Jordan- 9
Jordan had just turned nine. Everyday when her father or brother weren't around she'd expect a visit from Denny Woods.
For a few weeks now he'd go to the young girl hoping to get information out of her about Hank. Right before he left he'd always made sure to remind her what would happen if she told.
The nine year old wanted to desperately tell someone, anyone, but she couldn't not without dealing with Denny's consequences. After all his visits she'd be upset and scared, everyone around her began to get curious. Why was she acting like this? Was someone threatening her? Did someone say something to her?
They didn't know what was going on but they were gonna damn sure find out. When Justin seen his sister he knew something was up with her.
One afternoon Jordan was waiting to be picked up from school, as she waited she wished Denny would hurry up and show then leave. She couldn't let anybody find out especially her father because if he found out Hank would unleash hell. A moment later Denny had arrived to the school, when the nine year old had seen him she sadly sighed waiting to get it over with.
"Hello Jordan". Denny said.
"My dad doesn't do anything, he doesn't go anywhere. He doesn't act any different". Jordan spoke.
"He ever bring any money home that you haven't seen?"
"No".
"Jordan don't forget what'll happen if I find out you're lying or if you told anyone".
"I understand".
Denny then left before he could get caught. After he left a couple of tears ran down Jordan's face, what was she gonna do? She was spying on her own father for this guy and if she lied or told she'd be taken from her family for good. If she could she'd go straight to her brother or her father, the young girl was scared to say anything because she knew what would happen if she said.
Justin was on his way to pick his sister up from school, when he got close by and seen his sister upset. He was slowly starting to get annoyed with this, why was his sister always upset? Was someone bothering her? He went over to her and got down on one knee and gave her a gentle look.
"Jo Jo what's wrong? Did someone hurt you?" Justin asked.
"No". Jordan said.
"What's wrong?"
"I can't tell you".
"Jo Jo, I'm your big brother you can tell me anything".
"Not this I can't".
"Is someone hurting you?"
"I promised not to tell".
"Who'd you promise?"
"Justie please don't make me say".
Jordan was never one to beg or plead so for Justin to hear it, he knew something was up and someone was doing something to his sister. The elder Voight was gonna put a stop to it and if it comes down to it he will go to their father. Nobody was gonna mess with his little sister and get away with it.
"Let's head home kiddo".
"Is dad home?"
"Yeah he is".
The two siblings began the walk home, Jordan held on tightly to her brother's hand as if he was gonna disappear. Justin glanced down at his baby sister and wondered what was going on with her. Was someone saying something to her? Were they threatening her? He didn't know and he was gonna find out one way or another.
They finally arrived home and Jordan seen her father's car in the front she quickly let go of her brother's hand and ran inside. Hank was in the kitchen preparing dinner just as the front door opened. He went to the doorway to see his children. The nine year old ran and tackled her father in a hug, she held onto him for a good few minutes before letting go.
Hank had been very confused by his daughter's actions the past few weeks. When he looked over to his son, Justin gave him the, 'we gotta talk' look. He then looked down at his daughter.
"Sweetheart why don't you go start you're homework I'll call you when dinner's ready". Hank tells his daughter.
"Ok". Jordan replies.
The nine year old headed up to her room and started her school work. Justin looked at his father a tad annoyed.
"Pop you noticed that Jo's been acting different these past few weeks?" Justin asked.
"I have. She won't tell me, she say anything to you?" Hank replied.
"She said that she couldn't, apparently she made someone a promise. Pop you think someone is making her stay quiet? It makes sense".
"I was thinking about that possibility, question is who would it be?"
Justin had an idea on who it could be he looked at his father before turning to leave.
"I got a errand to run, I'll be back in a little while".
"Son where are you going?"
"Gotta take care of something".
"Should I know or be worried?"
"No I'll be back".
All Hank did was nod, after he put the meatloaf in the oven he went up to talk to his little girl.
Jordan was still working on her homework when she heard knocking on her door. "Come in".
Hank walked in and headed over to her bed, the nine year old glanced to see her father. Her heart was racing. Had he figured out what was going on? Did he know about Denny? She tried to focus on her school work but couldn't. The older father saw the look on her face and could tell something was bothering her, he closed the book and gentle took her chin so she'd look at him.
"Sweetheart what's wrong?" Hank asked.
"Nothing". Jordan said.
"Is someone bothering you at school?"
"What? No".
"Is someone hurting you?"
"No".
"Baby, if someone is doing something or saying something to you I need to know so I can help you".
Jordan desperately wanted to tell her father what was going on with Denny but she couldn't.
"I promised not to tell".
"Who'd you promise?"
"I'm not allowed to say".
Hank began to get furious, now he knew someone was definitely doing something to his little girl and was making sure she stayed quiet.
"Jo, who told you that you're not allowed to say?"
"I can't tell you".
"Sweetie you can tell me anything, especially if someone is doing something to you or is hurting you".
The young girl wanted to just come out with it but couldn't, she would hear Denny's voice in her head.
"Nobody's hurting me or doing anything, he made me promise not to tell".
"Who's he?"
Jordan shook her head sadly, a second later she flung her arms around her father's neck. A tear slid down her cheek going onto his shirt. If only she could say. If only.
Meanwhile
Justin had arrived to Denny's office, he stormed in the office not giving a damn. The secretary went after him, Denny was in his office going over a case file when his door got swung open by a furious Justin.
"Charlie it's alright". Denny said to the secretary.
She had left closing the door, Justin was viciously glaring at his father's former partner. His fist clenching by his side. Denny closed the folder and leaned back in the chair.
"Justin Voight, what can I do for you?" Denny asked.
"Did you say or do anything to my little sister?" Justin asked dangerously.
"What would give you an idea like that?"
"Its weird right after she met you, she started acting different. Jordan is not afraid of anything but after she met you she became scared. Afraid. You're gonna tell me what the hell you did or said to her or so help me I will end you".
"Just like your father. The only thing I ever said to your sister was hi that's it. I stayed away after that. I would never be that cruel or cold hearted to mess with a child".
"I ever find out you did or said anything to her, I will find you and end you're ass".
"If you say so".
Before he ended up hitting him Justin left the office. Denny was furious. Had Jordan said something? Did anyone else know? He knew that he had to talk with the nine year old once again and remind her what was fully at stake.
Justin headed back home, he didn't believe Denny at all. He had a feeling he had either said or did something to his sister and whatever it was, it was serious enough to scare Jordan into not talking at all. He was gonna find out what happened with his sister. One way or another.
He finally arrived back home, he saw that his father and sister were eating. The elder man wasn't gonna say anything about where he's been because he wasn't gonna tell his father just get. He wanted to be absolutely sure before telling him anything.
The small family ate dinner together and made small conversation. Jordan glanced at her father and brother hoping they wouldn't bring up the issue at hand. She really hoped Denny would just leave her alone.
After dinner Jordan went to get ready for bed while Justin and Hank cleaned up. Hank was curious to know where his son went.
"So where'd you run off to earlier?" Hank asked.
"Just to see one if the guys, they needed my help with something". Justin lied.
"You didn't happen to go anywhere else would you have?"
"No of course not".
Hank believed his son, once the kitchen was cleaned they went to check on Jordan. The nine year old was ready for bed as she waited for her father and brother. A second later the two entered the room, Hank tucked the blanket around his little girl's small frame.
"Sweet dream baby girl". Hank said.
"G'night daddy". Jordan says sleepily.
He kissed her head and left the room, Justin glanced down at his sister as she was close to sleep but was still awake.
"Jo Jo, I want you to know I won't let anybody hurt you. Not as long as I'm around". Justin spoke.
Giving a small smile she jumped up and hugged her older brother. "I love you Justie".
Justin kissed his sister's head and smiled. "I love you to Jo Jo".
He then refixed the blanket around his sister, he brushed her hair back some then kissed her forehead.
'G'night Justin".
"Sleep tight kiddo".
Justin left his sister's room, he stood outside her door watching as she slowly fell asleep for the night. He then went to his room for the night.
By the next day Jordan hoped that Denny would just stay away because she didn't know how much longer she could keep lying.
Justin had taken her to school that day and Hank was gonna pick her up. The nine year old really hoped that Denny wouldn't show up that day and he could just skip a day.
School was out for the day and just as Jordan left the school there was no sign of Woods. Yet. While she waited for her father she went to the playground to keep busy, a couple minutes later a furious Denny had shown up. The young girl and seen him ready to get it over with.
"I told you my dad doesn't do anything-" She was cut off by him.
"Did you tell you're brother or anyone else about our talks?" Denny asked angrily.
"What? No way. Why would I?"
"Then why did you're brother come to my office last night asking questions? Did you tell him?"
"You said not to tell anybody so why would I? Why would I risk being taken from my family like that? Nobody knows. They're getting suspicious because of how I been acting".
"Well maybe you should act normal like a kid".
"I'd be fine if you stop showing up and threatening me".
"Oh honey it's not a threat, it's a promise. And I promise if you're lying or if you told anyone I'll make sure you're taken away quicker than you can blink".
"I understand".
"Good. Till next time".
"I don't wanna do this. I'm not spying on my dad for you. He doesn't do anything, he doesn't act any different, he doesn't come home with anything. I swear".
"You're done when I say you're done".
"Maybe I should tell". She whispered to herself.
"What was that?"
"My dad's on his way you should go before he gets here, I really don't wanna see anything I shouldn't".
He walked away while Jordan tried to control her emotions. Had her brother figured out what was going on? She wasn't mad at her brother at all, all she hoped was he didn't know because if he did then their father would know and if he found out. That would be one thing she wouldn't wanna see.
Hank had finally arrived and noticed his daughter's mood was the same. He decided not to push it for now. He tried to figured out who could be messing with his little girl. For the time being he let it go over his head, Jordan ran to her father tackling him in a hug. She held onto him as if it was gonna be the last time, Hank was still curious to know what was going on with his little girl.
"How was your day sweetheart?" Hank asked.
"It was good". Jordan answered.
"Anything interesting happen?"
"Nope".
He got down on one knee giving her a gentle look, he saw the fear and worry in her brown eyes.
"Baby, whatever is bothering you I want you to know you can always come to me, your brother, Erin, any of us, you don't have to be afraid or scared anymore. We're here to help you. So whatever you're hiding you don't have to anymore you can tell me".
"I don't wanna get in trouble".
"Sweetheart why would you get in trouble?"
"He said if I lied or told I'd be in trouble".
"Who's he?"
"I can't tell you".
"Jo is this person hurting you?"
"No, he just told me I'm not allowed to tell and if I do I'd get in trouble". She paused for a moment as she began to get real emotional. "Daddy, I'm scared".
"Come here sweetie".
Jordan flung her arms around her father as she buried her face into his neck, Hank held onto his little girl as she cried. He stroked her hair back to calm her, he was now out for somebody and their blood. Someone was definitely blackmailing his daughter into staying quiet. Who is it though?
After the hug the father and daughter headed home for the day. When they arrived home Justin was in the kitchen cooking. He stepped into the doorway to see his father and sister returning, Jordan had went straight to her room and shut the door. Hank headed to the kitchen and Justin saw the look on his face.
"Jo say anything?" Justin asked.
"She said that if she lied or told she'd get in trouble, still won't give up a name. Someone is making sure she stays quiet". Hank replied.
"Who would do something like that? To a kid?"
"I don't know but when I find out, they will have hell to pay".
Justin was hesitant on telling him that he thought of Denny as a suspect, if Hank found that out Denny would really have hell to pay. He then decided to go check on his little sister.
Jordan was laying on her bed, her homework was finished and put away. She couldn't stop thinking about what Denny had told her. If she was lying or told she'd be taken quicker than she could blink. Why was this happening? What did Denny really want from her? She didn't know she just wanted it to be over already. A knock on her door broke her out of her thoughts.
"Come in". Jordan says.
Justin entered his sister's room and went to sit beside her, the nine year old was still on her side but glanced to see her older brother.
"Jo Jo, I want you to listen to me. I know you're scared right now you have every right to be, you don't have to be scared or afraid anymore alright. Dad and I were here for you, whenever you're ready to open up and talk about what's going on. We won't let anything bad happen to you and we won't ever let anybody hurt you". Justin tells his sister.
Jordan sat up and hugged her brother around his midsection, she buried her face into his shirt. The elder Voight held his little sister in a tight and protective hold, he kissed her head.
"I love you Justin".
"I love you too kiddo".
The two siblings went downstairs and had dinner with their father. Jordan didn't bring up anything about Woods or his secret visits she didn't wanna start anything but most of all she didn't wanna be taken away. After dinner she went and got ready for bed, the father and son cleaned the kitchen then went to check on the young girl.
Jordan was in her bed waiting on her father and brother, soon they entered her room and tucked her in for the night.
"G'night daddy...g'night Justie". Jordan says sleepily.
"Sweet dream sweetheart". Hank said.
"Sleep tight kiddo". Justin spoke.
They kissed her head and left her room. The nine year old stayed awake for a while before she finally fell into an uneasy sleep.
The time was now 2:30 in the morning, the Voight household was quiet and dark a moment later Jordan shot up out of her sleep. Her face was drenched in cold sweat, her brown hair had stuck to her forehead. She had a nightmare that she was actually taken from her family by Denny, hoping out of bed she quietly left her room and checked her brother's room to see him fast asleep on his side. She then ran from his door to her father's door to see him fast asleep.
Jordan's heart had stopped racing and she began to calm down, she was still here with her family and it was nothing more than a dream. It wasn't real. Still feeling scared the young girl tiptoed in her father's room, she gently shook his arm.
"Dad wake up...wake up daddy". Jordan whispered.
Hank woke up with a start and saw his little girl standing by his bed, a frightened expression on her face. He looked back at the alarm clock on his night stand and saw 2:40 am in red bold numbers, then he turned his attention back to his little girl.
"Sweetheart what's wrong?" Hank asked.
"I had a nightmare. Can I stay with you?"
"Come here honey".
Jordan immediately got next to her father and curled up into his side gripping his shirt tightly in her fist. She was deeply afraid she'd be taken from her family.
"Wanna talk about it sweetheart?"
"Not really".
The young girl was fighting going to sleep, she didn't wanna go to sleep and have anymore nightmares and Hank seen it on her face.
"Go to sleep sweetheart, I'm right here".
He stroked her hair back hopefully to get her to sleep, it was something he'd done when she was a baby and fought going to sleep. Jordan was still drowsy and after a few minutes she fell asleep using his shoulder as a pillow. Hank glanced down at his sleeping angel he was going to find out what she was keeping from him and when he finds out who was blackmailing her they were gonna have hell to pay. Hell hath no fury than a scorned Hank.