The Clifford Project

Chapter 17

What was she thinking?! I understand the whole "heroine saving her boyfriend" deal, but really? She's insane. Or is she? Ashton got down on his knees putting his hands above his head.
"Don't shoot!" He screamed. "Don't you dare shoot at me or I'll have you killed in seconds!" A defense mechanism maybe? Pretty hardcore for defense, but I understood soon after why he did it. He wasn't going to be fighting for himself. He was just getting himself out of the way. His guys walked up behind her, picking her up and tying her to the empty chair beside me. Misty sure did put up a fight though. Kicking and screaming. They still couldn't pry the gun from her perfectly manicured hands. She sat crying.
"I'm so sorry C-cal!" She balled. "I tried to help, I-I just wanted you all safe!" Calum sighed.
"It's okay baby. I'm okay , we're okay ." She looked at Michael and I as if asking us if we were really okay. I nodded. Her glance quickly traveled to Luke and his currently bloody and broken state on the floor. Her green eyes filled back up with tears as a strangled sob left her lips. "O-Oh God! Luke are you okay?" Luke shrugged.

"I'm used to it by now..." It was weird. It was like she knew all of us, but none of us really knew her. Then it hit me. She had been watching us. Through everything Calum had done to us, that Ashton had done to us, she was there. The phone calls, miscellaneous text messages, diner conversations and broken hearts. She heard it all. She knows who I am. What I've done, What I've said. She's probably a good person. Lived a good life. No doubt she hasn't done much wrong. She definitely didn't expect her life to be like this...

--------Misty's POV------

I'm just trying to help. My fingers are still curled around the gun, holding on to it for dear life.  Calum had left the house just two hours before. "Don't worry baby, " He sighed, "I'll be at the warehouse and  I should be home soon." I kissed his cheek we exchanged I love you's and off he went. But little did he know today was the day I would fight back. I knew he was in danger every single day he worked for Ashton. This amazing boy, my boyfriend, my soon to be husband didn't work for a simple salary, he worked for his life.

I looked down at the small ring sparkling on my finger and smiled. He proposed a few months ago. And I planned on marrying a free man. As far as I'm concerned, Ashton would be a dead man. I took a deep breath as my hands began to shake. I searched through our closet until I found what I was looking for. A small box with a hinged lid. I opened it and thought back to when Calum had first put it there. "This gun is for emergencies only, okay? If you ever need it, be careful. Hopefully we won't need to use it, but just in case." He taught me how to shoot. It had always scared me but of course it was necessary. The safety was on.

My hands shook but I was not scared. I did not fear Ashton, I feared the fact that within the next few hours, I could become a murderer.  I didn't want to kill anyone. I wanted to call the police but I knew they'd take Calum from me. I'm done with him protecting me. I need to protect him. Him, Michael, Luke and the girls. I grabbed my phone dialing the number I found in yellow pages for the diner. It was a long shot but it was the only chance I had to save them. It rung once then there was an answer.

"Hello?" She sounded so distressed.

"You have to listen to me, we don't have much time."

"What's going on?"

"Michael is at his apartment. He's in the Glendale complex on Sunshine Street, second floor, room 204."

"Why should I believe you?"

"Please, I'm trying to help you... You and that boy deserve to be happy, you have to go now."

"Thank you so much."

"It's no problem, I'm a sucker for love." She hung up and I slightly smiled to myself. This could  be the day it all ends. But then again, the likelihood of this ending in our favor, of this ending in Misty Hood, Paisley Clifford and Lucy Hemmings; are very slim. It's more likely to end in tombstones, graves and forged suicide notes that speak of love and lust and lack of happiness to the extent of the welcoming of death. Ashton makes the loved ones of his victims feel guilty.  Like they didn't see the sadness that would cause them to take their own lives, when their lives were taken by someone else. 

The saddest part to me is this is someone's son. Ashton was once an innocent young child, loved by his friends and family. Calum once told me that he didn't have a dad. That because he grew up fatherless, he hurt others. But a younger sister named Lauren and a little brother named Harry who will never know their big brother is a murderous coward.  They have the right to know but I'm glad they don't.  They won't be involved until they see his face on the news, and his name in the obituary of the local newspaper because their older brother has a bullet in his head. A bullet I put there. I wouldn't be proud of killing anyone, I won't admit to anything but I could get caught. I'll be surrounded by witnesses that could easily spill and say I killed him. But I had to.

As I got back into my right mind I looked around. Paisley and Luke were on my right with Calum and Michael across from us. I quickly realized something. Luke was down. Luke and Paisley were directly across from Michael. I was directly across from Calum. That sick bastard was going to take us out one by one, torturing us, to torture them. I couldn't take it. I was letting everyone down. Ashton slowly made his way back to Paisley, a knife in hand. Immediately Michael noticed.

"What the hell are you doing!?" Ashton kept quiet silent even, not a single word being spoken. "Don't you touch her!" He got closer yet, bringing his blade towards her legs.

-------Paisleys POV------

I tried so hard to stay quiet. But if a man is coming at you with a knife and his creeping smile you'd scream too. He went straight for my thighs while Michael screamed behind him. "Don't touch her! Leave her alone you asshole she didn't do anything wrong!" He must have learned to tune him out. He looked down at my thighs and his smile widened.

"Already scarred huh? I suspected you'd be a cutter. Looks like I have my work cut out for me, literally."

"Please I-I don't want any trouble..." He brought down the knife and quickly cut over my scars. I yelped quick and short.

"Scream and I push harder." I bit my lip so hard it began to bleed. I whimpered in pain as he cut all down my thighs, down my legs, and to my ankles. Michael screamed louder than I've ever heard.

"I swear to God you fucking dick!" Ashton dug the blade deeper into my skin. Blood rushed out my body so fast that my vision started to get cloudy. I could see his hands covered in blood. my blood.... He stood up and pushed my chair over.

"That's two strikes!" What a psychopath. "And its three strikes you're out." He raised a shaky blood cover finger and pointed at Michael, slowly moving to point out Calum. He turned slowly and walked towards Misty.  Before he could do anything a door opened and a female voice echoed through the room.

"Sorry I was late, What did I miss?" I couldn't believe who I was looking at.

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A/N: So I actually did it? I actually updated? didn't think that would happen? Me either. But here it is, so savor every second and vote for the love of God please vote. Love you all!

-Sophie/Cashton baby