Vengeance

Chapter 21 - resilience

Maddison's POV

00:21

My eyes flutter open. I blink repeatedly trying to stay awake. There is a slight burning sensation in my chest, causing me to sit up.

I notice Liberty sitting on the other side of my room, close to the door. Her gaze still on the ground, she hasn't noticed I'm awake yet.

Accepting the fact that I am not going to escape the inevitable lecture I decided to make her aware of my consciousness.

"hey" I greet, my tone coming out hoarse and dryer than expected.

"oh my gosh Maddie, I'm so glad you're awake." She whisper shouted with a soft smile on her face. She quickly made her way over to me and gave me a brief hug before leaving.

I cupped my face letting out a yawn. Before I could consolidate my thoughts everyone burst into my room.

Libby, Noah, Andrew, Albert, Linda, George.

Linda stepped forward with a file in her hand.

"Maddison, what were you thinking. You could have opened your stitches, causing yourself a fatal injury. You could have died today - you're lucky you didn't open your stitches while you were out there." She says in a strict, repetitive yet caring tone.

I let her words sink in as I slouched against the headrest.

She represents a mother figure for us out here. The only adult female around. Whilst she can be quite persistent and annoying, she's really just looking out for us.

I don't bother interjecting or arguing. I just look down at my hands while fiddling with my bracelet.

"Starting tomorrow until full recovery you will have at least one team member or staff member with you at all times. Got it ?" She continued, asserting her authority. "We take turns when not doing group activities. Noah." She says turning to him, "first shift in the morning" with that she turns on her heal and leaves.

Albert and George follow silently behind her.

"Mads, what were you thinking... huh? You could've gotten yourself killed." Andrew spoke.

"Why do you care" I let out rolling my eyes. After earlier I couldn't care less about what he had to say.

"No Maddie, he's right. Don't do anything like that again. We're not a family without you" Noah said offering a kind smile.  His words tugged at my lips, almost forming a smile.

"She won't have the chance." Liberty adds, "we'll be with you 24/7." She states proudly.

I smile back at them, appreciating their concern.

"whatever guys" I say quickly returning back to my tired state as a wave of fatigue crashed over my mind. "I'm fine. I swear...Can you just go, I'm really tired?"

"Okay fine." Liberty says in a defeated tone.

"But we're checking up on you later" Noah adds.

They are so mom and dad, I think to myself.

They turn to leave, excusing themselves from my room. The door closes but Andrew is still standing there.

"Why are you sti-"

"Who's Jordan." He asked, cutting me off.

"what?" I almost laugh but hold myself together.

"Who is he?" He asks again, his expression serious. Although it was dark I could see the frown engraved on his face.

"My brother." I state looking down. "Why-" I am cut off by the slamming of my door.

I frown at our interaction, confusion lacing through me.

Why was he asking about Jordan?  I thought to myself.

Too tired to fully care, I decided to go to sleep.

Andrew's POV

fuck.

I thought to myself as I repeatedly pounded the punching bag. I could barely control my thoughts, all I could feel was anger.

Anger and hatred.

I was angry at myself. I hated myself.

I was so consumed with the overwhelming sensation that I didn't even notice Noah enter the room.

"HEY! HEY!" He shouted, slamming his hand on my shoulder.

"Cut it out" He demanded, " Liberty is freaking out." He stated sternly.

I looked around noticing the disheveled room. Most of the gym equipment was on the floor. Some of the shelves were broken.

Shit, I must have caused a quake.

"What's going on" Noah said snapping me back into the conversation.

I released a sigh, trying to control my aggression.

"Don't worry about it." I stated, moving to leave the room.

He grabbed my arm, dragging me back.

"Nah man, what's happening. You've never lashed out this bad, what is it"

I released a heavy sigh. Maybe it's time I told someone, I trust him, he deserves to know the truth.

They all do...especially Mads.

"I- I can't." I state, the truth would destroy her I thought to myself. It would destroy me.

"Andrew" he reassured placing a hand in my shoulder more gently "you can tell me."

"It's just the Albert stuff." I half lied. "Having to keep his private training a secret is mentally draining...having to lie to the girls " I elaborated.

"Tell me about it. I can barely look at Libby sometimes. I feel so guilty for lying to her, we tell each other everything." Noah said opening up to me.

A small smile played on my face at the thought of them two. My smile quickly vanished, angry at the fact Albert had put this toll on him.

I let out a sigh feeling slightly better knowing I'm not the only one feeling pressure and stress. However, I was still riddled with rage. Noah doesn't even know the half of it.

Half of the regret that erodes my mined everyday.
Half of the guilt that consumes my heart every time I lay eyes on her innocent ones.
Half of the overbearing anger that controls me every-time I look in the mirror, or try to close my eyes.

The countless hours I lay awake, because every time I close my eyes all I see is him. Jordan. Over and over again.