It's been a while! Sorry about that, mountains of homework plus a virus does not equal more updates, but I'm back. Anyway, onto the chapter! *Clap**Clap*

I wanted to wake up in a cold sweat, my breath heavy, but that didn't happen. My body was pulled back, gloved hands grabbing me away from the only person who could protect me. I locked eyes with Thomas as I was thrust over a shoulder, giving him a cold glare. I would not give up.  

He kept his smirk plastered solidly on his face, not one muscle twitching. He lowered his gun, the barrel falling to my mum's feet. She stood motionless, knowing that if she made any move to help me she would be shot. I desperately wanted to call out to her, yell for help, but I knew that I would soon be silenced. 

The surrounding park was deserted, the only people around were on my brother's side, ready to grab me or anyone who might bring themselves into the situation. They'd be gone before the second gunshot could sound. 

We turned a sharp corner, my last view of the scene I was taken from - my mum kneeling on the floor with her hands in the air of surrender, despite the gun being tucked away inside a pocket. There were two other men walking beside us, one behind me - making sure I stayed in line as we approached our destination. He didn't take his eyes off of me, his glassy eyes burning into mine. 

We kept walking at a brisk pace, but as we approached the entrance to the park, the brawny man put me down on the ground, and began to march me down the street, his hands firmly placed on my shoulders as to not allow me to escape. 

We turned a few corners, not drawing attention from anyone. I had no idea where we were, I have never been to California. I tried to map our route in my head, but it became scrambled as we turned each corner, until the map was a helpless line. 

We stopped abruptly in the entrance to an alleyway before a well-known figure emerged from the shadows. My back was pushed slightly and I stumbled over, falling to the feet of Thomas. He bent down to my level, harshly taking my chin in his hand, forcing me to look at him in the eyes. 

He began tutting, each click wrenching my stomach into a tight knot. "Hello, fancy seeing you here." He paused cocking his head before sending a hand across my face, leaving a stinging feeling on my cheek. "Speak." 

I remained silent, not wanting to talk to the monster I thought was dead. My cheek began to burn, the pain searing across the left of my face. Tears swam in my eyes but I had no intention to allow him the privilege to see the pain that he caused me. 

"I see how it is." He grabbed me by arm, hauling me up from the floor before tossing me further into the damp ally. I stumbled once again but steadied myself as to not fall to the floor once again. He took a step closer, then another and another. "I finally have you back again, and this is how you repay me?" He took another step closer, I took a step back. One step forward, one step back. 

"Why?" It was the only thing I could choke out, the fear of Thomas eating me alive as a silent tear fell from my eye. 

I backed myself against a brick wall, the rough surface scratching my elbows. "Because, dear little sister, I'm your real family, not those people you call mum and dad." 

I bite my bottom lip, clenching my fists as he began to laugh maniacally. "They're more of a family than you ever be!" I instantly regretted my actions, Thomas lunged forward, thrusting a hand to my throat. 

My hands threw up to his, my fingers trying to make a gap to allow some air to pass to my lungs. "No, you are my sister, and now I finally have you back. Those idiots would never suspect me." He began to laugh once more, "I'm dead anyway." 

He squeezed tighter and tighter, his concentration not faltering. Black spots appeared in my already darkened vision until I collapsed on the floor, the blackness of the ally swallowing me whole.