Page 71 of Fractured Souls

Rage comes running in with Sugar in tow. “What's going on?”

“Sit.” I point to the chairs next to my main desk. They do and glance at me with varying confused expressions. “Rage, what's your middle name?”

He raises a brow. “Bennett. Why?”

“Alright, well, I have some shit to tell you. It's not gonna be easy to hear.”

I go on to tell him everything I learned and watch as his face goes from rage to utter confusion. “That's not possible. When Lilian ran away from here, they tracked her down months later and found her. They killed her and the baby.”

Sugar puts his hand on Rage's shoulder. “Brother, it's not far-fetched to believe they lied to you. Maybe they couldn't find her and that was your father’s way of tryin’ to get you to get over it and not think of her anymore.”

Before any more can be said, there is some banging and then shouting coming from the common room. We all jump up and run out, and the sight before me is not what I ever expected to see.

Holy fucking shit.

ChapterTwenty-Six

Harley

It’s 8:30 p.m. by the time I reach Jacksonville. I have my taxi driver drop me off at the local mall. It's open for another thirty minutes, and on the way here, I decided I can spend a little money on myself.

I brought all the cash I have, and I have a few changes of clothes in my backpack, but I am looking for something different.

I walk through different shops, not finding anything. The only thing I seem to be getting is weird looks from the few people still wandering around here. The few times I did go out with Bri, it took me a while to adjust to people staring at my scar. But being out alone is different and kind of terrifying when you constantly have people looking at you like you are disgusting, or they stare at you with pity. I fucking hate it, but I push through it anyways.

I go into another store and decide to try something on this time instead of just looking. Maybe I’ll have better luck. Being in a mall is so weird to me now. Luckily, with it being so late, there are barely any people around, but it still just feels odd. I have learned that I don’t mind going places over the last few months. But I definitely prefer to be in a safe space at home, not that I have a home right now. I didn’t really go out a lot at Bri’s, not that she didn't try and offer all the time, but I never really wanted to leave.

I finally felt fairly safe after three years of always being on edge. I just wanted to soak in that feeling and breathe easy before taking on other things… Okay, well, or deciding I need to hunt down my birth dad. That got me out of the house.

As I browse the store getting ready to give up, I find a pretty pink top that makes me smile and decide to try it on. There is nothing wrong with it. It fits perfectly and is flowy, but I hate it. Ugh. I remember shopping for clothes with my mom when I was younger, and it was always so easy.

I know that I'll know the perfect thing when I find it. I head into one of the last stores there is, feeling a little deflated until I see it. The perfect outfit. I grab everything in my size and check out, not even bothering to try it all on. I know this is it. I then race to the bathroom to change. After I get dressed, I make sure the gun is loaded, safety is on, and tuck into the waistband of my jeans. I shove the knives I was given from Linc in my jean pockets and keep one in the pocket of my jacket. I come out of the stall and finger brush my hair and tie it up into a high ponytail then look myself over in the mirror, feeling a huge smile come over my face. Fuck yes.

I was wearing a black tank and sports bra under my hoodie, so I left those on, taking off the hoodie and put on my new leather jacket, with new black skinny jeans that have holes in each leg around the knee, paired with my new boots, black chunky lace up ankle boots.

Might as well feel good walking into what could be the worst decision of my life. Scratch that, this is most definitely the worst decision I've ever made.

I shove everything I didn't put on in my backpack, then head outside, taking out my phone to call a taxi.

The adrenaline is starting to kick in. I am terrified of the outcome, but I have to do this. I don't care how reckless it is. My life has been hell the last few years. So if I somehow do this and make it out alive, then I will take it as my sign to keep going and take down every other person who has hurt my mom and I. If I don't make it out of this alive, I hopefully will at least get to take my piece of shit sperm donor down with me.

I already miss Bri and it's only been a few hours since I left. I have come to love her like a real aunt I never got to have. I’ve gotten closer to Linc, Atlas, and Ryan too. They have helped me tremendously, and I don’t ever think I could repay any of them for the kindness they have shown me. When I went to Virginia, I was not expecting to find a family. To find people who would help me.

Even when Atlas came storming into my life pissing me off, I didn't realize at the time that he was going to be the one to truly help me find my inner strength and remind me it's there every time I think it's not.

Linc is the calm in a storm. He will hold my hand and guide me through whatever inner turmoil I need to navigate. Atlas is the catalyst in a storm. He will demand for me to get up, be better, and do better. He's a force and sometimes can be too much, but in the end, he helped me to become stronger, tougher, and more resilient to the shit that life throws my way. Ryan is quiet but no less a storm than Atlas and Linc. He is kind and patient but can command a room with his presence. He wasn't around as much as Atlas and Linc were, but when he started teaching me how to shoot, he taught me to be patient but never give up.

And Bri, my sweet, loving Princess Brielle, who I grew up hearing stories about, that saved my mom. She has been my rock, a safe place to land. A place for me to go when things feel like they are too much.

A few weeks ago, I had been having a rough week; I wanted to try and get my license and learn how to drive, and I have been studying for the GED, so I wanted to look into a test to take for it, but then I was reminded of my haunting reality, and when I broke down, Bri was right there to guide me through it.

I go out and sit on the back deck hoping for some time alone. Linc, Bri, and I just talked, and I was reminded that I can't go getting my license yet or take my GED test because I am underage and they would need Tammy there since on paper, she is my legal guardian.

Ryan, who is tech smart, had looked into it a little and found out that she did have a fake birth certificate made. We talked about how we could go to the cops because Ryan has the proof that it’s fake, but we have no idea how far her reach is so that just isn't an option because the thought of her getting her hands on me again sends me spiraling.

I thought this was supposed to get better, but I find myself panicking all the time. I fucking hate it. So now I am sitting outside on the deck, soaking in the scent of the ocean, letting the breeze and slight mist calm my mind.

Bri comes out and sits next to me but doesn't say anything. I feel tears fall down my cheeks, and I angrily wipe them away.

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