Chapter 24

"I owe you nothing," Grant snapped. "She's still alive. I paid you to kill her."

"So I messed around a bit," I flinched and gripped the railing tightly. "I was getting there before the wolf interrupted me."

"Please," I begged, my form shaking as I stared at the barrel of the gun. "D-don't."

"I'm done with you," he scowled. "You're no use to me now."

The sound of the gun cocking made me jump. "P-p-please. D-don't. Please."

I stared wide-eyed as he brought the gun to his shoulders. I clasped my hand to the blanket, shielding my chest.

There was a sudden yelp from above and a dark form tumbled into the small cave. I gasped as it stood.

Josh.

I closed my eyes, trying to calm down.

J-Josh? I stuttered. He's here—it's Jake.

I'm on my way, darlin'. He growled immediately.

A fist curled around my upper arm, pulling me harshly. I gasped, my eyes flying open as I stumbled off the last step. "You're supposed to be dead!" Grant snarled, shaking me back and forth. "I'm supposed to be rid of you!"

Something my jabbed right above my hip. Without looking, I knew immediately what it was, and the fear in my heart rose to my throat. Grant scowled, pushing the gun further into my side. "I should've done it myself in the first place!"

"Grant," Jake warned from behind him.

I stared in shock over my father's shoulder. There was a gun pressed to my skin by my father, and the boy who kidnapped me was in the same room. Heat rolled down my cheeks as I trembled violently. Anger suddenly flared in me.

I scowled, but let the tears run. I grabbed his wrist, twisting the gun away from me. Grant sneered, ripping away from my hold. Jake backed away from us, his eyes wide.

The gun cocked, and Grant lifted his arm to aim it at my chest. I stood, frozen once more with my hands by my side as I stared down the barrel. Jake suddenly jumped forward, grabbing Grant's arm. "No!" he yelled, pulling him down. Grant's hand tightened around the trigger.

There was a flash, a loud pop! A searing, burning pain ripped through my side. And then… silence. There was a moment of silence where there no sound save our ragged, tortured breathing. A weak, crackling cry escaped my lips as I grasped at the wound.

My knees buckled underneath me and I crumpled to the ground.

Jake was the first to speak and break the silence. "Oh, s***."

Grant took a deep, shaky breath. "I'm getting out of here."

"But what about her?!" Jake exclaimed, gesturing to me.

Grant shook his head as he backed away, the gun dropping to the floor. Fortunately, it didn't go off again, but Grant's eyes hardened. "Unless you want to be charged with kidnapping and murder, I suggest you leave."

Jake's eyes widened, and he glanced at me before bolting to the door. "I'm out!"

Grant followed soon afterward until I was completely alone.

I lay there on the ground, feeling the thick liquid seep slowly into my clothes. I couldn't move. I couldn't blink. I stared up at the ceiling blankly, studying the water stain that had slowly grown over the years. Moments passed, and I moved to follow the cracks on the walls with my gaze, anything to avert my attention from the numbing pain in my side. It manifested at the bullet wound and spread until my whole body ached.

I was too tired to even jump when a noise echoed through the house. I realized my eyes had drifted shut. My breathing softened. It became easier to gasp than to inhale through my nose. I couldn't feel my feet, and my fingers tingled.

I was dying, I realized.

A part of me accepted it. Good. I was ready to die. I awaited it for years now. I had always known this day would come sooner rather than later. I had prepared my whole life for it. A month ago if this had happened, no one would've cared. People might be sad for a while, and then they'd move on with their lives.

But I'd never forget the relief in Josh's voice when I had finally been able to contact him. The hatred in his eyes, in that growl when he faced Jake would never leave my mind. I would forever remember the fury with which he fought and the look in his eyes when I screamed at him not to hurt Jake. The emotion in his eyes when he took me in his arms…it was love.

Pure and simple, heart-wrenching love.

I had never believed him before then. But with all the time I had to think with, I had come to realize and accept the fact that I was in love with him.

When the front door was thrown open, I realized I couldn't open my eyes. "Danny," a voice breathed, cracking with emotion. It took me a moment to recognize the voice as Josh's. I frowned and tried to turn my head towards him, but I found I couldn't move. Josh cursed over and over again, and I heard him come close. I felt his fingers brush my forehead, but the sparks were dull.

I really was dying.

"Oh no," Josh groaned, and I felt pressure around my hip. A low groan escaped my lips. His hand returned to brush my cheekbone. "I knew I should've stayed."

I felt his hands slid under me, and I groaned in protest. I tried opening my eyes, but I couldn't, and I felt myself spinning. Josh took me in his arms, settling my vision. "Danny, ya stay with me, ya understand?" Joshua growled, his voice cracking as he walked. "Ya stay with me."

I managed to lean my head against his shoulder in response, though I couldn't verbally answer him. "Don't you dare leave me, darlin'." Josh insisted. "You can't leave me."

I'll try, I said, but I couldn't feel him anymore. Everything drifted in and out, but Josh's arms stayed firm around me. We jolted up and down, and I faintly realized we were going down the front stairs—probably as fast as he could. "Tyler!" Josh said, mumbling quiet thanks. "Open the door! Do ya have yer supplies?"

"Yes…" Tyler's voice said. "Yes! Yes, I do! Here, put her in the back seat and drive. I'll take care of her."

I felt myself being laid down, stretched across a cool surface. Pain shot through me as he lifted my shirt, the fabric detaching itself from the mangled skin. I could manage no more than a heightened groan or whimper. A cool hand touched my forehead, but according to the absence of sparks, it had to be Tyler. Where… where was Josh? Where did Josh go? I couldn't hear him. I frowned, trying desperately to open my eyes just to find Josh. To see him. I had to see him.

The car jolted, and Tyler growled. "Easy, Josh!" he scolded. "Don't jostle her too much."

"R-right…" Josh's voice was distressed, unnerved. "Sorry."

Something cold touched the wound, and my skin began to burn. I was on fire! Tyler had set me on fire! A scream bubbled in my throat before escaping weakly. "Tyler!" Josh said fearfully. "What did you do?!"

"Calm down and drive," Tyler growled. "It's just alcohol cleansing."

Slowly, the burning eased and I focused on my breathing—trying to ease it. There was rustling, slowly at first, and then it became frantic. Tyler cursed. "What?" Josh asked. "What?!"

"I don't have any pain reliever. I have nothing to put her to sleep." Tyler groaned.

"So she'll feel everything?" Josh whined.

"Yes," Tyler sighed. "At least until we get home and I can find some."

Josh sighed in exasperation, whining slightly. "Jus-can it wait? Will she make it if we wait until we get there?"

"Maybe…" Tyler admitted. "But it'd be risky, Josh."

"Just… just do it." Josh said, defeated.

"Are you sure?" Tyler asked. "You might feel things as well."

"I can't let her die!" Josh's voice broke. "Do the surgery, Tyler. Now."

Tyler spoke no more, but I felt prodding around my waist and hip, and the pain increased. I focused on my breathing, but the pain spread. Unbearable burning seared through me, but I pressed my lips together. I would not scream. Tyler continued, feeling around the wound slowly. Josh groaned, and I frowned. Stars and black spots dotted my vision. Soon, everything went black, and all sounds stopped. Then, suddenly, they were turned on again, and I could feel and hear everything. My whole body was on fire. Everything burned. Everything hurt. Spots danced in my vision, and my fingers and toes were all numb. The only thing I could feel was the wound, the probing and prodding. Weak cries of pain rose from my throat, but I no longer had any control.

I drifted in and out of consciousness. Sometimes, in moments of pure bliss, I would drift away from the pain and chaos, and I would end up somewhere peaceful. A meadow, or a garden somewhere. A spot in the woods by a creek. And I would be happy finally, content. But then… I would think of Josh, and everything would come rushing back. The pain, the memories, the sounds and the voices.

At one point, I felt myself being lifted again. The movement irritated my skin, and the pain doubled. But the sparks that ran through me were worth it. Josh, I thought, leaning against him. "It's alright, darlin'." He said, his voice thick with emotion. "I've got ya. We're gonna fix ya up, alright? And you'll be good as new, okay?"

I wanted to speak to him, to assure him I understood. "But ya gotta promise me one thing, sweetheart, okay? Ya gotta stay with me. No matter what, ya gotta fight to stay, okay? Don't give up."

"Josh!" I swear I heard a thousand gasps echo through the room. But I know I heard a million voices intertwine with each other and I focused on picking them out instead of the pain shooting through my stomach.

"What happened?"

"Is she alright?"

"Oh my gosh!"

"Is she dead?"

A growl rumbled through Josh's chest.

"Put her on the table! Clear it, Peter! There, there, set her down gently."

My back connected with a hard surface and I was lain down again.

"Levi, Kyler, go get the first aid kit."

"Coffeeblue, take Hanna upstairs."

"Everyone, give her space. Give her space!"

"Josh, what happened?"

"I… I don't know."

"Oh, gosh…"

"Is she gonna be alright?"

"Tyler, will ya be able ta save her?"

"Josh, we might need to call an ambulance."

"No, she wouldn't want that."

"But, Josh, I don't know if I can…"

"I know you can, Uncle Tyler. Just, please. Do anything."

"Alright. Tweezers."

Heart-wrenching, bloodcurdling pain shot through me as those utensils touched my skin. I kept my mouth shut, refusing to scream or utter a sound. A hand brushed back my hair in attempt to calm me. Josh whispered in my ear soothingly. "We're gonna make ya all better, alright? Whoever did this to you will pay, I promise. We shoulda never let you go home. Oh, I'm sorry, darlin'. I'm so, so, so sorry. I never shoulda left you to face him alone. I'm sorry, Danny. I love you. I'm sorry."

I felt something being pulled from my skin. I bit my tongue as my skin erupted in pure agony. The bullet, I realized. He must be pulling out the bullet. I never imagined that this could hurt so much. Suddenly, the pulling sensation stopped, but the spots multiplied. Tyler cursed loudly and pressed was applied to my hip. I groaned lowly, uncomfortably.

"What?!" Everyone yelled simultaneously.

"The bullet," Tyler explained. "It hit something—an organ, an artery, I don't know. But the bleeding won't stop."

Josh cursed quietly in my ear. "Stay with me, Danny, you hear me? Keep fightin', darlin'."

"What do we do?"

"Can you save her?"

"Can you stop the bleeding?"

"Dad, you've got ta help her!"

"Tyler!"

"We need medical help," Tyler said solemnly. "But we need it immediately. There's no way…"

"No!" Josh snarled. "No! You cannot give up! If you give up, everyone gives up, including her! You've got ta find a way, Tyler! There's got to be a way. Do not let my mate die."

Die. I thought, relishing in the dots that slowly grew in my vision. I'm dying. I felt my life slowly leaving my body with the blood that left the wound.

"There is…" Peter sighed.

"What?!" Josh asked in desperation. "What is it?"

"She needs to heal," Peter said. "And quickly."

"What're you… you aren't…"

"Yes."

"But…"

"There's a small chance, but I think it's worth it."

"I can't Turn her," Josh breathed. "Not without her consent. She doesn't want to be Turned. Not yet. I-I can't…"

"There's only a small chance that'll happen, Josh."

"One chance too many!"

"You need to give her yer blood to survive, son."

"But what if…"

"Then she lives."

"She'd hate me!"

"But she'd be alive, Joshua!"

"I can't give her my blood," Josh's voice broke. "Even a little. I can't have the chance I'll Turn her."

"Josh!" Tyler said. "Your father's right. It's the only way she'll live."

There was an overwhelming pause, and with every second that passed, I felt myself drift further and further away from them—from him.

"Get the syringe."

"Cormac! Syringe!"

"Right! Here!"

"Good, good," Tyler sighed, and the pressure increased at my side. "Now, give it to me."

"Al-alright."

Something tiny pinched my side about an inch from the wound and lingered for only a second. "There. All done."

"I'm sorry, Danny." Josh said, and I barely felt something grasp my hand. "I'm so sorry. I had to. I—I had to. Please forgive me if this turns out badly. I couldn't lose you… I can't… I've already lost you once… I couldn't handle it again."

The more he spoke, the more I tried to hang onto his words, if nothing else. His words. Him. But I felt something grasp me, pulling me under, farther and farther away. I screamed, I thrashed, I clawed at it, but to no avail. Josh's voice faded, his touch and the sparks as well. Black consumed me and all I could think about was that I had let down Josh.

:::::

The next time my eyes shot open, I thought I was dead. I remembered dying. I remembered that feeling of the life being pulled from me, my last breath being harshly torn from my lungs. Josh's voice… his voice fading into the wind as I fell down into darkness. But when I woke, I immediately noticed the familiar scent engulfing me in warmth and comfort. I glanced around and sat up, the blood rushing down and blurring my vision. I closed my eyes briefly and let my vision swim back to normal. When I opened my eyes again, I found I was back in Josh's room, underneath his comforter. The door was closed, and everything was silent.

Everything came rushing back to me and I pulled up my shirt to find… nothing. There was no scar. Nothing. My hip and side looked unharmed, perfect almost. I frowned at it and let my shirt fall back into place. Only it wasn't my shirt. It wasn't the shirt I had been shot in. Fear and an ache flashed through my stomach. He had changed me? I… I didn't have anything underneath… My pants had been changed as well, but that didn't faze me as much. I was in Josh's clothes, in Josh's bed, but with no Josh. Frowning, I slowly slide out from under the covers and made my way to the door.

Slowly, I opened it an inch. Lazy sound drifted up, and I recognized voices, but couldn't pick out words. Figuring the family and pack was downstairs, I opened the door and stepped out into the hallway, making my way towards them. I stopped short as I spotted them gathered in the living room. The first thing that clicked was pink. Pink was everywhere. Banners, plates, napkins, glitter, streamers, everything. It was then I noticed that the family all wore pink hats shaped in a cone and were singing.

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Hanna! Happy birthday to you!"

Hanna clapped and smiled in the middle of the circle they formed, but her smile wasn't… right. Something bothered her, but I couldn't put my finger on it. Gail's smile faltered and she knelt next to her. "Is everythin' okay, Hanna? Do you like yer cake?"

"Yes," Hanna answered calmly.

"Then what's wrong, darlin'?" Gail asked, glancing up at Peter.

"I miss my fwiend," she replied, placing her head in her small hands. "Should be here."

Gail rubbed her back, but her eyebrows furrowed. "I'm sorry, sweetie. Where did yer friend go?"

Hanna scowled and pointed at Peter. "Daddy made him go bye-bye."

Peter's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. "Honey, what're ya…"

"The rogue," Cormac realized.

"He had a boy around her age," Adam agreed, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Cake," Hanna sighed, pointing her finger at the pink birthday cake on the coffee table. She sat down next to it and stared down with her head in her hands, frowning at the space before her. My eyes drifted as they cut the cake, and I had no trouble finding Josh. He stood off away from the circle surrounding his sister with his arms crossed over his chest. He watched them silently, a pain expression flashing across his face. His eyes seemed dark, distant, like he wasn't really seeing what was before him.

"Psst…" I hissed at him, but he hardly moved. I rolled my eyes and looked around my feet. Luckily, a pencil along with other childish toys and trash lay on the stairs, and I bent to pick it up. I took it by the pointed end and threw it.

Yes! I thought, throwing my hands up in victory as the eraser hit his temper and bounced to the floor. "Ouch!" he hissed, turning my way as he brought his hand up. His mouth dropped open and his hand fell. He glanced at his family before scurrying over to me.

"Danny!" he whispered in relief, pulling me into a tight hug. He released me and brushed my hair away from my face. "Hey."

"Hey," I replied, smiling sheepishly.

His smile dipped into a frown and he rubbed his temple. "Did ya really have ta throw somethin' at me ta get my attention? Ya coulda just mind linked me er somethin'."

I blushed. "I coulda…" I admitted. "But I didn't think about it, and throwing a pencil at you was much more fun."

He rolled his eyes but engulfed me in a hug again, muttering in my hair, "I thought I'd lost ya, darlin'. I thought… I thought…" he pulled away harshly, taking me firmly by the shoulders and gazing intently at me. "How do ya feel?"

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Sore. Like I've been shot by my father, so betrayed, hurt—"

"Ya don't feel any different?" he asked, his shoulders relaxing.

"No, why?" I shook my head, looking at him weirdly.

He sighed in relief, touching his forehead to mine. "I was so scared… scared that I had accidently Turned you without yer permission…"

"I know," I nodded slightly. "I heard."

"What?" he asked, pulling away and raising an eyebrow.

"I was awake during everything," I admitted. "I only blacked out after you guys injected me. I-I… you told me to stay with you, and I tried."

His thumb brushed my cheek lovingly. "Yer so amazin'."

My cheeks heated.

"Danny!" A little voice squealed, and a happy Hanna raced towards me. She jumped on my legs, sending me back a little.

"Hanna," Josh scolded, picking her up by her arms. "Ya gotta be careful, Picnic. Danny's hurt, and ya don't wanna hurt her no more, right?"

Hanna frowned, but nodded as she glanced up at Josh from where he held her. "Hug now?"

Josh smiled and rolled his eyes, but handed the toddler to me. Her arms wrapped around my neck and I held her to me. She pulled back but stayed in my arms. "So…" I said, raising an eyebrow. "I heard today is your birthday!"

Her eyes brightened. "Yea!"

"How old are you?"

"Two!" She said adorably, beaming at me with cake on her chin.

"Wow!" I joked, tickling her side. "You're getting' old on me!"

She squealed and I set her down. She raced off back to cake and ice cream, leaving Josh and I alone again. "How long have I been asleep?" I asked.

Josh ran a hand through his hair and rubbed his neck. "Couple days at least. That's why we all thought I had Turned ya."

My eyes widened. "Couple days? What about school…"

"Don't worry about it," Josh said. "It's Christmas break. Semester's almost over."

I sighed, but I couldn't help but worry. "What's gonna happen now?"

Josh glanced over his shoulder, his expression become unsure. "Dad's pretty upset fer makin' ya go home, so he agreed that ya could stay here fer as long as ya need."

"Really?" I breathed.

Josh beamed. "On one condition."

"And what is that…?" I asked, frowning.

"Ya can't sleep in my room." Josh admitted, glancing down at his feet.

"That's it?" I asked. "Really?"

He glared at me.

Realization ran through me and I sighed deeply, frowning. "I… I've got to get my clothes…"

Josh mimicked my frown and he cross his arms over his chest. "I think you need to rest first."

"But…"

"You were shot, Danny." Josh said forcefully, leaning in towards me. "You need to rest. Doctor's orders."

"Then we'll go get my stuff?" I asked. "I want to get that out of the way as soon as possible."

"Alright," he agreed reluctantly.

"And Josh?" I said, looking up at him blushingly.

"Yea?"

I jumped up to wrap my arms around his neck. "Thanks for coming when I needed you."

He pulled me to him briefly before releasing me. "I'm always here, darlin'. Always. Now go get some rest. I'll be right here."

"I love you," I said, backing up away from him and up the stairs.

His beautiful eyes watched my every movement. "I love you too, darlin'."

I turned and started up the stairs. "Careful!" Josh called up to me, and I only rolled my eyes in response. I closed the door to Josh's room and climbed back under the blankets. I missed his warmth beside me, but I managed to fall asleep.

:::::

I found myself smiling as I stood over the stove, stirring the mashed potatoes one more time to make sure they were ready. Suddenly the back door opened and Josh walked in, holding a plate of grilled chicken. "Yum," I commented without my permission. It was like my mouth and body had a mind of its own. I couldn't help but notice the ring on Josh's hand, and the matching one on mine. I glanced up to study him, and I found him to be older… only by a few years. He seemed more… mature in a way. He was definitely older. He came towards me, setting the plate on the counter and leaning in to kiss my cheek.

"Yer an amazin' cook, darlin'," he commented, inhaling the heavenly scent of the potatoes. "But we both know my grilling is so much better."

I shot him a glare and stuck my tongue out at him. "You love my cooking."

"Yes," he agreed, taking the plate and heading for the table. "Especially when I'm not helpin'."

He set the plate down in the middle of the table and I followed him with the pot of potatoes. As I set it on a pot holder, I noticed a small body at the end of the table. I gasped, drawing back. The little boy squealed at the sight of me, throwing his cubby little hands in the air. His mouth was wide in a smile and two little teeth gleamed back at me. A roll of drool slid out of the corner of the baby's mouth, but he didn't seem to care or notice. He just squealed again.

"Brett's hungry," Josh commented, appearing by the baby's side with a small blue bowl of mashed potatoes. He set it on the high chair that the child was in and placed a soft kiss on the baby's head. My heart warmed at the sight, but I was still very much confused. Did he say Brett? As in my number one baby name?

"Who?" I asked dazedly, staring blankly at the kid.

Josh raised an eyebrow and straightened. "Our child?" he replied, gesturing to the baby. Ours? I thought. Ours… "Brett Reese? Ya know, he's about four months old, the youngest and only boy…"

"Of course," I lied, blushing. Brett screamed happily and made a grab for the bowl, but Josh had put it just out of his reach. The baby groaned and stretched, his chubby little fingers trying so hard to reach the food. "I just thought you said something else."

"Right…" Josh said, making his way around the set table. "I'll go get True."

True? I thought. It couldn't be… True Justice was also a name I had picked out for a child. Just then Josh walked in holding the hand of a dark haired child a little younger than Hanna was. She wobbled slightly on her feet and clutched the hand of her… father. She glanced up suddenly, and I gasped. It was like looking in a mirror. Although her straight brown hair only reached her chin, I recognized those brown eyes immediately as my own. I felt myself smiling. "Momma!" she said, letting go of Josh's hand to stumble her way towards me. She fell into my legs and covered it up as a hug.

Smiling, I bent down to take her in my arms. She frowned suddenly, pinching her nose. "Brudder stinky!" She commented, pointing at the baby with her free hand. Brett giggled, chewing on his fist.

"It's your turn!" Josh and I both screamed at the same time, although I truly had no idea whose turn it was.

Josh glared at me, his mouth pressed firmly and I could tell he was trying not to breathe deeply. "I did it last time. It's your turn, darlin'."

I pouted, giving him the puppy dog eyes. "But I just cooked dinner!"

"So did I," he said, his jaw dropping.

I blinked up at him. "Please?"

"Daddy's turn!" True giggled. "Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!"

Josh's gaze softened, but he glared playfully at the child in my arms. "You ain't helpin', sweetheart."

"Daddy's turn!" True repeated, her perfect laugh echoing through the house.

Josh merely stuck his tongue out at us, and we returned the motion, though Josh made his way over to Brett. With a final glare tossed my way, he picked up the baby and cradled him in his arms. I laughed, holding up my hand for a high five from True. She squealed, clapping her tiny hand to mine.

Everything froze as the front door flew open, almost off its hinges, revealing a very big, very angry man. True gasped and clung to me, fear swirling in her eyes. "Why bad Grandpa here?" she asked innocently, gazing up fearfully at me.

I opened my mouth but nothing came out.

"Get out of my house," Josh growled threateningly, putting the baby back in his chair and coming to stand protectively in front of us. Brett began to scream and Grant's judging eyes flickered over to him and then rested on True.

"What is this?" he commented, ignoring Josh. "Another abomination?"

Josh growled loudly, taking a step towards him. "Get out of my house."

"I was disgusted when that thing came, and now another one?" Grant raised his eyebrow and shook his head. "How revolting."

True shook as tears ran down her face, and as soon as Josh noticed, he snarled at my father. There was a flash, and next thing I knew, a black wolf was hurdling towards him.

I sat up with a start, nearly banging my head against Josh's. He pulled back harshly, his young eyes wide as he leaned over me. "You okay, darlin'?"

"Fine," I panted, rubbing my hands over my eyes. "Bad dream."

"Wanna talk about it?" Josh suggested.

I found myself blushing deeply. Married, I thought to myself. We were married… with kids. "No!"

"Oh…kay…" Josh pulled away from my bedside, crossing his arms over my chest and gazing weirdly at me. "Are ya ready ta go?"

"Go?" I asked before everything came rushing back to me. "Uh, yes, I guess."

He nodded and helped me out of the bed. I glanced at the clock and paled. "We gotta hurry," I said, pulling him out the door. "He'll be back for lunch any minute."

I pulled him down the stairs, past the staring eyes of his pack and shoved him into the driver's seat of the truck. He muttered under his breath as I hurriedly climbed across his lap and into the passenger's seat. The car hadn't started yet even as I buckled myself in. I glanced up to see him gazing at me with his jaw dropped. "Go," I insisted, motioning outside the truck.

He shook his head in disbelief and started the truck. He drove quickly to the house, and I swear my heart was beating out of my chest. Luckily, both cars were gone again when we showed up, and I vaguely wondered where Destiny had been. I jumped out as soon as he stopped and ran inside.

"Danny!" he called after me, growling to himself. "Wait up!"

"Catch up!" I yelled back, giggling internally at the pun.

He snarled as I ran up my stairs. I pulled a bag out from under my bed and began to stuff my closet into it. Josh appeared at the door, raising an eyebrow. "Help me!" I hissed, pointing to the bathroom. "Go get my shampoo and stuff."

He saluted me and I rolled my eyes. "Yessum!"

He disappeared inside the bathroom and I continued to stuff thing in the bag as quickly as I could. I wanted to be gone before he came home. I didn't want him to think about me ever again. I wanted to be gone—out of his life for good after this.

Josh came out with his arms full and dumped them into the bag as well. When he straightened up, he frowned as he looked out the window. "Danny…"

I glanced up to him. "What?"

"He's home…"

I cursed lowly under my breath, zipping up the bag and slinging it over my shoulder. I grabbed Josh's hand, making a dash for the stairs. Just as I stepped to go downstairs, the door flew open. I froze, gaping as I stared at Grant, who glared back at me. Instinctively, I let go of Josh's hand, but neither of us moved.

"That's twice now," Grant hissed, glancing towards Josh, "that I've tried to kill you."

Josh growled under his breath and I finally realized his shoulders were shaking. "She's comin' with me."

Grant raised an eyebrow, throwing his keys on the shelf of the bookcase next to him. "Oh, you're sure about that?"

Josh stepped down another stair, his eyes blazing. "Absolutely."

"Josh…" I muttered, but he never even spared me a glance. I hurried down the stairs as they glared at each other, ready to get in-between them if they fought.

"Take her," Grant said slowly. "I don't want her."

"Of course ya don't," Josh snarled, making his way down the stairs too.

Grant simply raised an eyebrow.

"She's just yer punchin' bag, ain't she?" Josh growled, his fists clenching. "That's all she is ta you."

I flinched behind him, trying to ignore the hurt that ran through me at his words.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Grant replied, his hand resting on the belt of his uniform. Fear raced through me, and with a glance at Josh, I realized he had no idea. I started towards the door, keeping my face blank as I tried to act like nothing was happening. Grant lashed out just as I passed him. Rage laced his voice as he spat, "Where do you think you're going?"

I heard Josh growl from behind me. Don't. I said, and he immediately stopped. I know what I'm doing.

Danny… Josh whined.

"Hey!" Grant shook me harshly, and I commanded Josh to stay where he was. "You look at me when I'm talking to you, b—"

"Shut up," I hissed, turning to glare at him.

His jaw clenched, his eyes blazing. "What did you say?" he snarled, lashing out and grabbing the fabric of my shirt along with my arm he already held. Josh just growled, but he stayed where he was. I retaliated immediately, smacking him with my bag, but it hardly fazed him. I grunted as his fist connected with the underside of my jaw.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Josh step forward, his eyes blazing. Stay, I asked, begging him silently. Grant tore my bag from my shoulder, tossing it across the room. He suddenly kneed me in the stomach, making me double over, gagging. "Don't you ever talk back to me, understand?"

Danny… Josh repeated in the same tone. I can't just sit here!

Please, Josh! I begged, coughing. Just a moment.

He shoved me back, the bookcase shelves digging themselves into my skin as I crashed into it. The items on the shelves fell in an avalanche of different object, a box landing on my head and spilling out over my lap. I gritted my teeth as pain flared through my back; the bookcase had collapsed under my weight. I looked up to see him scowling at me before he rolled his eyes. He glanced at Josh, who was still shaking.

Don't shift, I said, giving him a keen look.

Tryin' not to, babe. He said, his voice strained as he glanced at me.

Grant bent over and grabbed his keys from where they had fallen. He glanced at his watch and scowled before reaching for the doorknob. "You've made me miss my lunch."

And then he was gone. Just like that.

"Danny!" Josh said, kneeling next to me. He held up the bookcase with his hand, gazing down at me with concern.

"I'm fine," I huffed, brushing away the pictures that had split on me.

"What the crap were you thinkin'?!" Josh growled.

I frowned up at him. "He was gonna shot you."

Josh pulled back, gapping. "Wh…what?"

"He had his hand on his gun," I nodded. "I had to avert his attention."

Josh blew out, blinking furiously and shaking his head. Suddenly, he glanced down at the piles of pictures and gently picked one up. His eyebrows knitted together, staring at the picture he was holding. "Have you seen this?"

I furrowed my eyebrows, saying, "No," just as I took it from him. It was a man, his brown eyes staring out at me as he made a shocked expression as a little girl kissed his cheek—Destiny. It had to be. I'd know her anywhere. And that man was definitely not my father. I turned it around, my mouth dropping when I saw a woman's handwriting scrawled on it: Daniel 3 and Destiny. Father and daughter bonding session! It was dated seventeen years ago.

Grant wasn't her father.

I gasped, the picture falling from my hand. "No way…" I muttered. But that… that didn't make any sense! If I was his daughter and not Destiny, then why did he love her more?! What if… what if I wasn't his daughter either…?

"Are you thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?" Josh asked, picking up the picture again.

"Yes," I stated simply. "I'm just havin' a hard time believing it."

Suddenly there was a knock at the door and I nearly jumped out of my skin. Josh kept the bookcase up as he helped me up. I brushed my hand through my hair before slowly answering the knock.

On the other side stood a woman dressed in a dress suit, gazing down at a clipboard with dark green eyes. Her black hair was pulled tightly away from her face in a proper bun and a pair of spectacles rested on her nose. Her skin was a light tan and she glanced up with a warm smile. "Are you Danny Kimble?" she asked kindly.

"Yes," Josh answered, opening the door wider so he could see what was going on.

The lady's eyes widened as she took him in. "I'm, uh… I'm Katrina Kent," she said before locking eyes with me. "I'm from child services."

So that's um... that's it guys. It's done. I Am Without A Voice is... done. Omg. Crying. Well... obviously there should be a sequel. But... it might take a while. I'm having trouble forming the plot in my head, so. The title will be I Am Without A Choice, so look for it!

Review :3

~Anni12