By the time we got back to the house, it was already getting dark. We had come up with the plan on how we were going to get to my mother, and thankfully all the supplies we needed was already in the house. Sadly, we weren't expecting this particularly unwelcome surprise.

"Son? Where are you?" A rough voice rang through the hallways of the house.

Adam flinched as soon as the sound reached his ears and Marquis coward back into the shadows. The chill demeanor turned icy within a matter of seconds then began to burn when the man came into view.

I wasn't entirely sure who he was but something about him struck fear into me. He comes fully into view na dI know why instantly. He looks like an older version of Gus. A bigger version of Gus. The only difference was this man looked a lot more professional and was hopefully a lot less psycho.

Which could only mean he's the step dad.

Once this realization hit me a paralyzing wave of fear hit me. I could el my body starting to shake and my heartbeat in my ears. My breath quickens and my paths become sweaty. My hands reach up and rub on the necklace that my father gave m e to calm down, bu7t it wasn;t working.

What if he was just like Gus? Is he here for me? Why is he here?

I back into a wall and flinch turning around quickly.

"Calm down he's not here for you," Marquis whispers in my ear.

I nod slowly taking deep soothing breaths just as the man reaches where we stand.

"Son where have you been all this time? We were supposed to have a meeting weeks ago."

"I told you I wasn't coming ahead of time, don't act like you didn't know. I also told you never to set foot on this property ever again," Adam growled.

"Come on, mutt, let's not get the new rugs dirty. By the way, it's the wrong color for this room. your mother--'

"I don't have a mother!"

The man stepped up and got in Adam's face. No one threw a single punch but the deep red of blood surrounded them both. The color was so strong it began to take over my vision. Slowly I felt the blood inside my body heat up and my knees get weak. I almost fell to the floor but Aiko caught me and held me up.

He gave me a cryptic look of concern and fear. I leaned against his body for support and he whispered in my ear.

"Do not show that you're in pain. he can't know who you are, if he does we are all dead," he said staring straight ahead like a soldier.

I forced myself to stand straight and kept my eyes as far open as I could. Mama J was watching the stand down from the kitchen, and I could tell she was doing her best to control her anger. Angel had a stone cold stare on her face, and if looks could kill, this man would be chilling with the devil where he's supposed to be.

The only person that wasn't there was Marquis. Usually, his golden eyes are the first thing that you notice when you walk into the room but they were nowhere to be seen.

"Where is she?" the man said.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Adam said, pushing him further away from where I was barely standing.

"There's a witch in here and I know it," he laughs. "She's just a baby witch but she's very strong. She would be a wonderful addition to my little collection."

"Got the fuck out of my house NOW!" Adam screamed.

The man just laughed, the same insane laugh his son has, "You know the rules, no harboring any more fugitives unless they go through me first."

"I don't have to run anything by you. You're not my dad, this is MY house and I am a man now. I don't have to ask anyone permission for anything."

The man turned away from Adam facing the end of the hallway. A drp dark laughter filled the room just as he turned back around and backhanded Adam so hard he flew into the wall and lay crumpled on the floor.

"Have you forgotten your place? Do I have to refresh your memory, mutt?" the man raised his leg above Adam's stomach and kicked him so hard I heard his ribs breaking.

No matter how much he tried to get up he was pushed back onto the ground with a face full of boot. There were no grunts of pain coming from him but I could see it in his eyes. I couldn't take watching him get hurt this way. There was something inside of me that told me this wasn't the first time that this had happened and that made it hurt even more.

Before I knew what I was doing, I pushed out of Aiko's grasp and lunged for the man, screaming at the top of my lungs with raw anger. His injured body flew down to the end of the corridor before I could even touch him from the sheer force of my power. I raised my arms, gathering all the power and rage I felt inside me which caused angry balls of red to swarm around my body. With a single thought, I sent them toward his wounded frame allowing them to wreck their havoc.

Once they touched his skin, he began to scream in agonizing pain. I didn't know what I did to him but I knew I wanted it to hurt.

A lot.

I watched as he laid there withering in pain and screaming for me to stop. The screams became softer and more strained with each passing second, but I couldn't take my eyes away from his body no matter how much he begged.

He was close. I knew he wasn't going to last much longer, he just needed a little more. just a few more seconds and he'll be...

"MayBelle,"

At the sound of that name, I stopped what I was doing and turned to see Adam laying on the ground still healing slowly. I let go of the man and ran to his side with tears in my eyes.

"I-I'm sorry.... are you ok?" I said my voice coming out strong.

"I'll be fine in a minute. It'll barely leave a scratch, trust me. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine! You're the one who was getting beat up! You didn't have to stand up for me." I softly laid a hand on his slightly bruised cheek.

He put his hand on my heart and looked into my eyes, "I do have to protect you, always. You almost made a scar that wouldn't heal as quickly as the rest."

I stared into his eyes knowing what he meant. Once you kill someone there is no going back or forgetting. That scar stays with you for the rest of your life, whether it was for good reason or out of hate. I nodded my head in understanding, not knowing what I would do with that burden on my heart.

"Marquis let him go!" Angel screamed.

I turned my head and looked at where the man had been before on the floor. Now it was just a long streak of blood leading down to the basement. I got up as quickly as I could to chase after him but the hand on my leg stopped me in my tracks.

Adam looked up at me and shook his head no using me as leverage to stand up.

"This is his battle, not yours. he can bear the scars. He already has enough from our childhood. I don't want you to have to see any more pain from that family ever again."

"But we can't just..."

A loud pop rang throughout the house followed by the sound of a hollow thud. My eyes bugged out of my head just as a second pop rang through the air with a second thud. I knew without without seeing where the other bullet had gone. I fell to the floor crying out, but there was no distinct color to describe the emotion coming from me.

They were gone. HE was gone, forever.

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WOAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Let me know your thoughts!!!!!

-Chey