I stayed away from everyone for most of the day.

And by everyone, I meant my brothers.

I toured the house, peeking in each room. Most were bedrooms and bathroom, though on the back side of the house, which faced a maze of corn fields, I found what would become my sanctuary, a library. It had floor to ceiling bookcases and large french windows that displayed dust on every surface possible. I drifted towards the bookcases, running my fingers along the rough, leather bindings.

Law and forensic psychology books, probably thousands of them, lined the shelves. I stepped back, admiring them,  before glancing out the window when movement caught my eye. Skyler and an older man, in his late forties or early fifties, were striding down the gravel driveway, deep in conversation. I wondered what they were discussing, likely something about my parents - since they were the reason we were here in the first place.

I shook my head, not wanting to think about the possibilities of what happened. There would be plenty of time for that, worrying and wondering  - and I needed a distraction. I turned back to the bookcases, reaching for the first book that looked intriguing, Evil: Inside Human Violence and Cruelty by Roy Baumeister.

Evil, a fascinating concept, had deeper origins aside from the absence of good. Good and evil were broad and evil was often used to describe everyday horrors, like when Josiah complains about our P.E teacher Ms. Dawson making us run laps until we nearly collapsed, 'she is so evil.'

When my mom started teaching as a professor at the university four years ago, she taught a forensic psychology class called Evil. I remember I asked her why people were evil. She said 'evil people are not capable of empathy for others. Their own desires and needs are paramount, nothing else matters. They will hurt you and then smile at your pain.'

I never forgot her words. Not because her words were of absolute greatness, but the way her dark eyes contorted with an omniscient gleam.

"You're the first person I have ever found in here." I started at the unfamiliar voice, whipping around to see a girl with long, raven black hair. Her eyes were smokey grey, studying me with amusement.

"Who are you?"

She smiled. "Rhea. Rhea Parker."

"I mean, why are you here?" I asked, this is supposed to be a safe house, right? I thought. Why is there a stranger in front of me?

"My brother is one of the undercover officers that own this place. I live in the house at the end of the road, with my father and Sam," she said, and I assumed Sam was her brother.

"And you're allowed to just roam around?" I didn't quite believe her, cautious.

Rhea nodded. "Yeah, I mean, I help around the house, bring groceries. I won't tell anyone you and your brothers are here, if that's what you're worried about- not like I have anyone to tell anyway."

I didn't respond but Rhea didn't seem fazed, opening her mouth to say something else but a soft knock interrupted her.

Skyler peered in, offering a small smile. "Hey, dinner is ready," he said and glanced over to Rhea. "Sam is looking for you."

"Oh lovely," she uttered, "thanks for telling me. See you around, Tarryn." She disappeared into the hallway, leaving me curious and confused.

"I made lasagna, your favourite," Skyler said, leaning on the wall.

I stared out the window. "I'm not hungry."

"Tarryn, you haven't eaten since breakfast."

"I'm not hungry, Sky."

My brother sighed. "Tarryn, come on, you know you have to have something with your medication," he murmured. I hated that he was right. The few times I took my medication on an empty stomach, I ended up with a miserable stomach ache. 

"Fine," I gritted my teeth. "I'll be down in a few minutes."

Skyler grinned. "Great," he said, pushing himself off the wall. He began to leave, but not before looking over his shoulder. "I will send Carson in two minutes if you don't come down."

I snorted. "I'm shiverin' in my boots."

+++

I finished my last bite of dinner, slumping back in the chair. "That was the best lasagna I've had all week," I boasted, patting my stomach and sent a thankful smile at Skyler. He grinned as everyone else around the table made compliments on dinner.

"Where'd you learn to cook, Skyler?" Detective Anderson asked, dabbing her mouth with a napkin. She didn't like me, or at least that was the impression I got from her. She didn't say a word to me, unless she had too. And even that consisted of "pass the bread, please."

Detective Hayward, also stuck with here in the middle of nowhere, was a different story. He had been kind enough to tell me their first names, Jesse and Gretchen. Not that I cared much, but at least I didn't have to go around calling them Detective Hayward and Detective Anderson. Too much of a mouth full.

"My mother taught me," my brother said, smiling. "She was the best cook."

"Was?" I hissed, straightening. "She is the best cook. What the fuck, Skyler?" I stood, my chair screeching against the wood.

Skyler paled. "Bub, I didn't mean it like that-"

"You think she's dead, don't you?" I snapped, glancing from him, to Matthew, to Carson. Their expressions were dire and it made me angrier. "It's like you don't fucking care. I - I can't even look at you idiots."

I backed away, before whipping around and hightailing it for the front door.

"Tarryn, come back-"

"Don't you dare-"

"Fuck sakes, I'll go after her."

I grabbed the knob, flinging open the door and sprinting outside. The sun was setting, casting brilliant oranges and reds across the sky. I would have stopped to marvel but with Matty bursting out the door of the farmhouse, I didn't have time to dally around.

I sprinted across the dirt driveway, and into the corn field. Yellow green leaves whacked me in the face, scratching my arms and legs.

"Tarryn, don't run," my older brother shouted. "Dammit."

I ignored him and kept running.

I tripped over lumps of dirt and rocks and vines. I didn't stop running, even when Matthew pleaded for me to. The pounding in my chest pulsed through my entire body, speckles of static clouding my vision.

When I reached the end of the corn field, I met with a river, water raging and fierce.

"There's nowhere to run Tarryn," Matthew said, softly, standing only a few feet behind me. "Come back to the house and we'll talk through this."

"No, I don't wanna fucking talk to any of you," I shouted, spinning around. Matthew blurred, tears welling up in my eyes. "Leave me alone. I want to be alone."

"I can't, bub - I can't leave you alone," he murmured, stepping closer and closer until he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me in a tight bearhug. "I'm so sorry. Mom is a warrior, we don't think she's dead, we just don't - we don't know what happened."

Matthew and I made the way back to the house, going around the cornfield instead of through it. Carson waited in the front porch, with Skyler and another man I didn't know. My oldest brother stood with his arms crossed but he didn't look angry. His eyes softened when he noticed Matty and I approaching.

We were halfway to the house when Matty pulled me to a stop. I glanced up. "What?"

He hesitated. "Try to take it easy on Carson, okay? He's trying his best," he said and I groaned. He smirked. "I know, I know, he's overprotective, blah blah blah. With us stuck here, mom missing, and dad in a coma ..."

Matty sucked in a breath and his words registered with me. "What?" I breathed, it felt like a stake had been driven through my heart. "He's ... dad ... he, he, he's in a coma?"

"Fuck sakes, Matty," Carson snapped, jogging up to us. I gasped for breath, clutching my chest. My oldest brother turned to me, but I shook my head.

"I'm sorry, Tarryn," Matthew said, but I couldn't focus on what he said afterwards. I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders, slowly dragging me down - suffocating me.

Things were a blur, but I vaguely remember Carson lifting me into his arms, carrying me into the farmhouse. He carefully placed me on the couch, sitting down beside me while I cried into his shirt. I didn't usually cry a lot, not if I could help it, but hearing my father was in a coma - it broke a dam of tears I held over the last few days.

My life was shattering to tiny pieces, my family torn apart and worst of all -there was nothing I could do to stop it.

+++

I woke up, shivering. Somehow, I ended up in my bed, wrapped like a burrito in fuzzy throw blankets. I struggled to wiggle out, my forehead slick with sweat by the time I managed to get one arm free.

"You can thank Carson for that." Skyler chuckled, appearing through the door, not bother to knock. "How are you- nevermind. I made brunch, be downstairs in five minutes."

I scoffed. "Do I have a choice?"

"You know you don't."

I flipped him the bird and he left, his laughter echoing through the hall. I nearly strangled myself getting out of bed, sheets tripping me up as I stumbled into the dresser and stubbed my big toe. "Motherfucker," I grumbled, hissing in excruciating pain.

I made my way downstairs, picking up Gilbert as he strutted towards me. He purred into the crook of my neck, his whiskers tickling my chin. "I love you, my sweet, sweet boy," I murmured, kissing his head and entered the kitchen.

Carson and Skyler were in the kitchen, talking to a young man. He looked the same age as Carson, with blonde hair. "Morning, bub," Skyler said, smiling when he noticed me. The blonde followed his gaze and he offered a small smile. "This is Sam. He's an agent with the FBI."

"FBI?" I asked, sitting at the table.

"Yes. Along with Hayward and Anderson, Sam will be with us for however long we are in protective custody."

"How long will we be here?" I asked, glancing from Carson to Skyler.

"For as long as we need to be," Carson said, taking a seat across from me. "June and Trey are with protective services, back home. They're safe."

"As well as Josiah and Jude. You don't need to worry about them," Skyler added, earning a cold stare from me.

"How the fuck am I not supposed to worry about them?" I hissed. "Jed was murdered. Mom is missing. Dad is in a coma. What happens next? Who will they target next?"

"Hopefully - we will find the suspect or suspects targeting your family."

"Until then - we have to discuss rules," Carson stated and it took all strength not to scowl at him.

Sam stood behind Carson, shooting me a sympathetic look. "Well, these rules are for all of you. I know they can seem harsh at times, but it's for your safety."

I nodded, flicking my wrist for him to continue. "Under no circumstances are you to contact friends or family that are not under protection. Do not give anyone you name or any other identifiable information. You will have limited access to the internet and no phone access besides a burner."

"Okay."

Sam nodded, holding my gaze. "Skyler has told me about your record," he said, and I gritted my teeth.

"It was two years ago. I've been an upstanding citizen ever since," I snapped, the sarcasm thick. Sam raised an eyebrow, glancing at Skyler.

"What about the chemistry lab you set fire to?" Carson asked. "Or the car you stole from the gas station?"

"That's hardly a fucking crime," I seethed. "Did you want me to walk to Trey? It would've taken me hours. Not to mention I had a concussion."

"Yeah and you fucking drove. You could have been in an accident or worse, killed," he yelled, smacking his palm on the table. I stared at him, watching as he took several deep breaths. "I shouldn't have yelled, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for not telling you about dad. We found out yesterday morning."

"Sure. Whatever." I said and Sam continued with explaining rules of the house - which mainly consisted of no contact with anyone else, no leaving the property unless otherwise approved from higher- ups, and to keep chitchat with the locals to a minimum.

"Why are you keeping us here?" I asked, digging into the waffles Skyler made from scratch. Sam had settled in the rocking chair, pouting when Skyler said no to making more waffles.

"I can't say much, since it's an active investigation," he said, "but your parents are valuable assets to-"

"Did you take your meds this morning?" Carson interrupted, ever so rudely.

"Yes. No. Uh, I can't remember," I mumbled, not recalling whether I did or not. My brother did not look impressed with my answer but didn't lecture me.

"We need to have a talk. Come find me when you're done breakfast, I'll be outside somewhere." Carson left the kitchen without another word, leaving me shocked at his sudden exit.

"He's worried about you, Tarryn." Matthew sauntered into the kitchen, followed by a chirping Gilbert.

"He doesn't need to be," I muttered, standing to take my plate to the sink. "I can take care of myself." I turned, facing my brothers and crouched to scratch Gilbert's chin.

"We're going into town Friday," Skyler declared, "early before everyone else is up and around. You can come."

"Great."

"Go find Carson," he shooed me out of the kitchen. I found Carson on the front porch, sitting on the step.

He glanced up and patted the spot beside him. I hesitated for a moment before sitting, staring at the cloudy skies. "I need you to know that I'll do whatever to make sure you're safe, even if you get annoyed with me."

"Okay."

"I spoke to your therapist. You've missed your last three sessions. Why?"

I seen a therapist every two weeks. Mandatory sessions with a psychiatrist, Dr. Barnes by the judge. I went to Juvie for a year when I was fourteen for misdemeanour offences which was another story for another time. After a while, the sessions became optional but my mom forced me to see Dr. Barnes, or Michelle as she preferred, every two weeks.

"I don't like her, Carson. She's too perky."

"That's not a good enough reason, bub," he said, shaking his head. "You've been acting out. What's been going on?"

"I don't wanna talk about it. Nothing is wrong. Just let it go," I hissed but my older brother was stubborn.

"I won't let it go, but I'll wait until your ready."

"Whatever."

He reaches up to pinch the bridge of his nose. "I am not the bad guy-"

I rolled my eyes and smirked. "Isn't that what all bad guys say?"

"I'm trying, Tarryn. This isn't what any of us want right now, y'know."

"What will happen if mom isn't found or dad .. what if, what if he doesn't wake up?"

"We'll cross that bridge if we come to it, okay?" He tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. "We have to stay positive."

"How about you tell Skyler and Matty that. What the hell is wrong with them, using past tense?"

"I'll talk to them. Did you take you medication?"

"No. I forgot."

He narrowed his eyes, frowning. "You can't forget. Have you been taking your Prozac? Or have you been forgetting that too?"

"Fuck off, Carson! I said I didn't wanna talk about this. You are not my parent, so stop acting like mom and dad. I don't have to explain anything to you."

"Watch it. You're on thin ice, Tarryn James."

I chuckled. "Ou, you're using my middle name. You must be mad."

His dark eyes flashed with irritation. "I'm not mad."

"The vein on your neck is bulging. You're definitely mad," I taunted.

He closed his eyes, jaw clenching. "I am anxious and worried. About you. About mom and dad," he murmured. "It's not looking good, Tarryn. Mom ... there's no trace of her."

"No. There has to be something. They're missing something," I said, shaking my head.

Carson turned and faced me. "They will keep searching, Tarryn. They won't give up. We won't give up on her."

"Seems like you've already have," I muttered.

"We haven't, I promise."

"I want to work with them. I want to see the case files."

"No, absolutely not," my brother said, his time authoritative. "You will not be involved."

"I can help. I know more than you think."

"I said no," he snapped. "Stay out of it."

"Why? Is there something you don't want me to find?"

"No. It's dangerous. You know what kind of work dad and Skyler do," he said. "Mom obviously got in too deep with this."

I scoffed. "I know. I know that mom and dad was involved with Ruby Thorndyke. I know that she ran a human trafficking ring and that dad had contracts with them. I know Josiah's father is the grandson of Solomon Ivan D'Amelio. I know that mom and dad were members of Sons of Solomon and had been partners. Am I missing anything?"

"How the fuck did you find out?" His eyes were dark.

I scoffed. "So you knew this the entire time?"

"I asked you first."

"I snuck out to the library and had Joey do research. That's why dad disconnected the wifi, because he didn't want me to find out."

"Dad told you to stay out of it."

I ignored him. "Who is Eleanor? Is Solomon the one that's targeting our family? Is it someone from Sons of Solomon? Kessler was buying girl and women from Thorndyke, where he'd take them home and torture and murder them. It's through the organization that mom was able to catch him, right?"

If Carson didn't look mad a few minutes ago, he sure was now. I could almost see the smoke in his ears. "Yes. The police are investigating Sons of Solomon but we don't think it's them. Dad and mom ... fuck, they are members. They weren't taking them down, they were working with them."

"For what? Why were they working with them? For how long?" I hissed. "Why would mom say she was in too deep with them?"

"Mom was born into Sons of Solomon."

"What? I don't understand."

Carson rubbed his face. "Mom and Christopher D'Amelio - Josiah's father are brother and sister. Solomon Ivan D'Amelio is our grandfather," he said, sighing.

Solomon Ivan D'Amelio is our grandfather.

"Josiah and I are cousins?" I whispered, trying to process it all.

My older brother nodded. "When Christopher found out he was going to jail ... he sent Josiah and his mom, Delilah with us. He wanted them to be safe and protected."

"So, who is Eleanor? Why did dad have photos of her dead body? Do you know who she is?"

"Eleanor was dads sister. His twin. Someone killed her and sent the photo to him."

"Oh my God," I whispered, too shocked to be angry. "Who killed her?"

Carson looked at me with uncertainty. "I don't know but whoever killed her also killed Jed."

+++

Hey guys 🙂

What are your thoughts on this chapter? Someone is hunting the family. Any ideas?
Josiah and Tarryn are family ... did you see that coming?

Thank you so much for reading!

- Charlie 🧡