The Beast Within Her Beauty

9

Its for Re'nae.

Its for Re'nae.

Its for Re'nae.

Its So he could have you again.

*

Lana Winters always had a hard time doubting herself. No matter the situation, she always had some kind of faith inside of her. A stubborn, stubborn woman who would go out of her way for the ones she loves regardless of what the case was. Regardless of her fears. But not now. Betrayal took over her jumbled mind and well, now... All hope was gone. No one was on her side, not Eric, not Erin, and maybe even little Noah.

What did I ever do to you people?

What else could she ask? Is this for real? We're you guys using me? Do you hate me this much? No, no she couldn't ask because the answers were obvious.

"What did I ever do to you people?"

Confusion and madness, hurt and loneliness. Nothing could describe the way she felt at this very moment.

It's your fault, Lana. Was all she could think. You should have loved him.

"I should have loved you?"

"Get out," she barely whispered. "Get out! I said get out, get out! Leave, I hate you Alex! Both of you!"

She stood up off of the bed and began to throw everything from her dressers and cabinets. "Get out and take this backstabbing bitch with you! Leave!" Alex stood up and towered above Lana. "Get out, Alex, I'm not going to keep telling you!"

"Then don't,"

"This is my house and you were never welcomed. Leave!"

She hit Alex in the face but he brushed it off, attempting to grab Lana's arms. She continued to hit him though.

"Lana, calm down!"

"You come in my house, you all ruin my life, you take everything from me and expect me to calm down?! Fuck you, Alex. Fuck all of you!" Lana lost her temper. Nothing could calm her down, not even the sight of her daughter crying in the corner because she is scared, scared that momma's gone crazy. Alex regretted telling her at that point in time, but he didn't feel bad- Lana needed to know, he couldn't hold back anymore.

"No, you need to calm down before Hayden comes back, Lana,"

"Why would you care? Why can't you just leave?!"

Lana was becoming exhausted from yelling and throwing things, her voice was being hoarse and she became slower.

"Why can't you just leave?" She cried and cried, and slumped to the floor, bringing Alex with her. "Just leave..."

"Lana, I'm sorry but you needed to know. The ones you're caring for don't give two shits about you-"

"And you do?"

"I..." He froze with his mouth slightly hung open.

The door opened and a large shadow casted against the wall in the room. Hayden. He stared between Re'nae crying, Alex and Lana and then Erin who had fear written all over her face.

"What is she doing in here? What did I tell you?"

"I'm sorry. It wasn't his fault," pleaded Erin. "It's mine,"

"I don't care. I told you not to bring her from the basement." He grabbed Erin by the arm and yanked her off of the plush bed. He then proceeded to drag her down the hallway.

A few moments later, Hayden came back into the room and stared at Lana and Alex again.

"Momma...the bad man is here," she whispered and stood up to hug her mother.

"Alex, I need to talk to you. We will deal with the rest of this later."

---

"Here? They're coming here?"

"Yes. To talk to Lana." Sighed Hayden as he leaned on the kitchen counter and rested his head on his cold hands. He ran a hand through his dirty blonde hair and let out a deep breath.

"I don't know when they're coming. But what I do know is that we will have to talk to her about it and make sure she keeps her pretty little mouth shut."

Lana walked into the kitchen and pauaed as she just so happened to practically walk into their conversation. Her heart pounded against her chest as the thought of being saved ran through her mind.

"Someone's coming?" She asked. Her hope was quickly shot down though, when Hayden laughed blandly.

"Don't get your hopes up, sweetheart. You're still in trouble."

"But what are you talking about? Who is coming here?" She used to test her limits a lot when it came down to continuously asking questions. Hayden would get mad and usually attack her, but now she didn't care. She'd already been through enough so it was nothing to her.

Hayden groaned and slapped his hand on the marble counter, and Alex answered for him to avoid any argument and/or further frustration.

"The cops are coming to speak to you, to see if you know anything about us." Alex explained, "and we won't know when until tomorrow. But if you think about saying anything, remember that those straps on our favorite bed are waiting for you,"

"And so am I." Interjected Hayden. "Where's Re'nae? Bring her here."

Lana's eyes widened. Why do you want Re'nae? She didn't do anything.

As if he read her mind Hayden groaned once again. "I'm not going to hurt the child, she's innocent. But she's also my daughter so bring her here. Now. I'm not going to repeat myself, Lana."

Momma the bad man is here...

Lana wanted nothing more than to cry, than to kill everyone and leave forever. Maybe even kill herself as she thinks she will never get away from the hurt and the torture. But she listened and began to walk up the steps.

"Bring her to the guest room. I need to make peace with my child."

Bring her to the guest room? But why? Why my little girl? Lana was willing to take her place, to go through whatever she had to go through. She knew Hayden wouldn't allow it and it would only make matters worse than they already are.

After bringing Re'nae to the guest room, Lana went into her bathroom and ran the tub. Maybe I could go under water and never emerge. Maybe I could use this razor and end it all. I can't though. Re'nae needs me. But maybe...

A knock on the bathroom door startled her. She looked back already half naked and fear coursed through her veins. Hearing Alex's voice almost calmed her. Almost.

"Lana, open the door."

She still stood there, holding in a breath she didn't even know she was holding.

"Lana, I'm not going to hurt you."

"I'm not dressed." Her voice cracked and she heard it, clearing her throat.

"Has that ever stopped me from wanting to be there? No, so open the door."

Lana sighed. He was right. But she still wouldn't let him in.

"Go away..."

It was silent for a few more moments. Until a click was heard and the bathroom door opened. Lana quickly ran into the tub and closed the curtains.

"What the hell is wrong with you, Alex? "

"You wouldn't let me in."

"Why would I let you in here? Let alone want." Lana rolled her eyes and watched as the water slowly began to rise above her ankles.

"Because..." Alex shrugged, "you want to know what any of this has to do with Re'nae and money. More so Re'nae ,"

"And..."

"...And im the only person who can tell you..."