Not to be found

Chapter 28 - Alive

My head is pounding all I can hear is a high pitched ringing. I raise my hands up to my head and rub my temples in a circular motion trying to ease the pain.

"Lacey?" I can hear Noah calling.
I open my eyes to see him blurred and staring down at me, "are you okay?"

I nod my head and try to prop myself up with my elbow, but he quickly goes behind me and helps me up.
"Oh Lacey darling," Julie coos as Noah sits me down on the sofa so that I'm sitting in between his legs, "here take this," she says as she hands me a glass of water.

The water shakes in the glass as I bring it to my lips, I swallow hard and he takes it from me. He then pushes me back into his lap so that my head is resting on his shoulder.

"I have to go to work soon," he whispers softly into my ear, "also dad has told the authorities, we're all going to be questioned."

"W-what?" I stutter my heart pounding so fast it can't be possible.

"It's nothing to worry about," he assures me, "they just want your reasons behind running, but you can stay with us."

I breathe a sigh of relief, I couldn't go back even if I wanted to. It just wouldn't be right, I don't belong there anymore. They lied to me, didn't tell me why I was being kept under lock and key. I knew it had to run deeper.

"Lacey would you like to come to work with me today?" Julie asks from the opposite sofa, a brilliant smile on her lips as she looks at me and Noah cuddled together.

"Wouldn't I get in the way? I don't know anything about beauty."

"Nonsense," she laughs, "I'll give you a makeover it will be fun, and the boys are going to work so you don't want to be here alone do you?"

I think about it, if I stay here I'll probably overthink. I'll be scared out of my skin in case I'm targeted again, at least I'd be with someone. Plus it may be good bonding time and an opportunity to make up for lying.

"No I don't, why not?" I say, "let's do it!"

"Excellent," she beams, "get changed and we'll go!"

Noah reluctantly releases his arms from around my waist and plants a light kiss on my cheek before I stumble up the stairs to my bedroom, in the middle of the hallway I come across Mike who stops me, "everything will be okay Lacey, I promise you this now."

I bury my hands in my jean pockets, "how do you know that?" I force out.

"Because you make my son happy and you're a good girl, I will not stop until you are safe."

I smile, "thank you."

After a nod of the head I carry on walking to my bedroom, I'm still a little unstable as I grab ahold of the door knob for balance.

I swipe a face wipe across my skin and spritz myself with deodorant. I pull out a white shirt that has grey stripes on the sleeves, black jeans, doc martens and my khaki jacket.

When I get downstairs Julie is all ready to go and practically pulls me out of the front door as she kisses Mike goodbye, but before I can even step outside Noah pulls me back to his chest and kisses me on the lips. Hard. Sending a shiver down my spine, Mike just stares at us both when we pull away and Julie has the biggest grin ever.