I was their ride home which meant that Jacob couldn't leave. I hoped that Caleb could explain and effectively calm Jacob down. I knew where Jacob was coming from. Those underground, illegal dungeon fights were wild and vicious. I had experienced it first hand.
Dashing out of the diner, I saw Jacob kicking a rock with his hands inside his pockets. He seemed lost in his own thoughts. I motioned for Caleb to wait at the diner while I walked up to Jacob. He wasn't facing me, but I knew he could sense me behind him.
"I'm sorry. Caleb had informed me when it was scheduled, and it really was done quite a while ago. We knew you would freak."
"That still doesn't change the fact that you hid it from me. I expected Caleb not to tell me because he's an idiot, but I figured that I could count on you. You know how I feel about that place."
"You know you can. I agree what we did is stupid. This is the last time and it won't happen ever again."
Turning around to face me, he asked, "You promise?"
"Scout promise." I said holding up my three fingers. "And I'll even see that Caleb doesn't do it again too. I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."
"We even now?" I nodded in response and gave him a grin.
"But Caleb will pay for lying." He said with a dark look on his face. I chuckled at his statement, Caleb was definitely going to pay.
Jacob was generally a very happy-go-lucky person and a humorous guy to be around. He rarely got angry hence making him more scary when we had to face his wrath.
Caleb was making his way to us. Taking that as my cue to leave, I made my way back to the diner to pay for our food. Also because I wanted to give them privacy and avoid seeing Jacob unleashing his wrath on Caleb.
After paying for our food, I was so focused on stuffing the money inside my wallet that I wasn't aware of my surroundings. Someone bumped into my shoulder hard, I stumbled back, but managed to steady myself. The same couldn't be said for the coins in my hands that fell onto the floor.
"For fucks sake. Can't you see where you're going?" I grumbled as I picked up the coins from the floor.
"Maybe you should look where you're going."
Looking up, I was prepared to give the person a piece of my mind and a few choice words, however I was stunned into silence. Standing before me was quite possibly the most attractive human I've ever seen and a very unique pair of grey eyes, that could drown anyone, stared back at me.
Quickly regaining my senses, I picked up everything and stood face-to-face, or more like chest-to-face. His grey eyes twinkled with amusement as he gazed down at me.
"Maybe next time have a little courtesy." I said with a sweet smile on my face, but my demeanor was anything but that. The grin on his face widened at my statement which annoyed me more than it should have. I left without another word, not wanting to waste my time.
The twin's stood beside my car waiting for me. I presumed that everything was fine since Jacob had a victorious smirk on his face, so I got into the car and started it. Jacob, who sat shotgun, seemed pleased with himself, I didn't even want to ask why. Glancing at the rear view mirror, Caleb sat quietly with a pout on his face which was very, very rare thing to see. I was tempted to click a picture, but I didn't.
Reaching the twin's house, Caleb left without another word. "Goodbye to you too, sunshine." I called out after him.
"Lizzy, the fight's at 10pm so you can be here at half-past nine. This time I'm coming with the both of you."
I chuckled, "I wouldn't expect any less." Reaching over the console, I gave him a quick hug, and I left to go home.
Arriving at my apartment, I chucked my keys on the small table next to the door. My apartment was average-sized, but it was more than enough for me. Walking to the bathroom, I stripped off my clothes and looked at the mirror in front of me unable to recognize the person before me.
It wasn't the same green-eyed enthusiastic girl who was full of life waiting to explore the world, instead hideous, dead eyes stared back at me. All those dreams had gone to shit long time back. I sighed and got into the shower. Standing underneath the shower head, I let the water blur my vision as I stared at the wall.
All those repulsive and dreadful memories threatened to re-surface. I couldn't fight it anymore, so I let it take over.
*flashback*
Moonlight streamed into my room as I tossed and turned. Sleep never came to me as much as I willed it. The rustling outside my door sent shivers down my spine, what if it was the boogeyman? No, it couldn't be, Christian would protect me.
It was around midnight and I slowly crept out my room to see suitcases and bags packed with my brother's things. No way, he couldn't do this. Rushing to his room, I reached just in time to see him pack the last of his things.
"What are you doing?" I knew exactly what he was doing, I had overhead him talking to someone, but I didn't think he would actually proceed with it.
His head whipped up as if he didn't expect me to find him. His face had shame and guilt written all over it.
"Where are you going?" I demanded. My voice wavered and tears filled my eyes. I didn't want to believe that he was moving away, away from me.
He stood in front me and knelt down. Wiping the tears that fell, he held my tiny hands and said the words I had been dreading. "Hey, hey, there's no need to cry. I'm just going away for a little while so I can make enough to get you out of the place and give you everything you want."
"Why can't you take me along with you? I can help." I said naively, clinging onto to him.
"I wish I could. But it will be very difficult in the beginning, you need to be treated like the little princess you are which I won't be able to do. I want you to be happy." He said gently, but I knew this pained him as much as it did me.
"I'll be happy with you. Please don't go." I said as I sobbed.
"I'm sorry, little sis. I love you very much." I threw my arms around him, squeezing him as tight as I could and mumbled into his shirt, "I love you too."
He carried my small body and placed me on his bed. He continued to take his bags down and put them into the taxi. Taking my hand, he led me downstairs to say goodbye. Stopping at the door, he bent down and gave me another one of his bear crushing hugs that I always loved and whispered into my ear, "I'll come back for you. I promise. I love you very much Alex."
"I love you too, Christian." I said with tears streaming down my face.
He left and never came back.
____________________
Knocks came from the door which made me jump up in fear. Grace, the old woman who helped me came into the room and sat on the bed.
"The police came looking for you." I remained silent.
My wounds and bruises had healed, but the scars remained as a permanent reminder. Overall, I was feeling much better. These past few days, that I was here, she didn't try to pry or force anything out of me. I was scared that if I told her, she would kick me out.
"They said that you were a danger to yourself and to other's around you. I know you're afraid, but you have to tell me."
So I did. I told her everything; it felt good to finally tell someone about the burden that I was carrying around for so long. I didn't want to cry, I didn't want to be weak anymore.
When I finished, I couldn't look her in the eye. She surprised me by taking me in her arms and hugging me. "It's okay to cry, it doesn't make you any less strong than you are. Let it out child; everything will be alright." She whispered.
That night I cried till my head and body hurt. I let out all the pain I had felt. Grace held me the entire time.