One by One

Chapter 7- After you

My pulse races even faster as I stare at the worried face of my mother. This is bad. The sound of tires screeching outside makes my heartbeat thump even louder. Oh no. "Be very quiet, come with me, quick," She whispers, waking up from her thoughts. "How did they find me?" she mutters under her breath. She brings me out the back door and tells me to take her car.

"Wait, where are you going?" I ask.

"They're after me, not you. Look, I know how much your boyfriend needs you and I'm not going to hide anymore. It's now or never, remember, you have to believe in faith. Faith, okay?" She mumbles, clearly trying not to show me her fear. She looks straight into my eyes and I fear what comes next. She looks worried, she looks petrified, and I can't bear this sight. "Faith", she repeats. She puts her palm to my cheek and I look at my mother, the mother I've always known and feared. I was wrong, oh, so, wrong.

"I love you, and you've grown into a beautiful young lady, stay safe. Now, go!" she said, and as I run for my life I turn around one last time.

"I'm coming back for you, I promise!" And with that I'm in her car buckling up my seat belt, watching numerous black cars come by her door. Please don't hurt her. Whatever you do, please, just don't hurt her. 

I drive away and cry at a traffic light knowing I left my mother once again for myself and she did what she had to do again for my sake. This is so much, too much, my mentality won't function well until I know everyone's safe. Thinking back, I did remember at times how my father would come back late, sometimes with cuts on his face. He would sound as if he'd been drinking and I definitely remembered that one time, just that once, he'd slapped me because I dropped his phone. That was the only time he's ever slapped me, and he said he was sorry after a whole night of him trying to barge into my door as I tried to forgive him. I will never forgive him for what he has done to my mother and Devon. Never.

As I pull up, I see William rush out, asking me to let myself in. I get down from the car and I run in. I run to Devon when I see him bandaged up with cuts on his head and hand. "I'm so sorry, I'm so, so sorry. Oh my god, I thought I was going to lose you", I cried, not caring that I was breaking down.

He hissed in pain as I hugged him tight, afraid of losing him. "Brady, it's okay. I'm fine. I just need to know what the hell is going on", he said, and I looked at his pained face and I cry more just thinking about what he's been through. "I just need to know, everything you've been hiding from me. I need to know," he whispered. I touch those sinking blue eyes and he closes them as he feels my fingers linger on the thin skin that held the window wide open for me to see.

"What did they do to you?" I ask, and grimace when he hisses at my slight touch on the bruise on his eye.

"Look, it doesn't matter what happened to me, just tell me what all this is about!" he said, almost shouting but he looked pained and I felt guilty. I couldn't tell him. Not after what my mother went through. Not just yet, I needed to find my mother and turn in the drive once and for all. I then realize, I don't know where the drive is. Shit. "Brady! God, do you know how much I was worrying when they said they'd kill you if I didn't comply? They came into my goddamn house and tore it to shit! I tried to fend them but how do you expect a douche bag like me to take on 9 guys all at once? They dragged me out and dragged me into their car. I was drugged and when I woke up, I was in a fucking basement, tied up. They beat the crap out of me then started telling me how they were going to fuck you when you came. They gagged me. Jesus, Brady. What has your mother done? What has your family done? What the fuck have you done?" he said, and I felt guilty and angry all at once. He didn't understand what I was going through. He didn't. I need to find that drive. That was all that I could keep my mind on.

"Devon, I can't explain, but I need you to help me. I love you so much and I can't bear this sight any longer. You're the only one I know who can help me! You have to understand, please! I've been through a lot of shit growing up and you've been by my side longer than anyone has! You know me, like the back of your hand. I'm sorry about what they did to you, and I know it's my fault you're hurting and I'm sorry I never told you about this, maybe because I just found out what my family is really all about just today and that my mother isn't the enemy. My father is. He killed a lot of bad people, and my mother has proof of it. They've taken her, and it's all my fault. She tried to safe me, and she did and now she's done it again, for our sake! I just... I need to find that drive my mother has been hiding, I need to save her. It's my turn but I can't do it without you, only you know where their hideout is, I need to do this. I have to stop running away from my past. I have to stop running". I wipe away the tears rolling down my face and Devon gets up. He puts his arms around me and I cry in his shirt. "I need you". I take in his scent and all I smell is his dried blood and him. I missed him.

"Shh... I'm here", he whispers into my hair and he plants a soft kiss on my forehead. "Let's go find this drive, so I can bring you and your crazy mother home safely. I love you and I'm just glad you're alright, so glad", he said, then kisses my wet lips. It's the gentlest kiss he's ever given me and I kiss him back with the same tenderness we both long for. The clearing of William's throat brings me back to reality and I realize he's been standing there for a really long time. Obviously taking in whatever I'd just said.

"So, are we going to go find your mother or what?" he said.

"What makes you think you're coming along?" Devon says.

"Well, I've clearly just nursed your wounds, clearly just overheard Brady's story and I'm here and I'm pretty much the brains in this group. You need me", He said, cockily, being himself.

"Alright, but I've got to warn you, it's going to be dangerous. Really dangerous", I said, looking at William. This blond boy has guts and I appreciate it but I just don't want anyone else to get hurt.

"I'm done hiding behind my books. I've been waiting for something exciting all my life. This is it. I'm not who you think I am, okay guys? I'm actually trained in martial arts, karate and I kick box on Saturdays", he said, making his point as he lifted up his shirt, putting his glorious abs on display. I've got to admit, I did not see that coming. "Brains, body, strength, I'm pretty generous", he finishes. Grabbing his bag and heading outside, I trust he's made up his mind and there's no turning away from it now.

"I guess he's coming along then", I said, looking up to Devon who clearly is as surprised as I was.

"Um, yeah", he takes my hand into his hand that isn't bandaged and leads me out the front door where we see Will leaning against the car door.

"Hey, Will! Ever try football?" Devon grins for the first time since just now and I grin.

"Football? Please, I've got better things to be doing, things other than slamming into other people's shoulders. No thanks", he puts a hand up.

Devon laughs and he grips his bruising stomach, clearly in pain.

"Okay guys, enough with the chit chat. We've got real shit in our hands to handle, but first, I need to find that drive", I said, and I got into the car as Devon and Will nod.

I'm coming after you, dad. I'm coming after you.