This chapter touches lightly on sexual abuse of a child, there is no graphic detail but I would like people to be advised
The characters back stories will not be nice but it needs to be told to understand them better.
I want to thank BrennAstotle for being there for me. She deals with my freak outs and stressing over chapters and she lets me bounce ideas off her. She is my Kettle.
My wonderful Beta Bellavista88, you're way more then just a beta and you know it.
Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyers owns Twilight. I own The Cleaner
Chapter song: Goodbye to Romance by Ozzy Osbourne.
BPOV
"Tomorrow morning can't come soon enough, I can't wait to get the fuck out of here," Jane was saying.
"I agree with Jane, but I'd like to leave sooner. I don't know about you all but I would love to go to a nice hotel. Take a shower or a bubble bath, and sleep in an actual bed. What do you think Peter?" Charlotte asked.
"Hey, I have one last request," I spoke up for the first time since we got back. "Since everyone is in such a hurry to leave, could we at least go out, maybe, one last time to dinner or is that to much to ask!" I couldn't keep the hurt and anger out of my voice, I had been sitting here for over an hour listening to everyone's plans for leaving and their new lives; what they wanted to do, and I had nothing. I always knew everyone wanted to make a 'clean break' be free of this life, but for some stupid reason, I thought we'd all do it together. I guess I thought we were closer then we were. And I was angry because I had nowhere to go or no one to go to. I noticed everyone had stopped talking and was staring at me.
Riley walked over to me putting his arm around my waist pulling me closer, " I think that's a great idea, Swan. Give us a proper chance to say goodbye before we head out in the morning."
I looked up and smiled at Riley, happy he agreed with me. But, of course that smile was short lived.
"What the fuck is your problem Princess?" Jane sneered
"I don't have a problem Jane", I replied in a icy tone "I just figured we've all been a big part of each others lives, I thought one more night, with us all together, wouldn't kill you." I couldn't figure Jane out; she acted like she hated me, but then today she saved me. She was actually 'nice' to me, calmed me.
"Are you okay"? Riley whispered in my ear.
"Honestly? I don't know, I don't know if I'll ever be 'OK'"… I answered. Truth was I didn't know what I was going to do when I left here tomorrow. Could I go to college? Could I make a living on my own? I had never been on my own; I lived with my parents, ran away and was found by Riley; I lived with and depended on these guys to help me. Plain and simple, I am scared.
"What are you scared about?" Riley asked
Oh shit! Had I said that last part out loud? I bit my bottom lip looking down towards the floor.
"Bella, why are you scared? Is it what happened today? The men that we took the money from?" Riley asked with concern in his voice.
"Umm, yeah that's it.. I guess I'm still just a little shaky after everything that went down today." That seemed like a good excuse, no one needed to know the real reason I was scared. That I was almost selfish enough to wish we could stay here, that I wasn't going to wake up tomorrow and be alone.
"I think that sounds like a great idea Bella. Come on, let's go in my room and see if we can fix ourselves up a bit and then go grab a bite." Charlotte said
"Okay," I replied and started to follow Charlotte out of the room.
When we got to her and Peter's room, she motioned me over to an old couch they had found one day.
"So talk to me Bella, what's really wrong with you?
"Nothing, I told you, my nerves are just shot after everything that happened today, and not knowing if the guys were okay or not. What happened in the alley.
I started to bite my bottom lip.
"Yeah, that shit with Jane was crazy, but I'm glad she did that. But you are changing the subject. Talk to me. And stop biting your lip Bella."
In just the 5 months we had been together Charlotte already knew me to well; she knew when I was hiding things or when something was really bothering me.
"Char., please just drop it?" I pleaded
"I just want to help you, when I leave tomorrow I want, no I need to know you are okay, I've got enough to worry about you know." She smiled as she rubbed her belly.
I closed my eyes at her words and I must have closed them just long enough for her to realize that was 'the problem'.
"Is that the problem Bella? That we are leaving, oh honey, if you just tell me where you are going we will stay in contact, I promise."
I laughed a bit, "that's the problem Char, I have no where to go, I don't know what to do!" I felt tears welling in my eyes and blinked to get rid of them.
"I know the feeling," Charlotte said still rubbing her belly, "I would love to tell my mother about this, just climb in her lap and have her tell me it will be alright, but I can't go back either".
"At least you have Peter," I whispered
Charlotte stood up, walked over and grabbed her hair brush that was sitting on a box and started to brush my hair. "You're right Bella, I am lucky to have Peter because without him I don't know what would have happened to me. But what happened that night, I wouldn't wish on anyone. But because of that night, I knew no matter what I had one person who would always be there for me. But he had to give up everything, Bella; ruining his chance at a good life. He should be going to college, he should have a great job in his future, but no, here he is with his pregnant girlfriend running from everything good in his life. So yes, I have Peter but look at the price he has to pay."
"What exactly happened that night Char?" I know I shouldn't ask but all I ever knew was the little bit I had been told. And honestly, if his life was so great I had always wondered what could have happened to make him give everything up for 'love.' I always thought that there had to be another choice. God knows I always thought in my mind that I should have made another choice.
Charlotte stopped brushing my hair for a moment, seeming to be lost in thought, then started to talk as if on autopilot, without emotion.
"Well you know my step dad was always trying to touch me, never 'too obvious' but brushing up against me every chance he got or just happen to be reaching for a cup when I was doing dishes, leaning into me; that kind of stuff. After it started to happen all the time, I told my mom that he was making me feel uncomfortable, but she just blew it off. Told me 'to stop overreacting,' I don't know if she just was just afraid she'd lose yet another husband, I mean, we weren't 'rich' but with Roger's income we did eat and kept the lights on, you know? Or she really thought I was making it up.
"One day at after school, Peter noticed I had been avoiding going home more than before and he asked why, I just blurted it out. I really thought he was going to kill Roger; it was all I could do to stop him from walking out the door right then and there. I stupidly told him I could handle Roger, he was harmless for the most part and easy enough to avoid. We agreed that as soon as we graduated we would get out of Chicago and go to one of the colleges Peter was accepted to. Peter also said he'd talk to his parents and see if maybe I could stay there. They loved him so much, he was sure he could convince them if he explained my situation, which I wasn't too excited about them knowing, but if it got me out of the house I'd go with it. Although I was sure they wouldn't let me, they never liked me, thought I wasn't 'good enough' for their son. White trash is what they called me; I heard them talking about me one time when Peter asked me to run downstairs and get him a pencil, I heard them in the kitchen. Hell, I knew I wasn't good enough for him, but for some reason Peter didn't think that, he saw past the crappy house I lived in, the second hand clothes I wore and just saw me. Charlotte. Plus, I never really told him that I knew they didn't like me; it would've killed him. He loved his parents so much. I had never met a family so close; I ruined everything."
She stopped brushing my hair again and when I looked up she was wiping a tear from her eye.
"Char, couldn't you have gone to the police or told someone at school?" I asked.
"Tell them what Bella? That I had a 'feeling' or he made me uncomfortable? Tons of kids don't get along with their stepparents. I knew what he was doing, but I couldn't prove it and I didn't want to ruin my mother's happiness. I figured I could keep avoiding him 'till I moved out. He never really did anything out right to me."
"You don't have to continue Charlotte, if you don't want to. I'm sorry I asked."
"No, it's alright." she continued
"I was able to avoid him, for the most part. I either hung out at Peter's or he'd be over. On nights we couldn't hang out, I'd eat dinner and go up to my room. It worked, until one night my mom went out with some friends. I went up to my room before she left, did some homework and talked to a couple of friends on the phone. I knew I wouldn't hear from Peter, he had a family party to attend and he wouldn't be back till later. So I just decided to go to sleep. I'm not sure how long I had been asleep but I woke when I heard my door open then close. Roger was in my room. I could smell the alcohol on him, he walked up to my bed and sat down, in the middle, but he didn't speak he just sat there.
I told him to 'get the fuck out' I wanted to sleep and he turned around and stared at me for another minute. I was really nervous but I knew if he was planning to try anything I wouldn't let him touch me without a fight!
All of a sudden, he leaned over me and I went to pushed him away. He put one hand over my mouth and the other grabbed for my pajamas. I grabbed the first thing I could reach, which happened to be my lamp and I smashed it over his head and got out of the house and ran straight to Peter's. I didn't know what else to do, where else to go, you know?
So I turned up on Peter's parent's doorstep and thank god they were home and even more, that Peter was the one who answered the door. Peter took me upstairs and I told him what happened, he promised me, no matter what, I'd never have to go back. He wouldn't let me. He left me upstairs and begged his parents to let me stay there, but of course they refused. I'm sure they didn't believe me.
So Peter being Peter waited until his parents had gone to bed, grabbed all the money he had saved from his dresser and told me we were running away. I tried to talk him out of it, but he said no, we were leaving. If he couldn't protect me here, he would protect me somewhere else. He had promised I would never have to go back and he has kept his word We've been on the run ever since.
So now Bella, I'm going to do for you what Peter did for me; I promise you, you never have to go back and you will never be alone. Come with Peter and I… plus we'll need a babysitter." She laughed.
I didn't know what to say, I was so overcome with emotion myself, from what she had gone through and what she just said I could only nod my head in agreement.
"Now," she said wiping her eyes, "I'm a mess and we have plans tonight, so let's fix our faces and get ready to head out. You gotta look good for Riley you know,." She said with a wink.
"What? What are you talking about Char, Riley?" I asked as I wiped away my own tears.
"Oh come on, Bella. Everyone sees how you two are together lately, when did you two become 'one.'" She nudged me
"There is no 'us' Charlotte, and to be honest, I have no idea what's going on with us, we kissed the other day and ugh! I don't Charlotte, we really haven't talked about it and I don't think it matters anyways, you heard him; the only thing that matters to him in this world is his brother and sister and getting custody of them, I don't fit into that equation."
"But once we get settled in and he gets things straightened out we can find him, Bella. I don't think Riley is going to just let you walk out of his life either. Hey, maybe we can get cell phones before we leave and exchange numbers; we can do that before or after dinner, we can afford it," she said with a giggle. "I mean seriously. I don't want to lose connect with anyone here."
"Even Jane?" I asked with a giggle.
"Even Jane" Charlotte laughed.
I shook my head at her "You ready?"
-XXXXX-
"So what're your plans when you leave tomorrow Mouse?" I asked
"Um," he looked over at Jane
"We're traveling; hitting the road and going where ever the fuck we want," Jane spoke up and looked around the table at each of us, eying everyone with a look of 'I-dare-anyone-to-question-further.'
I was dying to know what was going on with these two, but didn't dare ask. Hell, who was I to question anyone else anyways, when I didn't know what was going on between Riley and I. But I guess it didn't matter, since tomorrow morning he was walking out of my life and heading back to Pennsylvania and I was heading to ...Where the hell was I heading to? I never did ask Charlotte. Oh well, I was heading somewhere with Charlotte and Peter.
"So Princess, you running back home? Have mommy and daddy suffered enough?"
I blew out a deep breath, "I don't know what you think and truly I don't care anymore, but I'm not going back ho…there." I corrected myself
Maybe some time in the near future I would pick up the phone and call my parent's and talk to them. I couldn't imagine going the rest of my life never speaking to them. And after what had happened, I realized I did own them a lot; they were pretty 'good' parents compared to what my friends went through with 'their parents' and I owned them an apology for all the trouble I'd caused them. Although I wasn't taking all of the blame, they had to take some too, but that was an issue for another time... a phone call away.
"Yo! Earth to B…..E….L…L…A! This is becoming a habit with you," Riley said while leaning in and rubbing a hand up and down my arm.
I shook my head and blinked my eyes, coming out of my thoughts, "Sorry."
"I was just wondering where you're going to go?" He asked again, if I didn't know better, I would say he sounded a little nervous.
"Oh, um, I'm going with ..."
"...Bella's coming with us," Charlotte interrupted. "Couldn't very well let her go on her own now could we?" Charlotte gave a pointed look towards Riley.
"Excuse me?" Peter questioned. "When was this decided?"
I could tell by his expression he was, I wouldn't say 'mad,' but generally confused, maybe a little hurt to be finding out with everyone else.
"Peter, I was going to talk to you about it …..later," Charlotte whispered.
I may not have been the smartest person in the world, but it didn't take a genius to see this was a bad idea, going with them.
"Umm Peter , Char, I don't want to cause any problems, I …..listen, I didn't get a chance to tell you earlier….." I didn't get to finish my sentence.
"It would have been nice to discuss it before you brought it up to Bella don't you think?" Peter spoke quietly. "Nothing against you Bella, it's just I kinda of planned on it just being me and Charlotte."
"Listen Peter, Charlotte, I am"…Of course I'm interrupted again.
"Peter!" Charlotte said
"I'm NOT going with you two!" I blurted out loudly, earning the looks from several customers in the diner and a loud snort from Jane.
"WHAT?" Charlotte and Peter both said at the same time.
"I" keeping my voice down low " I was trying to tell you; I have a cousin in Arizona she's a couple years older than me and she had a baby. The dead beat dad kind of ran out on her and I thought I'd head out there. She'd been asking me for months to come out before, well before all that went down with my parents, so I thought I'd get a hold of her and take her up on her offer."
"Bella, you didn't say a word about that earlier and you told me ….Bella, is it because of what just happened?" Charlotte asked
"No, honestly Char, it's just when we were talking I was all emotional and what you said, I just I really want to go and see her and my new cousin."
"Oh yeah, I remember you telling me about her that one night we couldn't sleep and you were all excited, waiting to meet your newest cousin. I remember you told me as soon as you could, you wanted to go there and visit." Riley chimed in
I snapped my head towards Riley, giving him a look like 'what the hell are you talking about' because I was pretty sure I never discussed that with him.
"Uh huh, yeah that one." I said, knowing I didn't sound convincing at all.
Charlotte was still looking at me with disbelief, Peter looked relieved and Jane, well Jane was busting up laughing, until Mouse nudged her.
"Well then, this is really goodbye," Charlotte said with sadness in her voice. "Get over here and hug me!" She jumped up from the table and I came around and hugged her tight. God, I was going to miss her, she had became one of my best friends in these 5 months. But I had to do this.. I understand why Peter didn't want me tagging along; they were going off to start a new life and a new family they didn't need me in the mix. It was time for me to grow up and start my own life by myself.
"So now we really have to get those cell phones, because I am not losing touch with you, and your cousin….what's her name?" She asked
"Beth," I answered
"Well, Beth will just have to learn to share because once this little guy or girl comes he or she is gonna want to meet aunt Bella." Charlotte said as tears fell down her cheeks.
"Oh lord come on you two are making me lose my appetite." Jane said.
I wiped the tears from my eyes "I'm just going to run outside for a minute, I saw a pay phone and I'm just going to call Beth real quick and tell her the good news." I said walking away from the table.
"I walked outside and took a couple of deep breaths, picking up the phone and dialing the last number I thought I would ever call again. The phone rang three times before I heard my mother's voice.
"Hello?"
I didn't answer, I couldn't. As soon as I heard her voice I felt a lump in my throat and then I was crying
"Hello?" She spoke a little louder
"M...Mom?" I whispered.
"Who is this? Hello? I'm about ready to hang up this phone in about 2 seconds."
I cleared my throat to make my voice a little louder, "Mom?"
I heard my mother inhale on the other end then my father's voice, "Renee who the heck is on the phone?"
"Um, wrong number hon." She said to my father, I could tell she had the receiver covered, with her hand by the noise but I could still hear her.
"You have the wrong number." I could hear the icy tone in her voice.
"Mom?" I said loud enough so I knew she heard me
"I said you had the wrong number, no one is here with that name, do not call here again!" And she slammed the phone down on me.
That couldn't have just happened; I looked at the phone in my hand in disbelief. She couldn't have done that, she wouldn't have done that to me. I was her daughter, no matter what happened. Wasn't she worried? Didn't she miss me? She should be relieved to know I was alive. My god was I really that bad of a child that my own mother hated me and didn't want me back? I slumped down the side of the wall, pulling my knees up and laying my forehead on them and just cried. I don't know how long I sat there until I heard Riley.
"Hey, come here," Riley said as he pulled me up by my elbows and engulfed me in a tight hug. "I promise you it will be okay Bella."
I don't know how long I cried. I just cried; I cried for what happened to my life, what it had become, for my mother and what she just did to me. I cried, because for the first time in my life I had no idea what I was going to do. I just cried until there were no more tears left to cry.
"I'm sorry," I looked at Riley's soaked shirt then up in to his eyes. I reached up and wiped my eyes.
"Hey, you don't have any reason to be sorry, hell I bawled like a baby just the other night to you". Just tell me what's going on Bella, and please tell me the truth. Cause I'm pretty sure there is no cousin in Arizona".
"No there really is; family on my dad's side, but I haven't seen them in years. Before my dad became the 'all powerful Mayor' of Forks, we use to go there and visit. It's my dad's sister along with her husband and my cousin Beth who is about 15 years old and last I checked she wasn't pregnant, thank god!"
"But you aren't going there, are you?" He stated as more of a fact than a question.
"No, I haven't spoken to them in a couple of years and they'd call my parent's and… just no" I said quietly
"Maybe that's not such a bad idea Bella. I mean maybe you should think about going home now, or at least calling them. I mean maybe it's been enough time and …."
"Oh my god! You're as bad as Jane, you think this is all a game? I can just go back whenever I want? Like this is all just big joke to me, well jokes on you because I can't go back even if I wanted. My mother doesn't want me back!" I started to cry again.
No, that's not what I meant, Bella and why are you crying? How do you know your mother doesn't want you back? I don't understand what you're talking about." He said clearly confused and taken back by my outburst.
I took a deep breath and tried to compose myself long enough to speak. "I can't do this anymore, I just want to, I don't know," I took another deep breath "I thought maybe I'd talk to them and work things out and come home. My mom answered and told me not to call again and hung up on me, playing it off like it was the wrong number."
After I got done speaking, Riley stared at me for a few moments, before he spoke.
"Come with me?"
"Come with you where?" I looked around
"Come with me to Pennsylvania."
"What? You don't need me there, you will have your brother and sister to deal with and…" He stopped me by putting his finger to my lips. He looked me right in the eyes.
"First I am not gonna get them back right away Bella, I got legal problems to work out. I've got to contact a lawyer and work shit out and maybe I'm selfish but I'd sure like to have someone there, in my corner that I care about and I think cares about me." He said as he leaned down and gave me a kiss. It started out innocent enough but then I don't know if it was from all that has happened the last couple of days or my actual feelings for Riley but I knew I needed more. I opened my mouth and invited his tongue in; deepening the kiss. After a few minutes we broke away and I was breathing heavy, catching my breath.
"So" does that mean yes?" He asked with a smile.
"Riley I … are you sure? I mean, I don't want to be a burden to anyone. I am 18 now, I am not yours or anyone's responsibility. I guess what I'm trying to say is do you really want me to come? I mean what if I get there and things go wrong? I would hate to lose what we had. Because, besides whatever this is, right now between us, I value you as a friend; and you saved me that night and I don't ever want to lose that connection."
"Whoa, Okay first of all. No, I am not asking you to come out of some sense of responsibility, I really don't want you out of my life. And two, don't they always say you should be friends before lovers, or friends first make the best lovers or some shit like that?" He said while laughing. "I don't know what's going happen in the future Bella, shit I don't know what's going to happen next week, there's every chance I could end up in jail over this shit, but I just know I want you with me. That's the one thing I do know, I want to get Joey and Kristy and have you there."
I couldn't stop the damn tears that came "Okay," I whispered
"Just OK?" He mocked back. "Can't I get a hell yes I'd love to come with you Riley and have you do all sort of nasty things to my body?"
I smacked him lightly on the arm. "Thank you"
"No, thank you, I mean it. I am in for a battle and I don't just mean the charges against me. I mean everything and it means a lot that you are going to be there with me".
I leaned in and gave him a light kiss "We should probably head back in, I'm sure everyone is wondering what happened to us."
-XXXX-
Charlotte insisted we all buy cell phones, so we could keep in touch. I thought it was a great idea myself . Even Jane didn't put up a fight, she just picked out the phone she wanted and gave out her number.
"So, umm, what should we do now?" Mouse asked.
I think everyone was ready to go back and start packing up the stuff they wanted to take, but no one wanted to be the one to say it. Plus, I'd like to think everyone was a little sad at it ending, like me.
"I am ready to go back." Jane spoke up
"Charlotte turned towards Jane.
"What?" Jane glared back at Charlotte. "Mouse asked a question; I answered. I mean, come on, we have gone out to eat, we went shopping for phones and exchanged numbers; I think we have appeased little Princess enough for today."
"Jane," Mouse said softly, staring into her eyes for a moment.
"Ugh! Fine whatever, what else would you like to do, Bella?" My name sounded like venom on her tongue.
"Oh umm, we can go back if everyone wants to, that's fine with me" I said
"You heard her, lets go." Jane said
"Hey what about a picture?" Charlotte suggested
"Picture?" Peter questioned "picture of what, babe?"
"Of the tree over there Peter." She shook her head, "Us dear, all of us. I believe these cell phones come with camera's in them we will get someone to snap our picture with one of our phones and then that person can send it to the rest of us on our phones."
"Yeah, Okay, who's gonna give their phone to a stranger to take a picture and hope they don't take off with it?" Riley asked while laughing.
" I will," I answered him.
"Really?" Peter said
"Yeah sure, why not? Not everyone is a thief," I laughed. "Lets find someone and do this." I said
"Okay," Peter said as we started to watch for someone to take our picture.
We finally found a nice elderly couple, who after we explained for 10 minutes that yes, it's possible to take a picture with a cell phone, and another 5 explaining how to use it, we had them take the pictures, some goofy and some serious. I noticed every picture Riley was next to me, which I wasn't complaining about. We posed by the Bethesda Fountain, in Central Park; I always loved the name The Angel of Water.
We all took pictures of each other on our phones too. I got a really cute one of Charlotte and Peter. He was standing behind her, with his head on her shoulder and his arms wrapped around her holding on to her stomach. Got one of Jane and Mouse, Mouse smiled Jane, well she didn't frown. Charlotte took one of Riley and I, then we started to take random funny pictures of each other and I swear even Jane was enjoying herself. By the end we were all laughing and just having fun.
We linked arms and walked back to the warehouse for the last time.
-XXXX-
When we rounded the corner, I started to look for 'Harry the Guard,' our nickname for the guy who checked on the warehouse. I wanted to let him know we were heading out tomorrow, so he knew the warehouse would once again be empty. I always did appreciate the fact that he let us stay here. Of course we paid him off but still, he didn't have to let us and I think he kind of enjoyed the company too.
"Whatcha looking for Swan?" Riley asked
"Oh, um Harry, I kind of want to let him know we're leaving and say goodbye."
"You're too sweet," Riley said as he pulled me closer and kissed the tip of my nose.
"Yeah, he should be walking around here anytime, oh well, let's head in and I'll come back down with you in a bit and look for him." Charlotte offered
"You won't be coming down here alone." Peter stated
"What are you waiting for Mouse?" Riley asked while Mouse was pushing at the door
"Nothing the door seems to be stuck; I can't get it opened." Mouse answered back.
"Let me, little boy," Peter said joking while flexing his muscles
"Whatever!" Mouse said
Peter started to push on the door, "What the fuck, it's stuck; I can't get it to budge either".
"Told you," Mouse mumbled.
"Oh for fucks sake! Get out of the way you two little weaklings!" Riley shoved hard and the door flew open. "Lets go, it's open now."
"Show off," Peter mumbled
"Oh babe, you loosened it for him, and you can show off those muscles to me later." Charlotte said as she rubbed Peter's arms.
"HA, yeah that's what happened!" Riley said
"You're both a bunch of…" I didn't get to finish my sentence as I heard Jane and Mouse at the top of the stairs.
"What the fuck! " They said at the same time
"What?" Charlotte, Peter, Riley and I said together, as we flew up the stairs.
We all stood there with our mouths open for a minute.
"Mother fuckers! Fucking thieves." Peter shouted
Apparently, while we were out someone had come in and trashed the place. This kind of stuff happened around here a lot; drug addicts looking for money or for things to steal so they can sell for drugs. We were always lucky we had "Harry" so this kind of shit usually didn't happen to us.
"This is why I'm so glad we are getting out of here tomorrow." Jane said
Riley and Peter turned and started to head back towards the stairs.
"Where are you going?" I asked.
"To find out where the fuck the prick who we've been paying off the last year was and if he saw anything." Peter answered annoyed that he had to stop to answer my question.
"He's an old guy Peter, don't give him too much grief you two." Charlotte said
"Sure, sure," Riley said as they headed down the stairs.
We had just started to walk around, looking at all the damage; the folding table was broke in half, the lazy boy we had got at a second hand store was torn apart and all the stuffing was all over the ground. It looked like someone had taken a knife to it and sliced it open.
"Why would they do this? I said pointing at the chair?'
"Uh duh Princess, looking for drugs or money hidden in there? God you're clueless!" Jane sneered at me
"Thank god we split the money up earlier; did everyone have their money on them?" Charlotte asked.
We all nodded our heads yes. That was another 'rule' around here never leave any of our cash when we left. Always take it with you. We continued to walk around the place; everywhere we looked there was destruction our meeting room looked like a tornado had ripped through it.
"Fuck, won't be sleeping here tonight!" Mouse called coming back from the rooms
"Why what's wrong?" Charlotte asked
"They umm, our mattresses or what's left of them are destroyed; torn to shreds." Mouse answered
I couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right here.
"Do they really do this? I mean, this much damage looking for money and drugs it just seems extreme." I asked
"If they are having withdrawals enough, I guess." Charlotte said
"Fucking look around Princess, apparently the answer is yes."
I didn't get a chance to say anything back before Peter and Riley came flying back up the stairs.
"We need to go NOW!" Peter yelled.
"Wait, what, what's wrong Peter?" Charlotte asked
I turned to look at Riley who was as white as a ghost
"Riley?" I asked
He didn't answer at first, he just stared at me with a sheer look of horror on his face..
"Riley, dude you're freaking me out. What's going on?" Mouse asked
"So much fucking blood," he whispered when he finally spoke
"Shut up Riley!" Peter said "Fuck!" Running his hands over his face.
Riley seemed to snap out of his daze …
"It's not like they're gonna miss it man, how the fuck did we miss it at first?" Riley shook his head as if trying to shake a bad memory.
"Alright, I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what's going on, Now!" Charlotte yelled loudly
"Harry, he's downstairs, his body was what was blocking the door."
"What, that makes no sense; what are you talking about?" Jane started heading towards the stairs.
Peter grabbed her arm and shook his head " Don't go down there Jane."
Jane looked deep into Peter's eyes for a moment and then nodded her head, 'okay'.
"If, um, you want us to leave but not see, how are we going to leave here without seeing it?" I asked..
"I'll get a blanket or something to cover him up before you go down; we just need to get the fuck out of here." Peter said, I could hear the nervousness in his voice.
"He's dead?" Riley nodded his head "Why would someone kill him? For drugs? I don't get it?" I know I was sounding whiny and asking too many questions, but this whole thing was making no sense to me and I was scared and confused.
"I don't think that's what whoever was looking for, Bella. He looks like he's been tortured and gutted like a fish. Nobody looking for drugs would have taken the time to do that." Riley said
Charlotte gasped out loud and Mouse swallowed loudly. My hand flew up to my mouth, but a loud sob still escaped.
"Riley!" Peter yelled "Shut up!"
"Um, guys?" We all turned to see Jane standing in the other room towards the corner. She looked as pale as a ghost and visibly shaken up and it takes a lot to scare Jane.
We all ran towards Jane and stopped dead in our tracks as we saw 'Sally' who's body was shattered into a million pieces and her head detached.
Another loud sob escaped my throat; as I was officially freaking out now and scared to death.
"Whhh?" Charlotte was trying to speak but the words wouldn't come out.
Sticking out of the little part they left of 'Sally" was a note with a knife sticking out of it.
We want our money you stupid little fucks. You have no idea who you just pissed off! You're all fucking dead!
We were all silent; no one spoke for a moment, the only sounds were Charlotte and my sobs. I didn't look, but I swear I hurt Jane sniff once or twice too.
A/N My first cliffhanger.. Yay..lol
At the moment TWCS is down, so I can't post update yet : (
Please review, I love to hear all your thoughts, and thanks for reading