few years after all three of us Wilder kids had ran away from home. We had all been alone for about a year but somehow Alex and I found each other again. I was twelve years old and he was fifteen. We stayed together for a while fighting against all the threats that living on the streets threw at us but there was one threat that we knew eventually we would have to face and we may not beat it. Our father had been looking for us ever since we ran away from him in the first place, all three of us had some close calls but he never found us, this soon changed. WE were walking through New York one night when our father found us. He started yelling as he always did about both of us being ungrateful brats and then he became physical. He beat us both for a long time before he suddenly stopped. Sirens were heard in the distance and they were coming this way, with the last few seconds he had he stabbed Alex in the stomach twice and then ran off.
"Alex died that day in my arms all because of that man" I finish telling Danny. My eyes are filled with tears again and I soon see that his are to. There are no noises for a few minutes just both of us thinking in silence. Danny soon speaks again
"Nothing will happen to you I promise" there is a short pause while he gathers his thoughts "as for Jack" I look up at him for the first time in a long while wanting to hear what he thinks. "I am certain he is fine, we would have felt it if he wasn't". Those words sooth me as I relax into Danny's arms again. I have shared one of my deepest secrets with this man and I know he is going to keep it. I rest my head in the crook of his neck as tiredness overcomes me. The last thing I feel is Danny pressing a kiss to the top of my head as I fall into a deep sleep.
God that was sad, anyway I think I have only one chapter left. Please follow/review
Bye peeps- Hannisquid