She's Mine to Protect(Lucas Baker Fanfic)(A Baker's Flower Series #1)

The Sound

    Chrys spent the following few weeks wandering around the barn (whenever Lucas wasn't around) but never leaving it. She had a looming fear that Jack would be waiting for her outside and ready to grab her to take her down to the morgue in the basement that Lucas had told her about or someplace else just as terrifying; it was for that reason that Lucas had given her a walkie-talkie so she could contact him at any time. He often told her of the dangers that lived on the plantation with them but never let her in on what was actually going on. Lucas specifically didn't tell her about the crimes he had been forced to commit because of Eveline; he couldn't imagine that she would've taken it well. All Chrys knew was that Jack and Marguerite were dangerous and most likely out to kill her, which broke her heart. There was a time when Chrys thought of Jack and his wife as the nicest couple she'd ever met but those people she once knew were long gone. Her heart ached for Zoe and Lucas who had to witness the mad descent of their parents; Lucas had done so much for Chrys when she was going through the hardest times of her life but she hadn't been able to be there for him when he probably needed it most.
It was the third of September and there was a slight sort of coldness in the air that had fully made its way into the barn. Lucas had given her his hoodie to wear for when the days got too cold and he held her to keep her warm whenever he could; one of the perks of Eveline's "gift" was a slight resistance to the cold so his hoodie was of more use to Chrys than to himself and he was more than happy to give it to her.
    That morning, Lucas had snuck off the property in Chrys' car, which she had fortunately parked far enough away from the mansion to avoid being found from Jack, and then he headed towards town to buy their weekly amount of edible, non-cannibalistic food for Chrys and other foods for him to snack on. He brought back an abundance of junk food like chips and candy but also meal food such as frozen pizzas, fries and taco kits with all the necessary ingredients to make them.
    "That's quite the assortment of food." Chrys had remarked after examining everything he brought back.
    "Yeah well, I was never actually taught how to grocery shop the right way. At least it's better than what they're eating in there....what I've had to eat."
    "There's nothing wrong with what you bought." She assured him before giving him a kiss on the cheek and returning to the old couch she had become so familiar with. Lucas guessed she must have been telling the truth because since she had showed up on the Baker farm those few weeks ago she had put on a little bit of weight; he wasn't sure how she managed to do it with small amount of food they had but he knew better than to make a comment about it. He almost couldn't tell when she wore his loose hoodie but he couldn't help but notice during their more intimate moments. The weight gain didn't bug him, it was the fact that she had always been bone thin all the years he'd known her and now, all of a sudden, she was getting bigger. It was just odd and a bit suspicious, was all.

    After putting the food away in the little mini fridge he kept under his desk he went over and joined her on the couch, pulling her onto his lap. They kissed for a few minutes before Chrys heard a thumping sound and drew back.
    "What was that?" She asked, her eyes scanning the room in case the source of the noise was in there with them.
    "I didn't hear anything." He answered, pulling his arms away from her. She slid off him to her feet and went up to the door that led out to the pier and the boathouse; she put her ear up to the wood and listened. Outside something was screeching and Chrys was pretty sure it wasn't a human being making that sound. She looked back to Lucas on the couch and shot him a look of worry; he got up and put himself between her and the door, cracking it open slightly.
    "Stay here." He warned and walked out onto the pier, closing the door behind him.
Panic began to rise up in Chrys; she knew Lucas could take care of himself and, of course, had those regenerative abilities but something felt terribly off about the situation.
    And sure enough she heard the sound of footsteps coming from the other side of the door leading to the rest of the barn and they were coming closer at a fast pace. Chrys scanned the room for a place to hide but apparently that was the one thing Lucas had forgot to add to his little office. She was contemplating heading out after Lucas when the door was thrown open. The thing she feared most for the past few weeks had just walked into the room.
    "Well, well, left you alone, has he now? Don't worry darling, I'll look after ya." Jack drawled then laughed maniacally. Misjudging his speed, Chrys wasted no time with bolting for the door that Lucas left through but was caught around the waist by the older man. She kicked violently at both him and the door in an attempt to get away but his grip held tight. Then he shifted so that his left arm was wrapped around her abdomen, leaving his right arm free. The next thing Chrys knew he was connecting his fist to her temple with full force; two out of five punches later, she was out cold.

    There was the smell of sweat and decay in the air and a pounding in her head when Chrys came to. It took a few minutes for her vision to clear and when it did she almost wished she was still unconscious. It was a small dark room with a single light hanging from the ceiling a few inches behind the chair she was tied to. At first she attempted to wiggle her body to loosen the tape that bound her arms, legs and chest to the wooden chair but it was useless. When she realized this, Chrys turned her head as much as she could to get a full view of her prison and gagged at what she saw.
    Behind her, in the left corner of the room, was a pile of mutilated corpses. Some of the bodies were missing limbs, others had burns all over them and the rest seemed to be covered in a strange black substance. Trying to put them out of her mind, Chrys turned back to look at the one door in the room which was straight ahead of her. Then she heard those same heavy footsteps from the barn and her only reaction was to close her eyes in fear. The door opened and then closed immediately after but then there was silence; she kept her eyes closed for a minute before hesitantly opening them.
    Jack was in front of her, a little too close for her own comfort, with what looked like what might have once been a garden tool that was turned into a spiky weapon of death.
    "Awake, are you?" He teased as he petted the top of her head; a chill ran down her spine.
    "What the hell is wrong with you?" She spat back at him, trying to hide how scared she really was.
    "Hey now, don't be so rude. My precious little girl seems to really like you and is jus' dying to have another sister to play with. You better not go disappointing her now." He warned, his voice going deeper and more threatening sounding as he spoke.

    "Zoe? Why the hell would Zoe want me as her sister?"

    "You dumb stupid bitch!" He roared at her, spitting flying at her face. "That...Zoe...ain't part of this family no more. Such an ungrateful child, didn't appreciate all that was done for her. Evie's my darling girl now. She's blessed us all with her gift."

    "You really have gone crazy, haven't you?"

   "I ought to smash your face-" Then he stopped and looked off into the corner of the room as if there was someone there. "Oh of course not. Daddy wouldn't want to ruin your chance to play make-up with her."

    "Who the hell are you talking to? What happened to you Jack? You used to be so nice."

    "Don't insult me, Girl. You should just be thanking me for not killing you yet." He clearly was pleased with himself for having her in such a vulnerable state in front of him. Chrys ignored his statement and, instead of answering, she scanned the room as if there might be another exit that she missed. Jack followed her stare and laughed.
    "If you're looking for something to save you, you're shit out of luck. It's just you and me down here, Hon."
    "Lucky me." She mumbled.
    "That's right, you are lucky!" He answered back happily, "and if you're good and do as I say I won't kill you...or your little boy toy."
    Chrys wanted so bad to viciously correct him that Lucas wasn't just her toy and get back at him by saying that their relationship was deeper than the one between him and Marguerite but she knew that would only earn her a possible life threatening hit from Jack. She didn't know if he mentioned his son at the end simply for an added threat but she didn't particularly want to test him to find out.
    Or at least test him too hard.
    "You wouldn't kill your son." She tried, thinking it might strike a chord with him.
    "He's only a walkin' lump of idiot; it wouldn't be a great loss. " He said, proving her theory wrong. "Maybe Eveline might miss 'im though, she'd be losing family, poor thing."
    "You're sick." She told him.
    "Hm, I feel fine. But now don't you even worry 'bout it. I'm sure you'll be a good lil' girl for me and it won't be a problem, right? All you gotta do is accept Evie's gift and it'll all be fine."
    "I ain't your little girl."
    "You're right, I can hardly call you little. Not with that pudding stomach. What has that boy been feeding you anyway? You used to always be so skinny." He said, poking her pudgy stomach with the handle part of the tool. Chrys snarled in response.
    "Don't you dare hurt-" She started but didn't finish.
    "Hurt what? Your tiny little feelings? Sorry girl but someone had to man up an' tell you the truth."
    Chrys looked down at the floor to avoid having to look at him but Jack lifted her chin up and forced eye contact with her. Her lack of response made him suspicious.
    "Hurt what?" He repeated slowly and menacingly. Chrys thought carefully before answering. She could've simply lied to him but it wouldn't have gotten her anywhere so she decided to tell him the truth and hope for the best. A tear rolled down her cheek as she spoke.
    "Don't hurt my baby."