Chapter 13: mirrors

"I'm sorry..... My fault.... Thank you... Goodbye."

"GET OUT!"

"Hey! Don't you dare talk to my brother like that!"

"Shut up!"

"Don't..... Leaving now."

"Is she going to be okay?"

"I don't know."

•••

My eyelids lazily peel apart as I'm met with a crusty old ceiling. Looking around cautiously, I'm able to recognize my surroundings as that of the motel's.

When did I get here?

I try to sit upright but an unimaginable amount pain erupts across my back causing an agonizing cry to leave my lips. Half a second later the door bursts open and my siblings are at my side.

"Oh my gosh, Roxy you're awake!"

"Are you okay?"

"Are you hungry?"

"Do you need water?"

"Does it hurt?"

Questions are shot at me from all directions, which makes me feel a bit dizzy.

"Guys, guys. I'm okay, what happened?" They all look at each other before Rolland responds.

"A girl came into the motel screaming for help, the waiter guy recognized her. I think he said she was his sister or something. Then we all realized you were nowhere to be found but then the girl mentioned your name and said you were injured. We found you unconscious in the car not to far from here, you were covered in so much blood. At first we wanted to take you to the hospital, but Ronan wouldn't let us. So we brought you back here, the old receptionist downstairs thankfully was able to get the bullets out and patch you up."

I look around once more before asking: "And where's Louis and Kelly?"

Everyone looks at Ronan, as if expecting him to respond but he doesn't. Which makes me even more confused. "Guys?"

"Ronan kicked them out." Ruby responds. To say I'm surprised would be an understatement. I would have expected it to have been Rolland because he has a very short temper, but Ronan?

"Why would you do that?" I ask him gently.

He doesn't respond immediately but eventually says: "H-He's the reason I nearly lost you." The tiredness in his voice shatters my heart. Poor kid saw his parents corpse, he must've been scared, thinking I'd die. And he blamed it on Louis.

"You'll never lose me. Never."

•••

I was condemned to my bed for a whole week before I could truly move on my own two feet.

I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought about Louis all this time. His goofy grin kept flashing before my eyes every time I close them. To say it annoys me would be an understatement. I wonder where they had gone. Could they still be at the store?

But why do I care? For some reason, I know Louis is more than capable of taking care of himself and Kelly.

After a few more days of bed rest, I can proudly say I have fully recovered. My back still hurt a lot, but its nothing I can't handle. The rest thought I needed more bed rest but I know they only said that because they didn't want to go to uncle John's.

Honestly, I don't want to either but it's dangerous for us to be out here on our own. He's all we have left.

So here we are, in my trusty old Jeep, on our way to uncle John's mansion with three sad kids sitting in the back, a baby and an emotionless teenage boy sitting right beside me.

Uncle John lives in the outskirts of Town. He doesn't really like people.

We reached the pathway leading up to uncle John's mansion. Dead trees stood on either side, they look like they'd collapse at the tiniest gust of wind. Dry leaves crunched beneath the tyres, other than that there's not a single sound. No signs of houses, offices or people. There are no woodland creatures for miles either. I pull up in front of the familiar, gigantic metal gate. A second later a man in a black suit and dark shades came up to us. I was just about to explain ourselves when he spun on heels and signalled for the gate to be opened.

Well then.

I drive in, waving at the man as he gave me a nod. I take in the sight before me, it's been a while since I last came here. There aren't any trees or flowers, only a huge collection of cars by the side wall.

The only intriguing thing about this place is that it's a glass house, well a mirror house actually. Now that I remember, uncle John has always loved mirrors. I wonder why.

Parking my Jeep near the rest of Uncle John's impressive collection of cars, I kill the engine and face the others. The look on their faces is not inviting, I guess they are still upset.

"Hey guys, I know it's not going to be easy staying with uncle John but I promise we're not staying long." No one said a thing, not even a reaction. They just stare at me with blank expressions. "Guys?"

Still, no one replied.

I sigh loudly in defeat before We get out of the car. I can't help but notice the huge number of guards standing in every angle. They stood at attention with guns strapped across their chest, I can feel their eyes on me, all judging me. For a moment, I feel small beneath their gaze. We had guards back home, but not as much as this. Dad never wanted us to feel like we were in danger, even though we always are. He wanted us to live normally.

Well, for my siblings to live normally. My life has never been normal, it never will be. Besides, I am the heir to this empire. These men technically work for me, they should be bowing before my feet.

With my newly found confidence, I square my shoulders, kick my chin up and march up the stairs leading to the front door with my head held high. The rest followed quietly behind me. The guards nod at me in respect before opening the doors for us.

As we stepped in, a woman who looked to be in her late forties approaches us. "Hello children, my name is Belinda." She introduces herself before facing me. "Roxanna, your uncle wishes to speak with you in his office. He said you know the way."

I nod. "I do."

Not really.

I remember when I used to come here as a child, I'd usually run around and cause havoc while uncle John rained curses on me. Such as: "you are the spun of Satan."

Ah, good times.

"Wonderful, I will take the rest of you to your rooms." No one made an attempt to follow Belinda, instead they all look at me.

"Go on guys, I'll be right back." I assure them and they all nod before following Belinda up the stairs.

I pick a random hallway and start looking for where could possibly uncle John's office. Each hallway has mirrors hanging on the walls, not a single picture or painting.

Just mirrors.

Eventually, I stop in front of a huge Golden door at the end of the last hallway. Inhaling sharply, I turn the knob before walking in.

Sure enough, it is his office. It is is unusually dark, I do not understand how that's possible. Considering the fact there are more of windows than walls here, and its pure daylight. My eyes fall on Uncle John who is sitting on a chair facing a balcony that has a magnificent view of the city in a distance. His figure was nothing but a silhouette from where I stand.

A cigarette laid between his lips, the puff of smoke leaving his lips creates a beautiful swirl in the air around him. He didn't seem to acknowledge my presence but his next words leave me in a state of both ecstasy and shock.

"I know who killed your parents."