Finding Serenity

Taking her Place

Clark was giving Rena a piggyback home. They had been down by the lake and she ended up falling asleep next to him. He was going to take her inside but saw that her grandmother was home.

"Sorry Ree, guess we're going in through your window." He whispered.

He went up to her window and slowly slid it open, sneaking inside. He set her on the bed and turned around to help lay her down. He lifted her legs up on the bed, removed her shoes, then pulled a blanket over her. He stood next to her bed for a moment, taking in her soft sleeping form. He reached down, tucking a stray hair behind her ear and leaned down to leave a kiss on her forehead.

He rested his forehead against hers as he whispered "Tomorrow. I'll tell you how I feel. I promise." He leaned up and headed back out her window. As he slid it shut he glanced at her one more time, smiling at the thought of his confession tomorrow.

He rounded the side of the house but quickly stopped in his tracks and leaned against the wall as he heard voices, one he didn't recognize. He glanced to the driveway and saw a car he'd never seen before. He was about to go a different direction but words caught his attention.

"I know that bitch gave birth to my child. I demand you hand it over to me. It's surely of an age that can be useful and I need them." A man said with anger in his voice.

"Need them? For what?" Rena's grandmother sneered.

"I need money. They will help me get it."

"And just how is a child supposed to get you money?" She snapped back.

"It doesn't matter. Just give me the child. They are mine anyway and I'm sure you'd love to get them off your hands." He grinned.

"No. I'm not just handing the child over to you. Now, Liam Whitlock, I suggest you get off my property before I call the police!"

Liam Whitlock!? That's the case dad's been working on! He is a scab for the mafia and has been suspected for working with slave traders! What would he need with Rena?

"Not till you give me the child. They will sell for a lot of money, boy or girl, it doesn't matter. I can take the money and pay off my debts. That damned politician has scammed me for the last time." Suddenly the man's phone rang and he looked down. His face turned sour then he looked back up towards Rena's grandmother.

"I'll be back tomorrow night for the child. You will surrender the child to me or I'll just take them by force. Your choice but either way, tomorrow, they leave with me." He said as he stormed off and jumped into his car.

Clark watched as he drove off. Once he was out of sight Clark rounded the corner to see Rena's grandmother as white as a ghost.

"Mrs. Reyes?" He said, making her jump.

She turned and seeing it was Clark, her face turned sour. "Oh it's you. What do you want?"

"Liam Whitlock." He said, dropping his eyes into a glare.

Her face turned white, "You..you heard."

"What does he want with Rena?" Clark said, anger lacing his words.

She remained quiet for a moment before turning her head away. "He wants to sell her off to pay for his mistakes. He must really be deep in debt this time."

"So you are aware of who he is?"

"Yes. He's the bastard that corrupted my baby Elizabeth. As much as I despise that child I won't give him the satisfaction of winning." She mumbled.

Clark burned at the way she said she despised Rena but he put it aside. "Let me go, in her place."

"What?" She turned to face him.