Picture Perfect (A Zak Bagans Love Story). [ Editing, and on hold. ]

Tied

"Redland!" I heard Anna yell out before she was muted by a hand over her mouth. James.

"Don't worry. I'll get us out of here." I couldn't yell but I was lucky enough to even speak that.

I slowly stood up, keeping my back against the wall. I criged in pain as I had to support myself on my ankle. I limped past my dad, who surprisingly did nothing. Maybe, just maybe, he realizes he has wasted his time with me and I wasn't worth it anymore. I limped past my brother who hit me and brought me down easy. I wasn't much of a fighter at this point.

"James, stop it. Give her a minute with her niece." My dad calmly said. Calmly? For once in a million years, was he actually sober? I men, he had the dark circles under his eyes but I think he was.

" Dad, are you okay?"

"I'm fine. James, get her up and let them both go. They need to get out. Redland, get your sister and your mother on your way. Go to Lane's house for the time being. I'll get you all.."

He was cut off by a loud banging at the door. I got up, but of course, not without a dirty, evil look from my brother. I untied Anna first and took her to her room.

"Autumn, can you get the door?" I heard the creak of the door. I looked around Anna and my sister to see that same dark, muscular, handsome, and now familiar figure standing in the door.

:Autumn, take Anna over to Lane. I told him to be expecting us within the hour. He's waiting. I'll take caare of this." I picked up Anna and handed her to Autumn, who then walked out and paused in the parking lot. Waiting for me.

I stood in front of Zak now. His dark eyes looking down on me. He pulled me into a tight hug. I closed my eyes and gave in. I couldn't fight anymore. I needed someone to give me that hug that says, I know you aren't okay, but I'm here for you.

"Hey beautiful. It's been a while."

I pulled away, leaving him standing there. "I guess it is, but Zak, what are you doing here?"

"I'm here for you. I needed to get you out of here. Before you were hurt."

"Well, I've dealt with this for 25 years. It's kind of late now."

"It isn't too late.I could get you out of here. After Letchworth, I could get you out of here."

"Get me out of New York? I don't even think that's possible. And you're here, so why don' you come in?"

My dad walked into the room with my brother. They both looked horrible. Staggering. Breathing heavy. They were drunk. My dad looked up at Zak's 6'0 figure. Compred to my dad's 5'7, Zak was a big guy.

My brother began to tak his position to run at me. My dad put a warning hand in front of him. Zak took the hint and stepped in front of me. Me? I cowered behind him like a 6 year old girl would stand behind her father. I could never do that. I had to stand in front of him and face him.

My dad spoke to my brother in a low, hushed tone, making it inaudible to me.They side-stepped Zak and went into the parking lot. They stood by the girls, who looked dirty and scared.

I walked in, inviting him after me. We walked into my room. I began throwing clothes out of my closet and into 2 available duffel bags.

"You know, I would love to stay and hat but I have places to be Zak." I stopped for a moment. "Listen, the less you know, the better. Just trust me on this one."

" I wish I could Redland. And I found Lane. Your best friend? He said you would better off with me."

I looked up at him, my eyes horrified. "How did you find him? What did you do to him?!" I ran at him and hit him with everything I had, barely moving him.

"I needed someone close to you that wasn't family. When you were against that gaurdrail a little over 2 weeks ago, you mentioned a Lane. I didn't know who you were talking about but I decided to give it a try and find him."

"Fine, I'll go with you, but if I get word from Lane that my family is dead or in the process,I will have you tied up and killed. Personally, might I add." I finished up packing. I stepped around Zak, because my room could barely hold me and Anna. Much less a big guy like him.

We walked down the stairs and into the parking lot where they already when in my dad's rusty old pick-up. He and James were in the front. The girls? They were bound, hands behind their backs,in the truck bed. I ran to them, looking up to Zak.

"Please, they have to come with us. I'm not leaving without them," I pleaded.

"Red, I'll make sure everybody's fine. Lane promised. And it's time you take a break. You've been so strong for us so give someone else the chance to be strong for you." I looked ino the bed and found it was Autumn that spoke. I leaned into the bed, attempting to reach down and give her a reassuring hug before I never saw her again. I looked over to Anna, doing the same.

"Anna, you listen to me alright? I love you baby. I wish we could have had more time together and it'll be a while before we do see each other but I will always love you."

"Forever?"

"Forever," I reassured her. I turned her around and put her hair into a light braid and tied it with, what I called, my lucky ponytail holder. She fell back into the truck and the engine started and the truck rapidly pulled away. Anna was crying and I wanted to go to her and comfort her but I couldn't. I had to worry about myself now.

Zak wrapped his arm around my waist, guiding me to his car. He opened the door and helped me in. I stopped for moment, this was all too familiar. Lane. I didn't want to do this but I had to. It was my turn to fight just for myself this time. This time, I thought laughing to myself. Hopefully the last time. I hope. This was the last thought I could pull out before we screeched out of the parking lot. I looked back to our old apartment stood, looming. I never wanted to go back but so much had happened there, it was almost impossible. Well, I guess I'm done here. Time for Part 2.