Fragile Fire

Chapter 5

Sitting in the group home main room I have a lot to think about. Who could ever care about a girl whose been charged with her families murders? Who could ever forgive me?

"Nessa," Lucy says, "you have a visitor."

"Okay?" I ask confused. Lucy has been there for me throughout this whole process. She was there for me when Detective Greenspan first talked to me. When Kaiden came back. Everything.

"V?" I turn around to see him. He's gotten taller since I saw him last. His hair is longer and he's gotten more muscular. Probably all the working out. I roll my eyes, turning back around.

"What do you want, Archer?" I demand.

"I came to see how you're doing. If you're going to be an ass, I can leave." He states starting to leave.

"Wait," I whisper, "I don't want to be alone." Wrapping my arms around my knees I begin to cry. He rushes in front of me and wraps his arms around me.

"Hey," he whispers, "as long as I'm alive you'll never be alone."

~ 10 years ago ~

"Nessa. Nessa. Lochnessa." They taunt me. Archer once again standing with them. He always does.

"Archer!" I beat Kaiden yell and walks to his twin, whispering something into his ear. "Come one Nes," he whispers to me and wraps my shoulders with his jacket. As we walk away I turn my head to see Archer looking at me.

- later -

"Lochy!" I turn around to see one of Archers minions walking towards me.

"What do you want Reid?"

"You," he states, "one of your 'protectors' claims you have a killer body." Looking me up and down I cover myself.

"One of?" Thats not possible. I break out of my trance when I hear his boots against the floor. "Leave me alone," I whisper trembling.

"What was that sweet pea?" He says using that disgusting nickname.

"I said, leave me alone" he pushes me against the wall and hits me.

"I'm not a fan of this newfound additude pea," he sneers.

"Reid!" I look over his shoulder to see Archer. "Get the hell away from her."

"Archer," he states holding me still, "man. I was just seeing how my sweet pea was doing." He says caressing my cheeks. I look at Archers fists to see them turning white.

"Who sent you?" He demands.

"Who do you think?" He snickers and I hear Archer growl.

"Go," he states, "I swear to God if I see you near her again I will kill you myself." Reid rolls his eyes and pushes me into Archers arms. Archer wraps his arms around me protectively and I grasp onto his shirt, feeling tense and relax. "How long has this been going on?" He asks.

"3 years," I whisper and I feel his arms tighten.

"Fuck," he whispers, so quietly that I can barely hear it. Leaning down he presses his lips to my forehead and whispers, "I swear that as long as I'm here no one will ever harm you again."

~ present ~

"Where have you been Archer?" I ask wiping away my tears. His blue eyes glaze over and he looks down at our intertwined hands.

"I've been getting my shit together," he admits.

"That's good." That's when I notice his thumb rubbing my wrist through my gloves.

"What the hell happened, V?" He asks and I look up.

"My family is dead,"

"I know that, I mean why is Kaiden in town?

"Your dad is the lead detective on my families case and I'm being charged." I admit and his thumb stops.

"V"

"I swear I didn't do it," I plead with him and he, reluctantly, nods.

"Who then?"

"I don't know. However I'm pretty sure I'm being framed," he releases my hand and grabs his phone, "who are you calling?" I ask reaching for his phone.

"Hello? Hi. Yes. This is Archer. Remember that favor you owe me?" He says looking me dead in the eyes.