Run Run As Fast As You Can Re-write

Chapter Three

“Jessica?” A small voice asked. I leaped out of bed and shoved my attacker against the wall. They screamed and started to flail, as I dropped them.

“Why did you do that?” I recognized the voice as April, as I gasped.

“I am so sorry! Instinct, April I didn’t know it was you!” My hands shook from the adrenaline that was spreading through my body.

“I had a bad dream.” She whimpered, as I pulled her into my arms. Carefully, I slipped back onto my bed as she cried in my shoulder.

“That’s okay sweetie, we all have them. You’re safe now that I’ve got you. Jessica’s got you.” I whispered, rocking her back and forth.

“I dreamed that scary man Pierson came and got me. I want my mommy!” She yelled. I smoothed her hair down, trying to get her to calm down.

“I want my mommy and daddy! I want my teddy!” April screamed. My door flung open and I saw Ryder, Alexis and Mason in the doorway.

“It’s one in the morning! Dammit, what’s your problem?” Ryder roared. April sobbed into my shirt.

“Ryder, enough. She wants her parents, remember that’s she’s eight.” Alexis scolded him, walking towards us. She sat on the edge of the bed, stroking April’s hair.

“I’ll let her sleep in my room tonight.” She picked the little girl up, as she yawned. They exited, leaving me with the boys.

“Don’t get attached. There’s a huge chance we’re going to lose her, she’s too young.” Mason warned me. I shuddered at the fact of her being forced to grow up in a gang.

“We can try, we can teach her to avoid gangs and such!” I exclaimed. “I don’t want her to grow up in that environment!” Ryder rolled his eyes at me.

“There’s nothing we can do Jessica.  We’ll try to set her up with a family, but I can’t guarantee anything.” Dammit.

“Wait, I have an idea.” I stood up. “Why don’t we send her up north, out of Pierson’s territory. The other gangs don’t care about her; she’s low level, and too young to be of use to them. That way she’ll be safe.” A smile made it’s way to my face, it was perfect.

“It doesn’t work that way. We have no place to send her to up north now, it’s too dangerous.” I bit my lip, wanting to scream with frustration.

“We’ll talk more in the morning.” Mason promised me, as Ryder left.

“I’m going to do everything I can to keep that little girl safe.” I warned him, and he nodded.

“That’s what I’m afraid of.” With that he turned on his heel and left the room, shutting the door. I sat there in the dark, thinking. I needed to get April out of the gang world, somehow. She couldn’t grow up in fear and in suffering.

I turned on my side and fell asleep, scolding myself.

“Good morning Jessica!” Someone screamed in my ear. I reached for them on instinct, and them remembered where I was.

“Morning Alexis.” She was dressed and threw clothes at me.

“We’re going shopping for you! I’m so excited; it’s been so long since I’ve had a girl here. I’ve mostly been stuck with Ryder and Mason.” Ryder poked his head in the doorway.

“You’re complaining?” He asked as he kissed her. My eyes went wide as I stood there awkwardly.

“Nope. I’ll give you twenty minutes to get ready, I left you a hairbrush in there.”  She grabbed Ryder’s hand and shut the door. Alexis was with Ryder? She was so sweet and he was just a jerk.