Saving Lauryn

Chapter 4

I don't know how long I was in the shower before I finally got out. I dried off and put on the clothes that Maddie had laid out for me. After getting dressed, I walked out to the living room. Both Maddie and Jameson were sitting on a couch, watching TV. As soon as I walked in the room, they both snapped their attention to me.

"Come sit down, you can tell us your story, and we can help you," Jameson said, as he turned the TV off. I went and sat down in between the two of them.

"Um well, I'm Lauryn. thank you for helping me. I- uh- I don't really know who I'm running from, but if he finds me, he will kill me," I say shyly.

"Well we won't let him find you then," Jameson said very protectively.

"I'll be okay, you don't have to help me," I said, looking at the floor. I mean honestly, why would they help me? I'm a random stranger that Maddie pulled off the bus. I could be about to murder them for all they know.

"We're going to help you. It's not an option. We are very powerful and have influence over a lot of people. I talked to my parents and you're staying here until further notice," He replied.

"Why me? You don't even know me? Why would you help someone that you don't know?" I said, looking at him.

"Maddie brought you here because you looked like you needed help. She can explain why she did that later. But you remind me of someone I helped and I want to help you too," He said, making eye contact with me.

"Can you tell us why they hurt you?" Maddie asked carefully.

"Four years ago, my dad got mixed up with the wrong people. He owed them a lot of money. One night, two men came to my house, demanding the money he owed. My dad didn't have it so one of the men went to strangle my dad. They didn't know that I  was there. I went to my dad's drawer and got his pistol. I shot the guy who had his hands around my dad's throat. I killed him. Turns out, the two men were brothers. As I shot the one guy, the other guy shot my dad and killed him, before killing my mom and sister. I wanted him to kill me, too at that point. I mean, I watched my entire family die in front of me and I killed a man. But no, he didn't kill me. He took me. I never learned him name. He used and abused me for four years. I managed to escape yesterday by drugging him and his friends. I stole their money and ran. After a few hours on a bus, Maddie found me," I say, as a tear rolls down my face.

"I'm so sorry. You won't have to worry about him ever again. We will protect you. I will protect you," Jameson said. He pulled me into a hug and wiped the tears off my face.

"Thank you," I whispered. We stayed like that for a few minutes before a door opened, and a man and woman walked in. They stooped in the living room and I awkwardly pulled myself away from Jameson, and the couple laughed.

"I'm William and this is my wife, Isabelle, my son told me you were in trouble and need some help. As long as you show respect to us and our house, and stay loyal to us, then we will help you," the man said, holding his hand out to me. He shook my hand and smiled at me.

"I asked someone to come look at her injuries. He'll be here soon,"Jameson said. "Don't look at me like that. I asked Dawson, not some random person," he said to his father.

"I'll stay with Lauryn while Dawson checks her out. Jameson can fill you guys in, if that's okay with you, Lauryn," Maddie says. I nod my head, and William, Isabelle, and Jameson walk upstairs and it's just Maddie and I left. She wraps her arms around me, in a hug, before the doorbell rings.