Chapter 3: promise me

I wake up on a chair beside Mom's hospital bed. Looking up, I find her staring at nothing in particular, she's probably thinking about something.

"Mom?" No answer.

"Mom?" Still no answer.

Sighing, I rise to my feet and stretch my limbs. My eyes spot Ronan's sleeping figure on a chair next to mine. His eyes are closed and mouth open, cute little snores coming out of it as he looks like a peaceful prince. Moving a few strands of his hair, I kiss his forehead before looking at mom, who's already looking at me with adoring eyes. "My sweet daughter, You have no idea how much I love you."

I blush at her confession, "I love you too mom."

"Promise me you guys will always be safe."

"Oh mom, that's a promise I made a long time ago."

•

Mom was discharged from the hospital two days ago. The others couldn't get enough of Raelynn, she's stolen all our hearts in such a short span of time. The joy her smile and giggles bring to my heart is beyond my understanding.

I am in my room flipping knives when the ground suddenly rumbles beneath my feet. My heart plummets when a series of gunshots is heard.

Quickly grabbing my gun, I dash out of my room only for someone to pull me into another. I relax when I see my mom and siblings in the room.

"Mom? What's going on?" I ask worriedly.

"An enemy of your father is attacking us. You and your siblings need to get out of here." She says quickly.

"What? No! I'm not leaving. I can help you--"

"No! This isn't up for discussion Roxanna! You made me a promise, don't you dare break it." Her voice is stern as she speaks.

I nod in response, "yes mom."

"You need to get to your uncle's and tell him what happened, he'll know what to do." She informs before looking at my siblings. "Remember, mommy and daddy love you guys so much. Don't ever forget that." They nod in response.

"Mom, I know I'm annoying. But please don't leave us." Rolland pleads.

"You're not annoying, Rolland. I'm not leaving you, I'm always going to be with you. All of you." I'm surprised to find her looking at me as she says this. I'm even more surprised when she wraps her arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug. "I'm so proud of the woman you've become Roxanna. I love you."

why does this feel like goodbye?

"I love you too, mom." I whisper to her before she smiles and leaves the room. I don't miss the gun strapped to her waistband as she leaves.

My dad has taught me a lot of things, but the things my mom has taught me will forever remain in my memory.

Never abandon your empire.

My mother is indeed a queen.

Raelynn suddenly starts crying and it shatters my heart. Ruby tries her best to calm her but she doesn't. Sighing, I cut a piece of clothing and gag her with it.

"Forgive me, Rae. Do me a favor and don't suffocate." I say before kissing her cheek. It's then I realize how quiet the house has become. Too quiet....

I signal for my siblings to hide under the bed and they quietly complied. Listening carefully, I am able to detect the sound of footsteps drawing nearer.

I hide myself behind the door, tightening my grip on the gun as a realization hits me.

I've never actually killed before.

The door swings open and two men with guns appear. The first one spots me but before he could do anything I kick the gun out of his hands and knee him in the groin.

The second one tries to shoot me but I easily dodge the bullet. He is caught off guard and without thinking, I use the opportunity to pull the trigger. The blood in my body drains as I realize what I just did.

His eyes lock with mine, the sight of his soul leaving his body will forever be engraved in my memory as he collapses on the hardwood. Lifeless.

No....

I'm tackled to the floor followed by hands wrapping around my throat, cutting out my air supply. "You bitch!" The second man seethes. I am able to detect an opening between his legs, I use the chance to knee him once again. He's caught off guard causing his grip on my neck to loosen. I take the chance to connect my fist with his face, the action knocking him off me.

Filling my lung with air, I start coughing uncomfortably. My eyes fall on my gun that is a few feet away from me, I try reaching for it but my ankles are suddenly grabbed and I'm being pulled backwards.

BANG!

My ankles are suddenly released, turning around, I find Ronan holding a bloody iron rod. My eyes land on the man now lying unconsciously on the floor with blood pooling at the back of his head.

Ronan looks at me with tears in his eyes, the rod slipping from his fingers. "I..."

Quickly, I wrap my arms around him and caress his hair. "Ssh! It's okay. You did the right thing, okay?"

"H-he was going to hurt you." He stutters causing my heart to shatter. That means he was watching all of that. Does that mean the others watched as well?

"Yes, but I'm okay. You didn't do anything wrong, okay?" I assure and he nods slowly before going back in hiding with the others.

The house is still very quiet. Maybe the bad guys left, but where's mom and dad? It's best I find out what's wrong on my own before taking the others with me. "I'll be back, guys. Stay under there, do not come out. You hear me?"

"Yes." They respond.

Quietly leaving the room, I make sure my steps are silent and breathing is controlled. When I reach the bottom of the stairs, the sight before me will forever remain in my memory.

Bodies are littered all over the place, some had bullets in their chest and others with knives in their throats. The sight is horrendous!

But when my eyes fall on the bodies in the middle of it all, a hurricane of emotions come crashing down. I could feel everything and nothing all at once.

Pain.

Anger.

Sorrow.

Grief.

No words can possibly describe the emotions I'm feeling right now as I stare my parents' lifeless bodies.