Lost

Chapter 4

For years, I've always wondered how my life was going to end. Was it going to be from a beating that caused internal bleeding? Was it going to be from the endless amounts of torture? I guess all it took was for me to feel some semblance of happiness. As I lay on the ground feeling the all to familiar ache of a gunshot wound, I can't help but to think this is all my fault. They found me, and now they are going to kill Luke and Hunter for me being here. They don't deserve this. They were just trying to help me.

"Get her upstairs now!" I hear Hunter call out.

"Dad, you can't do this alone!"

"Just go!" Hunter yells again. Luke picks me up as he runs up the stairs.

"Doctor, get in here now!" Luke lays me on a hard bed.

"Just hang on Princess, you're going to be okay."

"She's in shock, I have to get the bullet out," Doctor Sam says as he fills a syringe and injects me with it. Numbness fills my body. I don't know what that is, but I like it. It doesn't hurt anymore. I fell asleep.

I wake up to a dull ache in my upper right shoulder. Managed by drugs, I'm assuming. It's quiet in the house. I open my eyes to see Luke in a chair with his head resting by me on the bed. I move my hand to his and gently squeeze. He starts to stir, then comes too.

"Princess."

"How long?"

"A day. How are you feeling?"

"Okay I guess. Luke, I'm so sorry. This is all my fault."

"What are you talking about?"

"They found me. And.."

"No Princess. It was a rival gang that came shooting. Not your parents. This is not your fault. It's ours. I'm sorry we couldn't protect you."

"Oh god, your dad."

"He is just fine. My brothers pulled up shortly after it all started and helped. Don't worry about that now. You need to rest." Luke takes out his phone and starts typing something. He gets a text back and nods.

"Dad has to leave town for a while, but my brothers are going to stay here with us in case something else happens."

"But...."

"No buts, just rest. I'll be back in a few minutes." He stands and walks out the door, leaving me with more questions than I had before. A few minutes later, he walks back in with 3 guys. His brothers.

"Princess, these are my brothers, Jason, Josh, and Nick." The guys all wave to me with a small smile.

"Priness?" Jason quirked.

"Shut up," Luke says.

"Someone got a crush?" Josh asks.

"Shut it." Luke says, glaring at his brothers.

"Knock it off all of you," Nick shouts. "Nina, we will be here as long as we are needed. You'll be safe from now on."

"Ya, I've heard that before." I snap. The 4 of them look at me, then back at each other. For a moment, no one spoke. The silence is deafening.

"Just go, all of you. I want to be alone," I say as I turn my head away from them. I heard the door shut and take a deep breath.

"One nightmare after another. I guess I don't belong anywhere," I think to myself. After a while, I force myself up so I can shower, change, and get something to eat and drink. I am so thirsty and hungry at this point, I would be okay with that bread and water I packed when I left my parents house.

Showered and changed, I headed downstairs and saw the mess the bullets caused. I try and ignore it as I walk to the kitchen to get food and a drink. There, standing at the counter drinking a cup of coffee was Nick. The oldest from what I can tell.

"Hey Nina, listen, about earlier."

"It's okay, I'm sorry for snapping the way I did."

"You don't need to apologize, after all you've been through, it's no wonder you didn't snap before."

"Does everyone know?"

"Yes, dad filled us in before we got here. That's why we were already on our way. Dad wanted us here to ensure your family never found you."

"I see. Well, thanks, I guess."

With a small smile and a curt nod, Nick walks out of the kitchen. I started searching for a cup, for some water and root through the fridge for something to eat. I make myself a sandwich that I only end up eating about half of, then make my way out of the kitchen to look around. If I'm here I might as well get the lay of the land. Walking around, I see a set of doors that leads out to the patio. I walk that way and hear Luke talking. I peak out a little and see he's on the phone.

"Dad, I just don't think it's safe for her. She's already been through enough. I want to take her to the safe house...... Yes sir, Sounds good........ Bye." He turns and spots me.

"Hey Princess."

"Again with the nickname?"

"Of course."

"So when are we leaving?"

"In an hour. I just want to make sure you're safe and nothing else happens to you."

"I understand."

"Lucy, the maid, is already packing our things."

"Okay. Where are we going?"

"Down south. We have a safe house in Texas. No one will find us there."

As we go back in to make sure our things are together, I can't help but think this is going to be another disaster. That's all my life has been. One thing after another. We say goodbye to his brother and head out the front door, and into the familiar black truck. Before we set off on our way, we stop for fuel and Luke stocks up on snacks and drinks. Enough for four days. I guess it's going to be a long journey.

A few days later and we were just about to our destination. Nothing to do on the road except talk. Luke and I shared our life stories with each other. The good, the bad, and the ugly, and everything in between. We have grown closer, I guess, the further we went. Luke comes from a good family, but a family formed from his great-grandfather in the gang life. But not your typical gang. They don't launder money, or sell guns or drugs, they buy up land all across the country so they can utilize the land for profits. And I guess rival families have a problem with that, hence the shooting. Luke also knows about how my parents treated me. He asked at one point why no one heard anything and came to help. I told him I had no idea. His theory is that my basement, where all the beatings and torture happened, was soundproof. I guess that makes sense. He wondered why no one ever knew about me. I explained I was an only child and homeschooled. Even though I was never allowed to leave the house, my parents said they didn't want to talk to an i***t, so I had to be at least a little educated to even be in the same room as them.

Another day's drive, and we finally arrive at the safe house. There is a huge stone fence surrounding the property. Inside the fence was a decent-sized 4-bedroom house. It was bare but it had potential. There was also a panic room built into the walls of the master bedroom, so if someone does find us, security cameras on every corner of the house and armed guards meet us. This place is a fortress. Maybe I will be safe this time. But I've learned long ago not to get my hopes up. I don't know what's waiting for me, or for Luke, but one thing I know for sure: I'm keeping my guard up.