Their Angel

Chapter 1

I'm running. I'm running faster than my small legs have ever carried me before. I run down the dark alley away from the street lights that could expose me to anyone watching.

I finally slow after running for what feels like forever but was really just 10 minutes. My body hurts, and every now and then my vision gets black dots. My mind wanders back to the events of this evening.

Mommy had ordered me to get her a beer and I accidentally dropped it on the kitchen floor. As soon as the crash sounded, I knew what would come.

I began wailing, apologizing over and over to Mommy but it didn't do anything. She had screamed at me telling me how useless I was.

Mommy grabbed a piece of glass and threw it at me, slicing forearm open. I screamed and cried even harder. Blood dripped down my hand and fingertips from the deep gash that now lay there oozing blood.

"You useless brat! You can't do anything right you bitch!" She slapped me across the face so hard I fell to the floor landing on the shattered bottle and the puddle of beer. Tears stain my cheeks but I couldn't say anything.

"Clean this up or you know what will happen!"
She left, slamming her bedroom door shut making me flinch at the loudness.

My tears came faster and faster seeping out of my eyes falling to the floor. Mommy was supposed to love me but instead she blamed me for her sad life.

After I had cleaned the mess up I went to the bathroom and took my shorts and tank top off.

Looking in the mirror the tears returned at the sight. Mommy was right I was ugly. No wonder kids at school hate me. My hair was matted and dirty, my stomach had a long scar along my ribs from the first terrible beating I received.

I wrapped my arm in toilet paper and went to my room. I decided I would try to leave so mommy would be happy. I grabbed my backpack and filled it with my one other change of clothes, and my blanket named Buckie. Then I left.

I become aware of my surroundings again. I'm leaning against a brick wall breathing hard. My blond curls fall into my face sticking to my sweaty forehead.

I slowly lower myself to the pavement and close my eyes.
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2 YEARS LATER

I'm sitting at the small table in the kitchen coloring when Garrison gets home.

I squeal jumping up from my seat and running to him. "I missed you Eli." He says, picking me up while I wrap my arms and legs around him in a tight hug. "Did you have a good day?"

"Yes! I colored and Reed and Emmett played hide and seek with me!" He smiled at my answer setting me back on my feet. "Come see what I drawed!" I said with excitement as I dragged him by the hand back to the table.

It's a picture of me and the boys the day they took me home with them.

That day in the alley, Garrison, and his younger twin brothers Reed and Emmett took me home with them to their apartment. They had also ran away from a bad home life and since they weren't 18 yet they had to make a deal with our apartment landlord.

I love living with them. They aren't my birth brothers but they are my brothers. They're the only ones I am comfortable around. Garrison works at a mechanic shop during the week and a diner on the weekend to pay for all 4 of us.

Looking at my picture, makes me think about before. Not when I was with Mommy. But when I was with my brothers and Daddy. Mommy said they are dead though.

I miss them. Sometimes when my dreams are nice I dream about them. Mostly they are bad ones about Mommy though.

What if I lose my new brothers too?

"Elijah."

That can't happen. I love them. Please. No I clutch the edge of the table. My knuckles turning white. I can't go back to mommy.

"Elijah."

This time I look up at Gar waiting for him to say something.

"Are you ok baby?" He asks, worry lacing his tone as he rubs small circles on my back.

I shook my head, now sad at the thought of losing him. All of a sudden a tear skated down my cheek followed by another until I was sobbing.

Gar picked me up and wrapped his arms around me holding me tight while I rested my head on his broad shoulder. "Its ok. You're ok baby. Just breath. Ok?" I clutched rightly to his shirt not letting go.

"Please don't leave me! I promise I'll be good! I swear!" I cry out into his shoulder wanting him to promise me.

"What? No Baby we would never leave you. Never. Ok?"

I nod my head slightly relieved. "Why do you think that?"

I shrug. I hear the twins door open and I look up to find them looking at me worriedly. I hold my hands out to Reed wanting to feel that he's still here.

He takes me, holding me close giving me comfort. After a few minutes I do the same with Emmett. Snuggling into him we sit on the couch together and he turns on my favorite show, Paw Patrol.

Cupcake Sparkles jumps up onto the couch and lays his head in my lap. He's a Great Dane and we found him about a month after I started living with my brothers.

Emmett holds my bowl of Mac and Cheese while I eat and once I'm finished all 3 boys help me get ready for bed and I'm tucked in beside Garrison. The twins share a room and Garrison and I share because he's scares the bad guys away. Cupcake always sleeps beside our bed.

I lay on top of Garrison's chest, snuggling closer to breath in his comforting smell as he wraps his arms safely around me.

I drift off to sleep in my brother's safe arms.
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CHARACTERS:

Garrison Barlow-17
Reed Barlow-14
Emmett Barlow-14
Elijah Pierce-6
Cupcake Sparkles-2