Chapter 17
I’ve stayed in my room for most of today to avoid everyone. The pain meds helped, but I still feel like death. Is this what my parents felt? I hope whoever this secret admirer is keeps their word and gets me out of this house of horrors. I’m lying here deep in thought when my door swings open.
“Good. You’re up.” Claire says, hands on her hips, looking at me with disgust in her eyes.
“I’m heading into work and working a double. The boys are having a party so keep your ass in this room, understood?” She looks at me with narrowed eyes.
“I understand.” I say as she walks out, slamming my door.
The phone vibrates under my pillow. I pull it out, opening the message up.
Jo: “Lux. Babe is that you?”
Me: Jo?
Jo: Babe. It’s really you. I miss you. Where the fuck are you?
Me: It’s a long story. How did you get this number?
Jo: I had a package delivered this morning and when I opened it, there was a phone with a note that said to text this number so I could talk to you.
Me: I can’t wait to see you, Jo.
Jo: I missed you so much, babe. I thought you forgot about me.
Me: Never.
I start to cry as we text back and forth. I fill her in on everything and she is ready to come rescue me herself. Just as I’m about to send the address, a text comes through.
?: We are on the way. Hold tight, Little Light.
Me: Who’s we?
?: Don’t freak out
?: My brothers and I
Me: What the fuck do you mean?
My heart rate starts to pick up as I re-read the text.
?: Don’t panic, breathe. It’s not what you”re thinking.
Me: Attachment Received
Me: Stone?
?: Hi Babygirl
?: We will explain when we get there. Are you safe?
Me: Um. I think so.
?: Good. Stay that way. See you soon
Me: See you soon.
I exit the chat and switch over to Jo’s chat when my door swings open. I look up just as Caleb and the boys walk in.
“What do we have here? Looks like someone has been a bad, bad, girl.” Conner smiles sinisterly, walking over and snatching the phone from my hands.
“Well, well. Looks like someone needs a lesson.” Cole says with an amused smirk.
“Grab the boys, looks like we found our victim of the night.” Caleb says with a sinister smirk.
Getting up, running toward the door Conner snatches me by the hair and pulls me back. Throwing me on the bed, he punches me in the face. Blood pours from my nose as I hear Cole and their friends walk in.
“What do we have here?” Someone says.
“Get ready boys. Tonight we have to teach some manners.” Caleb laughs
“Little bitch has been hiding a phone.” Conner says, ripping the shirt from my chest.
The phone rings, and I panic. Please let whoever is calling be here. Please God don’t let this happen to me again. Caleb answers on the next set of rings.
“She can’t come to the phone. She’s a little busy.” He laughs. “You won’t make it but we will make sure to leave her nice and loose for you.” He throws the phone.
“So you have a little boyfriend. I knew you were a whore.” He walks over and punches me in the face over and over, throwing me onto the floor as he tears my clothes off. I feel a kick to the head, and my vision blurs as if I’m floating.
“I need you to hurry, man. She’s losing a lot of blood.” Atti?
“Stay with me. Don’t you fucking die on me. Open your eyes, Lux.” Cade?
I open my eyes, looking through my blood crusted eyelashes into Cade’s eyes.
“Come on, Little Light.” Little Light. I know that voice.
“Lux. Lux, baby.”
Mom?
Opening my eyes, I see I’m at home. I get out of bed and walk out, heading toward the dining room. Sitting at the table is mom. I run over and hug her.
“Mom?”
“Hi, baby.” she says, hugging me back.
“I had the worst nightmare.”
“We don’t have much time. I’m sorry for how I left.” she says, with sadness in her eyes.
“Where’s dad?” I ask, looking around, taking a seat in the chair across from her.
“Lux, not everything is as it seems. I want you to remember that.” she says, squeezing my hands.
“What do you mean? What is going on? Why did you leave me?”
“It was all set in motion from the beginning. I want you to know I tried to keep you safe.” she says.
“What does that mean?”
“It will all come out soon. I want you to promise me something.”
“Anything.” I say.
“Don’t give up. Don’t stop fighting. Find your brother.”
“Brother? What are you talking about?”
“Just promise me.”
“I promise. How will I find him, what’s his name?”
“Khalil.”
I float away, and hear the sounds of voices. I focus on what they”re saying, trying to open my eyes but they won’t budge.
“How bad is it, doc?” I know that voice.
“Bad. She has bleeding on the brain, a broken nose, ribs, wrist, fractured cheekbone, fractured jaw, a broken eye socket and a dislocated shoulder, as well as permanent hearing damage in her left ear. We had to put sixteen stitches to help fix the damage she suffered from the anal penetration and another ten stitches vaginally. She will need extensive therapy and recovery when she finally wakes up.”
“How long will she be out for, doc?”
“It’s up to her. I’m afraid. It could be hours, days, weeks, or months. The brain is sensitive and will need time to heal.” I hear the opening and closing of a door.
“Tell me what the fuck happened!” Cade? “How did you know where to go?”
“I.” I hear someone respond but I can’t make out the words as I feel myself floating off again. I hear alarms ringing but drift off.