Chibiyu: I am going to finish this story before I update any other story on this site. And I'm kind of going to what I call forced isolation. No, not grounding. Just…not social for awhile.

Nick: I don't know if that's good or a bad thing. Not getting ideas from the outside and not being able to vent…

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I stepped out of the car, closing the car door silently and watching Macy, Nick and the little devil. They didn't even stir. I glanced towards the building before bolting in the surrounding trees, away from the road. I won't let them get me like they did my daughter. I will avenge her. I will be right. This is my time to win, not for another flashback into the past.

This was my time. And I'm sorry for anyone who thinks it's theirs.

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"JOE!"

I was jolted awake by the urgent shout and judging by the tightening of daddy's arms, he woke up too. Macy stirred and looked out the window, not understanding this any more than we were. Daddy opened the door and slowly stepped outside, pulling me out with him. He shifted me in his arms and I curled closer to him, looking around.

"He's gone." I whispered into Daddy's ear, pushing away one of his curls so I could get to it. "Joe's gone." Daddy nodded slowly and I watched his eyes scan the surrounding trees.

"He can't have been gone long." I heard him breathe but he made no attempt to run after him. "Kev?" He called out and I hid my smile by ducking my head into his shoulder. Daddy was playing dumb. "What happened?"

"Joe's gone." Said brother answer before ducking into the woods. He didn't stray form the car however. "Why would he run?"

Daddy and I both glanced over to Macy and to each other. He ran away – this was something Daddy and I knew quite a bit about. It wasn't uncommon for a racer to try and run for freedom, but it was common for them to be found. Joe was different from the racers though. He was smarter than just taking a car and running. I gave Daddy a meaningful look and he nodded, reaching back into the car and surreptitiously checking the glove compartment. I nodded and he pulled away, grabbing a tissue on the way out. Joe didn't take the guns.

"Why wouldn't he arm himself?" I whispered, grabbing the tissue and wiping my nose.

"Because he wants to run away from it all." He breathed, walking over to Macy and putting an arm around her. I scowled and turned away; knowing Daddy did this so we would get off of the subject. But I don't want to sit and listen, I just want to talk.

"Are you worried?" Macy asked, entwining hers and Daddy's fingers.

Daddy sighed and nodded. "Of course I am. Even though he isn't the nicest person," That being an understatement in my opinion, but no one ever listens to the three year old. "But he is still my brother. How can I not worry?"

"Anything?" We three looked up as Stella yelled from the other side. Kevin emerged empty handed.

Daddy unlaced his fingers from Macy and pointed to the spot in between Aunt Stella and Uncle Kevin. I have to get used to calling them that I guess. "He ran that way." Daddy revealed and Kevin wasted no time to run off. "KEVIN!" He turned as Daddy dropped something into Macy's hand. She nodded and threw it hard over to him. Uncle Kevin caught it and looked over curiously. "Better safe than sorry." Daddy stated before leaning against the car, his eyes weary.

"He won't find him." I guessed, feeling Daddy nod as I put my forehead on his shoulder. "So why did you tell him which way he went?"

I felt him turn his head and bury it in my hair to cover the fact we were talking. "Because I don't want to give up on my brother."

"Even though he was bad to you and me?"

"Blood runs thicker than water." He lifted his head and planted a kiss where his forehead was. "One day you'll understand." I scowled; I wanted to understand now. But Daddy was right – until I actually have a brother or sister, I won't get it. I may be a child genius, but I still don't know enough or have a lot of experiences. And I hated that – not comprehending.

"Nick?" Daddy and I turned to face Aunt Stella as she walked slowly over. "I'm sorry the last thing you said to Joe was in an argument."

"You talk like he's dead." Macy quickly inserted and I looked up to Daddy's eyes. I was sure I was the only one too see the pain he was hiding. Joe won't last for long alone. He may be dead before the sun sets.

Stella made a shushing noise and slapped Macy on the arm, glancing quickly to Daddy and me. "It's ok Stell." He whispered, putting me on the ground and stretching out his arms. "And I know. But I don't think it matters. Joe wouldn't believe if I said otherwise. Frankie's right." Nick turned to the young boy who was standing in the door of the rest house, eyeing the scene with silent tears. "He's changed."

Daddy walked over to my youngest uncle and pulled him into a hug, leaving me to cling to Macy's leg and sigh. Would we have a chance with Joe gone? I know killing is a terrible thing, but we may have needed him.

I froze and tore across the small grassed area and clamped onto Daddy's legs. Everyone looked to the entrance ramp as the sirens came closer. Kevin ran from the trees and pulled Frankie, Daddy and I over to the car. Daddy promptly scooped me up into his arms and held me tightly. Will they take me away from him? Daddy was forced to hurt and kill all those people so they won't take me from him, will they? He's a good Daddy! He would never hurt me! He did all that to protect me. I clung tightly to his neck, hiding my scared face. I don't want to leave Daddy.

"Kevin?" Daddy whispered when the first of four police cars pulled up.

"Don't worry, Nick. They'll find Joe."

"Not what I was worried about." Daddy breathed out, holding me as close as possible without squeezing me to tight.

Uncle Kevin glanced over and sighed, putting his hand on his brother's back. "It's ok. They already know about the stuff you did for Carter." Both of us looked at him, unable to believe our ears. "I kind of kept them updated when you all were sleeping." He glanced to our vice grips on each other before sighing sadly. "And they won't separate you two. They understand – it was self defense."

Though Daddy nodded, his grip on me did anything but loosen, especially when the police stepped out of the cars and slammed their doors. Nick shifted me so I was covered more by him when a few officers pointed their guns to us.

I felt Daddy shake violently when two officers noticed me and shifted their aim to Daddy. My own heart pounded against his side but his was far faster than mine. I put my hand over his heart and gripped his shirt, trying to get his attention.

"It's ok, Daddy." I whispered, looking anywhere but to his terrified eyes or to the guns pointing to us. "We'll be ok." I don't know if he heard me as he pressed me even tighter to him.

"Stand down!" One officer shouted as he pushed his way through the line of six. He flashed his badge to us and Kevin nodded.

"Are you Michael?" The oldest one here called. The man in blue nodded, watching Uncle Kevin carefully as he walked towards the line. Unheard words were shared between the two. Macy stepped in front of me, earning a thankful glance from Daddy and Stella pushed Frankie behind her.

Macy touched Daddy's arm gently. "Carter's right, Nick. It's going to be ok. Trust Kevin – he knows what he is doing." She sighed when Daddy didn't respond. "Carter's not going to be taken Nick. We won't let her."

"Even if it means running from the police, we won't be separated. Ever." Stella emphasized, turning to the oddly quiet Lucas behind her. "Are you alright Frankie?" He shook his head, choosing to keep his mouth shut.

"I don't understand." I said aloud, letting the four around me hear. "Why are they doing that?" I was referring to them pointing lethal weapons at us. "We aren't a threat…well much of one."

No one answered, not understanding either.

Kevin said some heated words and Daddy buried his face into my hair again. And one by one, the officers lowered their guns and holstered them. I patted Daddy's head and he lifted it slowly, evaluating the situation before letting his arms relax and allowing me to squirm so I could face the officers. Though I didn't want to admit it, I was scared too. Those days without Daddy were so scary. He wasn't there to hold me, to protect me and I was surrounded by the bad guys. I don't want to be without Daddy again, even if the bad guys aren't there. So even though his hold loosened, mine did not.

Uncle Kevin ran back to us and nodded, taking Frankie by the hand and grabbing Daddy's shoulder. "You three are going to ride with them. They will take Nick to the hospital," Daddy opened his mouth to protest, but Uncle Kevin silenced him with a look. "And they will keep Frankie and Carter close to him and safe."

"So what about us?" The girls questioned at the same time, not even fazed by this.

Kevin took a deep breath before nodding. "You are going to follow the police cars to the hospital. I am staying to help them look for Joe." His tone left no room for argument.

"When will we see you again?" Frankie finally broke his silence to ask.

"Tonight. I promise."

Frankie lunged forward and hugged Kevin tightly, not willing to let go of another brother. I reached forward when my youngest uncle stepped back again. He grabbed my hand gently and led us off to the blue and white cars. Daddy patted Uncle Kevin on the arm once before letting himself get carted off.

"Hello sweetie, I am Officer Mary. What's your name?"

"I'm not slow." I told her, hating her high pitched baby tone.

"Carter." Daddy scolded and I sighed, ducking my head. I know, I know: not everyone knows I am special. I squirmed all the while Officer Mary was hooking me into the child seat and I shot Daddy a glare when I heard him chuckle. "It's the law." He told me, shrugging but keeping a keen eye on the driver.

"Ok, that should do it!" Officer Mary stated. She held the other door open for Daddy.

"Hey Kevin!" He called, causing said brother to turn. "Don't get your hopes up." He sat next to me before my uncle could even blink in confusion. "They won't find him." Daddy whispered when the engine started.

"Let's hope no one does."

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Joe's PoV

I knew they were after me – I would have been stupid to think otherwise. So I kept moving at the same pace, knowing that I would be safe until tomorrow morning. They wouldn't know I ditched my family for awhile. At least, they shouldn't. They had to be watching us – how else would they keep finding us? And I broke away from the group so I should be safer and out of their eyes sight. Then again, the boss did know how to chase runners – he caught up with Mom didn't he?

What did Mom even see in him? Sure he shares her love of all things scary, action filled and loud, but he was a psycho! Why didn't Mom see that? Why did she get involved? She could have saved us, if she had known. How could she have known? How could she have known that her first three dates decided her first three son's fates?

A horror movie as a first date was innocent enough right? The guy feeling macho when the girl got scared and cuddled into him. Who knew he would use the same methods he saw on that Rated R screen on my older brother?

And who takes a girl on their second date to a Holocaust museum and turns her second son into a Hitler wannabe? Sure Sandy Lucas was awed and horrified by his power, but that doesn't mean she wanted her son to become him!

I can understand the Nascar race – mom loud that stuff and was always watching it with Dad and Kevin. Who knew a simple obsession would turn Nick into one of the maniacs on the track.

And what kind of messed up person associated torture methods with dates?

And Frankie asked the best question of them all: but he killed Mom. Why would he still want revenge?

Revenge is a fickle emotions and it often doesn't respond to reason. That man is held with by its hold and the more he struggles, the more he gets tangled in its thorns. He won't let this go until he is able to cut off the entire infected branch: until my whole family is gone. But I won't let him get me. I am out of revenge's hold and acting on my own wants. Revenge can't bring my daughter back. But maybe I can stop them from taking away everything I am. Maybe I can get away.

And that's what I intend to do.

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Chibiyu: Not the best. I am really brain dead. But whatever. I need to finish this story. And it may end faster than I expected…like in two-three chapters. Yes there will be an epilogue. Until Next Update!