I sigh and look up at the night sky. Of course, my thoughts circle back to Claire. If she knew all the things I did to protect her, would she be more understanding?
Probably not.
Claire doesn’t understand and never will. Everything I do is for her, even if she doesn’t know it.
7
Claire
Even as angry as I am with Lucca, I am in awe of this place. We arrived a few weeks ago, and I’m still in awe. It’s secluded, on the beach, and a true sight to see. With my toes in the sand, you would think I’d be a little calmer. I mean, who could stay angry while on a free five-star vacation?
Me. Apparently. I don’t want to be here. He forced me here. It was pack a bag and get on the plane or face the consequences, and I’ve lost enough in my life. I didn’t know how unstable Lucca was or what he was willing or unwilling to do.
I couldn’t risk my parents’ lives, no matter how pissed at them I am for knowing about Lucca all along. Even though I am mad at them right now, I still love and appreciate them. No matter their reason, they cared for me for the last six years.
So, I left my life behind, my best friend, my school, my home. All gone with a blink of an eye. I couldn’t even say goodbye to Hope.
A steady breeze blows off the ocean and whips strands of my long red hair around, and the smell of salt makes my nose wrinkle. The sound of the waves crashing against the beach lulls me into a cocoon of calm. I dig my toes into the sand and stare out into the never-ending ocean before looking up at the moon that’s hanging high in the sky.
It’s a beacon of hope to me, but the crescent shape reminds me of Lucca in that instant. Half shadowed in darkness, hiding from the rest of the world.
Thoughts of Lucca swim through my mind. I shouldn’t offer him space in my head, but I can’t help it. It’s like an addiction, the hate I feel for him. I can’t help but need the reminder of how bad he is, especially when he does things like this. I have to remember there is always a hidden agenda.
Pushing to my feet, I grab my sandals and start the walk back to the beach house. Tracy and Steven have been particularly quiet since we arrived, and I’m grateful for that. I don’t want to talk about Lucca with them and how they have been talking to him behind my back for years.
I thought they loved me, but now I’m not sure about anything.
I walk up the steps to the house with care. The moon above is the only source of light, and I don’t really feel like breaking my neck out here.
I’m surprised when I come in through the sliding glass door and find the kitchen empty and the house silent. My stomach rumbles, reminding me I haven’t eaten anything in a few hours. I drop my strappy sandals and walk toward the fridge. There’s a basket of fruit on the counter that catches my eye as I pass it, so I turn and grab an apple and then a bottle of water from the fridge.
By the grace of God, I manage to slip into my bedroom without conversation. I let out a long sigh as soon as I see the bed. I’m exhausted. Being constantly angry and trying to avoid my parents for the last few weeks is tiring, but I’m not ready to forgive them yet.
I don’t bother eating the apple. Instead, opening the bottle of water, I guzzle the entire thing down. I should really shower, but I can do it in the morning. Once I change into a pair of sleep shorts and an oversized T-shirt, I wash my face and then crawl into bed.
My phone buzzes on the nightstand. I pick it up and find five texts from Hope. I can’t help but smile at her usage of emojis. I’m about to respond when a crash makes me pause. It must have been very loud for me to hear it. It takes everything in me to keep my heart in my chest. It beats so loudly that for a brief second, it’s all I can hear.
I have no idea what that sound was, but I know it’s bad. I can feel it. I’m struck with fear, my body frozen in place, but I can’t just stay huddled up in this room. I need to do something. I need to be brave.
Swallowing down my fear, I force myself out of bed and to the door. As soon as I step out of the bedroom, I’m dropped into chaos.
“Where is the girl?” a man screams into Steven’s face while another man holds Tracy.
My feet are concrete. I can’t move, can’t even breathe. What girl? They aren’t talking about me, are they?
“Please, don’t…” Tracy’s plea cuts off as one man backhands her.
A gasp escapes my lips, and the sound dissipates the hazy fear I’m in. I have to stop them before someone gets hurt.
“I’m here, right here,” I croak, my fear rising ten octaves when both men turn to face me. Scars cover their faces, and I know without a doubt that this is a fight I cannot win against their huge bodies. “Please, don’t hurt them. Please…” I beg because begging is all I have at this moment.
One man looks me up and down and smiles. My skin crawls, and a fresh fear builds there, caused by the way he’s looking at me.
“Come here.” He gestures for me to walk toward him, and it’s then that I catch the glint of a gun in the dim lighting.
No. I won’t be responsible for another death. I won’t. As afraid as I am to go to him, I’m more afraid of what will happen if I don’t. Hesitantly, I walk toward him, doing my best not to look at Steven or Tracy. The moment I do, I know I’ll break down.
“Please, she is just a child. She did nothing…” Steven takes a step forward, and I open my mouth to tell him to stop, to shut up, but it’s too late. The other man attacks before the words can come, and moments later, Steven is on the ground, huddled in the fetal position. Instinct makes me rush to his aide, but I make it all of two feet before an arm wraps around my middle, and I’m hauled backward into a hard chest.
“Please, don’t hurt him. Please…” my voice cracks, and I struggle to break free of the man’s grasp. I don’t even realize I’m crying till I taste the salty tang of my tears on my lips.
“If you’re a good girl and come with us, then maybe we won’t hurt him too badly.”
“Please…” The world around me spins as I watch the other man kick Steven in the side repeatedly. I swear I can hear bones cracking. Tracy screams for him to stop. Her tear-filled eyes gut me, and all over again, I’m losing someone I care about.
A sudden bout of dizziness slams into me, and I sway on my feet, making my knees knock together. I’m helpless to protect those I love. Panic seizes every inch of my body, and a flashback from the night that changed my life forever replays right before my eyes.
The memory is too much to bear, and it feels like I’m not getting enough oxygen into my lungs. I’m gasping for air, but no one is going to save me.
“We’re going to have so much fun with you,” the man holding me says into the shell of my good ear. It’s the last thing I hear before my eyes close, and I succumb to the panic that’s squeezing the air from my lungs.
When I come to, I’m groggy, cold, and my teeth clank together. I clench my jaw to stop the chattering. Wrapping my arms around my middle, I take deep, calming breaths to stop myself from having another panic attack.
Looking around the small room, it becomes apparent I’m locked inside a jail cell. I have no clue where I am or what happened to my parents. My clothing isn’t ripped, and I don’t feel violated in any way, but that doesn’t mean nothing happened.