Chapter 39

We were all gathered up in Lindsey's basement. The whole room was filled with bullet holes and there were broken things everywhere. Lindsey was able to repair some computers, which weren't too damaged, at least.

My wounds had been treated and I was forced to stay put until I recovered completely. They treated me like a child all the time now, and it was starting to get irritating.

"We do this because we care," Wesley explained, and I rolled my eyes at him.

"There goes the typical parent line. You two should just marry each other and have kids already," I said and yawned. Lindsey—who was currently taking a sip of water—started coughing violently, and I smirked.

"It's getting late, you should sleep," Lindsey said after she finally stopped coughing.

"See? You two could be the perfect parents, you're already acting like them!" I joked, and Chase chuckled beside me. Lindsey glared at me as Wesley shook his head in amusement. I waved at them dismissively then started making my way up the stairs, but not before yelling over my shoulder, "I'm going to be the maid of honor!"

"Go to sleep already!" Wesley shouted, and I laughed.

Chase followed me up the stairs and into one of the guest rooms.

I let out another yawn before glancing at the digital clock on the nightstand. It was almost midnight already, and the bed in the middle of the room was calling my name.

"I'll leave you to rest," Chase whispered behind me, and I turned to look at him.

"Every time I say this, I feel weird, but thank you," I said, and he smiled.

"Seven," he said randomly, and I furrowed my brows in confusion. "This is the seventh time you've thanked me this month."

I couldn't help but laugh at this. "I see you decided to play the same game. Though I already lost count since I forgot about it."

"Well, I had the opportunity, so I grabbed it. So far, it's worth it," he said, and I chuckled.

"Goodnight, Brownie," I said, and he smiled slightly.

"It's already past midnight, so, technically, it's morning."

"Don't go all nerd on me now, Chase," I said with an eye roll and he laughed.

He stared at my eyes for a moment before leaning down hesitantly. I bit my lip and leaned forward as well, capturing his lips with mine in a soft kiss. We stayed like that for a few seconds before pulling away slowly, and he smiled down at me.

"Good morning, Amelia," he whispered, and I pushed him away playfully. He chuckled and opened the door, before walking out of the room. Just when he was about to close the door behind him, we heard Wesley shouting from downstairs.

"I'm going to be the best man!"

* * *

The next morning, we all gathered up around the kitchen table and ate breakfast in silence. We were going to stay at another one of Lindsey's houses in the town next to ours.

The constant worry of my mother left me anxious, so I decided I would go pay her a visit. I knew the risks of doing so, but I already had a plan for it to work. The others knew about it and were willing to help.

I glanced at my watch and finished my breakfast in a rush. Everyone stared at me but didn't say anything as I stood up and went to my room. I threw on some dark clothes and grabbed a bandana from the nightstand, before going down to the basement. I armed myself up with comfortable weapons, and soon enough, everyone joined me.

"Eager much?" Wesley joked as he stepped beside me, and I shrugged.

"The faster we get this over with, the better," I said, and he nodded.

"You should let us do this by ourselves. You are still in bad shape and need to recover," Chase said, and I shook my head.

"The only one that can get through her is me. I'm going, and that's final," I said, and they sighed.

"Only this once, Lily," Lindsey said, and I smirked.

After everyone was set up, we jumped inside the white van and made our way to my house. I felt weird going back to that place, after everything that had happened. Once we were nearing the house, we tied the bandanas to the back of our necks and lifted the front to cover our mouths. Wesley screeched to a halt and I draped the hoodie over my head, before jumping out of the van and hurried into the house.

Lindsey kicked the door open and we all aimed inside, making sure it was safe before rushing in. I signaled everyone to stop and look around the living room, which was still slightly messed up--thanks to Izzy. A sound from our side caught our attention, and we walked into the dining room cautiously. A chair randomly flew toward me, and I ducked just in time for it to crash in the wall behind me.

A battle cry was heard, and suddenly my mom tackled Chase to the ground. He stumbled back and fell in surprise, but I was quick to get her off him.

"You're not going to have her!" she screamed and took hold of a pocket-knife.

I knocked it out of her hands and let go of my own weapon. I grabbed her face and forced her to look at me while struggling to keep her in place.

"It's me!" I whispered harshly and watched as Lindsey helped Chase up. "You need to come with me."

She stared into my eyes for a moment, before her eyes widened in recognition, and she relaxed.

"Oh my God, Amelia. I thought you were dead. I thought they were going to kill me," she said, and I could see how she trembled slightly.

I nodded over to Lindsey and she handed me a piece of cloth before I looked at my mother again. "You have some explaining to do," I whispered at her, letting go of her face.

She furrowed her brows in confusion, and I helped her stand up. "What do you mean?" she asked, and Wesley held her arms behind her back.

"Good night," I said and pressed the piece of cloth forcefully over her mouth and nose. Her eyes widened, and she began to struggle against Wesley as the chloroform made effect. Soon enough, her eyes rolled to the back of her head and she went limp in Wesley's arms. He picked her up effortlessly and carried her back to the white van. I grabbed my weapon and walked after him, with the other two following behind.

"Don't you think you went a little overboard?" Chase asked me, and I smirked at him as we got inside the van.

"It's not me if I don't go overboard with this type of thing. Plus, we can't risk getting caught by the gang. Bryce and Steven are still alive."

"What about Eva?" he asked, tilting his head. I frowned and shook my head lightly, hoping that he got the message. The vehicle started moving once he caught on, and he nodded slowly. "Oh..."

"Yeah..." was all I could say, and he nodded grimly. He bit his lip and ran a hand through his hair, and I just stared at him. "Is it bad that I don't feel any sort of remorse?" he asked quietly, and I shook my head.

"No one can force themselves to feel any sort of emotion toward another person. It's not bad if you don't feel sad for someone who died," I said, and he smiled softly at me.

"You're turning into a poet," he joked, and I chuckled.

"They call me Shakespeare," I said with a playful wink, and he laughed. Once we were back at Lindsey's, Wesley carried my mother inside and I tossed the bandana away. He sat her down on a chair, careful enough for her to not fall, and we all sat around her.

"How long will this take?" Wesley asked, and Lindsey shrugged nonchalantly.

"About fifteen to twenty-five minutes," she said, and he raised an eyebrow.

"I don't know about you, but I'm making myself some coffee," he said, and Lindsey perked up.

"Make that two!" she exclaimed.

"Three, please," Chase spoke up.

"And hot chocolate for me," I interfered, and all their heads turned to me.

"Hot chocolate, really?" Lindsey frowned, and I raised an eyebrow at her.

"You're all getting coffee at what--one in the afternoon? What is wrong with me getting some hot chocolate?" I asked.

"Hot chocolate is more for rainy and cold days," Wesley pointed out.

"Just like how coffee is for when you wake up, yet I don't criticize you for it," I said flatly. "Unless you're willing to make me a cookies-and-cream milkshake, then I'll take it."

"Whatever," he grumbled, and I tossed my arms up in victory. Chase chuckled beside me and I gave him a goofy grin as Wesley went up to the kitchen, grumbling things under his breath.

Some minutes later, Wesley came back, holding a tray with four cups. He handed a cup to each one of us, and all of us enjoyed our drinks in silence. After a few minutes, my mother started stirring in the chair, and we turned our attention to her. She grumbled something under her breath, before slowly opening her eyes and narrowed them at each one of us. 

"What is the meaning of all this?" she slurred and sat up straighter in her chair.

"Sorry, I couldn't resist spicing things up instead of just asking you to come with me," I said with a mindless shrug.

"Amelia Elizabeth Clark, tell me right now why I'm sitting in the middle of some messed up basement with bullet holes everywhere!" she demanded, and I narrowed my eyes at her.

"I think you're confused, Mother. It seems you're still under the effect of the chloroform. Mind if I clear your mind a little bit?" I asked, going straight to business.

"Just what in the actual hell are you talking about?" she huffed. "I thought we were finally on good terms."

"Oh, but we were," I said. "Until Chase and I were kidnapped by a certain man called Steven Clark. Who, if you didn't know, is the damn monster they call my father."

Her eyes widened at this and darted around the room. Her whole expression turned into a panicked one as she clenched her jaw. "Y-Your father?"

"In the flesh," I hissed. "How about you quit with the lies and face the damn reality?"

"I—I..."

"Get comfortable, Mother, because this will be one long day."

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[Edited: September 17th, 2020 by michh_44]

Such a rollercoaster! Sometimes I can't keep up with my own ideas...is that bad? A normal person would've ended things when she escaped. Of course, I won't do that, there's still a lot to uncover huehuehue xx