Hi everyone! Thanks for reading as always. Again this is another chapter with physical abuse, so read with caution. This chapter will show Josie making the ill-fated decision to take a step towards making a stand against her Uncle Roderick.

Chapter 12:

Alcina lay curled up in a ball of agony at Roderick's feet. His walking stick in one hand and his glass of whiskey in the other. She stared up at him through only one eye, the other swollen shut. She tried to take a breath in, but that too was proving difficult. He hadn't broken her ribs as far as she knew, however, with the blood trickling out from her nose, she was starting to fear he may have.

"Oh, Alcina," he said, his words a bit slurred due to his drunkenness as he staggered over to his large chair by the fire and sat down. "Why continue to act so defiant, huh? Why? Your humiliation and pain is all your own fault, you know. This could all stop if you just obeyed me. Gave in to me."

Gritting her teeth as she slowly willed herself back up into a kneeling position, taking in a shaky breath.

"I have done all you ever ask, my lord," she panted, wrapping her arm around her waist.

"Perhaps, but you still remain unbroken, and I think you have been training your daughters to act just as defiant. Not our Helena, but Josie. Josie our little spit fire," he took a sip from his glass. "I did not have to be so generous and send Helena to nursing school, nor allow her to go out and get a job."

"Why did you?"

"Because I knew you would hate the idea. Knowing your daughter was out there in the big bad world with my men watching her every move. If I wished for them to attack her and do whatever they wanted…" he snapped his finger. "Just like that. That is how fast it would happen."

Alcina started to tremble with anger, sucking in her lips to stop from expelling a torrent of emotions at him.

"Of course I still could do it, Alcina. It all depends entirely on you, and keeping your Josie on a leash."

"Y-yes, my lord."

"Good." He smiled, motioning for her to come to him.

Taking in another deep breath, she pushed herself up to her feet—releasing the faintest of whimpers when a sharp pain shot through her side.

"Kiss me."

Alcina swallowed, not moving a muscle.

"Now!" he roared.

Alcina flinched, lowering herself in order to reach his lips.

Swiftly he buried his fingers into her black mane and pulled her forward. Tears streaming down her face as he kissed her roughly, his fingers pulling at her hair. His foul breath a mixture of whiskey and stale cigar. Finally he released her and shoved her roughly away.

"Go." He waved her away, his eyes focused on the flames dancing in the hearth.

Quietly she exited the room and limped all the way to her bedroom before stopping, resting her head against the frame and burst into a fit of sobs. Covering her mouth to stifle the sounds in order not to awaken her daughters, she noticed out of the corner of her eye someone approaching her with a candle in hand.

"Oh my lady."

"P-Phoebe…" Alcina could say no more, overcome by her sorrow and grief.

"It's all right, my lady," Phoebe whispered, wrapping an arm around her waist and leading Alcina into the bedroom. Doing her best to clean up her face and change her into a clean nightgown before easing her down into the bed. "Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"Yes," Alcina whispered, smiling weakly as the old woman tucked a loose strand of her black hair behind her ear. "If you could check in on Helena and Josie for me…"

"Yes, Lady Alcina," she said, kissing her forehead. "Do not lose hope. The winds will change soon, I know it…"

{…}

Josie's health had quickly turned around as soon as she started to take her medicine again. She was able to move around without the feeling of vertigo overwhelming her. Her breathing less harsh and her heart beating at a regular pace. That being said, what the medicine could not heal was the hatred she felt towards her uncle. His abuse towards them, especially towards their mother, who was brandishing a new black eye, split lip and walking with a cruel limp was more than she could stomach.

There would be many times where she would sneak into her mother's chamber to protect her from him. Her uncle sometimes entering into the room in a drunken stupor, Josie would always be there to ensure he would not lay a finger on her.

That would always end in disaster, for both she and her mother would receive several blows before he collapsed to the floor, passed out from too much drink.

Alcina would be furious with her, but she did not care. She would protect her mother in any means necessary, which was why one day she had snuck out of the manor while her uncle was away to meet with some friends, and went into town. Her purse neatly tucked away into the pocket of her dress, she looked both ways before scurrying across the street and into the gun store…

The man at the counter was middle aged, balding and had a furry gray mustache. He adjusted his spectacles, surprised to find a young woman like she inspecting the place with a clear purpose.

Josie knowing she wanted to purchase a handgun, approached the counter and inquired what would be the most suitable gun for self-defense.

"Well, Miss, I would suggest this gun here." He walked around the counter and guided her towards the stock. "Many of my lady customers come in and purchase this. It is portable and barely has any recoil. Have you ever owned or used a gun before?"

"Yes," Josie lied. "Though I admit I am a tad rusty."

"This gun is very straight forward. You pop the cylinder out like so, and once the bullets are in, you simply cock this back and tap the trigger, do not jerk or squeeze. Tap."

Josie took the gun and weighed it out. Pointing it up to the ceiling with a ghost of a smile.

"This shall do fine," she said, her eyes flickering to the second gun. "And I will take the second one as well."

"Very well," the clerk said, walking back around to his counter to finish the sale. "All set." He finally said, handing her both caskets with the guns inside. "Thank you for your patronage!"

{-}

Josie had discarded the caskets and took the guns out to hide them in her pockets, returned to the manor undetected, well, almost…

She entered into her bedroom and there stood Helena. Arms crossed; lips pursed.

"Where have you been?"

"I went for a little stroll," Josie said.

"You are lucky you weren't stopped," Helena said.

"That's me," Josie said sarcastically. "Lucky." She removed her wide-brimmed hat and flung it on the bed, walking into the closet to deposit the guns. She stopped upon Helena leaning against the frame and watching her. "Did you need something?" her tone sharp; annoyed.

"I just wanted to check in on you, but now I see that was a waste of my time."

"Indeed it was," Josie retorted nastily.

Helena just sighed, shaking her head and walking away from the closet.

Josie listening to her footsteps recede and then the door close, she quickly pulled the guns out of her pocket and hid them neatly and carefully. Smiling to herself, she turned around and gasped.

"Helena!"

"Show me."

"This is none of your damn business!"

"Show me," she repeated.

"No," Josie said, a crazed look appearing in her eyes. "I won't let you take /it/."

"Take what, Josie?"

"The gun," she whispered. "I-I got it today. It is for our protection. Uncle Roderick.., he won't hurt us anymore, Helena." She grabbed her sister's shoulders, smiling manically. "If he hurts Mother again. I am going to kill him. I will kill him."

"Josie," Helena said, touching her sister's arm. "You mustn't. You cannot. Think about the consequences if you did that. Your life would be ruined forever. Come." She beckoned her sister to walk out of the closet, and seated her down on the bed to check her pulse. It was unsteady, which was not surprising, but her temperature was normal and her complexion. "I think you need some rest, Sissy. That will help to clear your mind."

"My mind has never been clearer, Helena," Josie said, allowing her sister to lay her back in the bed. "I will protect Mother. I will protect you…"

{-}

Helena had found her mother later on and told her about Josie. Alcina taking off her reading glasses, set them down on the bedside table and rose off the bed.

"Did you see the gun?"

"No, but I am certain it is in the closet," Helena paused, disturbed by the look she had seen on Josie's face and the way she spoke. Never had she acted like this before. She was always the headstrong; upbeat child, but now… "She has snapped, Mother."

"Do not say such things!" Alcina hissed, rounding on Helena. "Do not ever say that."

"It is the truth. I have seen patients just like her in the hospital and it all stemmed from trauma; abuse. Tell me, did Uncle Roderick ever hit her over the head? Head injuries can also change an individual's personality."

Alcina clenched and unclenched her fingers into fists, answering in a soft voice.

"Yes, yes he has… I recall one incident not too long ago where he hit her with a hand held mirror." Alcina shook her head, as if hoping that would make the memory disappear. "I will go and speak with her."

Alcina left her chamber and walked to Josie's room. She knocked. Heard the rustling of furniture and then came the sound of footsteps. Josie's face appeared in the crack of the doorway, eyes bloodshot and filled with alarm.

"Josie?" Alcina said. "May I come in?"

"Of course, Mother," she smiled, opening the door to allow her entry, she quickly scanned around the hall before closing the door.

Alcina eyed around the room to identify anything suspicious. She found nothing, which is when she turned her gaze towards the closet.

"What is the matter, Mother?" Josie said, fidgeting with her fingers.

Alcina frowned.

"Stop that, pretty girl."

Josie dropped her arms down to her sides.

"Helena told me of what you are hiding."

"That bitch!" she flew into an abrupt rage. "I knew she couldn't be trusted!"

"Josie!" Alcina's commanding voice cutting through her tirade. "You must stop. Stop this now."

"I can't!" Josie shrieked. "I cannot do this anymore. I cannot be defenseless. Helpless to his assaults and abuse. No more, Mother. No more!"

She covered her face and wept. Wept for her father. Wept for her mother. The home they had lost. The hell they've had to endure.

"Josie," Alcina held her daughter in her arms, rubbing her back and trying to calm her down. Fearful she would wind up having another episode and collapse. "Listen to me, do you hear me?"

"Y-yes, Mother," Josie sniffled.

"You are going to retrieve the gun and give it to me. Go on."

Josie rubbing the tears off her cheek, slowly made her way into the closet and grabbed the gun, and making sure to place a pair of her shoes in front of the second before walking back to her mother.

"Good," Alcina said, taking the three bullets out of the cylinder. "I best hide these before anyone sees."

Josie did not respond, her eyes filled with despair; defeat; pain…

Alcina gently took hold of her chin and forced her to look at her.

"You are my daughter, Josie, are you not?"

The question made Josie cock her head a fraction. Unsure what her mother was getting at.

"Yes…?"

"Are you?" her tone deadly serious. "Because the young woman I see before me cannot possibly be any child of mine."

"I am, Mother!" Josie said, stomping her foot.

Alcina could see it now. The fire returning to Josie's eyes. Yes, just what she wanted.

"Ahh, yes right there," Alcina said. "The will of fire still burns inside of you. The unbreakable; resolute spirit that burns in your heart; in your blood. That flows in my veins, too."

Josie started to smile at that.

"Never forget, my pretty girl. Never forget who you are and where you come from."

"I understand, Mother," Josie said, her mother's words just the thing she needed to bring her out of her despair.

"That's my girl…" Alcina said, approvingly.