Me:
We will find him, babe. I’m so sorry.
Locking my phone, I slide it back into my pocket. Reyes reaches for my jacket on the hook, and comes up behind me, helping me slide it on. Turning and looking at him, I roll my eyes.
“Don’t be a brat. I’m just trying to help.” He chuckles, and I roll them again. It’s almost second nature to do the complete opposite of what I’m told.
“Let’s roll out and get this murder party started,” I cheer, grabbing Damien’s keys and walking to the garage.We’re coming, Sunshine, and I can’t wait until we make it rain red.
Walking past my car, I glide my fingertips along the hood. It’s so weird to see just my car in here without my bike. I’ll have to remind the guys to take me to see what’s left of it. Gettinginto the car, Damien pushes the button on his visor that opens the garage door. Reyes gets into his truck and starts backing down the driveway. Damien looks at me, and I turn back to him, almost like he’s asking if I’m ready. Nodding, he pulls out of the gates of the driveway.
We’re driving down my old neighborhood road, and just being this close makes my stomach churn. Looking out of the window, we pass houses I don’t even remember. Bikes and kids toys in the front yards, all the things I wish I could have done as a kid. My childhood was much different. I can’t even think of a single memory that was good other than meeting Naomi. She was the only good thing I had growing up. Damien grabs my hand, and I look over, realizing he’s staring at me with a sadness in his eyes, something I don’t think I’ve ever seen before. It’s then that I feel the wetness on my cheeks, tears I didn’t even know I set free falling down them.
“You okay, Angel? I can stop right now before we even get there if you need me too,” he says, his voice almost raspy.
“No, let’s go get our boy. I want to be done with this,” I reply, slapping the tears from my face.
A few minutes later, we park on the side of the street with a few other cars, making sure we blend in. It may be pitch black outside, but I can see the nightmare of a house I grew up in. Just there, still the same as it was all those years ago. Damien getsout and rounds the car, opening the door for me. Walking to the front, I lean against the hood. Reyes walks up with a duffle slung over his shoulder. Squatting down in front of me, he looks up at me.
“Are you ready for this? To go back in that house? You can stay out here if you want, and we can do it by ourselves,” he asks, pulling my face down close to his.
“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be, baby. Let’s go.” I exhale, and kiss his lips softly before pushing off the car and walking towards the driveway. Pulling my hood over my head, I look down as I walk across the street. I don’t want to be caught on no one's cameras. The only lights on are people's porch lights.Better safe than sorry.
Standing at the end of the driveway and looking up, it’s then that the memories come crashing down.
“Please, Mom. Please listen to me. That man doesn’t love you, and he’s hurting me,” I beg, with tears running down my face.
“Oh, please. He’s not hurting you. Why would he hurt you when he gives us everything we could ever want?” she yells, always thinking I make up lies.
“He touches me in places you say no one should ever touch me. He hurts me with the belt. He made me bleed where I shouldn’t. Why won’t you just believe me when I tell you these things?” I plead with tears still streaming down my face.
No amount of crying or begging will make her believe anything I say. She always takes his side. When I show her the fresh bruises, she just says, ‘you probably deserved that ass whooping.’ So, I give up. There’s no point in trying to fight it. My mom is more worried about a man keeping her and giving her money. I’m nothing to her. I’ll never be anything to anyone.
“Raven! Fuck, Raven,” Reyes whisper shouts, shaking me.
“What happened?” I gasp, and rub my chest.
“I think you were having a panic attack. Where did you go? Your eyes almost look glossed over,” he says, rubbing his hands up and down my arms to soothe me.
“It’s just a memory. I’m okay, we can talk about it later. You both know the things that happened to me here,” I reply, finally able to breathe again.
They both grab onto one of my hands, and we walk together into the one place I can’t wait to set fire to.
Chapter 17
Reyes
I can’t stand that she has to come back to this place, especially after everything she’s been through. That panic attack just proves my point. Her past haunts her, and it will continue to haunt her until we get rid of the problem. This shit ends tonight. I’m tired of seeing the girl I love struggle with something she has absolutely no control over.
“Okay, we have no idea what the fuck is about to go down! So we stick together, got it?” I whisper, squeezing her hand one last time before I let go.
Nodding, I reach for the door handle, but it’s locked.Guess it wouldn’t be that damn easy.Damien reaches into the duffle and pulls out our lock picking kit. Opening it, he slides the pieces into the door. Hearing the distinctclicksound, Raven looks up at him in awe.I swear this girl doesn't realize just how much shit we know.He gives her a cheesy grin and puts the kit back in the duffle. I look at them one more time, hoping they are ready. Taking a deep breath, I turn the handle and the door creaksopen. The air smells so musty in here, like the house hasn’t been lived in for years. Covering my mouth with my shirt, we pile in and Damien shuts the door softly behind us.
“I take it the basement is through the kitchen like most others?” Damien whispers, and I look back as she nods.
“Okay, wait here. We’re going to go check the upstairs area, just to make sure we're in the clear,” I say softly, making my way up the stairs. Damien’s hot on my heels with his hand on my shoulder.
I stop at the first room, reaching down and slowly turning the knob. The door opens and we sweep the room. Nothing but old furniture and cobwebs. Moving to the next room, we do the same, except when I open this door, I know exactly who it belongs to. There’s a purple comforter on the bed, a vanity with her stuff still scattered across it. We share a look and do a sweep. Still nothing, just a room that looks like it hasn’t been touched in forever. Walking by the vanity, a picture catches my eye. Picking it up and using my glove to wipe the dust off to get a better look, Damien walks up beside me. The picture looks like a younger Raven and beside her is a girl that looks a lot like Naomi. Sliding it into my back pocket, we walk out and check the last couple of rooms.All clear, not a person or sign of life in sight.
