Secrets of a Roughwood (Vincent ValentineXOC) Romance

Chapter 4

“She’s gone!” Tifa exclaimed loudly while hurrying down the stairs. Vincent sat unmoving from his seat and watched Tifa with guilt. He knew she had left. He heard her take Lucy out the back at 3 this morning and heard the low drone of the engine when she started her truck. He hadn’t meant that she should leave right at that moment or that she should leave at all. He just simply meant that he would find them whatever they chose. I really need to work on my communication skills, He thought to himself.

Tifa was in a bit of a panic. “Vincent, they are gone. Did you know they left.” Vincent nodded in replay and Tifa came to stand beside him. “Why did she go? Was it because of Shelke? When?” Vincent paused before answering. “She left at 3 am. She asked me what to do and I told her to do what she wanted. She then left.” With that, he aloofly took another swig of his drink.

Tifa blinked twice before putting her hand on her head. Vincent however, wanted to know more about Shelke. “What happened with Shelke?” Tifa sat at the other end of the table. “Shelke remembered Reece. Reece remembered her too and was horrified that a member of Deepground was living under this roof. I was afraid that she spooked her off but…” Vincent took his turn to blink at Tifa. “But?” Tifa sighed. “Vincent, she probably wanted you to tell her to stay. She feels out of place enough as it is. We might never see them again.” Vincent thought on Tifa’s words. Was it true? Was Reece looking for a reason to stay? With that, Vincent stood up. “Then... I should go find them." He was out the door before Tifa could respond.

Hail hit the windshield hard as the truck slowed to accommodate the sudden change in weather. Lucy quietly whined and reached towards Reece. Unable to move the little one and drive at the same time, she sympathetically patted her tiny head. "I'm sorry baby. You are going to have to wait, though." The hail pounded harder and Reece was forced to squint in the early hours. Lucy's whine changed to a cry as Reece's hands gripped the steering wheel tighter. "I'm trying Lucy..."

The hail continued on, Lucy cried harder, and Reece's frustration began to grow. She switched her lights on and hoped to find some clearing soon. Lucy sure wasn't helping Reece's concentration and it was hard enough to drive exhausted. Soon, Lucy was screaming. "OUT!" Her little hands reached up at Reece as the driver turned to her in annoyance.

"Honey, you are fine. You have to sit still. Please, I am trying really..."

Suddenly, the truck hit a huge puddle and hydroplaned. Panicked, Reece turned the wheel fast, making matters worse. Lucy screamed harder as Reece cried out in horror as well. Her hands left the wheel and in a quick decision, she grabbed Lucy from the passenger’s seat and held her tight. Suddenly, the truck slammed to a halt against a fence post and the world wasn't spinning anymore.

The adrenaline racing through her veins pumped still as Lucy continued to scream. Reece picked the child up and held her in front of her face, crying hysterically. "Are you hurt?! Is anything broken??" Lucy's arms moved frantically in terror, but nothing else appeared to be wrong. Reece sighed a breath of relief and held her tightly to her breast. "I am so sorry..."

As panic left her, a new sensation warmed her body and she put her hand to her head. Liquid oozed from her temple and she realized she was in pain. Now that she was getting her senses back, the pain was becoming stronger and she struggled to keep her eyes open. "Lucy..." Reece opened the truck door with a shove and tried to escape the vehicle, but blood was beginning to flood her vision. "Please don't cry." Nausea hit her all at once, and she doubled over still holding the toddler. She realized her leg must have taken a hit as well, for when she stood her knee shifted to the side, throwing Reece and Lucy to the ground.

The rain and hail still pelted down as Reece began to cry out in pain and once again, panic. They couldn't stay in the car. They had no family. There were no rooms available anywhere. Reece had no clue where to go or what to do. "I need some help..." She covered Lucy with her own body to shelter her from the weather while looking out as far as she could see. She was in the middle of nowhere, on the outskirts of Edge with no destination in sight.