Blood is Thicker Than Water

Chapter 10

Chapter 10

            That night Jacqueline stayed up late sitting on the kitchen counter with Nash and Dean sat at the table. She knew they had to go back, sure her parents and family were used to her leaving and they didn’t really care, but she’d taken Axel with her this time.

            She sighed and let her head fall into her hands. Rance was going to kill her, she didn’t mind that too much, she didn’t want Axel anywhere them when it happened though.

            “I have to go back.” She didn’t look up, she couldn’t look at their faces without feeling bad.

            “You and Axel are going back?”

            “Axel isn’t. I am, I’m hoping to make a bargain with Rance.”

            “What kind of bargain? Jackie you know you can’t trust your brother!”

            “I won’t let him hurt Axel. I can’t let them hurt Axel. Axel’s everything to me. I’m gonna talk to Rance, I have to. It’s my only option.”

            “You could stay here.” Dean mumbled, she looked up at him through bangs and smiled softly at him. “They’d come find us, Batman.”

            Nash looked pissed but nodded, he knew it truly was her only option. “Promise me one thing. The first thing that happens to you, you get the hell out of there. We’ll take care of Axel if you take care of you.”

            Jackie nodded and thanked them before she went upstairs and kissed Axel’s forehead and brushed back his mussed hair. “I love you, Axel.”

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She used the same window to get into her house at six a.m. as she had earlier that morning. She sat halfway in and halfway out just breathing and trying to calm her erratic heartbeat. Arms wrapped around her waist as soon as she was through the window. “Where’d you go Jacqueline? Where’s my brother? Where’s Axel?”

Jackie fought Rance’s hold on her as she screamed. “He’s not your brother! Let me go, let me go, Rance!”

Her body trembled as he shook her. “You can’t save him, just like you couldn’t save Addie. You’re useless! Not even the underdogs can count on you! Whose house were you at last night, you sleaze? Was it that thrash, Nash? Was it? Huh, Jackie?”

Fear paralyzed her as she realized her brother was drunk. Tears streamed down her face as he turned her to face him. “Oh Jackie, now don’t cry Jackie. Did I make you cry? I’m so sorry Jacqueline. My sweet little Jackie, my sweet little sister.” She couldn’t say anything as she just nodded detachedly.

She only prayed he wasn’t the same drunk he used to be. Emotional, not in the good way of course, he hurt people, destroyed them when he was intoxicated. He still hadn’t let go of her, just staring at her with a demure smile on his sweaty face.

She closed her grey eyes and prayed to anyone or anything out there to spare her this tragedy.  Just once couldn’t she be saved? Rance started pulling her out of Adeline’s room, she didn’t know where they were going, and she didn’t want to know.

She couldn’t resist him, it would only make him angry. “Rance, Rance, please. Please stop.” He did stop but not for very long.

“Why? Why Jackie? Why are you telling me what to do Jackie?”

She just shook her head, what was she supposed to tell him? She was not going to tell him he was hurting her or scaring her, it would probably please him. She shook her head and attempted to weakly smile.

As he led her further down the hallway on the second floor her heartbeat became more erratic. Why were they on the second floor? The only room on the second floor other than Adeline’s is Rance’s.

“Rance, what are we doing? Why are we going to your room?”

“Oh, Jackie. I miss you so much. Do you remember when we used to hang out all the time? I miss that, Jacqueline. I’m always gone and when I’m home you never are! Why is that? Is it because you’re hanging out with that Nash kid? Anyway, don’t you miss hanging out with me?”

“Of course I do, Rance.” She quietly murmured. They were in his room now and Jackie couldn’t bear to look at the walls. A combination of weapons and posters with naked women on them littered his room.

“Oh, sorry about that Jackie, I just get so lonely. Don’t be jealous of them, you know I only love you.”

Bile rose in her throat and hope fled. “What? What did you say Rance?”

He sighed exasperated, “You know I hate to repeat myself Jackie! I said I only love you. Don’t you love me, too?”

Her eyes were wide as she listened to what he said. No, they were siblings, Rance was her brother. “No, Rance we’re siblings. I don’t love you.”

His smile faded and anger returned to his features as he laughed. “No? You don’t love me, either?” He laughed again, “You’re all the same! Adeline didn’t love me, you don’t love me! Well I’ll make you love me, Jacqueline!”

Jacqueline cried out as her brother shoved her onto his bed. “Jackie, have I ever told you how pretty you are?” He stroked her face, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Why are you crying? Don’t worry, I’ll make the tears go away.”

She couldn’t do anything, she cried out but no one in this house cared. Rance’s hands roamed her body, crawling underneath her clothes which ended up on the floor.

“Stop. Stop, Rance, please. I’m your sister, please!”

He didn’t stop, he wouldn’t stop, and whatever God was out there hadn’t answered her prayers.

Sorry about the lack of indention on the last part, it copied very strangely.