Chapter 66

Jackson was having a hard time continuing his personal narrative. No doubt because we reached the part I've wondered about for so long. The part Jackson would clearly have a hard time talking about.

I stared at his ridged face, his hands twitching in need for movement. His eyes were just as restless; they aimlessly looked around the room, but didn't reach me. Never have I seen Jackson so on edge and distraught.

"You met a man named Jacob," I reminded him, pushing for him to continue in scared emotional anxiousness. The name Jacob triggered him into silence and therefore told me this Jacob dude had something to do with me being sold.

Jackson's eyes stopped mindlessly on the coffee table, palms rubbing together. "I just finished an interview with a car washing place. It didn't go well and for how stressed I was, I didn't go home for a few hours. I-I fucking should have. If I went home, maybe shit would have been different. But no. Instead, I moped at the bus stop for hours like a pathetic pussy." Swallowing, he exhaled a shaky breath. "Well, a man sat down next to me. Jacob. We started talking. It was random bullshitting, but after the small talk, I told him my issue. How I just fucked another job interview. I had no idea at the time he sought me out. He knew I had financial problems and did his homework on me. But in my eyes, this dude was keeping conversation while he waited for the next bus. I thought he was normal, but he eased into this... insane proposal. He said he could make me rich. Immediately, I thought horse shit. Basically, he told me if you sign a contract and honor it, they will forward you as much money as was agreed. The guy was vague and I didn't believe a damn word," he chuckled. "Plus, the man was not much older than me. Clearly, this was some joke; it actually made me laugh. Even still, he gave me his word. He told me to meet him and his 'colleagues' in some warehouse the next day if I wanted to see for myself. And that's what I did. I was bored, amused, interested to see him elaborate on this retarded story. So, I met the guy in the warehouse, laughing all the way. However, by the time it was over, I was excited," he said in a disappointing tone. His eyes... still stuck on the table and avoiding mine.

My heartrate jumped zero to 100. Perched at attention, my throat grew tight. My emotions were already getting stupid. Sinking my nails into the worn grey cushion on each side of my legs helped.

Jackson tongued his teeth behind tight lips, blinking a few times. "I met with Jacob and two of his friends. They gave me more details, but not many. Just enough to bait me. He explained this was a new business – an illegal one. He showed me documentation, real transactions done with people, real contracts, showed me the business. I got a kick out of it, but not because I thought it was total BS. I was still skeptical, but if this was real, I would be the ones scamming them. They were young and it was a very 'simple' and brand-new business. If it was real, it would not last. And they wouldn't be able to enforce shit anyway. Easy way to scam them out of money. That's the way I thought about things. That's how I was. Stupid and arrogant. They showed the different types of contracts. First the work ones, which I wanted nothing to do with. If this shit was real, the work contract would have taken me away from my family. All I was interested in was money. Fast, easy, tons of money with no attachment to these idiots. That's when they said many people do a one-time deal. One he specifically mentioned was... was... well, a child-contribution contract," he mumbled, face turning pale before he dipped his head towards the floor. The curve of his back from where he was sitting forward heaved with a deep demanding breath.

Thank god the bitch wasn't looking at me otherwise I would have been fully exposed. Exposed and embarrassed. It was harder than expected; unbelievably painful to hear. Especially those last words we both struggled with: child-contribution contract.

Stomach rolling, my throat grew thicker. My fingers clenching the cushion trembled. The man was having a difficult time himself. And I hated that. I hated that! For whatever reason, seeing him struggle enhanced the gut-retching pain. I didn't know why! This was a sick son of a bitch. So, I buried it, buried my emotions. Nothing was going to make me falter if I could help it.

Jackson raised his restless hands and covered his dipped expression. Dragging them along his face, he sighed deeply. "I...I wanted n—" Cutting off his broken voice, he unexpectedly stood. He spun around with his back to me, hands sliding up and resting on top of his head. The wrinkled fabric along his back moved up and down with his labored breathing.

Seeing him this way hurt for some weird reason. But maybe it was worth it; I wanted him to feel pain. I wanted him to face what he fucking did. "You wanted what?" I hissed through gritting teeth, boring my eyes into his back.

Arms dropping, he rested a hand on the chair back, as if for support. "I wish I had signed a work contract; I don't know how many times I wished I would have kept you out of it. I wanted a clean-cut deal and wasn't thinking. Wasn't... I.... Albany, I cannot stress enough, I cannot tell you enough, how stupid I was. I was the most arrogant asshole thinking I was screwing them over."

"I don't need to hear it," I said, biting my lip hard. "Keep going."

A long and jumpy vulnerable sigh reached the air from where he remained facing away. "Um," he said, shifting his voice back to neutral. "They wrote up a contract for me. It stated that when my daughter turns 15... she will belong to Reid Taylor, their 'president.' They gave me a few days to think about it because they knew it would be 'a difficult decision.' Really though, there was nothing to think about. This proposed deal was going to make us rich. It was going to give me and my family a future. I was not scared in the least about the terms of the agreement. Because my end of the bargain wouldn't happen for 14 more years. And we needed the money right then. We could figure shit out later – if we even had to. Truly, that was my thinking. I wasn't scared or worried about you."

My rising emotions demanded more effort from me to shove it away. On the edge of the couch, I licked my lips. "Oh, obviously you weren't worried about me. Because the only thing your demented ass thought of was your selfish fucking needs. You did not give two shits about me, whether I was taken or not! Family my ass! You left–"

"I haven't gotten to that part yet." Composed, Jackson stepped behind the chair, facing me again. Expression tight and strained eyes down, he rested his hands on the wooden back. "I'm telling you my thought processes when I signed the contract."

"Excuses are not going to help." Grabbing the hairband on my wrist, I wrapped my hair mindlessly in a bun.

"I'm not making excuses. I need you to understand my thinking and why I did this." Rounding the seat, he slumped back into the chair, arms limp at his sides. It took effort, but his eyes rose to mine – and they remained. "Albany. I did not take them seriously. At all," he said softly. "I started to believe this was real and I would get money. But they were young, this was new. I had zero faith they would be able to force me to keep to my contract. By the time you would turn 15, I was sure they would be gone, out of business, broke, or have zero power to enforce any contracts. Full of myself, there was no question my daughter would be fine. I had 14 years to figure out how to get out of it if they miraculously were still in business. I did not take my contract seriously because I had no idea about the massive cult they started. I stupidly assumed that I could get away with scamming them." He sighed. "I was greedy and needed money. I was so egotistical, I wasn't worried for you. Not because I didn't care but because I was arrogant."

Those brown eyes in mine rattled my insides. Leaning forward more, nails embedding more, I shook my head. "If you were so sure you were the one screwing them over, and it was no big deal, then why didn't you tell Clare?" I knew she had no clue about her then-husband's deal. For how she loved taunting me, she would have thrown the fact that I was sold in my face.

"She would have flipped out," he admitted, eyes caressing with sadness. "No matter how positive I was, even if I reassured her you would have been fine, she wouldn't have handled it well. That's why when the money started coming in, I told her I began work at a successful automobile company."

I laughed and looked away, leaning my tense body back to rest against the couch. I would've killed to see Clare actually concerned over me. "The evil bitch she turned into would have been down right happy I was sold. By the fucking way. How much did my dear sweet father sell me for?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"Irrelevant."

Eyes flicking up to where his avoided mine again, I scowled. "How much?"

"Enough." Forehead bunching with lines of conflict, he pursed his lips.

"Enough to sell me off," I nodded, heart jumping. This was riling me up, pricking at my heart and pent up ball of emotions.

"Enough for me to be financially set!" he snapped with desperation. Leaning forward, elbows on his knees, he slapped his palm into his hand. The man's sad and begging brown gaze penetrated my eyes. "Enough for me to provide for my family. Enough money to give you a good life and future. Enough for us to live comfortably! Enough for my greedy and arrogant ass to blind me. You need to understand I did it because I was stupid and not because I didn't care!"

"No!" I wasn't denying his words; I wasn't saying he did it because he was an evil man. His motives were clear. However, if he cared, he wouldn't have dared risked the chance. "You didn't care. You let your arrogance win over your care for me. Money was better than me. It was!" I hissed, the lump in my throat rising again. While I managed to hold down any sign of tears, shockingly, I could not speak for Jackson.

His eyes were the ones to spill over. "Nothing was better than you. I loved you!" he exclaimed, voice shattering. Tears rose to the brim in his gaze. He hissed desperately through clenched teeth. "I loved you more than you will ever know! But I was young, stupid, selfish, and not thinking! If there is one thing I need you to learn from all of this, it's that I did not sell you heartlessly. I did not sell you when I signed that contract. My fucked up young money-needy head saw this as a way to get rich and then fuck these people over. I had zero – fucking zero intention – of giving my daughter over! That wasn't going to happen; that was never considered. By then, they would be long gone or I would make sure we would have been long gone. It was simple to me; it was a ton of money for some paper I didn't consider could fuck us. Out of everything, out of how much you will still hate me, I need you to know I loved you. This is just the start of everything, but when I signed and sold you, I loved you." Tinted red, a few stubborn tears fell down his tight cheeks. "I loved you when I made the biggest mistake of my entire life. I will never forgive myself for it, but you need to know I loved you. I still love you. Albany—"

"Stop, stop..." I belted, eyes watering. Clenching my jaw, my head turned away from his sight. I couldn't take hearing that. I couldn't handle thinking that he actually loved me as his daughter. I just couldn't and seeing Jackson get emotional over it didn't help me.

Immediately realizing tears were on his cheeks, he wiped them hastily away. Blushing with embarrassment, he glanced away in shame. Thankfully, I didn't embarrass myself. I pushed any potential tears down before I could lose it. Momentarily blocking out his deep emotional confession he revealed helped. I'll process it later.

I wanted to move on. Jackson was obviously uncomfortable allowing himself to overly open up. He would probably be happy moving on too. Taking a deep breath, I quickly spoke. "Well apparently your love ran out. Carter told us enough. Said you became consumed in the cult."

Rubbing his forehead with exhaust, he scoffed. Guard back up, his voice was stone solid. It was as if his moment of vulnerability never occurred. "When I sold you, I knew nothing and I loved my daughter. When I left you and your mom, I was consumed in the cult and turned on you both."

"What happened where we weren't good enough for you?"

He ran a hand through his hair before taking a sip of his coffee. Once again, his eyes were down. "A lot happened. When they forwarded me the first large sum of money, everything was going great. We bought a house, the one you grew up in. I kept most of the money in a secret savings account Clare didn't know shit about. That money opened the door to freedom again. No longer needing multiple jobs, I had time for myself and family. However, it awoke that young kid in me who didn't finish his adolescent reckless days. I began hanging out with friends, going to parties, and spending money pointlessly. Then, Jacob took notice in my wild lifestyle. We began hanging out and he took me to some wild parties. After a while, he began trying to goad me into joining his group of friends. Who were merely 'associated' with this new business. In reality, he was trying to get me involved beyond the one contract I already signed. He saw the potential for me to be a helpful workhand in the organization – and their chaotic beliefs appealed to me. I was all for it. I began spending more and more time with them until it consumed my stupid impressionable head. The belief of being selfish, being free, having fun took me over. I changed. I learned and became involved, stopped being home. My relationship with Clare was becoming stale and we lost our connection. Mainly because I completely lost myself. Being with them was more exciting than being with my family, which validated their system. Eventually, I became absolutely brainwashed. To the point where, to this day, I cannot find any common ground with the guy I turned into. Then, I... left you, Clare, and my home without a second thought."

He finished answering my question and the next part of his story. He finished adding the missing pieces of what I always wondered. Why did my dad leave us? What exactly happened? Hearing it all offered a sense of peace. It was a disgusting part of my past, but I finally had the answers.

However, the map he displayed was quite plain. "That doesn't explain why Clare went ape shit and lost her mind," I pointed out. Jackson was vague when describing the downfall of his marriage. I mean, the fucking bitch tortured me, remember? There had to be some crazy details he left out.

Of course, like always, I am right.

Pursing his lips, he crossed his arms. His discomfort was clear. Mindlessly, he tapped his socked foot against the chair leg. "Alright. I... did some bad things," he admitted. Adverting his eyes, his brows dipped. There was a long pause before he reluctantly explained. "Clare learned that I cheated on her. I went to a party, met some slut, blah blah blah... you get the picture. It was the first huge bump in our marriage before I annihilated it. She nearly left me, but I convinced her we would work through it. And I genuinely did want to work it out. But as a stupid rich punk, I was changing. More parties happened, more drugs, more influences by Jacob. Coming home late made her paranoid, made her think I was sleeping with other women. Which, I eventually continued doing, but I didn't feel guilt anymore. Around this time, Jacob introduced me to the liberation of doing whatever the fuck I wanted. It convinced me to embrace my natural desires. I really started to lose myself. Though she didn't catch me cheating again, Clare saw how much I changed. She was on edge, not happy.... Yet, she didn't leave me. Personally, I think she felt stuck – and loved the money. My new 'job' allowed for her to stop working and focus on raising you fulltime. So if she left me, she wouldn't have had any security. She would lose the luxury of being able to pamper herself too. I can imagine she definitely found the prospect of walking out tempting though." He paused, tapping his arm in thought. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath. "She did finally learn about the drugs. Meth and some cocaine was stored in my car, which she found. She suspected the drugs were the main reason that I was becoming this wild stranger of a husband. All this brought out a side of her I didn't see before. Though she stayed a strong and loving mother, Clare was depressed, paranoid, anxious, and would break down sobbing occasionally. I am sure all of this contributed to her hate and mental instability you experienced. What I believed really pushed her over the edge though was when I left – and took all the money." He shook his head, rolling his distressed eyes at his past self. "I was smart enough to not publicly pump out money I had no reason to have; I could have paid everything off, but that would look suspicious. Therefore, we... weren't nowhere near close to paying off the house, the new car, the bills or credit cards she racked up. She wasn't worried because we had the money. But when I up and left you both, I took every penny from our shared account and my savings. Including all the money she contributed from her job before she quit. I took it all. I left my teenage wife to somehow come up with insane amounts of money to pay everything off. She had no job, massive payments, and a child with no help whatsoever. I fucked her over more than she could handle and more than she ever deserved. And she knew it too. Clare had zero reason to continue being strong. That's why she broke. That is why she hated me... tried literally carving out your features that matched mine. All because I was a sick piece of shit monster than buried her spirit."

My eyes were wide. My mind was spinning. Wow.... Just fucking wow. Unknowingly, I had sat back up at attention. Could you blame me though? My lips were parted in shock. What in the world did I just hear? No doubt one crazy and insane story I would never forget. A story I would look back on in the future and become completely mind-blown all over again.

I stared at Jackson with new eyes. However, I didn't know how to decode his words and translate it to my feelings. When he reluctantly lifted his gaze to mine, it didn't help untangle my insides. I didn't know how to feel, what to think, how to let it all sink in.... Or what would happen once it all does. My focus was scattered.

How should I feel? What do I feel? Well, I didn't feel one bit sorry for him. He told me one sad, insane, and disgusting story. "Okay," I whispered, raising my sore hands, rubbing my index fingers against my temples. "So, you ruined your wife. You left us because you were brainwashed and joined a cult. And you truly didn't give a shit about me being sold and taken because you realized it would happen. Very nice."

"I was worried about my contract," he insisted hastily, eyes widening to stress his words. "Once learning about this cult, once becoming involved, I realized they would keep to the contract. Though I left you and your mom, I still cared enough to worry about your future when you turn 15. It scared me, but I was slowly losing myself. I half convinced myself that since I joined them, worked with them, I could somehow fix my deal. But honestly, after being in the organization and making it my home, I didn't care. That's... that is hard to admit, but I didn't care or let it affect me once I really became consumed." Biting his lip, he took a hard breath. "Like I said, I was no longer myself. I became a monster. And yes, eventually I stopped caring, stopped worrying about your safety. From my new beliefs, I began thinking you being owned would be right for our cause."

Hearing about Jackson discarding me felt better than hearing about his initial and unconditional love for me. "You were a filthy pig like the rest of them."

He nodded. "My intention to somehow save you faded. For years, I was a piece of shit. But I eventually left and that's why I am doing everything to get you out of my mistake. It's always been because of me, it's always been my issue and not yours."

"It is my problem. You just created it for me," I immediately disagreed. There was going to be no redeeming himself; Jackson did this, caused it, and it was for me to handle. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of saving the day. "You think being here and helping is going to make everything okay?"

He chuckled humorlessly, glancing down. "Not one bit, but I need to do it. For myself and even more for you."

"How sweet. I couldn't have asked for a better dad," I mumbled, exhaling deeply to attempt to control my nerves. "I think I'm good for now," I said, raising myself from the couch.

"Wait." Before I could take two steps towards the door, Jackson was on his feet and blocked me. Standing before me, his eyes were desperate. "I just... just want you to know."

"Know what?" Christ, I just wanted to go. This was too overwhelming and I especially did not want to hear anything nice leave his mouth.

"That...." He swallowed behind his tight jaw. Tears rimmed his gaze again that deeply searched mine. "I'm sorry. It won't mean shit to you and it shouldn't. After all this time, I need to say it. That's all, you can go now. I-I'll always love you," he mumbled roughly, breath uneven as he looked away and stepped aside. Not before a tear escaped his eye, causing him to close his eyes and tense hard.

I love you. I'm sorry. Ugh, fuck me, why did he have to say that? Why? And why did he have to get emotional; he was always stone cold. The sight and words enticed my own heartache back into play, but this whole time, I kept it in. And it would stay buried until I leave. I didn't give a shit about him and his damn apology. The information he dropped on me was too much to react to right now.

"I'll see you later," I said before I swiftly walked out the door.

***

The sun was gradually entering the new day as I drove home. Not enough to shut off the headlights yet though. I almost wanted to drive until that point came. After all, going home wouldn't do much. What was I going to do? Sleep after the shit I learned?

The whole drive home, I was in a daze. Even as I trudged my exhausted body up the porch steps, I was out of it. But just as I reached the porch landing, I was jolted from my numb mind. The front door flew open and I froze in place.

Blinking, I stared into Francis's frantic eyes a few feet away. "Albany," he exclaimed, heaving relieving breath. Closing his eyes, his tense shoulders sagged. "My god, where were you?" he demanded, stepping out onto the porch.

There was no shred left in me to handle explaining where I was. I didn't even want to think about it. "I was getting some ice cream," I sighed, resting my hands below my bun. "Store ran out."

"Ice cream?" Raising his brows in surprise, a smile crossed his lips. "In the middle of the night?"

His question snapped me back into full reality. Everything was vivid. Francis's surprised gaze. How the blue morning light illuminated his subtle smile. The chilly air over my skin. The faint scent of coffee floating from the ajar door behind him. It was real. Just like what I experienced with Jackson.

The back of my throat burned and tears spilled over. Why could my weak ass not wait until I get to my room? Blinking to clear my vision, I shook my head in annoyance at myself.

Through my watery vision, Francis's eyes grew, smile falling. "Hey, hey," he said in sweet concern, closing the distance and resting a hand on my shoulder. "It's okay, I'll get you all the ice cream you want, I promise."

Laughing with damp cheeks, I shook my head. Only him. Stepping forward, I wrapped my shaky hands around his back, hugging him tightly to me.

Though what I learned was real, so was Francis. Knowing that was comforting despite my shaking stomach as more tears came. "I'm sorry," I whispered. Resting my cheek on his shoulder, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. His scent of nature mixed with a tinge of coffee allowed my tense body to relax.

Folding his arms around me, he allowed me this weak moment I had zero warning for. It just hit me right now and I was forced to accept all the information. Like how Jackson really was the guy who was there at the start of my life. Who apparently loved me before getting brainwashed. Could I believe it? I wasn't sure. Being the first time I saw him break down and cry though made his case convincing.

My god, and then what he did to Clare. There was no forgiveness for what she did to me. She was rotten, trash, treated me like filth. Yet, it was one of those rare moments I felt sorry for her. In fact, I don't think I've ever felt this sorry for her. The cheating, drugs, mental abuse and overwhelming need to be strong. For what she went through with her parents, and then with Jackson, I understood why she just was done with being strong. No excuse and I hated her, but just... wow.

"I'll get you any flavor you want, you name it," he said in the sweetest voice, which I knew was genuine. His body slightly shook with a chuckle he refused to let out.

Francis snapping me out of my chaotic thoughts was relieving. Especially because he amusingly believed my dumbass lie. Scoffing through my tears, I held him tighter. "Any flavor? Rocky road."

"You got it."

I leaned back and stared up into his eyes. A few tears rolled over my growing smile. "Am I that much of a fatass where you really think I'm upset over ice cream?"

"I mean a little," he admitted with a chuckle.

Slapping his shoulder, I laughed. Then, I took a step back, wiping away my tears. As the words left my lips, my smile quickly fell. "I was talking to Jackson and finally have some answers." Sighing, I rested my hand on the porch railing and let it take my weight.

He arched a skeptical brow. "You were dead set about not needing anything from him."

"Well... it was getting to me. Figured why not get it over with."

"And you couldn't have told me you were leaving? It would have been better than getting up to go to the bathroom and seeing you gone," he scoffed.

"Well, I knew you were up all night and figured you would stay sleeping." Then in a smaller voice, I continued. "I'm sorry I made you worried. Plus, I really didn't want to tell anybody about where I was going."

Rubbing the back of his neck, his eyes grew tired at my reminder of sleep. "A little late for all that," he snorted. "I was worried. Luke on the other hand nearly had a heart-attack when I called and asked him if you were there."

Wonderful. Not only did they both now know I gave in and talked to Jackson, they both were wide awake and worried. Christ, I bet Luke broke out of the hospital and was already on his way home.

Groaning, I was quick to call up Luke. And while it was ringing, I apologized to Francis and told him he could go back to sleep. The poor guy had hardly any rest tonight. Giving me a hug and saying he would be willing to listen if I wanted to talk, he headed into the house as Luke picked up.

"Albany?" he asked in a hectic tone.

"Hey," I sighed, sitting down on the porch swing.

The call was brief since I wanted him to get his rest – and because I was not ready to talk about it. Considering I silently let a few more tears fall down my cheeks, that was an understatement. I'd talk when ready. Instead, I simply said I talked to Jackson about answers and then I apologized for putting them in a panic.

Luke didn't linger on the subject for my sake. Instead, he sweetly said how he was proud of me. He said what I did took a lot of strength, which it did I suppose. Being the protective man he was though, he didn't hesitate in saying I needed to make someone aware if I leave. Though the message was predictable, his concern made me smile.

"Everything is fine, I promise. And I'll be careful and let someone know where I am at all times since I am a child," I mumbled in a teasing voice, rocking slowly on the swing as I held the phone to my ear.

Through the speaker came a gentle chuckle and his low voice. "You just need to remember we are on high alert and need to be careful. I'm paranoid enough just being apart from you."

I completely understood his side and couldn't disagree. I was paranoid too. Who knows if they were close to tracking us down, but we knew they had to be trying.

"Don't worry, I'll see you later today when we drive up. Just get some rest for now, okay? I need you wide awake and ready for when I get there; my time is valuable."

He scoffed. "Mine too so don't waste it when you get here."

I bit my smile. "What was that?"

"Nothing sweetheart, I'll be lucky if I get to watch you do nothing," he said amusingly.

"That's what I thought." I rolled my eyes at his sweet joking manner.

Talking to Luke was a good way to end a rough night. One that would stay ringing in my head. What Jackson revealed changed my view on my past. It gave answers to questions I wondered my whole life. Despite the shock and disgust, there was peace. Despite the pain, not needing to wonder any longer beat everything else.

By the time the sun took over the sky, I finally fell asleep. I didn't have any nightmares.

***

A few days past and things were going smoothly. Well, as smoothly as they could. We were still searching the land and none of us managed to get shot in the process. That was a start. Even better though, Luke would be coming home soon! Visiting him in the hospital sucked. I hated hospitals and hated not seeing him. More importantly, he would be well enough to be able to move around on crutches.

Since we were getting used to our night-time routine, we were slowly turning into owls. Take tonight, for example. Francis and I searched the land and weren't dead tired by the time we got home. Even after taking a shower and getting cleaned up, I was in no hurry to fall asleep. Which told you we were adapting; It was 3:30 in the freaking morning.

Lounging in my bed, back against the headboard, I was chowing down a bowl of popcorn. Gaze focused on the small TV we had propped on a table next to the dresser, I groaned. Can you guess what was on TV in the middle of the night? Yep. Not a damn thing worth paying attention too.

"I'd watch the fucking news at this point," I mumbled to myself under my breath, glancing down. The shifting light from the screen illuminated the bowl of popcorn on my outstretched legs. Setting it aside, I grabbed the remote and began flicking through the channels.

Before I could find the next boring thing to watch, a faint thump reached my ears. Then another.

It sounded like it came from downstairs. That couldn't have been Francis, could it? What was that...? Glancing towards my slightly parted door, I muted the TV. Light illuminated on the carpet in the hall from under the bathroom door. Francis was still in there cleaning up for the night. Ears straining, the sound of the sink's running water reached me.

Was I just hearing those bumps and noises in my head? Sitting and quietly listening, another noise came. A rattling sound from outside. Brows dipped, I slowly moved from under my covers. Thank the fucking lord a horror movie wasn't on tonight, otherwise my green pajama shorts would be shat.

Was it rats? Was it a hobo? Was it just the house settling...? As I crept towards my bedroom door, wondering what it could be, something else reached my ears. Something that squashed all the stupid theories going through my head. Voices. Coming from outside.

I quickly turned, walking across the room and to my window. Who was here? What was going on? Peeking through my closed blinds, I nearly passed out. My gaze widened, face draining. Holy shit, no.... No.

Under the dark sky, figures were scattered along the yard. Some spaced out waiting. A few were talking softly in a group. Others were walking along the perimeter, dragging something long! Shit!

Then, a few more thumps came. Noises along the house if not inside! Fuck, this was happening! They found us! Jesus fucking Christ, they found us and we could be trapped for all I fucking know!

Jaw dropping, my breath left me. Backing away from the window in haste, I looked around. In stupidity, panic, mind racing! What do I do?! What do we do?!

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Big chapter! A lot happened - and a ton is about to happen! What did you guys think about everything Jackson revealed? You guys are lucky I put the last part in and didn't wait for next chapter haha. I was tempted to leave this  just about Jackson and Albany's talk, but figured it would give you guys something to look even more forward to!

 I hope you enjoyed it and I am super excited to write the next chapter for you!