Retribution

Chapter Fifteen

Tina was reading a book when Nate burst into the living room, making Tina jump out of her skin.

"We've got some news about the school," Nate told her in a dark tone.

This make Tina frightened. "What about the school?

"They're in deep trouble. Something about a gang. That's all I know."

"Felicia...Reyna..." She was extremely worried for the both of them. Nate placed a hand on her shoulder reassuringly.

"I'll be back. I'm going to the school. I have to go."

Tina hesitated. "Then I'm coming with you."

"Are you crazy? You're going to get killed!"

"I'm coming with you whether you like it or not!"

Nate thought for a moment, then finally caved. "I'll get the car ready."

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I lay on the floor, not moving a muscle, for fear of my father's fiery rage. I knew if I were to ever freak out in the slightest bit, he would slice my throat in a millisecond. I didn't fear Death itself, but I was more afraid of losing the ones I loved and cared about more than my dad. When he was seconds away from killing Vanessa, he had found my weakness. And now he was going to find ways to slowly dissect me like those dead frogs in Biology. If matters ever got worse, he might even dissect me literally.

I didn't feel the pain in my arm and my head no longer, but the pain of guilt. My little brother's death wasn't my doing, but I could have done something to stop it. Only my mom and I knew that he wasn't going to be a healthy baby, let alone live to walk for the first time. My mom had to do something about it, but I could have let the baby have a chance to live. Hell, we even named the damn child.

I also felt a pinch of betrayal when Vanessa called my father "Boss." The reality of Dad being the League's new leader hurt more than the physical torture I've endured from him all those years. I wasn't inclined to fight back. I had to accept what was going to happen to me. It was all over.

"I'll be back," the growling voice of my dad grumbled, "Make sure she doesn't get away. You can do whatever the fuck you want with her otherwise."

"Yes sir," Vanessa mumbled shakily.

After a rough nudge with his boot to see if I was still alive, he left with a loud door slam. Someone in the back of me was loosening the ropes from my wrists. The chair was pushed aside, letting me slowly roll onto my back. Vanessa ripped a small part of her jacket and ordered me to apply pressure to my incision to stop the bleeding.

"I'll get a wet paper towel from the bathroom," she told me.

Now the pain of my wounds were returning. I felt like I had lost a lot of blood since the encounter with my dad. The cut was pretty deep, and I might have dripped some on the floor. The small red puddle next to my head proved my theory.

I heard the door open, followed by footsteps. A cold and wet paper-like material was rubbing itself against my face.

"This might hurt a little," a voice instructed.

Vanessa had found the gash from the butt of the girl's gun earlier, and she nailed the spot. Since I had forgotten about the injury, I flinched in pain.

"Sorry," she muttered. I was too exhausted to respond.

Vanessa proceeded to wipe any extra blood from the rest of my face and neck, then told me to remove the little patch of cloth from my arm, which what used to be a light gray, was now crimson red. She disposed of the cloth and gently wiped the spot down.

"I grabbed some bandages and gauze from the nurse's office," she informed me as she was dressing the cut. I felt a slight wave of relief, but a tidal wave of soreness.

"I don't think you'll be able to move that arm for a while."

I couldn't agree more. I was a lefty, anyway.

I guess my father left a swift cut in my left thigh. It was small because he did it quick and didn't hurt as much, but Vanessa took care of the wound anyway. I wanted to thank her for her kindness, yet the uncomfortableness of my injuries prevented me to speak. It was then that I heard a faint whining noise with the combination of car engines and loud speakers.

"They're going to fight back," Vanessa whispered, "The police are nothing compared to the League."

For a second I thought she was bloating, but the way she treated me told me otherwise. Unfortunately, she was right. The League was too powerful for the local police. They would have to call in stronger forces, if need be. My panic suddenly grabbed me by surprise when Nate came into the picture. He's going to get killed.

"Vanessa," I spoke for the first time, "my husband."

"He's a cop?"

I nodded.

"There's no hope. They're going to take him down."

"If I could just..."

"Once you get in, there's no way out. I'm sorry." The sadness in her eyes made my heart heavy. We just had to wait it out, I suppose.

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Tina rode in the passenger's seat of Nate's police car. As they arrived at the school, they weren't the first ones to arrive. The school was barricaded with cars all over the place, decorated with the yellow tape and saw horses. Some of the cops used their cars as a fortress to shoot any gang members.

"Stay in the car," Nate commanded Tina, "I'm going in."

"Then I'm coming with you," Tina replied defiantly.

"I told you to--"

"Nate! My daughter and your daughter are in there! They could die for all I know! I want to see them now! Don't you understand?!"

"I know but--"

"Do you want to return with the news that our children are dead? Do you?"

"Tina, please--"

"Let me go with you for God's sake!"

Nate was appalled by Tina's behavior, but he still didn't open the door for her. He turned around, got his gun ready, and entered the school.

But that didn't stop Tina for a minute.

She hastily got out of the car and marched right up to the guard who was positioned by the front doors of the school.

"Sorry, ma'am," he said, "You can't go inside. It's extremely dangerous."

"Excuse you!" Tina scoffed, "But my daughter and my granddaughter are inside and I'd like to check up on them."

"Now's not the time."

"Out of my way!" Tina shoved the cop aside and entered the building.

Once inside, Tina got a sudden sense of dread. The place was dark and ominous and there were some blood stains on the wall. Despite her fear, she crept forward.

A voice boomed from the shadows, making every hair on Tina's body stand straight up.

"Tina, my dear. It's been a long time, hasn't it?"