Fearlessly Yours

Shot Fired!

Here ya go everyone! This is a hard chapter to write. It is not for the faint of heart. Please keep that in mind before you continue. 

Strong and violent language used. Please remember, this is a work of fiction. Thank you!

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Joan had always been a keen observer. She notices the very small details in anything and everything. She doesn't really mean to do it but she can't help herself. And that trait might actually be the one to save her and the the lives of the two children under her care.

Joan watched Lianna place Cece back into her bassinet, observing Lianna's posture and stance. She had already noticed earlier the knife that was tucked inside Lianna's pants. When Lianna mentioned the shot of propofol, Joan deduced that the syringe was also close to Lianna's body, probably in one of her pockets. She discreetly tested her limbs again just to confirm that the feeling have all come back. She made sure she did not move a muscle though because she wanted Lianna to think that she was still helpless. Joan glanced at the clock again. 7:12 pm.

Lianna was humming a nameless tune while packing stuff into her duffel bag. She was relaxed, taking her time, making sure she packed everything back into the bag. She checked her surroundings one more time and when she was satisfied, she turned and walked back to the couch where Joan was.

"Well, looks like it's time for me and my kids to take off" she announced while taking out a syringe containing a white milky liquid from her jacket pocket.

Joan watched Lianna unmoving, willing her to come closer because she didn't want Sebastian to see what she was about to do. Come closer, closer. That's it. Lianna, being the psychopath that she was, leaned closer to Joan not for the purpose of keeping her voice down but because she was gloating. Gloating like a maniac.

"You know, you should be more careful on who you befriend. Look where it got you. Oh my dear Joan..." she didn't get to finish her sentence because Joan reached out and pulled the knife from her waistband and at the same time forcefully pushed her away by hitting her neck with her fist. The hit was forceful enough that Lianna lost her footing and fell back on the floor, losing her hold on the syringe in her hand as it flew to the other side of the room.

Lianna was so surprised by Joan's movements that it took her a minute to realize what just happened. That minute was more than enough for Joan to stand up from the couch and run to close the door leading to the playroom so that Sebastian will not be a witness to what was going on.

"YOU FUCKING BITCH! You think you can get away with that? You're going to pay for that BITCH!"

Joan heard the animalistic growl from Lianna before she felt the pull on her hair the instant the door was closed. Joan let her body go with the pull, getting her bearings together and as soon as she felt some slack, she twisted around, swinging the knife in her hands. Joan felt the knife connect with Lianna's extended hand which was confirmed by Lianna suddenly letting her hair go.

Then everything was a blur after that. Joan got hit in the head, on the stomach and on her arms and legs. But she gave as much as she got. She swung the knife in her hand, uncaring which part of Lianna she's hitting as long as she's connecting. She made sure she had a firm grip on that knife because she knows that once that knife slips from her hand, it will be the end. Joan wasn't sure where she got the energy to keep going, but she did.  In the background, she could hear Sebastian crying and banging on the closed door and Cece hearing her brother cry, started crying as well. Joan glanced at the clock once more. The time was 7:20.