Cannibalistic (Book Two of A Bloodline's Saga)

The Second Hardest Goodbye

You dance a deep waltz

A morbid dance class

Your scars as trophies

That I count one day all cure

Celeste

"Ida can you come with me for a second?" Liam questions when my door opens and I'm greeted with a calm gunmetal blue stare though there's something clearly annoying him behind his gaze.

"Okay." I grumble but my mind's conjuring up a million things and places right now where he could be possibly taking me.

Am I meeting Max finally or is his son here to pick me up? Either way I don't have long until Max is broken out of wherever he is and I'm placed in front of him.

"I thought I'd take you and your friends out for some fresh air." he explains on our way to where I assume they are, my gut telling me that there might be something horrific waiting for me behind the door we're about to exit, yet there isn't and I'm met with beautiful warm air for the first time in ages when I recall the cold nights I've currently had.

Scanning around the backyard and finding my friends in a group pressed tightly together with their backs turned to me, my eyes catches a glimpse of Dalton's on me and witness as they all turn around to greet me with watery stares and smiles.

"Now Liam and I are going to be just there so no use in even planning on escaping." Shaun explains while pointing to a small glass round table and two metal black chairs to go with it on either side near the back door.

Ignoring him and waiting for him to leave, the girls and I can no longer contain our tears when we're gripping tightly onto one another, no words shared for the moment as we embrace and indulge in each other's company like it's been years since we last did.

"Ida we know why we're here and to be honest, we aren't angry at you for it, only Liam considering he was the cunt to do this to us." Mitch starts off after giving me a bone crushing hug.

"So it means we don't have long to plan our escape." Blair adds in though her voice isn't even above a whisper, my eyes taking in her new as well as recovering bruises along with the others that sport them that're currently circle around me, my brain thinking who exactly delivered the beatings and what for.

"There is no point and we know it. Besides I wouldn't want to help me either, turns out my father was a cannibal before he met my Mum and I'm worried that he still might be and is hiding it from my Mum. I mean Shaun-"

"Are you kidding? Get that fucktard out of your head for starters and listen to me! If your Dad was even remotely into that s**t like you say he is, then he wouldn't have did what he did to get away from Alistair and Ashley!" Ankara hisses which takes us all by surprise, mainly me considering I didn't know exactly how much they knew about my parent's lives.

How drunk was I? I can't exactly remember what I f*****g told them!

"She's right Ida; your parents lied to you for a reason because it was a part of their life they didn't want you knowing as well as reliving. Remember parents lie for shitty reasons we think at the time, but when time goes on we discover why they did what they did and forgive them in our own f****d up way." Amelia adds in a soft tone with a reassuring hand on my knee, the girl rubbing her thumb over the material of my jeans before Beau's bringing up a new topic involving us escaping again.

"Yes but we don't know when this Max character and his son will be here to come and collect us, so we either start planning now or pray for a mirac-"

"Yes Beau as good as that sounds but remember they have their handguns? Not just that there're nine of us and one car, there's no way we'll be able to get out of here even if we do manage to disarm them and make our escape." Ankara cuts across Beau who's rolling his eyes at the fact that not only does he want to leave this place, but he's pissed that he let Liam get into his friend group the way he did.

"f**k that cunt!" Noah snarls while running a frustrated hand through his hair and down his face when the first action doesn't supress his anger enough.

"Look if we just focus on getting the guns from them I'm sure those who can fit in the car will go and send for help while the group forced to trek on foot until they find a vehicle, will be given the guns to protect themselves. See we already have a draft plan for our breakout, we just have to-"

"Alright inside time!" Shaun calls from the small table and chairs whilst he and Liam now make their way to the backdoor, cutting Mitch off on his brilliant plan and hoping that he also comes up with the second part on how we can disarm these f***s.

"We'll talk more about it later, right now act normal." I murmur prior to making our way single file to the backdoor and ushered into the living room.

It's as bare as the room I'm in, no TV yet a couch and coffee table, the ceiling also marked with water patches turning a sickly black and I'm automatically thinking black mould is growing on my lungs.

"Tomorrow people will be coming to relieve me of you all apart from Ida for the time being, that and I'll be grabbing Aiden and Victoria's daughter Hanna. Once I have her hopefully she will be able to tell me some names that might save her life." Shaun starts off once we're all gathered in the living room.

"Alright that's all I wanted to say, let's get you guys back to your rooms so I can get lunch started." Shaun announces with a clap of his hands and I'm almost confused as to why he bothered to drag us into the living room.

With my stomach churning at the fact that this girl Hanna is also paying the price for her parents slaughter over eighteen years ago, I try and remember the faces of Victoria and Aiden and find that it's pretty near impossible to remember let alone imagine what this girl could look like.

That and tomorrow is pretty much my last day with my bestfriends until they're either taken from my sight or killed in front of me like the savages their parents were, the ones my parents helped killed and now my friends and I are paying the price for it.

Another thought though to add to my ever growing pile of curiosity, why am I being separated from the others? Is it because I'm on Max's high priority list meaning I'm there on Shaun's until he's relieved when he hands me over.

Letting those thoughts plague my mind for a bit up until I find myself passing out, I wonder what's for dinner and if I'll be having it jammed down my throat again.

But it doesn't take long for the tears to fall at the fact that our escape plan will surely not work and that our time is well and truly up.

                                                                                                        *

Waking up to my door bursting open, I find that I slept through lunch and dinner and that I'm being forced to follow Shaun out and into the living room at what looks to be around seven in the morning.

Finding all of my friends puffy eyed and crying, I wonder instantly what's going on until the dreaded news of them leaving today hits me and I instantly recall yesterday's conversation with Shaun after I was allowed outside with them.

"Yes Lucinda and her husband David will be coming soon, not to mention Brett and his wife Jackie, Colin as well as his wife Lizz and Pamela and her husband Harry. Oh and Max's son Nate and his wife Miranda though we aren't too sure if they're coming with Max being where he is and all that." Shaun explains while flapping his wrists around nonchalantly as he explains Nate's situation like it bores him.

"So what, I get time to say goodbye to them or?" I leave and wait for him to fill it in with the answer.

"Yes but you don't have long, now Liam and I won't be far but close enough to hear what you have to say." he warns when Liam comes into the room with an expression that reads he needs to tell Shaun something. 

"Alright, I'll leave you to it." Shaun finishes then disappears out of the room with Liam, my tears automatic as I think about my friends and their possible fate.

"I don't want you to go, I don't want you to die! We didn't even get a f*****g chance to carry out our plan!" I sob to those surrounding me, their faces and eyes telling me that they have somehow weirdly came to terms with the fact that they're going to die soon, though mine reads I'm clearly not ready yet.

"I know Ida, but if this is what fate has in store for us than so be it, there's nothing we can do and it will only make it worse for us if we tried to escape. We love you Ida and never forget that, even if you think we aren't around." Esther starts off once the hugging and crying is all over for now, the guys and others nodding to her words when I can't seem to accept what she's saying and what they're agreeing to.

"It can't just end like this!" I sob with supportive arms around me, the front door opening and an influx of voices accompanying as Blair goes to open her mouth.

"Time's up they're here." Liam announces whilst he enters the living room, all eyes of those who used to be his friends landing on him and he doesn't even flinch once.

"You know, you could have just taken me and left these guys out of it!" I spit at Liam when Shaun comes waltzing in along with two new comers.

"Everyone let me introduce you to Carl and Maggie's son Brett and his wife Jackie." Shaun declares once we're all silent and peering up at the poshly dressed people scanning the living room in disgust.

Carl's a handsome bloke regardless if he's about to be taking some of my friends away, his hair a coffee colour cut short but enough so he's able to style it, palish tattooless skin and hazel eyes.

Dressed in a suit like the rest of the males here, he makes room for his wife Jackie so she is able to get a better look at those she and her husband might take back with them today.

She's as pretty as ever meaning that there's obviously a screw loose in her head if she's associating herself with guys like Brett, her hair crazily long though a deep mocha shade, cognac s***h russet eyes and tannish skin.

Revealing more of her tannish skin thanks to the skimpy yet elegant dress she's wearing, I avoid looking at the boob trying not to spill out into the middle thanks to the large gap that's been cut out to reveal a little of her stomach as well as an ample amount of bare chest, her fire engine red strappy heels almost a similar shade to the dress and a dash of light makeup.

"Yes it's always nice to see you Shaun." Brett states a little too stiffly considering he's more interested in what's standing before him. 

"Where are the others?" Liam asks when I too notice that everyone isn't here yet.

"They shouldn't be too-" a knock on the door cuts Jackie off mid-sentence, Liam opening the door and revealing another couple.

"Ah Lizz and Colin! Everyone this is Mike and Rhonda's son Colin and his wife as you all heard Lizz." Shaun announces with a beaming smile as he shakes both hands of the new comers.

"And you say you haven't found the others who escaped with Luke and Emily?" Lizz questions after a quick conversation with Brett and Jackie, her long espresso hair parted down the middle though tied up in a fancy looking ponytail, light olive skin and cinnamon orbs.

"No Lizz not yet, it's only Ida at the moment." Shaun goes on once I'm done scanning Colin's henna locks cut short with a slight fringe of some type, baby blue eyes and sun kissed skin.

"How long did you say the others were? I swear they were right behind Colin and I." Lizz sighs when drinks are eventually passed around.

Another knock at the front door answers Lizz's question when a sandy haired male is revealed behind the door and a wheat s***h ginger haired female next to him, his eyes the colour of peanuts and his hair style similar to Brett's.

Grabbing the woman's palish hand with his slightly not so paled one, I instantly feel her chartreuse stare boring into mine on instant contact, the animosity in this woman's eyes emanating into mine and almost choking me where I stand.

I bet you any money every single person in this room wants to take out their justice on me first and f**k what Max and Nate have to say, yet I know they can't and that's what's angering them more. Some are able to hide it a lot better than others when they settle their gazes on me, but you can literally smell it on those who aren't able to contain it.

"Just in time David and Lucinda, get yourselves comfortable while we wait for the rest to show up. Everyone you will be happy to know that this is the daughter of Steve and Lainy." Shaun informs when more conversation starts up, the eyes of David and Lucinda burning into mine when they take in the daughter of those who were there the night her parents were killed.

"Thank you Shaun, Liam it's always a pleasure to see you no matter the circumstances." David greets as Lucinda, Jackie and Lizz all break off into their own little group.

"Likewise." Liam replies with a small smile and subtle nod of his head, the light conversations commencing until the last couple arrive due to Nate and Miranda not being able to make it at the moment.

"That's fine we just have to wait for Harry and Pamela." Shaun shrugs as he tops up their drinks to keep them from getting bored.

"They're in the driveway." Lucinda announces while standing to attention when a knock follows seconds after and Shaun is rushing to open it.

"Welcome guys come in and get out of the heat." he chuckles and my eyes instantly catch a glimpse out the window and see as a matter of fact the sun is beating down on us from the cloudless sky.

"Thank you Shaun, hello everyone else." the male who I assume is Harry laughs before running a tanned hand through his short cedar hair, the quiff he styled neatly being carefully avoided until having his pecan eyes land on me when he notices my gaze on him.

"So this is her?" Harry questions after a few seconds of small talk with the others though is quick to get right down to business.

"Certainly is, this is the daughter of Emily and Luke. But I can assure you if she has any information on who killed your parents Pamela, it will be revealed when Max and Nate get their hands on her. If not then I'm sure we will find out who killed Grant and Michelle." Shaun explains but my eyes are for some reason finding Liam in the crowd, his gaze trained on me the whole time and I don't think he cares that I know.

"Okay well seeing as how everyone is here shall we start?" Pamela presses once she's had her gossip with the women.

Pamela is just as dark skinned and haired as Harry, her almost coal hair slightly curled at the bottom and hanging nicely past her breasts, light olive skin and nut brown eyes.

"Of course, who shall go first?" Shaun puts out there once the room settles and my friends and I are being told to sit against the wall where we stand facing the group of cannibals.

"Alright well I'll have these two." Harry states while pointing to Beau and Dalton when no one raises their hands, my insides falling out of my ass when Ankara and Esther start balling their eyes out.

"We have two daughters at home, I'm sure they'll find use for these two." Pamela smirks when she can notice the heartbreak on all of our faces.

I still can't stop the tears from falling when I think about how heartbroken Ankara and Esther will be knowing that they'll never see their boyfriends again and that they'll be forced to sleep with other people.

"I'll have her and him for my niece and nephew, it'll get my sister off my back and hopefully it will also save your lives." Lizz grins evilly after she eyes off Esther and Mitch, Beau and Blair sharing the same heartbreak with Ankara and Esther though Beau's trying his hardest to keep his s**t together.

"So that leaves Ankara, Noah, Blair and Amelia, who wants who?" Liam asks and casts his gaze around at the faces of David, Lucinda, Brett and Jackie.

"I'll graaaab Blair and Amelia, my sons need someone and I think these two might be it." Jackie states as the eyes of those who were mentioned dart up at Jackie's smirking face with tear brimmed stares.

"Alright so that leaves me with Noah and Ankara, I'm sure I'll find use for you both." Lucinda sighs but looks like she isn't too happy about waiting too long and being given the leftovers.

"Let's get going before anything else happens, I don't want a repeat of what happened to my parents with the Police rocking up every time a trade went down." Colin declares whilst grabbing Esther and Mitch from their positions against the wall, cries and struggling now commencing with Colin and Lizz calling in for backup when it gets too much for them.

"Take them to the car and knock them out if you have to!" Colin shouts over the hysteria of my friends and I struggling to stay together yet watch in horror as they're knocked out one by one until I'm next.

Finding that I'm only manhandled back to my room, Shaun's screaming and punching holes in walls until I'm being punched and thrown around.

"YOU EVER ACT LIKE THAT IN FRONT OF THEM AGAIN I WILL f*****g KILL YOU! I DON'T GIVE A f**k WHAT MAX HAS TO SAY! YOU SHOULD BE HAPPY YOUR FRIENDS AREN'T BEING f*****g KILLED!" he screams in my bloody face once he's taken out enough anger to stop beating me.

With my crying filling the room, I find that the tears aren't for me or the pain but for the fact that I keep hearing them screaming for me and each other, over and over throughout my brain and I fear it may drive me a little mental!

"I'll get you later for when it's time to grab Hanna." are his last words before the bedroom door slams shut and I'm yet again left alone in my own blood.