And She Was Caught (Completed)

Chapter 19

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Jack parked his cruiser outside the barn and immediately saw his mother and Paige standing from the porch. He had called three days ago to let them know Vanessa and him were coming to Willacy.

Joshua had talked to him at day four, asked him to help bring Vanessa back. It was because the psychologist who looked after Vanessa, who was also a friend of Melissa told them that she was way inside her head. And it was up to them to break down the walls she had built around her mind to protect herself. Mel had tried, Joshua did, he did and fucking Alexis did but no one broke into those walls.

It would take time, the psychologist had said but time was a luxury. They couldn't let it go on because she might never come back. So they were going to step their play up.

Bringing her to a place she thought was safe would help, she needed to feel safe and she should stop feeling scared. They needed to help her go through it.

And Vanessa felt Willacy was home once. She felt safe here once in her life before it was taken away from her. They didn't know what else to do but try bringing her here.

So Joshua had begged him to give this to Vanessa. Give Vanessa her home back.

So here they were.

Vanessa stared blankly ahead and didn't even move even when he squeezed her hand that he never let go even when driving.

"We're here," he told her, gave her hand another squeeze before he stepped out from the car, rounded it, unbuckled the seatbelt and helped Vanessa out from her side.

Both Paige and his mother were jogging towards them and when they met, it was Paige whom took Vanessa into a tight embrace.

When she stepped back, Paige studied the blank expression from Vanessa's face and flinched visibly. "Welcome home, Nessa."

At that, Vanessa met her gaze and instantly, tears filled Paige's eyes. "You're home," she said through her tears and stepped away to give her mother a leeway so Hilda could hug Vanessa.

Hilda cupped her face, with eyes soft, a smile formed in her lips. "Welcome home, darling."

Vanessa's face jerked from Hilda's hand and it fell on her side as they all stared at Vanessa from mild surprise. Vanessa took a step away from them and her eyes slowly took notice of the place she was in.

Then she recognized it.

Vanessa took another step away but Jack was already behind her, his hand at the small of her back.

"It's okay sweetheart, you're safe. We're here." Jack murmured in her ears and he felt it when Vanessa took a shuddering breath.

Hilda's eyes shot to him and Jack saw the sadness seeping inside. Sadness for what happened to Vanessa. "Let's go inside, I prepared food for you. You must be famished from the long way you traveled."

***

Jack was pulling a long drink from his beer when his mother joined him at the porch, leaning over the railing. It was late and Jack thought everyone had already gone to sleep.

"Ma,"

"How are you doing?" She asked softly and Jack sucked a breath before he answered.

"Good,"

Hilda turned her body to face him and he felt her gaze at the side of his face, "She's going to be okay,"

"She will be." Jack affirmed but Hilda continued as if he hadn't spoke.