Found but Lost

Chapter 2: Runaway

Standing there was my brother, Antonio Torres. The brother who left me and my parents for who knows why. My twin brother, scratch that, every since MY parents were killed- I waited for him to come. I thought for sure my twin would come back for me and help me after they died, but he never came back.

"Lynn.. I know you're surprised to see me again." Antonio says breaking the silence.

"Surprised?" I question as my eyebrows furrow deeper into her face. I couldn't believe that after so much time that's all he had to say to me. My heart shot deep inside my chest, my palms started sweating and tears started to fill my waterline. I blink them away, "WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN SURPRISED? WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? MOM AND DAD DIED!! DID YOU KNOW THAT?? NO! HOW WOULD YOU IF YOU WE'RENT THERE!"

My throat choked and my fists clenched tighter, I take a step towards him, but Jasmine holds my arm and digs her nails into my skin.

"Yes I knew but-"

"You knew? AND YOU STILL NEVER CAME BACK?" I cried as I picked up a flower vase that was placed on the coffee table in front of me. Without thinking I chuck it at him and he dodges.

The glass breaks into a million pieces with the lilies inside spread across the floor and the water pooling all over. One of the men starts to move and quickly cleans up the mess.

"I couldn't come back Brooklyn- please, if was for your safety." Antonio tries to reason, ignoring my attempt to attack him.

"Don't." I start, watching the pained look on his face, the same face I had when I found his runaway letter on my bed 4 years ago. "You're not my brother, you don't get to call me by that name. I don't know who you are or why I'm here, but I'm leaving- we're all leaving." I say as I turn around and grab Claire's shoulder trying to push all of my friends out.

But they still don't another step as they stand up. What's wrong with them?

Luna places herself in front of me and grabs me by each shoulder, "Please Lynn, you have to listen to what he needs to tell you." she says as her eyes also start to water. I look around to see Mira, Jasmine, and Claire with the same expression across their face.

"Lynn, your kidnapping wasn't random. You can't leave this place either- those cousins Janis and Dave Flores, they belong to a gang... my rival gang." Antonio says now standing right next to me, but I keep my face turned not daring to look into his eyes, even as he tells me this.

" What are you talking about? Rival gang?" I say to the floor.

"I didn't run away for no reason Broo- Lynn. A year before I ran away I started to get involved in a gang surrounding our area, the Crimson Disciples. I did a lot of jobs and I never told you because I didn't want to scare you." he says, his tone stern, but not harsh, "I eventually became close with the leader, he became my mentor and with no heir after him, he appointed me as his next trusted heir. I never told him I had a family because I didn't want anyone to know about you and put you in danger. It was gonna be years until I was ready to actually inherit the Crimsons, but then he was killed and I had to immediately take over. Soon after that I had to leave my old life behind and take revenge on his killer. Then our parents were killed and Lynn... I think Janis's gang was behind the attack, just how they were behind my mentor's attack." 

There was a long silence, I can't believe it. There was so much said, I still couldn't wrap my head around any of this.

"I know you've known Janis since you were in high school and trust me, I was shocked when I found this out too. But Janis is heir to inherit her fathers gang, the Vipers. She wasn't behind the attacks but her father was and I plan to take revenge on both of them. The plan was set to happen in a couple of months, but after she kidnapped you, I knew it was because of me and I had to save you as soon as possible." Antonio continues, but I just drop to my knees, processing everything. Luna and Claire kneel with me while Jasmine and Mira were still shaking on the couch.