midnight memories

chapter five

A/N: CAUTION! Mature themes in this chapter!

georgia, present time

"The National Guard wasn't shit!" Daryl said

"They really weren't, they caused more panic and didn't help the situation at all." Lori added

"Griselda had taken a turn for the worse, and the guard offered to have her transported to one of their facilities in the city. However, they also decided to take someone else who was just fine." I tell them.

*****

los angeles, two years ago

A group of men had entered Madison's home under the order of taking Griselda to a hospital to give her better care. Ofelia kissed her mother while Daniel had stayed by his wife's side, ready to go with her. Daniel spoke with Ofelia and began to walk out when the guards stopped him. He began to argue with them when the guard spoke up that they were not only taking Ofelia but Madison's son as well.

Alicia notified him to run which he did. The guards managed to catch him in the small home and knock him down. Madison began to plead with the guards while Daniel tried to push his way out the door. The guards only got more aggressive from there pushing both Madi and Daniel down.

A scuffle ensues and I go to find Chris in a hurry, I manage to find him standing by the window. As I make my way towards him, I get knocked to the ground and felt heavy pressure on top of me. I felt like I couldn't breath as Nick was pushed directly on top of me and being restrained by the guards. It felt like an eternity before they get him off of me and Chris rushes to my aid.

"Ariana, are you okay? Are you hurt?" I try to gather the words to speak but couldn't as the air began to fill my lungs. I finally was able to tell Chris that I was okay and he pulled me into a hug.

"She left. She just got into that truck and left, Ari" He says trying to hold himself together.

"Who?" I ask

"My mom, she left us."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing, Liza wouldn't just leave Chris behind. I know Travis is here but she knows about her sons animosity towards his father. Unless she left to ensure Griselda's safety. That's the only thing I could think of, and now she has to look out for Nick's well being. For Madison's sake.  I held onto Chris and he did the same for me, both of us unsure of what was to come next. We stayed together that night, we laid down on the floor and eventually fell asleep. I had woken up once to Madison throwing a blanket over us but was soon taken back into my world.

 
****

Sleeping was now my safe haven, that and Chris. Our previous distance was now gone and we were attached to the hip. It had been a few weeks since Liza and the others were taken from us. Chris and I were talking about the unnerving presence the National Guard was now causing. It wasn't just us either, other neighbors had gone through what we had and were now doubting those who said they would protect us.

Ofelia walked out of the house once more to go and try to get some answers from the uniformed men. I expressed my concern to both her and Alicia about this and it only causing trouble for us, but they wanted answers. I would too if it were my mom but I figured that poor Griselda will soon suffer the same fate my mom did.

Everyone in the house was out trying to find answers as to what was happening to the neighborhood and the world. The broadcasts had stopped and the power was hanging by a thread. Chris and I spent most of our time in the guest room. We found comfort in each other's embrace and were the only ones in the house most of the time. It was peaceful to get our minds off the situation.

Chris had stilled as I rolled my hips against his, he let out a groan trying to stay as quiet as possible in case anyone had come into the house. I slowly removed myself off of him and lay down next to him. He rolled over and wrapped his arm around me. Both of our breaths in sync as we had just gone for the third time since we woke up. He ran kisses up and down my neck as I began to giggle. I turned my head to face him and kissed him.

"You know, I really want you to enjoy this right?" He said while continuing to brush his lips against my skin, pecking so often.

"What makes you say I didn't enjoy it, love?" I say back.

"You just seemed somewhere else this last time." He said and I noticed his concern.

"It was amazing every single time!" I reassure him

"But?"

"There's just a lot going on." I finally admit in defeat.

"And that's what's going on in that beautiful head of yours." He jokes brushing some of the hair out of my face. "I understand where you're coming from, these past few days have been great with you. I just want to make sure I'm not the only one benefitting from it." He says while rubbing circles into my hips. This causes an immediate reaction for me and I'm not sure if he's ready for another round

"It looks like that got your mind off everything for a minute." He jokes and I smile, playfully smacking his hand away.

"It did but I don't think you're ready for another round, Manawa." He smirks and kisses me once more.

I deepen the kiss and he moves to where he is completely hovering me. His thrusts forward and I can feel him growing impatient, just as we were about to begin it immediately comes to an end. The doorknob begins to rattle and is soon followed by loud knocking. We both jump out of the bed and I run into the closet knowing damn well that we're not allowed behind locked doors.

"Chris!" Travis yells. "I thought we had a rule." He says.

"Ariana's not even here, she went on a walk. I just wanted some alone time." He yells and he throws his pants on. He searches the room for any evidence of my presence before making his way to the door. He opens the door to be met with his dad.

"You want alone time in this heat?" He asks not buying anything his son was saying. "I'd rather have that than be left by anyone else again." He says.

Ariana couldn't help but feel heartbroken at his response. She knows how he felt about his dad leaving and then for his mom to leave as well, it must've taken a bigger toll on him that what she had previously thought.

"Well Madison's getting dinner ready, wash up and come out." Travis had completely ignored his son's attempt of asking for help and once more asks him to join the family he never wanted to be a part of in the first place.

"I'm not hungry." He says.

"Christopher, now!" His dad says before he walks back down the hall.

I slowly make my way out of the closet and I make my way towards Chris."

"Are you okay?" I ask him while trying to keep myself covered." He looks up at me and chuckles.

"You know you don't have to keep yourself hidden from me, I've seen it all." He says. I smile and roll my eyes.

"Seriously, babe." I say

"I'll be okay, I'll always be okay with you by my side." He says pulling me into a hug and giving me another kiss.

"I think you should get dressed that way we can figure out a way to get you out of this room without drawing attention." He says.