Chapter 12: He's the Hulk

Emery's POV

"Pierce Lockhart?" I questioned trying to figure out who he is to Raiden.

"As in?" I try again since he's not cooperating with me. He can't be who I think he is.

"As in Raiden Lockhart's brother," he replied saying the sentence I dreaded the most.

Me being shocked is an understatement. Casey told me the night I got kidnapped that Raiden's pregnant mother was shot and the baby died. He can't be Raiden's brother.

"Then why don't you live with Raiden? Why do you live here in this.......secret layer?" I asked him still thinking that he's Raiden's kidnapped slave.

"Did he ask you not to touch the statue?" He answered my question with  one of his own. I stay quiet knowing that he did order me not to touch the statue.

Taking my silence as his answer he starts explaining. " I am Raiden's brother, I'm just banned from the mansion."

"But you're dead," I blurt out not even wanting to question why he's banned from the mansion.

"Is that what he says?" He chuckles before adding, "My mother was shot.....in the shoulder. She died of blood loss."

"The still doesn't answer my question," I pressure him into answering wanting answers knowing I won't be able to ask again.

"When they rushed her to the hospital they did surgery on her, it was either her or me," he huffs showing disappointment in his eyes.

"I'm sorry," I apologize for his mother and for also asking.

We stay in silence when he suddenly makes the first move to sit on the couch. I take this chance to look around from the spot I'm standing in. With a ragged old looking brown couch and an uneven coffee table with a fireplace in front of both it almost could look like a cozy cabin. I look to my left to see a dark hallway, thinking it's probably the place where he sleeps I'd rather not go down there.

"You can't get out of here," he says unexpectedly. I think about his words and turn around to see his face.

"What do you mean?" I ask worried of Raiden  finding me in here before I can get out of here.

"I mean you can't leave here until Raiden comes," he answers.

"What do you mean? Why does he have to come?"

"I didn't see any sunlight so I'm suggesting you pushed the red button, correct?" He mockingly says knowing that I pushed the red button.

"Well when does he come?"

"Never," he deadpanned.

"Never?! Than how long have you been in here?" I asked surprised that Raiden locked up his brother and never even lets him out........Well not that surprised.

"Ever since Raiden became gang leader," I look at him with a questioning look still not knowing how long he's been in here.

"When he turned eighteen," he replied in a 'duh' tone.

"How old are you?" I asked.

"I'm just turned sixteen," he answers.

"Can you just tell me how long you've been in here? I don't know how old Raiden is and I don't feel like taking a math quiz," I huff needing a real answer.

"He will turn twenty-six soon, so I've been in here for eight years," I responds like it's nothing.

"Eight years! So since you were......eight!" I shout in surprise.

"Then how do you get any food? How can you even live like this? When was the last time you even saw your brother? Don't you get any fresh air? Have you even had birthday parties?" I ramble asking all the questions swirling through my mind.

He chuckles still willing to answer. "Harley brings groceries once a month, I've been living like this for eight years so I'm used to it, I saw him last month while Graham was here, I don't get any fresh air..... I live under ground, and have never had a birthday party." He finishes off answering all of my questions.

How can Raiden be so....cruel.

I let my jaw drop. How can he live like this for eight years and not complain when I've been here for two weeks and complain everyday.

I make my way towards the couch and sit next to him. "How can you be banned from the mansion when you were eight?" I question.

"Raiden had so much pressure on him on his first year of being gang leader and having an annoying eight year old running around messing everything up wasn't good for a ruthless gangleader's image. So he easily got rid of me by building this and dumping me in here," he responds truthfully.

Dropping the subject I look around trying to come up with another question. I guess that's how I keep a conversation going.

"How did you know about me? When you called me Raiden's girl,"

"When Harley came by to drop of the monthly groceries she wouldn't stop rambling on about you," he chuckled probably thinking back to the memory.

"I mean your first week here and you crash Raiden's car. I give you my respect," he added, impressed.

"Well I guess it takes more than that to escape here," I open mindfully thought.

"A lot more," he corrects.

"You know despite your situation you're lucky that Raiden leaves you alone for more than a minute," I state, jealous.

"Well.......change that record to an hour," he suggests looking at his watch.

"Really? He might already be looking for me," I guessed trying to spend this moment of peace wisely.

"I think you're right," he states looking up at a familiar sound.

The sound of concrete sliding.

"Oh no!" I hop to the door with one foot and close it shut using my key to lock it from the inside.

I turn around and lean on the door knowing he won't be able to get in without his key.

"You know he has a spare, right?" He mockingly questions.

"Ugh! Okay I'm gonna go hide, please cover for me he can't know I'm here," I pleaded grabbing my crutches from the floor.

"Trust me I'm not gonna let my only quest leave that quickly," he promises still siting on the couch relaxed.

I hop towards the first door on the right and slightly open it. I hear heavy steps climbing down the ladder so without even looking I go into the room.

I had this sudden urge to gag by the smell of this room. Did something die in here?!

Old dirty socks and pants cover his floor while the bed against the wall has food stains painting the sheets.

I take a look under his bed to see its buried with dirty shirts. Hearing the foot steps getting closer I dig the shirts out from under the bed and place myself where the shirts used to be. I grab the shirts that I dug out and place them all back to make it look like no one is hiding under the bed.

When I'm finally finished I lay there for a second and as if on cue I hear the door swing open probably knocking it off its hinges.

I press my ear against the wall while I listen in on the conversation. "Where the hell is she?!" I hear Raiden shout while it sounds like he's moving furniture.

"I don't know who you're talking about, no one has been down here," Pierce says convincingly.

"I told her not to touch the statue and I can't find her anywhere so you'd see why I know she's here."

"That's the whole reason why you're here. No, 'Hey Pierce happy belated birthday," I know he's just saying that so he can keep Raiden distracted but I still feel sorry that Raiden didn't even say happy birthday.

"Yes, I'm only here for the girl, not you!" I can't believe he still has the nerve for yelling at his brother that he's locked up for eight years.

"I know she's in here," he added.

I hear the bedroom door swing open and slightly panic. He's going to find me I can feel it. I hear the creaking of the bed and look next to me to see that it's being lifted.

Once he fully lifts it he throws it across the room and looks back at me huffing and puffing. How did he lift the bed and throw it? There could only be one answer that makes sense.

He's the hulk.

I look at the two brothers standing next to each other and finally see the resemblance between them.

"Emery," he growls.

Before I can answer he speaks making me swallow the words in the back of
my throat. "I told you not to touch the statue!"

"All the more reason to make me touch it and I'm glad I did as I finally get to meet your brother," I boldly responded.

"I don't know what more punishment I can give you! You're coming with me," he says thinking he can drag me up a ladder.

"No! I'm not leaving, I am staying here......with Pierce," I put my foot down.....well not literally.

"No you're not, not over my dead body!"

"I don't think you can drag me up a ladder,"

"I have other ways to get out of here," he smirked.

I change the subject before he can even think about dragging me out.

"How come you keep your own brother locked up in here for eight years?" I ask getting Raiden's side of the story.

"That is not of  your concern," he answers calmly.

"I'm not leaving without Pierce," I decided.

Pierce looks at me shocked while the hulk looks like he's ready to blow up.

"No! Not gonna happen!" Raiden decided or so he thinks.

"Fine, I guess I'll be staying here all alone with Pierce. We've been bonding over the past hour," I smirk knowing I got him there.

He actually starts shaking with all the anger taking over his body. He roughly pulls me up and places me over his shoulder. He starts walking toward the door leaving Pierce behind.

"Grab the crutches Pierce!" Raiden shouts but in my ears all I hear is the sound of victory.

I look up to see Pierce smiling at me while grabbing my crutches. Raiden starts climbing up the ladder with one hand while carrying me, I knew he was the hulk.

"I thought you said you had another way of getting out of here?" I asked.

"I lied," I shouldn't be surprised, he lies about everything.

I look up to see Pierce climbing the ladder while covering his eyes at the first sight of seeing sunlight in years.

He was shut out from the world because of Raiden. I can't believe I'm even on his shoulders after all he's done. How can he do this to his own brother.

Pierce probably didn't get a proper education or any friends, he was just a little boy and he still is. I can see it in his eyes as he climbs the ladder not knowing what to expect.

A tear drops from my eye just thinking about how he had to grow up fast and mature on his own.

Once we've reached the top I see Pierce looking around the garden with awe with his mouth slightly ajar and his eyes go wide once they're adjusted to the sunlight.

Raiden sets me down while he pushes the red button to bring everything back into place.

"No need to stand there looking like a statue," Raiden grumbles.

"Shut up Raiden this is the first time he's been outside because of you!" I shout feeling the need to protect Pierce.

Raiden looks taken aback at my boldness but quickly covers it. "Fine! Stay out here it's about to get dark anyway," he huffs.

"That's fine! Pierce and I will be star gazing since it'll be his first time," I retort back.

Raiden growls and walks inside closing and locking the door.

"Thanks Emery," Pierce spoke up.

"Your welcome I guess, you wanna watch the sunset?" I question.

"Sure, I haven't seen it in a while," he chuckles.

I force a smile knowing it just hasn't been a while. I walk him towards my favorite spot in the garden and sit in the gazebo on the bench.

I pat the seat next to me and lean back as I relax next to him. We both look out to see the a mix of pink, yellow, and orange in the sky as the sun starts to set.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" I ask taking this time and enjoying it while I still can.

"For sure," he responds smiling up at the sky seeing the beautiful colors merge together.

I lean my head on his shoulder looking up at the sky enjoying the view with him.

"Happy belated birthday Pierce."

Hey wattpadians

Sorry I didn't updated in a while and I'm also sorry for not updating the day I said I was supposed to.

At least I updated today, I'm glad I got over my writers block!

Sorry for any mistakes I just came up with this chapter today and started writing.

Also, do you like the new cover? Cause I might think of changing it.

Have a great Mother's Day 💖tomorrow!

💕Izzy💕