37|| Rescue

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"Taliah! Come here. Come out and play" Nigel yelled.

He had just scared me with a knife. He put it to my arm and drug it from my elbow to my bicep and told me what a disappointment I was.

He said Mom should have stayed and I should have died instead.

I wish he was wrong but I agree with him so much. I hate that I agree with him.

I hate that I'm alive and Mom is dead.

I just wish I could go with her. I don't want to be here anymore.

Not here with Nigel suffering for the rest of my life.

That was my mindset before I tried to run away.

Nigel found me and beat me til I'm black and blue.

I guess I just got what I deserved.

••••

Thirty-four sheep

Thirty-five sheep

Thirty-six sheep

Thirty-seven she-

Okay, this isn't working.

I've been counting sheep for what feels like forever.

I can't sleep because I'm scared I'll have another nightmare about Nigel.

Hehe Nigel is like the ugly white bird from Rio.

But that's not the point. Making fun of my trauma won't help me.

I sigh and get out of my bed to walk to Ace's room.

I slowly open his door and see him sleeping soundly.

I get on the opposite side of his bed and start to climb into it.

Until my foot kicked something hard.

"Ouch," I whispered loudly.

I get on my knees and start to feel under Ace's bed.

I grip something cold, almost like metal.

I pull it out and the light from the moon allows me to see it's a gun.

A gun.

Omg, it's a gun!

I quickly slide it back under his bed and run back to my room.

Why would Ace have a gun?

Is he a robber? No, he's rich already.

Does he... kill people?

No that's crazy Ace wouldn't kill anyone.

Well, maybe Matt but other than that he would kill anyone.

Is this why they don't tell me about their work?

Are they going to hurt me?

I can't breathe.

I gasp air but it won't go to my lungs.

I'm clawing at my throat desperately needing air.

I need someone.

I need River.

I quickly open my phone and tap his number.

It rings for a few seconds.

"Hello? Love it's 1 in the morning, why are you calling?" He asked raspily.

"I-I Please come g-get me." I cried and whispered.

"Give me five minutes okay? I'll be there." He responded.

Five minutes later I'm in rivers car in one of his good-smelling hoodies, holding his hand, and questioning my existence.

Nobody talks as we drive to his house.

It's just as quiet and dark as my mind.

We reach his home, it's a two-story very beautiful.

It's deserted and gated just like my home.

He gets out the car and opens my door without me realizing.

He takes my hand and leads me to the front door.

We walk up the stairs and into a big room that engulfs me with warmth.

He sits on the bed and I make my way to sit next to him but he quickly pulls me into his lap.

"What's wrong Taliah?" He asked concerned.

I break down in tears. What's wrong with me? Why can't I be normal?

"Love, what's wrong? Tell me so I can make it better." He said almost like he was begging me.

"I- I can't I- I'm scared," I whispered.

River didn't reply he just hugged me tighter as I gripped his shirt and cried into his chest.

He rubbed my back and kissed my head trying to comfort me in the best way possible.

He laid down with me on the bed and hugged me tightly.

"Dormi amore mio" he whispered.

And eventually, I fell asleep.

••••

The next morning I woke up to the sun shining on my face.

The spot next to me was still warm and had a dip indicating another person was just there.

I remember everything from last night.

The gun.

River picking me up.

Me falling asleep in his arms.

I sit up and rub the sleep out of my eyes.

I smooth my hair down as best as I can with my hands and get out the bed.

I walk out the door and hit my toe on something hard.

Please don't be another gun.

It was a shoe.

Attached to someone's foot.

I look up to see a little boy around 12 years old.

"Who are you?" He raises his eyebrow.

"Uhh, I'm a friend of Rivers." I smiled lightly.

His eyes roamed my body and he smirked.

"Yeah, a friend." He chuckled.

He went down the stairs and I followed him hoping to find River.

And I did.

River was at the stove cooking something that smelt absolutely delicious.

His back muscles tensed a little when the little boy smacked his back.

"Put some clothes on would ya?! The girl you have here is pretty. Don't scare her away with ur bareback and ugly face." The boy yelled at River.

"Shut up Leo," River grumbled.

The boy name Leo came towards me and stuck out his hand.

"Leonardo, Leonardo Black. But you can call me  Yours." He winked.

I let out a booming laugh but shook his hand nonetheless.

"I'm Taliah. It's nice to meet you." I continued to chuckle.

He raised my hand and kissed the back of it.

"Your eyes are beautiful I bet we'd have cute kids." He smiled and winked again while dropping my hand.

"Uhh." I smiled and looked at River.

He stepped forward and placed his hand on Leo's head while pushing it back.

Leo stumbled and glared at the back of Rivers' head.

He apologized for Leo's behavior and told me to sit at the table.

Leo sat down next to me and placed his head on my shoulder.

"So, where did Riv find you? And you have a twin sister?" He asked.

"Well, we met at school. And I don't have any sisters." I smiled.

"Ahh, that's too bad. Can you carry me back to my room?" He asked as he put his arms above his head.

"Leo goes away, and Taliah ignores him. He'll drive you crazy." River said from the kitchen.

Leo rolled his eyes and went to his room while sticking his tongue out at Rivers's back.

The River can to the table with piles of pancakes, eggs, and bacon on a huge platter.

"How are you Taliah?" He asked while looking at me.

I avoided his gaze and bounced my leg.

"I'm fine," I whispered.

He stood up from his chair and lifted my head with his hand.

"Don't lie to me, sweetheart." He commanded.

"I'm fine, I promise," I said while looking into his eyes.

We ate in silence until I realized I left home at 1 am.

"Oh gosh." I trembled.

"What's wrong?" River asked.

"Oh gosh, oh gosh, oh gosh. My brothers, they're gonna kill me. Please take me home." I begged.

"Calm down. Put ur shoes on take my hoodie off and let's go." He said.

I nodded my head and took his hoodie off.

"Gosh, Taliah the things you do to me," River whispered.

"Huh?" I asked confused.

"Nothing sweetheart, put on our slippers." He said.

I went to the front door and looked down to see I was in a pair of shorts and a small tank top.

I shrugged it off and put my shoes on and went to Rivers car.

He was right behind me he in the car and started it up.

I was home within a few minutes. He parked a bit away from the gate so my brothers wouldn't see.

"Thank you, River so much. You are the best friend I could ever ask for." I kissed his cheek and hopped out of the car.

I started walking away until I felt arms wrap around my waist.

I immediately knew it was River from the cologne he wore.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and he lifted me off the ground.

His head was buried in my neck and my arms tightened around him.

"Take care of yourself yeah? Make sure to get a good night's sleep too." He explained.

I nodded and kissed his cheek one more time. "I will, and I'll text you later. You know if my brothers don't kill me." I laughed lightly.

We both let go of each other and I walked through the side gate going to the garage.

I ears talking in the kitchen so I knew I had to hurry.

I walked through and ran up to my room to put on Nike shorts and a plain black shirt.

I sprayed my perfume on and wet my hair and face.

I ran to the gym and immediately walked out to the kitchen.

"There you are! I told you she'd be in the gym!" Matteo yelled

I sat down between Matteo and Vincent.

"Hey, why won't you sit next to me?" Ace whined.

My heart started beating out of my chest.

"Uhh just wanted to try something new I guess" I responded nervously.

I need to talk to Roman.

I bet he wouldn't let anyone have firearms in the house.

"Actually I'm gonna walk around for a bit," I said as I got off and sprinted down the hall.

I went into Romans' office and saw him putting something in the drawer.

"What was that?" I asked nervously.

"Nothing." He grumbled.

I ran to the draw and open it quicker than I expected.

Inside was another gun.

Oh no.

In a second I felt lightheaded and fell to the ground.

Hiiiii! My apologies if I have any mistakes in this chapter. I hope you liked it! QOTD: What if ur favorite homemade food? Me? Mac and cheese! Don't forget to VCF! Xoxo

Mya❤️