The Boy Next Door *On Hold*

41

Im so stressed I can't even think straight and I'm just about ready to drop out of school and get a night job. 

Brooklyn POV

"I want you dead." Bruno said to my dad. I tried my best not to cry but I couldn't help it.

I wasn't the strong independent young woman everyone portrays me to be.

I'll never be that strong young woman my dad wants to be.

And if Bruno gets his way, I'll just be a broken orphan.

"If you want me dead so bad why didn't you have your henchmen do it already."

"Because I wanted the joy of doing it myself. But since little Brooklyn has come into the picture, this might be a lot more fun."

Whatever he wants me to do, I'm not doing it. And as soon as I can feel my arms and legs again, I'm going to kill him.

I tuned my dads conversation out and focused on getting up. After a few failed attempts, I was in complete control of my body and got off the floor.

"JOHN WHERE IS- what's going on in here?" Maks said walking into the house. He looked between me, my dad, Bruno and the men. One of the men charged at him but he quickly moved out of the way, leaving the man to crash into a wall. The man stood up and charged again only to be caught by Maks. His throat was in Maks' hands. "I'll say it again. What is going on in here?"

Val came downstairs and into the kitchen. Where the hell has he been?

Maks sighed. "I didn't want to have to do this but..." There was a crunching sound and the man in Maks' hand fell lifelessly to the ground.

He killed him.

My dad took this as his cue to break free and elbowed the man holding him in the stomach, catching him by surprise and causing him to topple over.

Val grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the room. "We have to get your thirst under control so you don't kill your dad." He said softly. He led me upstairs to a room and handed me a bottle filled with a red liquid. Blood.

"There is no way I'm drinking that."

"Brooklyn-"

"I'm not doing it."

"Brooklyn-"

"No.. Absolutely n-"

Val sighed in frustration before shoving the bottle in my mouth. The sweet crimson liquid slid down my throat. I took the bottle from Val and chugged the rest of it.

"You feel better?" He asked with a small smile growing on his face.

I nodded.

Val took my hand and led me back downstairs just in time for him to help with the fight that was talking place in the kitchen.

"Go get some help. Find as many people as you can."

"From where? Who's gonna believe me?"

"From your dad's job smarty pants." He kissed my head. "Stay safe."

I nodded and ran. I tried to get used to my new super speed, but I couldn't keep my balance. It's like learning to walk but at 100 miles per hour. When I got home ransacked the house for a phone. I found my dad's and searched for Sharna's contact.

"Hello?" Her voice said on the other end.

"Sharna?" I almost yelled. "I- it's Brooklyn."

"Brooklyn? What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"No-"

"What happened?"

If you would let me finish- Brooklyn now is not the time for smart remarks.

"I don't have time to explain. I need you to get to my house as soon as possible. A- and bring help."

"I'm on my way."

Please hurry.

I hung up and searched through my dad's work stuff for weapons. He usually kept some in the house in case of an emergency. And this definitely seems like and emergency.

The doorbell rang and I ran to open it.

"Are you okay? Where's your father?"

She's fast.

"Follow me." I said leading her out of the house and to her car. She pointed to the front seat and then pointed behind her. I'm guessing she was telling the man in the front to get out. I climbed into he passenger seat and Sharna drove off.

~

We pulled back up to the house and I turned to face her.

"My dad is in here. They're trying to kill him. Val told me to get as much help as possible, and the only person I could think of was you. The guy inside, Bruno-"

"Bruno? Stay here. This should be a quick fight."

Everyone piled out of the car and ran inside. I climbed into the drivers seat and sat there, bawling my eyes out. Val came outside and got into the passenger seat.

"Is he okay?"

"Your dad is fine."

"What about Maks?"

"Maks is.. Well he's Maks." Val searched my face. "Are you okay?"

I sighed and wiped my eyes. "I'm scared." A loud bang came from inside the house. I looked at Val, panic taking over my features.

"Let's talk.. It'll get your mind off of things."

"Val-"

"Don't even give me that whine okay? Nothing bad is gonna happen. It'll be just like the movies we watched as kids-"

"Val we aren't kids-"

"Sh..." He brushed a few strands of hair out of my face. "You'll be okay."

No I won't.

"You know how I know?" He didn't give me time to answer. "Because, you're one of the strongest people I've ever met."

I let out a harsh laugh. "I'm weak. I completely let John and that Bruno guy walk all over me, and now my dad is in there probably on his death bed and I'm sitting in the car, because I can't help him."

Val smiled. "Brooklyn, you took that transition better than I did. And you not being able to save your dad has no effect on who you are. The weapons they have in there can kill you in a heartbeat." He laughed. "See what I did there. Heartbeat.. Cause you're a vampire."

"That's not funny you dork."

"It was funny."

"It really wasn't." I said crawling into the back seat. Nap time. Val crawled back with me and wrapped his arms around my shoulders. He probably already knew I was gonna go to sleep. I snuggled into his chest and dozed off.