ROTBFTD : Broken & Beautiful

4

Jack pov

The rhythmic thud of the wrench against the car's undercarriage was the only sound I could hear. I was lost in the rhythm, the familiar feel of grease on my hands, when a scream sliced through the air, sharp and filled with a terror I hadn't heard before. It was coming from the house across the street.

I dropped the wrench, heart pounding. I saw Elsa, her face pale and etched with fear, trying to point at something, but before she could utter a word, her father grabbed her arm and dragged her inside. The door slammed shut, leaving me with a gut-wrenching feeling of dread. What was happening?

A sudden downpour had started, but luckily, it eased just as quickly. I sprinted across the street, ignoring the chill of the wet pavement. The door was unlocked, a stroke of luck. I raced upstairs, heart hammering against my ribs.

Elsa's room was locked, the door solid oak, unyielding to my frantic pushes. I didn't know what to do. It was then I saw her sister lying on the floor, unconscious, a dark stain spreading around her head. A sickening feeling washed over me. Why would a father do such a thing to his daughter?

Hours later, the man emerged from the house, his face grim. He saw me standing there, a flicker of recognition in his eyes. "I'm warning you," he spoke, his voice low and dangerous. "Don't take away my daughter. Or you'll suffer the same consequences she did." He turned and left, leaving me shaken to the core.

I rushed into the room, my heart pounding. Elsa was curled up on the bed, sobbing uncontrollably. "Elsa," I whispered, placing a hand on her shoulder. She looked up, her eyes swollen and red, and pointed towards her closet. "Clothes," she choked out, "and the first-aid kit."

I got her clothes, my hands trembling. The first aid kit was in a small box on the top shelf. With Elsa's help, I carefully checked her sister's wounds, applying pressure to the bleeding. The silence in the room was thick with fear and worry.

'Then I decided to take them to my house. So I asked Elsa about it, but she refused. 'Please, Jack,' she said, her voice shaking, 'don't take the risk. I don't want you getting in trouble while protecting us.'

'I knew what her dad had warned me about.  But I wasn't going to step back. Not when I saw the fear in Elsa's eyes, the way her shoulders slumped under the weight of her secret. For me, it wasn't just about the danger. I couldn't stand to see her like that.

' 'I know what your dad warned me about,' I said, taking a deep breath. 'But I'm not going to back down. You'll be safe with me, Elsa. You and Anna. Nobody will hurt you at my house.'

'Elsa's gaze, usually so bright and filled with mischief, was cloudy with uncertainty. But her sister, Anna, the impulsive one, spoke up. 'Jack, please, we're scared. We need your help.'

'A surge of determination flooded me. 'Then that settles it. This is the right time to leave. Pack up everything you need. I'll be waiting for you downstairs.'

'Elsa hesitated, then nodded. 'Thank you, Jack. You really are the best friend we could ask for.'

I hurried away, my heart pounding. The weight of their trust was heavy, a responsibility I wasn't sure I was ready for. But one thing was clear: I wouldn't let anything happen to them. Not as long as I could breathe.'