Shattered Peace

Selena

 I was halfway down the stairs when I heard the front door click open. Then I bolted the rest of the way down, rushing straight into Mikey's arms. He stumbled back, letting out a surprised laugh.

 "Easy there, Sel." He said, wrapping his arms around me.

 "Well, I guess I know who she was really waiting for." Daddy said from behind Mikey, sounding amused.

 I stuck my tongue out to Daddy. "Good thing you know." Then I gave my attention back to Mikey. "You're just in time for dinner." I said, grabbing his hand to lead him to the dining room.

 He winced and his fingers flinched in mine. I had to stop to look at him, concerned. "Are you okay?"

 "Yeah. Yeah, it's nothing really." I caught him exchange a look with Dad. It was so fast that I felt like I might have imagined it.

 "Just a little accident at work."

 I narrowed my eyes at him. What kind of accident at work? He had a desk job and so did Dad.

 He noticed the way I was looking at him and forced a smile. "Sel, I'm fine. You don't need to worry."

 It didn't make any sense to me, but I decided not to push it. After all, it's been a few days since I last laid eyes on him.

 We all went into the dining room and dinner was perfect. Just having all my favourite people in one place — Mikey, Daddy, Mom and Luke — made me feel great.

 I loved these moments... our small bubble of warmth, laughter, and love. I knew exactly how lucky I was.

 After dinner, Mikey leaned over to whisper in my ear. "Walk me out?"

 I smiled and followed him to the front door. We stepped outside, holding hands and the cool air brushed over my cheeks.

 As soon as we got to Mikey's car, he pulled me in for a kiss, soft and gentle. I could feel his hesitation to pull away and I didn't even want that moment to end.

 We broke apart and he stared at me.

 "Take care of yourself, Sel." He murmured, tucking a stray strand behind my ear.

 I frowned at him. "You're acting weird tonight, you know that?"

 "I just miss you already. Why don't you come with me? We'll take a night trip and I'll drop you off by morning."

 "Okay, Daddy may like working with you, but you know he doesn't like that you're my boyfriend. We can't just up and leave."

 "Nah, he's just pretending. He loves me for you, he knows I'm the only one that can keep his little girl happy and safe."

 "Yeah, yeah. Now, go on."

 He gave me one quick kiss before getting into his car. I waited until his car was out of sight before heading back into the house.

 My parents and Luke were already in the living room, talking about whatever exaggerated story Daddy had this time.

 As much as I would have loved to join them, I still had a book I was reading before I heard Daddy and Mikey pull in, so I went back upstairs to my bedroom.

 I had just picked up the book from my nightstand when I heard it... the sharp, unmistakable pop of gunshots, so loud they seemed to echo through the walls.

 My heart froze and a sick twisting fear took a hold of me. I stumbled back, trying to steady myself. Then instinct took over, and I scrambled under my bed and laid belly-1flat.

 Silence.

 It lasted for a heartbeat... maybe two. Then footsteps, heavy and pounding up the stairs as if several men were heading my way.

 I clamped my hands over my mouth, struggling to stay quiet. My mind was racing, too fast to make sense of what's going on.

 When my bedroom door creaked open, I felt like I might pass out from the fear. I saw boots moving around slowly.

 I pressed myself tighter against the floor, holding my breath as the boots paused.

 'He will find me', 'He will kill me', 'I'm dead'... I kept thinking over and over again, trying my hardest not to let a sound slip out.

 "Hey!" I heard a rough voice call from the hallway. "We gotta go. Another car's coming."

 "We haven't found the girl yet..." The one in my bedroom called out in an equally rough voice.

 "Just leave it! We're moving... Now!"

 The boots ran out of my room and I heard their retreating steps. I didn't dare move... not yet.

 Even after the footsteps faded, even after the house fell silent. I stayed glued to my spot under my bed.

 When I got the feeling that my family might need me, maybe the bullets missed and someone's still alive, I crawled out.

 My body was trembling and rather than going downstairs, my instincts told me to jump out through the window and run.

 But if someone was still alive and I abandoned them, I'd never be able to forgive myself.

 I swallowed and braced myself, leaving my room. I made my way to the stairs, gripping the railing tightly to steady myself.

 My heart hammered as I stepped into the living room... and froze.

 There, standing over my family, was a man I'd never seen before. He was tall, his shoulders were broad... he was holding a gun loosely in one hand, like it was an extension of his arm.

 His piercing eyes were dark, cold and fixed on Daddy's lifeless body with a very deep scowl.

 I looked away from him to the horror surrounding us. Daddy, sprawled on the floor with a dark stain spreading across his shirt. Mom lying beside him, her face turned away... motionless. And Luke, slumped against the wall, his hand outstretched in front of him as if he tried reaching out to someone… me?

 The man's eyes flicked up, meeting mine. I was paralyzed, pinned by that stare, by the sheer emptiness in his gaze. There was no remorse, no hesitation... just a cold indifference.

 He took a step forward, and the spell broke. I turned around, running back up the stairs, desperate to get away.

 But he was faster. He caught me at the top of the stairs and pinned me down, glaring at me. There was nothing in his eyes... nothing but hatred. 

 "Looks like one of you was spared." He said with a sinister smirk. "Good. Now, you'll pay for your family's sins."