SPLIT

Chapter 20

*Charlie's POV *

When I clocked out for the night , I went straight to the tunnel. I didn't go home , I didn't clean up. I had to get her back here before her mom grew more suspicious. I had no plan going into this. The whole way to the other side I've thought about how to convince her to leave a place that is obviously giving her a better a life.

Why would she leave that ?

I've thought about telling her how worried her mom is , maybe she'd come back for her. I knew she didn't come for me , but maybe she would if she knew how her mom was without her.

Fixated on that strategy , I make the last turn before hearing her voice call out to me. Was this a dream ? A trick ? I didn't understand why she  would be calling for me. But I had to get there even if it was just some silly joke.

I ran towards the exit, taking a deep breath before falling into that stupid pool again while I climbed out .

And what I saw wasn't such a silly joke after all.

She was just laying there unconscious on the grass while he was on top of her. I didn't care what was happening cause all I saw was red while I tackled him to the ground throwing punches left and right.

"Street rat , you back?" He said amused while spitting blood to the side. My fist collided with his face a couple more times as I could see he was trying to get into my head.

"She's a good kisser , you know that ?"

Punch.

"Oh you never kissed her did you ? What a shame."

Punch.

With each sentence he mustered out , I threw a punch harder and faster than before .

"You're such a loser." He said while my hands moved down to his neck. He choked out a laugh before another guy pulled me off of him. I thought I was going crazy when I saw double but at this point I didn't care.

I threw a punch sending him down too as I watched Linus cough blood at the side of me. These preppy's had no idea who they were dealing with.

"You've got some fight in you street rat. Too bad it'll do you no good." He said while he launched at me as I ducked sending him flying across me.

I placed my hands on the other one's throat as he choked out ;"this was never my plan."

"You're full of it ! Do I look stupid to you !?" I yelled seeing him gasp for air.

"I'm... not... Linus..." he said while I let him fall to the ground coughing.

"Then who the heck are you ?" I said while I watched him catch his breath.

"All you need to know is , that's Linus over there. You can take her. I won't tell. " he said motioning to an unconscious Linus lying on the ground as I lifted my brow at him.

"Why would I trust you after everything you two did to her ?"

"You don't. But I'm willing to let her go. She's no fun anyway." He said while I walked over to him, knocking him out with one punch to the head as I ran over to her.

"Vera? Vera , it's me. Wake up. " I said lifting her head unto my lap.

She was out cold.

Placing my head to her chest I hear her heart beat slowly.  I had to get her out of here. I picked her up in my arms as I carried her back through the tunnels, siliently praying the whole way there that she was okay.

How did it get to this ?

I made the smart decision to take her home , no matter what my consequence would be for leaving her in that place.

"Charlie, what happend here ?" Mrs Hood said growing upset while I placed Vera on the floor.

"I'll tell you everything. But first help me,  Please Mrs Hood. I beg of you." I pleaded while I watched her mom clean all the cuts and bruises on her perfect little face while I told her the whole story.

"You're lucky you brought her to me." She said still upset with me for what I let happen to her daughter. I get it. She's a mother. Any mother would act this way, It's normal.

"I can't tell you how sorry I am. I should've never left her behind. "

"You're right. You shouldn't have. Infact you never should've left this place in the first place!" I lowered my head in shame as I heard her lower her voice , putting her hand on mine "but you're kids. And I get it. If I had a way out of here I would've taken it too. I'm just glad she's home now and okay."

"So she's going to be fine ?" I said glancing over at her sleeping form.

"We'll see in the morning but for now, go home Charlie." She said while I could see in her eyes that she was hurting. But then I guess she must've seen in my eyes I was just as hurt.

"I can't leave her again. Please understand. I want to be here when she wakes up." I said while she let out a sigh , "of course. I'll get you a blanket." She said before getting up as I sat down next to Vera.

She looked so calm and peaceful. I wondered how long this was going on for. Were they always like this towards her ? What would've happened if I hadn't showed up ? If Mrs Hood wasn't worried and I didn't check up on her?

Maybe I would've never seen her again...

I guess only time will tell.

That's it ! What did you think !? Predictable? Let me know in the comment section below. Thank you so much for reading. Until next time keep howling my wolves 🐺❤