Fifteen Years Ago

Shouting and footsteps cut through the once silent night like lightning through thunder clouds. I clutched the quilt tightly in my hands as my heart thundered in my chest.

The door of the room was slammed open as two burly men barged inside. A malicious wicked smile adored their faces and they held guns in their hands.

"Found you," said one of them. His laughter filled the air and a creepy sensation crawled up the pits of my stomach.

"So, you are Aaden Marino. Leonardo's eldest son." The taller one stepped forward. Under the faint light of the table lamp his face properly came into view. A thick scar covered the entirety of his right cheek.

"How old is he Xander?"

"Twelve," said the other guy.

My hands shook vigorously as I stared at his face. Sweat covered my skin and my breathing was erratic.

"You are a mirror image of your father, just your eyes resemble your mother's. Piercing blue not pine green." He smiled, clutching my throat.

His nails dug into the skin of my neck and he tightened his grip. My lungs heaved, trying their level best to breathe. I struggled to free myself but to no avail.

A loud bang pierced my ears and the hand around my neck disappeared. I gasped and gulped in the air.

"Aaden." I heard my father’s voice.

He grabbed my hand, dragging me along. The Scent of burnt wood took over my senses as I glanced around the surroundings.

Blood, Bodies, and Fire were the only things in sight.

"Where's mom? Where's Rafe?" I asked.

Tears streaked my cheeks and I clasped dad's arm tightly. 

"Rafe is fine. I'll get you out of here," he said. 

A solemn expression was engraved in the tight lines of his face. Scarlet droplets covered his clothes and skin along with dirt and something that resembled ashes. I closed my eyes and held on to him, never letting go. 

I didn't remember how or when, but we got in a car, and I was held tightly in my father’s arms. Opening my eyes, I looked around and saw mom sleeping beside us in the backseat of the car.

Her eyes were shut tightly and her pale skin seemed even paler. There was blood around her chest. A lot of blood.

"Mom." I shook her.

But she didn't answer.

"Mom." I shook her again.

But she didn't answer.

"Mom, why aren't you answering me?" Tears pooled down my eyes like a flowing river. "Mom, why aren't you answering me?" I sobbed.

"Ade, she's gone." 

"She’s not. She just didn't hear me," I yelled.

"Why don't you listen to me?" Dad pulled me back, slamming his fist on the car window. "I was supposed to protect her, but I failed her. She is dead, Aaden. She'll never hear you again. She won't answer, no matter what you do." His head hung low and tears dripped from his eyes 

Then, there was silence. Dead silence. 

A/N: I'm back from a short writing break and that's means regular updates for BFP begin again.

Updates every Monday and Friday.