Fleurs Captives (Joshler)

41. Oak Leaf

Oak Leaf:
meaning- strength

***Trigger warnings for multiple panic attacks, mild gore, PTSD, and prolonged trauma.***

Wait to start the song.

Jordan was staring up at the house with wide eyes as Josh helped him put the van into park. "This is a house? Holy shit. It's huge."

"Yeah," Josh replied distractedly. "Maddy first. Then Jenna. Then Tyler. Then me. Okay?"

"Okay," Jordan replied, seeming far less confident about this now that they were actually at the house. "Maybe we should wait for the police to get here, Josh."

Josh swallowed nervously. "I need to go in and make sure everyone's okay. You can wait out here if you want, and I can bring the girls out to you."

"I'll go with you," Jordan insisted. "I don't want you to go in there alone."

Josh nodded, taking a deep breath before opening his car door. "Okay. Let's go then."

The house was quiet when Josh led Jordan in through the garage door. Jordan's hand slipped into his as they walked through the house, making Josh feel less anxious. There was noise coming from the living room, so Josh went there first.

Jenna was sitting on the couch with Maddy, braiding her hair while they watched The Little Mermaid. One of Jenna's feet hung off the end of the couch, swinging back and forth slightly as she tied off Maddy's braid with an elastic. They were both in their pajamas, and Jenna's belly was a little easier to notice in the sheer white nightgown she was wearing. She was over two months pregnant now.

She smiled when she looked up and saw Josh, but her smile faded when she noticed Jordan, pulling Maddy closer to her chest protectively. When she opened her mouth to speak, Josh placed a finger to his lips and tugged Jordan into the room.

"It's okay," Josh whispered to the girls, who were looking a bit anxiously at the stranger in the room. "He's my little brother. He's going to take you guys outside until the police get here, okay? You can trust him."

"Police?" Jenna whispered back nervously. "Police are coming?"

Josh nodded, feeling sick with anxiety at the thought. "Yeah. We're gonna go home today, okay? And you're coming home with me. We're gonna be safe. You need to go with Jordan for now though, okay?"

"Okay," Jenna replied trustingly, climbing off of the couch and helping Maddy to do the same. "Tyler's upstairs with Papa."

"I'll go get him," Josh promised, shifting Jordan's hand into Jenna's. "Go to the end of the driveway, and don't be afraid when cars with red and blue lights show up. The people in them are only here to help. My mom is going to be here too, and you can trust her."

"Okay," Jenna agreed again. She released Jordan's hand, picking Maddy up before taking his hand again. "Promise me you're going to be outside soon," she told Josh.

"I swear. I just have to go get Tyler, and then we'll come downstairs," Josh promised. "Jordan, take them now. I'm going to go find Ty."

"Be careful," Jordan whispered back.

Josh nodded before leaving the living room and running up the stairs. He swallowed nervously, feeling nauseous as he peeked his head into Papa's room. The old man was still asleep, and Tyler was sitting in the arm chair this time. He was reading the same book Josh had been.

"Ty," Josh whispered.

His boyfriend looked up, smiling when he saw him. He opened his mouth to speak, but Josh pressed a finger to his lips and motioned for him to follow him out of the room. Tyler set the book down uncertainly before doing as he was told. Josh took his hand, saying nothing as he hurried down the stairs. The living room was empty, and the front door was open.