AN: here's chapter 17. Enjoy, people.

Lexi's POV:

TW: CONTAINS ABUSE! There will be a row of 🌷when it's over!

Flashback: (10 years ago)

"What is this?" Isla seethed, shaking the teddy bear.

I shrank back, "it's- it's a teddy bear, ma'am."

"I know that," Isla growled, "but why do you have it? You don't deserve nice things."

"I- I just wanted one toy to play with," I mumbled, looking down.

"You don't deserve it!" Isla slapped me, "now, time for your punishment."

My eyes are widened and I shook my head frantically. When Liam was away, Isla was extremely creative with her torture.

She dragged me and strapped me to a metal table. I tried pulling at my bonds, but they were too tight. Isla stepped towards me with a sick smirk on her face. She put a towel on my face.

I thrashed wildly, knowing what she was about to do. Water was poured on the towel. I held my breath for as long as I could, but then I exhaled and inhaled. The towel stuck to my nose and again, water was poured on me.

I don't know how long she did this for. It felt like my lungs were on fire. Tears streamed down my face and between bouts of coughs, I begged her to stop.

Soon, she untied me and pulled me to the basement. Isla threw me down the stairs and I curled up on the floor, shivering and coughing. The she-devil sauntered down and kicked me in the stomach. I began coughing up blood and scrambled away quickly.

"You insolent child!" She shrieked and slapped me twice. She proceeded to brutally beat me up. I screamed for mercy, scared out of my mind, but she didn't stop.

🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷🌷

I opened my eyes and gasped, leaning over and throwing up bile. My eyes watered, my throat burned and I felt like someone had put my torso through a wood chipper.

"Oh my God," Luke whispered, pulling me into a hug, "I thought- we thought that you-you-"

I winced and he immediately pulled away, scanning me worriedly. Behind him, my brothers looked terrified and relieved. Ace and Ryan were soaked- I think they jumped in the river to save me.

"My stomach hurts," I whispered, shivering slightly. Luke lifted what was left of my shirt up slightly to inspect it. Lots of old wounds had reopened and blood was gushing from a particularly nasty gash.

"Okay," Luke frowned, "these look pretty serious... I don't have the equipment to treat them here- we'll have to go home."

I nodded, standing up. Immediately, a wave of pain engulfed me and I cried out, doubling over.

"You idiot!" Ace chided, at my side in an instant and helping me, "why would you stand up quickly?"

"I forgot," I mumbled through gritted teeth, leaning against Ace.

He raised an eyebrow, "you forgot your stomach was practically ripped to shreds?"

"Yes," I snapped back, "now help me, please."

With help, I managed to limp agonisingly towards the car. The boys offered to carry me, but I waved off their protests, claiming I was fine on my own. Simon gave me his coat, which I accepted gratefully.

Inside the car, I curled up into a ball to try and preserve some heat- even though that further damaged my stomach. I squeezed my eyes shut and leaned against Ace.

"Scale 1-10?" He asked, furrowing his eyebrows. When I was younger and got hurt a lot, he would ask me how much the pain was and see if there was anyway to lessen it.

"Fifteen," I mumbled, breathing heavily, "it really hurts."

"Kyle, I get that Lexi's in pain, but maybe, drive safely so we don't die?" Ryan said, holding onto his seat for dear life.

"Who let Kyle drive?!" I asked, aghast. I thought the constant spinning and stopping was just my wooziness.

"Don't worry Lex," Kyle looked back and smiled, taking his hands off the wheels. Hayden lurched forward and grabbed the steering wheel, just managing to dodge the old lady crossing the road.

"Eyes on the road!" Hayden yelled and Kyle apologised to us all. I held on to Ace for dear life, praying that I make it back in one piece. I closed my eyes, feeling incredibly clammy and in tremendous pain. After what felt like hours, we finally pulled into the driveway

Tony picked me up and I closed my eyes, feeling myself drift off.

"Lex, stay awake," Luke instructed. I presumed that we were going to his office where his medical instruments were.

I was laid down on a metal table. My eyes widened, the flashback playing like a loop through my mind. I screamed loudly, thrashing wildly, unsure of where I was. Pain was addling with my brain, making me confused.

"I'm sorry for this, Lexi," someone whispered. I felt a sharp sting in my arm and my body suddenly felt leaden. I blinked a couple of times before closing my eyes and falling asleep.

End of chapter 17.

I hope you guys liked it!

Stay safe and thanks for reading :)