Take a Picture, It'll Last Longer

• Chapter Seventeen •

TRIGGER WARNINGS: ⚠️VIOLENCE, BLOOD.⚠️
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As you and Ted both prepared yourselves some breakfast you had gotten another message from the same unknown number. This time however just before you unlocked your phone to look at it, you felt the sense of unease. It was almost as if your gut was telling you something was wrong. Incredibly wrong. Ted saw the blank expression on your face and grew concerned. "You alright hun? What's wrong?" He asked lovingly. For a moment you didn't know how to reply. You looked up at him as you began, "Last night I got a text from an unknown number. It was just a picture of something close by to here. But now they texted me again and... I really.. Really don't have a good feeling about it." You looked back down at your phone and took a deep breath. Opening it as Ted walked over to you, hovering over your shoulder.

Wouldn't you know it, the moment you opened the message, it was a photo of your car. You're heart dropped, almost petrified at the message. Ted immediately recognized it to and took the phone out of your hands. "What the fuck." He said closing the phone and placing it in the kitchen island. You looked up at him for a moment as he began walking away, locking doors and windows. You didn't know what to say at this point, you just kinda sat there. "Alright sweetheart I know your scared. But I want you to grab a weapon okay? A knife, a spoon, anything." He said as he walked past going to the bedroom to lock other windows. You looked over at your knife holder, picking up the biggest knife you could.

Ted came back out from the hallway as you stood there almost shaking. "I checked every nook and crannie and I can safely say no one is in the house. Now what I want you to do is-" Ted was interupted by a knock on the door. "Go into one of the closets and hide. Okay?" He said as you just nodded. Walking over to the small pantry closet you had, you snuck into it as you heard Ted walk towards the door. Hearing another knock, followed by "Who is it?" From Ted. It was a muffled voice that you couldn't make out. "(Y/N) isn't here right now. Could you please tell me who you are?" He spoke as you heard a bang on the door. "Well a relative wouldn't be banging on the door violently now would they?" He said almost sarcastically. A relative? Oh no.

You immediately dropped your fear, knowing exactly who it was. You're brother, Hunter. "That son of a bitch." You said as you opened the door quickly and walked into your living room. "Hunter get the fuck out of here you psychotic asshole!" You yelled, startling Ted. It was then that you could hear his voice just a little clearer. "Ah! There's the fucker." He said behind the door. You motioned for Ted to open the door, for a moment he looked at you confused. You waved him off and gestured towards the door. This time he nodded, unlocking the door and opening it. You told no time walking over to the door and raising your knife up to your brothers neck. "Get the fuck out of my sight before I stab you, right here. Right now." You threatened, looking your brother in the eyes for the first time in a long time. "Ah, if it isn't (Y/N), all grown up with their own bodyguard eh?" He said with his hands on his sides. "What in the fuck do you want?" You inched the knife closer to his neck. "To make sure you wont ruin my life over again with your newfound fame." He said almost nonchalant, as if he wasn't about to break your door down earlier.

"Look buddy, you're not welcome here-" Ted began as Hunter cut him off, "I don't give two shits bud, I'm getting what I came here for." He said tucking his hands into his pockets. Ted stood his ground as you replied. "Look dipshit, here's my word on it. I'm not gonna say shit about you, and you need to get the fuck off my property before I slice you like a fucking fruit." You said as he still stood there, his grin grew. "Eh. Not good enough." He said as he quickly pulled out a pocket knife.

Things went fast. In a flash you saw a knife whizz by your head. The next you saw Ted on the phone with the police. Every seemed to be going by like a blurr. You faught your brother relentlessly, kicking his ass to the ground and stabbing his hand into the floorboards. You never had expected to have to do that. You started stumbling backwards, appalled at your actions. He screamed in pain as you looked at Ted with a fearful expression. He looked at you for a moment as he quickly walked over to Hunter and placed his foot on his chest, keeping him down on the ground. "So help me god if you ever come near them again, you wont be alive to see your next birthday." As Ted finished speaking he put pressure on Hunter's chest, causing him more pain. Soon enough you heard sirens in the distance. You looked at your bloodied hands in fear.

Your mind crumbling as you stood against the wall and slid down. The adrenaline and your fear making your heart beat out of your chest. You couldn't see the sorrowful look on Ted's face as he watched the emotions drain from you.

Soon enough paramedics and police rushed into the house. Immediately asking questions to you and Ted as you sat there staring at everyone. You didn't know what to say, how to feel. You looked at everyone blankly. This frozen look of shock on your face said everything. Eventually Ted got fed up and started answering questions for you, so that everyone would leave you alone. After you were checked by paramedics, you only had a couple cuts and bruises. Ted had some gashes and a slight wound. You hardly remembered everything. But you listened to Ted as he spoke about throwing Hunter against the wall; and getting a large cut along his arm. Not incredibly deep but enough to draw a lot of blood.

Eventually Hunter was handcuffed and escorted to the nearest police station. Leaving you and Ted alone back at your house. Once you closed the door you turned around and looked at Ted. You just.. started crying. Not really knowing what else to do. As he enveloped you in a hug you began sobbing. He played with your hair, telling you sweet nothings and kissing your forehead. Eventually you calmed down and explained everything to him. The history behind Hunter, why he is the way he is. What he had done to you in the past. How you told the whole family and got him excommunicated. Had a restraining order set against him. Even moved as far away as you could just to avoid something like this. You were horrified that you had stabbed him. Explaining the fear of seeing his blood on your hands.

And Ted just sat there lovingly listening to you talk; reassuring you that you would be okay. That he would always be there to protect you. He paid attention to every one of your needs and held you like he was going to lose you. You felt so protected in his arms. Feeling some of your worries melt away. You weren't sure how much sleep you were going to get but as long as you had Ted by your side you felt just a little more calm. You wouldn't chose anyone else to be by your side right now.

"I'm so fucking sorry that all of this happened." You blurted out while Ted was playing with your hair. "Neither of us could have ever predicted this to happen. I'm just happy I was here to protect you. I don't care what plans it fucks up. You being alive and breathing matters more than anything." He said softly as your smiled lightly. As you snuggled closer to him you heard the smallest pitter patter of your beloved cat. "Oh my god Zelda- Sweetheart!" You said as you held your arms out as she sprinted over to you. Immediately she cuddled into your arms. "Oh my lord I'm so happy you're okay. Are you hurting babygirl?" You said as you checked around her, seeing she was completely fine. "I saw her sprint to your room as soon as she heard shit going down. And I made absolutely sure Hunter wasn't going to be able to touch her." He said as he pet Zelda softly next to her ears.

You laid there for a moment, taking the environment in. It was a lot of stuff you were going to have to replace, mop, and just overall clean. But atleast you had the love of your life right there to help you. One step at a time..