Chapter Eight
I did my best to calm down, and I was getting the hang of it, but the tension always stayed there. The same level of self-awareness that was so new to me.
The oddest thing was, Ken gave absolutely no indication that he noticed my discomfort at all. Like it really was no big deal. He just carried on conversations like I wasn't being pinned to his lap.
I breathed deeper now, trying to force myself to calm down.
He didn't seem to care, so why should I care so much? He didn't seem like a bad guy. Maybe he just liked kids. Or maybe he just liked contact. I couldn't imagine the boys wanting to sit with him like this. Boys were different than girls when it came to affection from adults. I noticed that practically every day at school.
Maybe this was just the same as the boys showing off their scraped knees and bruises, versus girls crying over the same wounds. Maybe Ken just wanted me to feel comforted or accepted. Maybe he wasn't so bad.
It got a lot easier when I allowed myself to think of it like that. Just because the experience was new, didn't necessarily make it bad. I still didn't like it, but I didn't want to rip his face off and run away anymore, either. I didn't like it, but I allowed it. Not that I had much choice, though.
He seemed to notice when I stopped resisting as much. Loosening his hold enough to be partially considered comfortable, which helped me to not feel so much like a tethered animal.
I could almost imagine that I wasn't sitting where I was.
So there is where I passed my time until it was time to eat, gaining a few brief moments of freedom, so I ate as slow as I could. Without it seeming obvious, that was.
Soon enough, it wound up just me, Jack, Ken and Heather left at the table, so I knew I'd have to hurry up. Mike and the boys had all wandered off by then to watch some TV before bed, but Heather seemed reluctant to leave with them. Despite her being done already. It was just me, and the three of them, and all three of them watched me. It didn't take too long before I started to get nervous.
"Leandra?" I looked over at Heather as she spoke, watching her stand up, "Think you can help me with the cleaning up?"
"I'll help you." Jack offered before I could reply, and I knew better than to insist.
"Jack." Her tone wasn't an appreciative one. She sounded irritated, actually. I looked over at her, confused. He could probably do a better job of helping her than I could. I was sure to break something or screw up. I'd rather he be the one to do it. Aside from the fact that them leaving left me alone with Ken.
Jack smiled at her and stood up to follow her. Taking my plate as he rounded the table, heading for the other side of the kitchen. She hesitated, but eventually followed him with a slight glare. It was a good thing I wasn't that hungry. Especially as Ken and I sat there alone now. His eyes on me, my eyes on the table in front of me.
"You sure didn't eat much." He pointed out, and I glanced up at him.
"I'm not that hungry." I replied quietly with a small shake of my head, which was the truth.
He hummed in understanding, "Tired from all that traveling, no doubt."
"Very." I sighed, slowly leaning back, "I've never been so far from home."
"I'll bet." He smiled a little, which seemed off to me. He seemed like a nice enough person. He added, "Don't worry. Soon enough, I'm sure you'll feel right at home here."
I doubted it.
Standing up, he offered his hand to me with a sigh. I hesitated only a few seconds before forcing myself to take it. I'd gotten this far today without pissing Jack off. I didn't want to risk it. As far as I knew, he still thought I was doing well. He almost never told me that, so I didn't want to fuck it up.
I stood up, glancing back at Jack on our way out of the kitchen. He stood there, watching us with a clean plate in his hand. I couldn't read his expression from where I was, but I really, really wished I could.
I tried really hard not to, but I couldn't help relaxing on Ken's lap. Both of us seated in the chair, his arms around me and with as tired as I was, it was hard to stay tense. As much as I wanted to. The living room was dimly lit, which didn't help things any.
He didn't hold me as tightly, probably knowing I was getting more comfortable there than I had been all day. I didn't want to be comfortable there, but something about knowing I had no choice, on top of how tired I was made that happen.
It still bothered me, but Jack wasn't going to help me out. Given the way he just walked right passed us, not even a glance to me on his way into the living room with all of us. Heather paid more attention to me than he did. Taking a subtle double-take at me leaned back against him, his hand lazily running through my hair in the back as he slowly rocked the recliner. Hardly moving, but just enough.
I looked to her, but her eyes were on Ken. She said nothing, though, as she fit herself on the couch between Josh and Zack. I let my eyes close, resting them. I was so tired suddenly, it took me off guard.
When it was finally an acceptable time for bed, I woke up from my snooze and followed Jack almost eagerly up the stairs. More relieved than anything to get away from Ken.
I paused in the bedroom, glancing around, shaky and nervous. I didn't know what to do now, so I waited for instructions. Now what?
"I'm gonna take a shower." He told me, "Go to sleep. I won't be long."
I vaguely noticed him lock the bedroom door. The action so swift, I barely saw it. Honestly, I didn't know what to make of that. Was he worried about someone coming through the door? Or was he just being cautious?
I was in my pajamas and nearly half asleep, curled in a ball on my side by the time I felt the bed dip behind me. He didn't seem to mind that we'd be sharing a bed. Just like at the motel, but even though he always hurt me while in the same bed as me, I felt more creeped out by Ken than by him at that particular moment.
Tonight was different, however. He laid down behind me, and must have felt my trembles, because he sighed and brought his arm down. I lifted my head, surprised a little as he fit his arm against me, his palm flat against my stomach, and he scooted me over. Holding me there. My back against his side, curled into a ball. Hesitantly, I hugged onto his arm as I laid there on my side, hoping he wouldn't mind.
"He won't get ya." He muttered, deep annoyance in his tone, "Just sleep."
Jack had always been possessive of me. Always. It was rare for a week to go by without him telling me that I was his in one form or another. His problem. How it was his job to teach me, to beat me. How lucky I was to have him.
That had never changed, but this felt more like protection. What made this different? He never tried to comfort me. For as long as I'd known him, he'd always done everything he could to make my fear worse. This was so strange, and so weird to me. This wasn't exactly comforting, but it was as close as I'd ever gotten to it with him. Oddly enough, I'd rather be pinned to him than Ken.
Jack had never mentioned anything about his side of the family. I might not have liked Ken much, but I liked Heather. She seemed nice when she wasn't watching me like a hawk. Josh and Zack were nice, too. They didn't treat me like something gross. Mike would take some getting used to. He was likable enough. I wondered if I would ever have a real chance to get to know him.
I closed my eyes, drifting off.
As I was falling asleep, my thoughts drifted to Alice, and I wondered if she saw where I was now. I wondered if she saw me laying there. I hoped she had, and that when I got home, she would calm down.
The very next morning, I woke up sharply.
Sounds of arguing downstairs. I sat up in the bed, looking wide-eyed at the door. Jack was still sleeping. During the night, he'd rolled over, so I was free to move. I slipped out of bed as quickly as I could. Leaving the room, and jogging down the stairs until a hand caught my arm halfway down. I gasped, and turned sharply.
It was Josh, and he shook his head.
The raised voices were in the kitchen, and I clearly recognized them both. Heather and Ken argued, loudly, and we stood there silently. Both of us leaned over the railing, looking back toward the kitchen.
"Really, dad?" I heard Heather's attempt to keep quiet, "Again?" She wasn't doing well with that attempt.
"Oh." He replied sharply, "Would you just stop?" This was obviously something that had been brought up before.
"I saw that yesterday." She argued, "I mean it, dad. Leave her alone. Or I swear-"
"What?" He demanded, "What are you gonna do?" His voice took on the condescending, lowered almost growl I recognized in Jack. I'd heard it so many times before. From where we were standing, it was difficult to really see them, but from what I could see, he had her backed against the sink, and her head was turned. Away from him.
"I swear to God," She continued, "I will slit your throat while you sleep." I flinched back at those words, looking up at Josh in fear, "I swear on everything I am that if you touch that girl, I will put you down, you sick son-of-a-bitch." Her lowered voice shook. Trembled as if she were afraid, but she meant every single word. The heat, venom in her voice was clearly audible.
I looked back up at Josh, and his lack of reaction to what she said told me this wasn't the first time he'd heard it.
"I told you yesterday what she means to me." Heather continued, taking my attention back toward the kitchen, "Don't do that to her." Distracted for a split second, I had to wonder. What did I mean to her?
"I'm not doing anything." Ken's voice had eased, "Don't you worry about her. Besides. If you wanted a daughter so damn badly, maybe you and that husband of yours should get busy. I could have another granddaughter by January. Jack's given me one. Now where's yours, young lady?"
"It's not like that, dad." She growled, "Stop it." She shoved around him angrily, and I ducked back before she could see me watching, "And you'd never see her anyway."
Josh nodded up the stairs, gesturing for me to follow him.
I let him take my hand, following him back upstairs. Our steps silent on the stairs, thanks to the thick carpet on them. We ducked into the other guest room across the hall from Jack's and mine, and I looked to Mike already sitting up in bed, a magazine in his hands.
Zack stretched out, lounging on the bed next to Mike. Tossing a pillow up, and letting it fall back down and hit him in the face.
"Keeping her out of it?" Mike asked conversationally.
"Yeah." Josh answered, sighing. He looked to me again, "We just stay in here until we know it's over. Mom and grandpa fight like that all the time. It's only gotten bad a few times." I was freaking out.
"Why would she say that?" I was suddenly in tears, upset. I didn't know why hearing what she said had upset me so much. Maybe it was because I'd only heard Jack say those kinds of things before. Never anyone else. I should have been used to it, but hearing it from Heather bothered me. It shook me.
"Hey." Mike instantly set his magazine to the side, "Come here." He was obviously worried, and he gestured me forward with open arms. I didn't trust Mike as far as I could throw him, but he seemed nice enough, and Jack had told me that if someone wanted to hold me to let them, so I stepped forward.
Still crying, I let him pull me to him. I climbed up onto the bed with him, and he pulled me onto his lap, wrapping his giant arms around me. Hugging me securely.
"Don't worry." He chuckled lightly, "She didn't mean it. She'd never do something like that, Leandra."
It was far easier to accept being held by Mike than it was with Ken. He had this sort of air of comfort about him. Like something big and fluffy. Not quite a teddy bear, but close enough. He wasn't scary, despite his size. He was fluffy.
"They say those things to each other all the time." He continued, "I've never quite understood her relationship with Ken, but I do know nothing like that would ever happen."
"You should go out there." I whimpered, "Make them stop."
"All that does is make things worse, darling." He explained.
"It's true." Josh added, "Last time dad went out and tried to break it up, they fought the entire day and half passed midnight. I'm not even kidding."
I half laid on Mike, the way he held me oddly sort of comfortable. My cheek against his chest with his arms enveloping me. My legs draped over his leg, and I was sort of cradled. It felt nice, not uncomfortable like it would have felt with Ken. I was quickly beginning to like him.
Was this what safety felt like? I recognized it from the dream, but the real thing was a lot better than a faded memory of it. I knew Mike was a good person. It was a strong enough feeling that I trusted. It was the same feeling I got from the Cullens. Something I recognized, and accepted.
As I slowly calmed down, I realized that it felt like I was constantly being reminded of the feeling I had in the dream. Why couldn't I just let it go? Why couldn't I just accept that my shitty life would only get easier if I just let the dream go? Because I didn't want to. I wanted to have something to hold onto. Just one thing.
I chose not to focus on those thoughts right then. I was trying to stop crying. Not make myself cry more.
"What'd she say this time?" Mike asked, looking to Josh.
"That she'd slit his throat." Josh sighed, sitting on the bed. Mike sighed as well, shaking his head.
"I wish she'd stop that." He replied, "I keep telling her that it's not good for you boys to hear that stuff. This is why." He glanced to me pointedly.
"She didn't know we were there." Josh shrugged a little.
"I'm fine." Zack pointed out, "I know she wouldn't, so I don't care. I'm getting hungry, though. Think they'd stop fighting long enough for me to grab a cookie or something?"
"No cookies for breakfast." Mike corrected, chuckling, "And wasn't dinner enough last night? You can hold on for a little while longer. They'll cool it soon."
"It's okay." Zack sighed, sitting up as he moved closer to where I laid, peering over his dad's arm at me, "Like dad said. She'd never actually do anything like that."
"You didn't hear her." I whined, "She meant it."
"She always means it." Zack replied simply, "After awhile, you'll see. She won't do it."
"Dad," Josh murmured, gaining his attention, "She said something to him. About Leandra. That's probably why she's so scared."
"What'd she say?" Mike asked, "It couldn't have been anything that bad."
"She told him not to touch her." He answered, "And to leave her alone. What'd she mean by that?"
Mike fell quiet for a moment, and I looked up at him. He met my gaze with concerned confusion, as if he understood what Heather had meant, but he didn't understand why.
"I'm sure she didn't mean anything by that." He assured me with a small smile, gently smoothing my cheek with his hand before looking to Josh again, "But I'll talk to her about it. Don't worry." Josh nodded, satisfied with that.
A knock at the door had all of us looking that way. Please, I thought. Let it be Jack. Let it be Jack.
"Yeah." Mike called, not letting me go yet. The door opened, and Ken peered in. A cheerful smile on his face as if Heather had not just threatened to kill him. I whimpered quietly, and subtly, Mike held me tighter. Ken's eyes found me first, before slowly, he looked to the boys.
"How'd I know you boys were up?" He asked, "Go get dressed. I'll take you guys out for breakfast."
Zack jumped up, jogging from the room excitedly. Josh followed, glancing back at me as he left the room. He had heard, as clearly as I heard, Heather tell Ken to leave me alone. I had no doubts that Josh didn't know what she meant by that, but I had a feeling that I did, and I didn't like it much.
"You too." Ken chuckled, waving to me, "Come on. Let's go."
I reluctantly crawled away from Mike, and climbed off the bed. Instantly missing his warmth. Ken watched me as I passed, and I knew he had to have noticed the way I shrunk a little under his gaze on my way out the door. Maybe it was instinct, or what I'd heard. Maybe it was just the fact that I knew he was the one that raised Jack. I didn't know, but I didn't like him. Heather obviously had reason to worry. Maybe I should listen to her?
I scurried across the hall, straight into the room I shared with Jack.
He was still sleeping, so I crossed the room and jumped onto the bed. Actually crawling over Jack to get back to my side of the bed. Jack startled awake, sitting upright and looking down at me as I laid on my side, curling into an insecure ball.
He grumbled, "What the fuck?" He wasn't pleased, but that could have had something to do with crawling over him, kneeing him in places he probably didn't appreciate.
"I don't want to go." I replied quietly, "Not with him."
"Who?"
"Ken." I answered, partially muffled by the pillow as I curled into it, "He wants to take me, Zack, and Josh somewhere." He sighed a heavy growl, flopping back down as he reached up to rub his eyes.
"Just fucking go." He told me condescendingly, "Good God. Did I raise you to be such a wuss?"
"Yes." I replied, rolling over to look at him.
"Bull shit." He growled, "Get the fuck up."
"I'm scared."
"You should be." He snapped, "Because in about three seconds, I'm putting you through that wall. Get the fuck up."
"I don't want to go."
"I don't really fucking care." His voice was a light sneer, that at any second could get heavier.
"I don't want to go anywhere with someone like him." He paused mid-eye-rub, before looking over at me. Our eyes met, and I could see his resolve not to hit me fading. I recognized him a little more than I did the night before.
"Someone like him?" He asked quietly, and I instantly pursed my lips, recognizing his tone even more, "How about this." He sat up, throwing the sheet back. Standing, he turned and grabbed my arm forcefully. Flipping me onto my back like I didn't weigh a thing, and leaning over me on the bed.
"You get up, get dressed, and you will go." I hated this tone, "You'll go with him, and you'll smile like you're at fucking Disney Land, or so help me, I will beat the shit out of you until you're black and blue." His growling voice made my breathing hitch, and I squeezed my eyes shut, cringing into the mattress, "Am I clear?"
"I-I just meant.." I whimpered, "I-I only meant-"
"Shut up." He snapped, and my voice died in my throat, "What did I just fucking say?"
I nodded vigorously, letting him know I understood, and he waited.
"Good." He said, standing. Cheerfully whistling a tune, he made his way into the bathroom. Slamming the door behind himself.
Okay, so there went that feeling of protection. Note to self. Don't insult his father.
Sniffling, I forced myself up and out of bed. Finding suitable clothes, I pulled them on as slowly as I could as Jack left the bathroom. I wondered how long it would take for this bruising to go away.
With him standing there, I could feel him watching me. I was doing as he told me, so he wasn't pissed yet, though he probably knew I was taking my time.
I'd chosen a light pink long-sleeved shirt. It might have been thinner than most, but it still could be considered a sweater. It hid everything well, though, and Jack made sure of that before I even left the room.
I was beginning to get used to this nervously nauseous feeling. It was the oddest feeling. It wasn't the normal nervousness I'd come to know. This was different.
I waited downstairs by the front door with the boys, and I seemed to be the only nervous one. Jack had followed me from the room, talking quietly with Ken before we left. Jack was being firm, given the expression on his face. I wished I could hear what was being said, but Josh took my attention instead.
I hadn't been particularly talkative since seeing him in his parent's room before.
"You sure are quiet." Josh pointed out, "Are you shy or something? Is that why you have to share a room with uncle Jack?" I stayed quiet, "Come on, kid. I'm not gonna bite ya."
"That's not funny." I finally mumbled, glancing up at him, "Don't you know biting hurts?"
"I know biting hurts." He laughed, surprised I finally spoke to him, "I live with Zack, remember? He bites me all the time." This kid didn't seem so bad, "So we're like.. Cousins, right? Or what?"
"I guess." I admitted, "I don't really know."
"Cousins." Zack answered from my other side, "Not blood related, though, since Jack isn't her real dad. Or is he?"
"No." I said, slightly offended. He seemed surprised at my tone, so I added, "Sorry."
"Do you live in Forks?" Josh inquired, "How come we've never met you before?"
"I don't get out much." I mumbled, and he smiled.
"Well, that's too bad." He said, "Because you're cool. Quiet, but cool. I like you."
It wasn't often I had interaction with boys around my age. Most of the ones I went to school with ignored me, or looked at me like I was a rock on the ground, but these boys didn't. And for the second time in just a few days, someone had told me they liked me.
What the hell was I doing differently?
I looked away then. Passed where Jack stood talking to Ken. Heather in the kitchen, watching me over the coffee mug held tightly in her hands. Her eyes held an expression I wasn't sure about. One I hadn't seen before. Like a desperate form of slightly panicked confusion. Like she couldn't figure out what I was, but really wanted to. Like she couldn't believe I was real.
I watched her right back. Studying her from across the house just as she studied me.
"You guys ready?" Ken asked, coming back over. Obviously a rhetorical question, given the way he pulled the door open for us. I made sure to fit myself in behind Josh, but in front of Zack as we all filed out the door.
The outting wasn't too bad at first. Breakfast was almost boring in how uneventful it was. Zack flung a piece of bacon across the table at Josh who managed to catch it in his mouth, but that was it. Ken only let them try once, and I understood that. We were out in public. Acting like animals was generally frowned upon here.
I kept to myself as I sat there beside Ken. Glancing up at him as he sighed, and started petting my head. Much the way he had the night before. Lightly brushing his fingers through my hair, gently massaging all the way to the back of my neck.
I wanted to tell him to knock it off, but he wasn't hurting me, so I allowed it. Guaranteed, if I were to tell him to knock it off, Jack would make sure I'd be hurting later, so I grit my teeth and sat tensely. I didn't particularly like this. It made me feel weird.
Ken didn't bother me again as we walked around after breakfast, looking through shops along the busy street. I stood between the boys, listening to them argue about the pros and cons of the color orange. Zack liked it, and Josh was trying to talk him out of it. Such boring conversation was what I was quickly learning to like. The kind where I didn't have to say anything, but glance back and forth between them as they spoke. As hard as I tried, I couldn't completely ignore Ken's gaze on me, however.
We wound up at a grassy park around noon, and I was quickly beginning to get too warm in the shirt I wore. It was one thing wearing long-sleeves around an air conditioned house, but completely different to wear them out and about. Especially here. This place was much different than Washington. Drier, warmer.
The sun beating down on me was harsh and bright. Very warm for this time of year, and much warmer than I was used to. I gave in, and sat on the other end of the bench Ken sat on under one of the only shade trees around us. It was a small bench, however. Only enough space between us for one more person.
"Looking a little flushed there." He pointed out, reaching over and lightly pinching my cheek. I glanced over at him, leaning away. Wordlessly he watched me as I watched him. Until he spoke again.
"You know," He spoke up, "I've been hoping to get you by yourself. I wanna talk to you." I glanced up at him, watching as he lit a cigarette, "Let me ask you. Do you think my son is a good father?" I didn't know how to answer that. I didn't know Ken well enough to know whether or not being honest would get me beaten later.
"Come on." He said, chuckling, "Just tell me. Between us." I still hesitated, "I won't say a word."
"No." I mumbled, "I don't."
"Why not?" He asked curiously. I was quiet again, biting my lip. How was I supposed to be honest with him when his son was pure evil? I knew nothing about this guy. He could be just as bad.
He waited, watching me, until I figured out how to answer him. Glancing around, nobody was watching us, so I reached over and stole the cigarette right out of his hand. Watching me as I took a drag, he seemed surprised, until understanding came to his face. I took another, holding it back out to him.
"I see." He said, taking it back from me, "He starves you." I looked up at him, "Keeps you dependent. That's smart, but also a very stupid thing to do." I frowned, looking down. I was a little surprised, to say the least, that that one action told him everything he needed to know. Not to mention the fact that I'd never heard anyone talk about Jack that way before.
"Why's it stupid?" I had to ask. He leaned over to lower his voice, keeping his eyes on the boys playing several feet away, but I watched him. Very consciously aware of how close he'd gotten.
"Because that's the easiest way to get caught." He replied quietly, "Anyone with eyes can tell something's not right."
"How'd you know he doesn't feed me?" I asked, and he glanced over at me.
"I recognize that move." He gestured to the cigarette as he leaned upright again, "Heather used to do the same thing."
For the oddest reason, his confession chilled me. As soon as it registered to me, I looked up at him in shock. He was saying he had treated Heather the way Jack treated me. That completely shook me. Heather? The same Heather that I had met yesterday? His own daughter Heather?
He smirked at my expression, finding it amusing. He obviously knew then that I'd figured out what he was saying, as he hummed his confirmation, giving me a nod. I wondered how much worse Jack's abuse was than Ken's.
It certainly explained why they fought all the time.
I really didn't like him. I thought, maybe for a second, that if I talked to him, I'd feel better about him. I was wrong. Every thought through my head was telling me to get as far away from him as possible. I was starting to see why.
"She started smoking at about twelve." He explained, as if it were no big deal, "First I've ever seen a nine-year-old smoke, though." He chuckled. He seemed so relaxed about the subject, but I was still reeling from it.
"Seven." I mumbled, and he looked over, "I started smoking at seven."
"Shit." He found that even more amusing, "And nobody's said anything to you?"
I thought back to Edward. That day, at the school. Edward and Jasper catching me, and the promise I made to him. I was grateful, even still, that Edward hadn't made them call Jack. If he'd had to come get me because I was in trouble for anything, it would have been a whole lot worse.
"Not until recently." I admitted quietly.
"So I hear." I'd obviously stumbled upon a subject he wanted to touch on, given the change in his tone. It was subtle, but the difference was there. I didn't want to hear any more.
Suddenly, frying in the heat didn't seem so bad to me anymore. I went to stand, but he caught my hand. Tossing his cigarette to the side, and pulling me back down. I landed on his lap with a whimper.
I actually gave a little struggle, but his hands around both my arms were too strong. Holding me easily, so it really was over before it even started.
"See," He sighed, locking his arms around me and settling me more comfortably on his lap with a little bounce, "I wasn't done talking to you yet."
Okay, I really didn't like this guy. I sat tensely now, not quite struggling, but resisting as much as I could. Staring straight ahead at where the boys ran around. If they noticed anything off, they sure didn't show it. Not one glance our direction.
"I know the way my boy treats you, and well.. He's my son. He's my only son." He continued, reminding me of where I was, "So I'm willing to help him any way I can. You see, his problem.." He paused, reaching up with one hand and clearing my hair from my shoulder. I only got about halfway into a struggle before he had a hold of me again. Ending that one, once again, before it had even started.
"Now, I still wasn't done." He chuckled, but I heard the stress in the sound, "His problem is that he just doesn't understand what he's dealing with. He doesn't really know what he's up against, or what he's doing. He says there's been trouble, you see. People noticing you."
Each time he paused to take in a breath, my fear grew and I wanted so bad to cringe away from him, but there was very little room to do so. I just looked down, focused now on my hands clinging to his clasped hands against my stomach. Pinning my arms, and the rest of me while he was at it with his arms.
The sound of him breathing grated on my nerves, because it was right in my ear. His voice was a quiet gravelly purr, attempting to be comforting, no doubt. I didn't know what he was capable of. Not only that, but my instincts were telling me to be afraid of him, and I had no choice but to listen to them.
"That's going to stop now." He almost growled.
"Yes, sir." I had to try.
"No." He laughed, "I'm telling you. It's going to stop." It wasn't an option, and it wasn't up to me, "Because if I have to get my son out of prison because you couldn't keep your stupid, slutty mouth shut, I'll kill you."
He just got several thousand times scarier. My eyes squeezed shut, in some form of attempt at defense, but that didn't stop me from being able to hear him.
His voice quieted, getting darker, "I will. Jack isn't the only one capable of pulling that off, you know. Who do you think allows him to pull it off? Who do you think taught him all he knows about kids like you?"
I gasped a quiet whimper, trembling on his lap. His arms tightened around me, squeezing me back against him until I started to cry. Not hard enough to really hurt me. Just hard enough to scare me. My soft, silent sobs giving away how scared I was. His arms around me, I knew I was trapped. I wasn't going anywhere until he decided I could.
"Do you know why you're here, dear?" I heard the smile in his voice, unable to force myself to look at him, "Do you?" I shook my head, "Really? Ask me why you're here, and I'll tell you." It took me a moment to force myself to speak.
"W-Why am I here?"
"Because there's been trouble." He chuckled as if it was obvious, "We're still working out the details, but it looks like you're going to be staying here with me." That shocked me enough to turn my head and look at him. Unshed tears in my eyes, others drying on my cheeks, "Just for.. Say, a year or so. That'd be fun, right?" Instantly, I shook my head. Disagreeing vehemently. I really didn't want that.
"No? Don't you like me?"
"I want to go back now." I whimpered quietly, "Can we go back now?"
"See, he doesn't want me to have you." He continued as if I hadn't said anything, "He wants to keep you, but he also knows that's a very stupid thing to do." That line again, "He knows how incredibly stupid it would be to keep you there, and let those that have noticed you notice you even more." This whole thing was starting to make more sense now. I was beginning to understand.
"He called me." He told me, "A few days ago, and he told me that you've been causing some trouble. So I told him to just take a few days. Come here, and bring you with him."
That was what suddenly made him bring me here. As much of a relief it was to finally understand, it didn't make me feel any better. He wasn't going to kill me at all. He was giving me away. Letting his dad take me in, since he lived so far away. That's what Jack had meant by 'making me disappear'. They'd never find me here, so to them, it'd be like I really did disappear.
"He also told me about the other day." He continued, "Running away? I won't stand for that."
I didn't dare reply.
"I'll keep you just long enough for those who noticed you to forget all about you." His tone was quiet, calm now, "I'll keep you safe with me, and if he wants you back in a year, he can have you. Maybe." I didn't like the way he said that, "If not, well.. Then I'd be more than happy to keep you. I never thought I'd have another chance. One like you, I can only imagine what you'll grow up to be like."
"B-But I don't want-"
"Look." He murmured, "Honestly, it's not up to you. You have no say in where you end up, little girl. If I keep you, it'll be on my terms. You will follow every single rule I lay down, or so help me you'll regret the day you were born." He was even better at scaring me with soft talk than Jack was.
He loosened his hold to a more tolerable level once Josh noticed my tears. Finally looking our way, and tugging Zack to a stop.
"Say a word." He murmured into my ear as the boys started over, "I dare you." Just the way his voice sounded now chilled me enough to keep me silent. I wasn't going to anyway, but now I knew how stupid of a move it would be.
"What's wrong?" Zack asked, flopping down to sit beside us, "Leandra?"
"She got stung by a bee." Ken excused, stroking his fingers through my hair, "She'll be alright." I nodded, agreeing to what he said. He chuckled, hugging me to him now. A lot gentler than he had before. Back to the same old, harmless guy I'd met the day before. Like he hadn't just told me that Jack was considering giving me to him like a pet he didn't want.
"Where?" Zack asked me, "I wanna see."
"You were stung last year, stupid." Josh said, quickly putting that request to rest, "You've seen a bee sting before."
"Don't be mean to him." I spoke up, gaining all three of their attentions, "Please."
"Well." Ken chuckled, standing and letting me fall to my feet, "I suppose on that note we should be getting back. Your parents must be missing you three."
I took a few seconds to close my eyes and breathe, but that didn't calm me down any.
Ken took my hand, and I sniffled. Having no choice but to follow him. We left the park behind, but the fear I felt there stayed with me.
So while this trip had started out fine, it was sliding downhill quickly. Instead of having only Jack to fear, I now had Ken. And to me, Ken seemed even more dangerous than Jack. Probably because he was new to me, and I hadn't a clue what to expect from him. Not knowing was probably what scared me more than Jack.
The moment I got back, I went in search of Jack. I went looking for who I knew. I went looking for familiar. Not only scared, but I just needed to know that he wouldn't give me away.
I would promise whatever it took for him to just keep me. To not give me to some stranger. He knew Ken, but I really didn't. I'd promise anything it took, anything. I'd promise to be good. To never talk to Alice again, if it meant I didn't have to stay here. I'd never go to school, I'd never leave the house. Just to keep him from giving me away.
That thought hurt me most. That he was even considering just giving me to someone else. How could he do that? Didn't I matter? In some small, insignificant way? I had to mean more to him than that.
I didn't know if Ken was just trying to scare me, which was what actually scared me. I wouldn't know until I could confirm it with Jack, but how would I do that without pissing him off?
I found Jack sitting in the living room beside Mike. Heather in the chair, all three watching TV and chatting. Instead of going to Mike, or to Heather, I chose to squish myself in between where Jack sat, and the armrest of the couch. Probably pale, still trembling. Looking up at him, seconds from more tears. He looked back down at me, rolling his eyes slightly.
He sighed, chuckling tightly as he pushed me from the spot. I tried to catch myself, but I wound up on the floor.
"Aw, Jack." Mike chuckled, "That wasn't very nice."
Ken came in, shaking his head at me on the floor, "Come here, honey." He reached for me, and I instantly backed away. Scooting back across the floor until I hit Heather's leg. She sighed, as if annoyed, but looking up, her eyes were on Ken. Reaching down, she helped me up until I sat with her.
"No." I whimpered, and with that one word, everything seemed too still. Too tense. Like someone had flipped a switch, and the mood before was gone. Replaced by a firmness that nearly suffocated me.
Ken hardly looked at me, the smile staying on his face as he shook his head at the floor, but I could tell what I'd just done had pissed Jack off. I looked to Jack nervously, wondering if he would dare beat me here. Maybe it would be better living with Ken. I whimpered almost silently, holding Jack's gaze stealing my breath.
"What'd she do, Jack?" Mike noticed this time, "I'm sure it couldn't have been that bad." Jack finally looked away from me. Glancing to Mike, then back to me. It was enough to let me look down.
"Leandra? Why don't you and the boys go play?" Heather suggested after a few tense, silent moments, "Josh, Zack, take Leandra and go outside."
Zack seemed less than thrilled, "But-"
"Now." She said, and Zack sighed as they both stood. Trembling, I followed. Scooting after them as fast as I could. In a situation like that, I had no idea who to listen to, but Heather gave the only instruction, so I followed it. Glancing back over my shoulder, I spotted Heather on her feet now, but she wasn't looking at me. Her eyes were on Ken.
I saw her differently now. Before, she was just someone who I thought didn't like me. Now she was someone strong. To have made it this far? If she was abused even remotely like I was, and she still managed to get older, get married and have two kids, what could I do?
Stopping in the kitchen to grab a bag of chips, Zack led the way out the back sliding-glass door. I kept my eyes down, unsure. I was still very shaken up, but once the door closed behind us outside, I felt better. Like I could breathe again. I'd let them handle it. Until later, when I'd have to face the obvious disrespect I'd given Ken.
"Well," Josh spoke up, "What do you guys wanna do?"
"What the heck was that back there?" Zack asked, stepping out onto the warm grass.
"They probably just want to talk." Josh replied, "You know how it goes." He looked to me, "You okay?"
"Not feeling very good." I whimpered, seconds from tears. I couldn't help it. I was so scared.
"You're not allergic to bees, are you?" Zack asked, falling to his butt on the grass.
"No." I mumbled, "I'm not." I actually had no idea if I was or not. I'd never been stung by one before.
"She'd have shown it by now." Josh shook his head, "A long time ago. That's probably why grandpa had her sitting with him." I looked down. They had no idea. I took a deep breath, sitting down beside Zack.
As warm as it was out here, the breeze felt nice. The sun warming my hair and face did too. I'd seen sunlight before, but not like this. This was brighter, warmer than even the sunniest days in Washington.
"You ever been to California before?" Josh asked, plopping down on my right side. Was it that obvious?
"Nope." I replied, "I've never left the state before."
"Wow." He muttered, "That must suck." I surprised myself to find I was smiling a little. The way he said that was pretty funny. Zack sighed, unrolling the bag of chips he'd swiped from the kitchen.
"How can you be hungry?" I asked, "We just had breakfast."
"Yeah, like three hours ago." He replied, surprised, "Besides. This is just a snack." I shrugged a little, allowing that.
"He can always eat." Josh told me, "I can too, but he can out-eat me."
"Must be nice." I sighed, "Two bites of something and I'm full."
"That's why you're so small." He said, "If you ate more, you'd grow more."
"Maybe." I mumbled, looking down at my hands in my lap.
Zack grinned over at me, holding up the bag, "Want some?"
"No thanks. I'm not really hungry." I replied quietly, shaking my head a little. Zack shrugged.
"More for me, then." He said, "Josh doesn't get any."
"Why not?" I asked, frowning.
"Because they're mine." Zack answered, "That's the rule."
"That doesn't seem fair." I mumbled, but before I even finished saying that, Josh darted forward. Somehow making his way over me, to attack Zack and yanked the bag from him. Probably smashing all the chips inside it as he gripped it. Now literally sitting on a struggling Zack, he pulled out a couple chips and threw them into his mouth. In the sudden movement, I was startled into standing up and moving back a step.
"Those are mine!" Zack shouted beneath him.
"Mmm!" Josh replied, "That makes them taste better!" Watching the two of them, I took another step back, but struggling now not to laugh.
"Come on!" Zack grunted, fighting to get up. I snorted a little, covering my mouth. The scene in front of me actually very funny. Just as Zack was almost loose, Josh took a few more chips, and crumpled the bag.
Tossing it at me. I caught the bag instinctively, surprised.
"Run." Josh told me, and I did as he threw himself off of Zack, and followed me. I had no clue what I was doing as I led the way through the back gate, and up the beach. Josh right behind me, and Zack following.
I caught on, understanding the game now. Running faster, I found it was fun to run without someone behind me wanting to beat me. All Zack wanted was his chips back, and given the way he laughed, he wasn't mad. He found this game just as fun as Josh and I did.
I wasn't scared of these two, as funny as it sounded. I didn't know what had come over me, to be honest, and I hadn't realized how I had been laughing. This was so much better than being scared all the time. This made it possible to forget, for just a minute, the situation inside the house.
Glancing behind me, I noticed Zack right on my tail, so I looked to Josh. He held his hands open, and I took the hint. Tossing the bag to him right as Zack caught up to me, and I jumped out of the way of his grabs.
Josh continued on with the bag of chips, and Zack's sights were on him now. I stopped running, completely out of breath as I watched them. A small smile on my face.
I had never been included in anything like that before, so it puzzled me, but not in a bad way.
I'd never really had anyone actually want to spend time with me before. All the kids my age at home always avoided me. Maybe it was the way I avoided them, but I never knew how much fun playing could be. Even though it was brief, the feeling lasted. I didn't mind it.
"You coming?" Josh called, shoving Zack's face briefly into the sand, and I had to decide. Did I want to play it safe? Or keep running with them? I was already pretty warm, given my long-sleeves, but I didn't care. Jack had told me not to be rude. Declining would have been rude.
So I followed.
We always stayed in view of the house, but they ran up and down the beach now. It seemed like they were constantly tackling and wrestling each other. They kept me out of that particular activity, not that I minded much. Zack accidentally ate sand on at least three occasions, which gave Josh enough time to get away.
I followed at my own pace, constantly trying to catch my breath. I was too hot, though. My throat dry, and I could hear my heartbeat in my ears.
I had to stop, though. I'd started to feel too dizzy, and it was hard not to throw up. I kneeled down on the sand, sighing as I struggled to catch my breath.
"What's wrong?" Josh asked, noticing how I'd stopped. He came back over, frowning, "You okay?"
"I don't know. I don't feel so good." I mumbled, and he looked around.
"Let's go inside for a minute." He suggested, "You're probably way too hot." He offered his hand, but before I could take it, I yelped as he was tackled. Literally flying to the side, and hitting the sand with Zack as they both grunted. I looked over, watching as they wrestled. A deeply confused frown on my face. Didn't that hurt? I'd have cried if I were tackled like that, but Josh just wrestled free like it didn't even bother him.
Boys were weird.
"Say uncle!" Josh demanded, sitting on Zack's back, twisting his arm. I couldn't stop watching. It was like a train wreck. Why did boys have to play like that?
"Stop it, guys." I mumbled, "Come on." Both Zack and Josh looked back at me, and for a second, I worried they'd somehow gotten the idea that I was up to wrestling like that.
"Uncle Jack." Zack laughed as Josh climbed off of him. I rounded, looking up at Jack standing behind me, "Don't worry. We weren't roughhousing with her."
"Good." Jack seemed fine now. Not a hint of his earlier anger to be found, "Now, Zack, you really have to work on your tackling. That was weak. Good try, though. Nice effort." Jack stepped around me, and I scooted back.
"Leandra." I looked back at Heather's voice at the gate, "Come here for a second."
Slowly, I stood up. Resting had helped the dizziness, but it was still there. I came to stand on the other side of the gate, looking up at her. She hesitated for just a second, studying me a bit before speaking, "Can we talk?"
"Sure." I mumbled, and she gestured toward the house.
I stepped through the gate, and she followed me inside. I wondered what on Earth she'd need to talk to me about. I wondered how much trouble I was in for doing what I'd done earlier. I wondered just how much like Jack she was, and whether or not her hits hurt as much as his did.
Closing the door behind herself, she gestured to the kitchen table. Taking the hint, I sat down with a sigh. It was much cooler inside, and I appreciated it. Grabbing two bottles of water from the fridge, she turned. I tensed. Was she going to throw them at me?
"I'm sorry." She said, gently setting the bottle on the table in front of me, "About this morning." I was quiet, reaching out and taking the bottle of water, "Mike told me you overheard." I bit my lip. Nodding a little.
She sighed, sitting across from me, "You have to understand. I've never had the best relationship with my father." Now I understood why.
"Then why do you come here?" I had to ask, looking up. She looked down, probably thinking, "Why do you still see him?"
"My sons." She said, "See, growing up, it had always been Jack to get the most of our father's attention. He was treated like.." She sighed, thinking, "Like royalty. Always the best of everything. Then, there was me." I waited, listening, "Remembering how wonderfully our father treated Jack, I knew my boys would be okay. I didn't want them to miss out on knowing their family, as screwed up as it was. I couldn't be selfish that way."
It was quiet for a moment, before she spoke again.
"I tried, at first, to keep the boys from knowing my brother or my father." She said, "Mike never understood, especially after I accidentally let slip how much my father could help us out financially, but after awhile, I couldn't hide from it anymore. When Josh had just turned three, and Zack was about a year old, Jack found us. We'd been living in Seattle, and I thought that was far enough away." She laughed a little, "I was wrong. Of course, Jack being Jack, he told our father where I was hiding out, and that was it. It really wasn't like we could afford to just pack up and leave without some sort of help.
"Jack was so great with them when I finally let him see them, and they loved him so much, I couldn't keep them from him anymore. Josh talked about him almost non-stop." She smiled a little, shaking her head, "Uncle Jack this, and uncle Jack that.. He was happy. Almost immediately after that, we moved to Forks."
She paused for a breath, staring down at her hands wrapped around the bottle of water, "It was hard for me, and sometimes it still is, to see my father. I don't get along with him, but my boys do, and that's what matters most to me." From what I could tell, she was nothing like Jack was. I was paying close attention to her voice, and the way she moved. She gave me no indication that she was anything like either of them. She'd tried to get away, but couldn't.
Her gaze grew sad.
"I've met your mom." She admitted quietly, "And I've met you." That threw me off for a moment, "You've met the boys before."
"I don't remember." I admitted, shaking my head a little.
"When you were about two, your mom and I met at a park one day." She said, "Your dad had been bringing you to the park for quite some time by then, but that was the first time I'd ever met her. I'd brought the boys, because they were just so energetic, and that park was within walking distance, so I thought it was a good place. She brought you. We got to talking, and I guess I just liked having someone to talk to." I knew that feeling, "We met at the park almost regularly after that." She paused, keeping her eyes down as if she were ashamed, "That was how Jack met her."
I sat there, stunned for a moment.
"He followed me to the park, wondering where I kept taking 'his' nephews, and it just happened to be on the very day I met your mom. I watched, and I knew what would happen, and I wanted to warn her about what kind of man my brother was. I really did.. She was too infatuated with him, and I can see why, but waiting for the inevitable really killed me."
I was quiet for a moment, before I decided to ask, "You knew my dad?"
"I have." She nodded, "Quite a few times, Chris would come to the park after work. Just to spend time with you where you were most happy."
"Was he a good guy?"
She was quiet for a second, before she nodded, "Yes." She answered, "He is. I could tell by the way he interacted with you, that he loved you very much." I looked down, suddenly reminded of the waitress the other morning. How easy it was for Jack to fool her. That's probably all it was. An act.
"Chris just worked so much back then, and hardly had time for his family." She explained, "But Jack somehow always made time to be there. I saw it coming, the way he wormed his way into your mom's life, so it really was no surprise when Gina told me she was getting a divorce."
"I never gave much thought," She continued, "And I suppose I really should have. Jack never mentioned you again, so I just assumed your dad had taken you in the divorce." I was quiet now, keeping my eyes down, "How wrong I really was, and I can't tell you how sorry I am. Leandra, this is the hardest thing I've ever had to admit to anyone. How I'm the reason their family fell apart. I'm so sorry, sweetheart." Her sincerity and honest guilt made my heart hurt.
"You're really brave." I couldn't help telling her, and she smiled a little at me.
"Thank you, honey." She sighed, "But bravery is not what this is." I looked down. It was quiet again, until she finally spoke up again, "You were a surprise to me, Leandra." I looked back up, "I honestly never thought I'd see you again."
That didn't surprise me.
"It worries me." She said, "To find out that he's hidden you from us for so long." She waited, probably waiting for me to say something.
"I never knew about you either." I finally mumbled, "Or Ken. I never knew he had a family."
"I see." She nodded a little, "Well, I'm not surprised you don't remember. You were just a baby back then. I lost contact with your mom. She just sort of disappeared, and it didn't take a genius to figure out why. Jack.. He holds onto people. Possesses them." I knew that better than anyone, "I'm proof enough of that."
"I wish I could remember." I replied quietly. We studied each other for a moment, when she finally sighed again.
"I don't have a lot of time to talk to you." She said, "In fact, I'm surprised we've been alone this long, but I want to ask you something." I had a feeling I already knew what it was she wanted to ask, "How does Jack treat you?"
There it was. This had to be another test. Dammit. I just wanted to trust her.
I looked down, "Fine." I made my voice as convincing as I could.
"Knowing you back then, and seeing you now, Leandra.. The change is painful to see." I looked back up, keeping quiet, "I know how hard it is to trust anyone associated with him." She wasn't convinced in the least, "Believe me, I know, but I can tell you that at anytime, you can trust me. You can trust me, and you can trust Mike." She smiled a little, "I chose well when I picked him, I promise you. We'll be here awhile longer, so if you need anything, please feel free to come to us."
I didn't know what to say, so I nodded.
"Now, about today." She murmured, "Getting back here with him. I'm only guessing here, but you were shown my father's true colors." I bit my lip, "But you were never really fooled, were you?" Unable to help it, I shook my head, "I'll do my best to stand between you two. As often as I can." I appreciated that, "I don't know why Jack brought you here, but that doesn't mean your trip here has to be completely miserable."
"I know why." I mumbled, "I know why he brought me here." She waited. How could I tell her, when just the thought confused me? I didn't even know how to say it. I didn't even completely understand it, so I didn't know what not to say.
Before I could answer, though, the back door opened again, and Jack carried a struggling Zack over his shoulder into the house. Josh following, laughing at his brother's predicament. I looked down, shaking my head a little. Heather sighed.
"Feeling any better?" Josh asked, pausing by the table, "Not going to pass out again, are you?"
"Wait, what?" Heather asked, looking to me. That was obviously news to her.
"I didn't pass out." I corrected him, frowning. I didn't like the way he was trying to bring attention to me. That was obviously on purpose.
"Almost." He said, "You were pale." He looked to his mom, "She got too hot."
"It's no wonder, with that shirt on." She frowned, "Jack, doesn't she have any cooler shirts she can wear?"
"I can get her one." Zack offered from over Jack's shoulder.
"She's fine." Jack played it down, "Aren't you?"
"I'm fine." I said, "I just can't run around."
"It won't take long." Zack offered again, "I know right where one is."
"Yeah." Heather stood up, "Zack, go find that shirt. Leandra, come with me."
"I really am fine." I insisted, staying seated. I looked to Jack as he let Zack down onto his feet. He wasn't going to help me. This was one time he really needed to.
"What are we doing?" Mike entered the room, narrowly missing being run into by Zack. He dodged him, turning to the side in the doorway as Zack zipped by him. I was quickly getting overwhelmed.
"I'm getting Leandra a shirt so she doesn't pass out again." Zack answered, already through the living room and starting up the stairs.
"I didn't pass out!" I called after him.
"Come on, honey." Heather insisted, holding out her hand. I shook my head.
"I'm fine." I replied, "Everybody's freaking out for no reason."
"Oh," I closed my eyes at Ken's voice, "Meeting in the kitchen?"
"Got it!" Zack called ahead of himself, and I listened to him descending the stairs, "Don't worry, Leandra! I'll save you!" A loud thud in the living room told me he tripped, "Crap." Ken turned, looking back. Zack was obviously fine, given his running footsteps continuing a few seconds later.
"Leandra, overheating isn't something you want to play around with." Mike spoke up again as Zack made it back into the kitchen, delivering the shirt to Heather.
"I know, but-"
"Jack, you know better, man." Mike chuckled, "You know how hot it gets here. Why'd you let her take a shirt like that?"
"B-But-" I tried again.
"Here." Ken chuckled, starting forward. I stood up quickly, stepping around the table. Away from him.
"No." Heather looked to Ken, "You stay there. Leandra, come with me." She repeated, gesturing to me.
"Oh," Ken chuckled again, "Really?"
"Stop it!" I finally shouted. I'd never shouted before. Not like this, so my shouted voice sounded weird to me. Startling myself, I blinked in surprise. Recovering, I spoke again, "I like my shirt. I don't want to change out of it. J-Just.. Leave me alone, okay?"
I walked away. Dodging Heather, and Josh, I went to leave the kitchen. Headed for the living room, but Jack caught me with a deep sigh. His hand around my wrist, his other hand yanking the shirt from Heather. Tugging me from the kitchen, into the first floor bathroom. I whimpered as he pushed me, following me into the tiny space. Closing the door behind himself, he turned to look at me.
Giving me no chance to stop him, he pulled my shirt above my head and I fought my way out of the sleeves. Dropping it on the floor. I whimpered as he looked me over briefly.
"Damn." He muttered, "I did a number on you, didn't I?" He turned me around to face him, gathering the other shirt in his hands, he pulled it roughly over my head. This was one of my new t-shirts. A bigger dark blue one, so it was a little baggy on me. Coming down to almost mid-thigh, the sleeves fell just passed my elbows. Turning me around, he made sure I was completely covered. Which I was nervous about.
"There." He said as I reached up, clearing my now messy and loose hair from my eyes, "Now they can quit bitching." He bent down and lifted my old shirt, before he turned, pulling open the door again. Leaving me standing there for a moment in surprise.
I wandered out, still a little surprised at how quick everything had happened. A little dazed actually, looking down at the shirt I wore now. I was so used to wearing sleeves and a heavier material than this, a shirt like this made me feel naked.
Everything seemed to calm down from there.
"There." Mike chuckled, "Don't you feel better?" I didn't bother answering him. Ken slowly shook his head, a disappointed smile on his face. As if what had just happened had proved his point earlier.
"Can I go back outside?" I asked quietly, and the boys seemed to perk up. Smiling.
"Just take it easy, kiddo." Mike said, "Come back inside if you start feeling like that again." I nodded, letting him know I would. Just as a precaution, I carried my bottle of water with me. I now understood how convenient they could be.
To my surprise, Mike came outside with us for a while, to wrestle a little bit with the boys. Of course, letting them win. I noticed how easily he could have picked up Zack and toss him a good distance, but he didn't. He was a strong guy, but he let the boys wrestle him down to the sand like he wasn't any stronger than I was.
After a good thirty minutes, he feigned surrender, and chuckling, climbed back to his feet as they turned on each other. This time it was Zack that had gotten the better of Josh. Zack was learning.
Mike sighed as he came to my side, sitting back down in the sand with me. Reaching over, he put his finger against my upper arm, and pushed me a little. Just a little shove, hardly moving me. I looked over, confused, but his hand was already back to himself. Resting in the sand in front of him.
"What?" He asked, "I didn't do anything."
"Yeah you did." I frowned, still confused. I shrugged, looking back down at the sand running through my hands. Yet another little shove came, and I caught his hand this time, "Aha!"
"Caught me." He chuckled, and I couldn't help laughing a little as well. I released his wrist, looking back down.
"So." He started, "How is old Jack as a dad?" I paused, my small smile instantly fading.
"Fine." I answered immediately, concentrating on the sand again. I wished people would stop asking me that. I understood that he was rather popular, but damn.
"I know he's great with the boys." He commented, "What I just can't figure out, is why he never brought you by to see us. You've been hidden for.. What? Five years?" He must have never been there at the park with Heather.
"Six." I mumbled, sighing.
"Six years." He corrected himself, "And you seem very mature for your age." I didn't know what to say to that, "I haven't seen you step out of line once, but the way Jack watches you, it's like he's expecting you to burn down the house or something."
"I'd never do that." I murmured, shaking my head.
"You're a good kid, Leandra." He replied, "I know you wouldn't. You might rob a bank, or steal a car, but never burn down the house." Obviously a joke.
"Thank you." I smiled a little, appreciating the first part of what he said.
"But." I hated that word, "There's something about you. You don't act like any nine year old I've ever met before. You act more like some twenty-five year olds I know." I didn't know what to say to that.
"What's your story, kiddo?" I looked up at him, confused, "I know you've got one, and I know it's got to be a big one."
"Leandra." I sighed, looking down at Jack's voice calling from the house, "Come here." Why couldn't he just leave me be for longer than thirty seconds? I stood up beside Mike, and turned. Walking back toward the house, I sighed quietly.
"I'm being good." I murmured quietly to him.
Not bothering to reply to that, he took my wrist in his hand and tugged me inside. The way he held my wrist now told me something was off. It worried me, because it hurt. He hadn't done that in a few days, and I whimpered as I followed him. Ow, ow, ow. He was pissed about something, and I had a sinking feeling I knew what it was about.
"Jack?" Heather had noticed.
Through the kitchen, and up the stairs. Straight toward the room I shared with him.
When we got up to the room, he pushed open the door, and dragged me inside painfully. It wasn't that he had dragged me all the way up here that made me pause. It was the fact that everything in my bag was now in a pile on the floor. Everything except one thing.
Sitting on the bed, on the dark blue comforter, was a little white card that I knew he'd found. Slamming the door behind himself, he threw the lock, and crossed the room. His breathing racing in his anger as he lifted the card. Holding it up, looking to me pointedly.
Uh-oh.
A/N: Well, this one was fun.
I did appreciate being able to revisit Heather's talk with her after getting out the story about Leandra's past. That actually was fun. :D
A million huge, gigantic, massive THANK YOU's to my AMAZING reviewers of last chapter! :D
I hope you guys enjoyed this one. I know a few are probably disappointed about how things are staying the same, but there are only so many places I could switch things up, and to be honest, I wanted to keep this part the same. Giving my brain a bit of a break before the inevitable changes in the next stories with just editing and adding, instead of having to come up with all new scenes. I hope that made sense.
Well, nine I'm pretty enthusiastic about as well as ten, so I won't try to put out an estimate on when it'll be released, due to the coming days (which I'm not too big of a fan of), but we'll just see how that goes, shall we?
Until Nine, my friends! :D