Chapter 8: Pity

I definitely wasn't expecting that to be his response. My little stunt really caused a lot trouble. I start shifting uncomfortably on my feet. I look up to find Ronan and he's looking at Louis with so much pity. I hate pity. I look down at Louis and he looks at me like he's waiting for me to say something. Does he expect me to apologise?

"Well that's too bad, Come on Ronan. We need to go." I finally say, catching both of them off guard. I start walking towards the way we came from but Ronan doesn't follow me. "Come on Ronan, we have to go. Now."

He shakes his head vigorously and points at Louis who is now clutching his bleeding head. The sight of him like that really bothers me for some reason.

"It's fine little dude. I'll be fine here, go with your sister." Louis gives Ronan a reassuring smile, he seems to be contemplating whether to go or not. But he eventually comes with me and we head back to the motel.

"Wait!" I stop in my tracks and turn to find Louis running towards us. Once he finally reaches us he's panting and out of breath. "You .... Forgot this." I'm shocked to find my gun in his hands. How did I not realize it wasn't with me? How could I be so careless?

I'm surprised Louis hasn't asked any questions about it. I reach out to take it but then my eyes lock with his. He's already staring at me intently, I retract my hand. "Keep it."

"What?"

"Keep it. You'll need it if you're going to sleep in a place like that." I conclude. He looks unsure but doesn't say anything.

Ronan's already way ahead of me, I'm about to catch up to him when Louis stops me again. "What's your name?"

I give him one last glance before answering, "Roxanna."

With that said I catch up to Ronan but my ears didn't fail to catch the sound of my name escape Louis' lips.

"Roxanna."

•

I couldn't sleep last night. It seemed nearly impossible. My mind is racing and I find myself thinking about Louis for reasons I don't understand!

It's morning now and everyone's awake. They've all showered (I was surprised to find the shower working) and changed into the clothes I got from the store last night. Ronan got a few board games and they're all playing. Except Ronan of course. He's sitting far away from the others but his are trained on them as they continue to play. My heart aches for my brother, I want more than anything for him to be happy. I look down at Raelynn who is enjoying the milk I got her yesterday. She has no emotion on her face as she continues to suck on the bottle. I guess that makes two sad siblings, it's funny how the rest don't know what's truly going on yet a week old baby does.

Once she's done with her bottle I sit her up on the bed using numerous pillows. I stare at her unmoving legs and at that moment I want nothing more than to bang my head against the wall until my skull cracks open.

Nothing is okay!

A knock is heard causing everyone to go silent. I pull out my spare gun from the drawer and hide it behind me. If there's one thing I'm certain of, it's that we aren't expecting any visitors.

Opening the door, my eyes meet a pair of familiar chocolate ones and I find myself relaxing.

"Surprise!" He chirps happily.

My eyes narrow, giving him a suspicious look. "What are you doing here Louis?"

"I came to hang out with you guys." He says simply.

"No." Before he can say anything else I slam the door in his face.

"That was rude." I'm shocked to hear Ruby say that.

"What did you just say?"

"I said that was rude, the guy is probably feeling lonely and wants to be friends with us." She says making my eyelids narrow even more.

"We don't even know him. He--"

"Then let's get to know him." She replies stubbornly as she heads towards the door.

"Ruby Ferrer don't you dare--"

She dared.

She opens the door with a bright smile that can put the sun to shame. "Hi! I'm Ruby, come in."

So much for Stranger danger.

"Your sister is nicer than you." Is the first thing Louis says as he walks in.

My fist clench as I begin to grit my teeth. "Get. Out."

"Oh come on! I wanna play with him! Pretty please!" Ruby pleads. I look at the others who have been watching the whole thing silently.

"No. We need to go to Uncle John's." Once the words leave my lips their faces turn pale.

"NO!"

"Uncle John's not that bad." They give me a look making me rethink my words. "Okay, maybe he is that bad but we have no where else to go."

"Can we just go tomorrow, please?" Rolland finally speaks but his voice is calm and collected. Something it's never.

They're all pleading but it's not safe for them to stay here.... But I'm feeling so sleepy again.

"Ugh! Fine! But we leave first thing tomorrow morning." I decide and they all smile victoriously.

My eyes meets Louis' once again. He's been leaning against the wall watching everything with a small smile on his face. He seems lost in thought but I don't have time to ponder much on it before my head hits the pillow.