Fracture

Part 18

Sitting around an oak farm table, we create a plan. Well, we loosely sketched out an idea of what we want to do. Oh, fuck it, we can't agree on anything except to wing it.

"What if Sarah seizes while we're inside?" Josiah's voice cuts through the quiet hum of constant arguing.

"It's a legit concern." They all look at me like I have the answers.

"We die." I choke. I've been fighting back tears all day. This is my fault. I know there's a cliché that comes with stories like this- you see it in movies all the time, thinking those things don't actually happen. Well, let me be the first to let each and every one of you know this shit does happen. Something has to inspire those movies, you know.

"I have zero intention on dying, today, doll, especially at the hands of your fucked up dad." Josiah's voice cuts, yet again, earning an eye roll from most of us at the table.

"We need to piece together these dreams, guys. Try to make a plan." I sighed, raking my hands over my face. The soft scent of pine drifted through open windows, followed by the musky, clean smell of Lex's cologne. His arm snakes around my waist and pulls me close.

"The first thing you need to realize is there is no we in this story. YOU aren't leaving this cabin." His fingers gripped my hip.

"Do we need a little reminder of our last conversation, partner?" My eyes glared through his. He wasn't amused- and I'm not joking. "I will not let you guys do this without me while I wait here like some scared child. I'm not afraid of him. You shouldn't be either." My words dripped with newfound disdain for my father.

"You go, you die." Jack snapped. "Stay here. Please."

"I'll stay with her." Josiah offered, Jack nodded in agreement. There was no way I was staying. As Lex and Jack stood from the table, Josiah's arms wrapped around me, totally ignoring my protests. I kicked and squirmed, but to no avail. The door slammed in my face and Josiah let me fall to the floor, shushing me as I screamed.

"Shut the fuck up, girl. Jesus." He bent low to make eye contact. "You're a lot tougher than I gave you credit for. I hated you because I hated your father- your mother- everything you stood for- everything they took from us." His leg wrapped to one side of my hip, pinning me beneath his weight.

"You say that like it's past tense?" I sighed.

"Oh, it is. I've grown quite fond of you." He gripped my arms, helping me sit up. "You aren't your parents. I tried to punish you for shit they did." I cocked a glare, questioning him.

"What the fuck are you talking about? What did they do to you?" I pulled myself from his grip as he shifted back on his heel.

"You know, I was 18 when we took your mom. I had an entire life to live and, instead, I had to kidnap a woman I didn't even know. Not only that, I had to leave a 6 year old at a park. You know how much it fucked me up to leave you with your dad? It was hard enough knowing you were being raised by thieves and drunks, but, leaving you alone with the worst one? That was hard." He sighed, his hands roaming over his face.

"Thieves? Drunks? Weren't you one of them?" I scoffed.

"So was your little boyfriend. He's only two years younger, you know." He smirked.

"He knew?" My voice hitched in my throat.

"I don't see how he couldn't." Josiah started.

"You kept it from Jack, didn't you?" I asked.

"Good point." He whispered. "But, how can you be sure?"

"Other than trusting his word, I can't." I frowned.

"Trust the word of a man you've known for, what, a week?" He asked.

"Versus trusting the man who tried to beat me within an inch of my life? Yeah. I'll take my chances." I pushed myself to stand.

"Hey, we agreed to let bygones be bygones or some shit." He chuckled.

"Fuck you." I was full on smiling, now. He's not a good man, necessarily, but he's not a bad guy, either, there's something about Josiah that is endearing- you get what you see- that's not common anymore and I appreciate it.

"You said they took something from you, what was it?" I asked.

"Jack's wife. James and Lex's mom." My eyes widened in shock. Was my mom payback?

"They kidnapped her, first? Jesus." My face grew solemn.

"No, they didn't kidnap her, they killed her." I choked back a sob. My parents were murderers?

"What- what do you mean they killed her?" My hand flew up to my mouth, widening in shock.

"I said they were drunks, right? Car accident. 24 years ago. You were just a baby, shit, you were in the fucking car. That's why I hated leaving you with your dad. When I say he's a scumbag, that's a fucking scumbag. I mean, look at me, I'm no fucking saint." His eyes rolled.

"So, that's why you took my mom." I realized, my eyes widening.

"No, Sarah, Jack forgave your parents almost immediately- hell, he never blamed them. He's always been in love with your mama, you know. The story of your dad betting your ma is legit. Fucked up, but legit. Jack just saw an opportunity. Jack came to terms with her death pretty quickly, it hit James and I the hardest.

"Shit." The word barely echoed from my lips before I bolted out of the door.