Roxy

chapter 3: promise me[edited]

I find myself waking up on a chair beside mom's hospital bed, I didn't even know when I fell asleep. I look up and find mom staring at nothing, she must be lost in her thoughts.

"Mom," no answer.

"Mom" still no answer. I sigh, stand up and walk around the room. My eyes fall on Ronan who is sleeping in a very awkward angle on the couch.

His head is dangling from the side of the couch, one of his arms is behind him while the other is also dangling off the side. Aww, and his mouth is wide open. I love this kid so much.

Smiling at the scene, I walk up to him, adjust his body in a more comfortable position. I didn't even know while adjusting him the fifteen-year-old found a way to hug me. I find myself chuckling at his adorableness, I get out of his grip. Looking back at the bed to see mom is not in it. She's looking out the window now. She's acting so strange, what is she thinking?

I am about to walk out the door when mom finally decides to speak, her voice is calm yet void. "promise me, Roxy. Promise you'll make sure you and your siblings are safe." Her question took me by surprise, but I answer her nevertheless.

"That's a promise I made a long time ago," I inform her before leaving the room. I am not sure, but I think I heard a silent thank you.

What was that about?

†††††††

Dad came to us later this afternoon. Turns out, everyone had left the hospital last night. The doctor said we can take Raelynn back home. But we must make sure to bring her back in a month's time for a checkup.

Dad didn't say anything to me while we were in the car. Not like I expected him to anyway. Once we got back home, I quickly go up to my room. I just needed to be alone.

•

My eye lids fly open as a scream pierces through my ears. Immediately, I jump to my feet and rush out of the room.

What happened?

Who screamed?

Is Raelynn okay?

Where is everyone?!

My thoughts are disrupted as a hand clamps over my mouth and nose and drags me into a room. Just as I am about to pull out my pocket knife, which I've been taught to always keep around in case of situations like these, I am met with my mother's caring eyes. The hand disappears from my face, my attacker steps forward and I see it's none other than Ronan.

I nearly stabbed my little brother? But what is going on?

My eyes fall on the rest of my siblings who are all hiding under the bed. As I turn my attention back to mom, she quickly places Raelynn in my arms.

"Mom, what's going on?" My siblings are all shaking, they're terrified. My blood slowly starts to boil, I hate seeing them like this.

Mom is about to respond when gunshots are heard from downstairs. My arms unconsciously tightened themselves around Raelynn, bringing her closer to my chest.

Are we under attack?

"Remember your promise to me Roxy," mom says in a very serious tone.

"What?"

"The mafia that your dad handles drugs with are here. They refuse to pay your dad when he rose the price. But the truth is...." The gunshots got louder, but my eyes did not leave mom's as tears welled up in her eyes.

"Roxanna, listen to me carefully, you're going to have to go to Singapore. But first, I want you to go to your uncle's. Tell him to take you and your siblings, to meet this guy." She hands me a photo but I barely have the time to glance at it as she continues. "His name is James, once you're with him, he'll help you with whatever it is you need."