CandiceFamiliar voices wake me from my deep slumber. My whole body feels hot and my back is extremely tight. I try to move around but am met with intense pain on my side. I take a deep breath and wait for the pain to subside. Right off the back I know my ribs are at a minimal bruised. Ben comes into my view and I've never been so relieved to see him. "Hey you." His calm voice says."He..." I clear my throat and try again. "Hey. What happened?""Was hoping you could tell me. You were brought in yesterday, a broken rib, fractured orbital bone, back is covered in slashes and you have quite a rainbow of bruises all over your body."I close my eyes at the description of my injuries. Psych and Jesse really did a number on me, but I know that Austin and the rest of the Warriors rescued me. It would have been a lot worse if they hadn't come when they did, but part of me is still very angry with Austin. If he hadn't treated me the way he did when he found out about my father, I would hav
CandiceIt's been six weeks since everything went down and so much has transpired in that time. I was in the hospital a total of six days and when I was finally released they gave me three weeks off work. During that time I had a physical therapist help me move my back and arms better. I was still in pain because I did indeed get an infection, but after two weeks, I was able to move around easily. Rodger happened to be the one I was referred to and I was happy about it because it allowed me to get to know him better. He really is a good man and mom couldn't be happier. Jared ended up coming to the hospital once he found out what happened to me. I told him everything and apologized for not letting him know I was safe. I just wasn't used to anyone else in my life other than mom and grandma, but he showed me that I did, I had a big brother that wanted to help and protect me. I introduced him to mom a few days ago and at first mom was a bit taken back but she soon realized that I needed
Candice"How's this?" Max asks from above me."A little higher.""This?""Perfect, keep it right there."I turn and grab the staple gun and pass it to him. He is high up on the ladder, so I have to go up a few steps to hand it to him while he holds the string of lights. I move back down the steps and bump into a very firm and familiar body. I turn around and smile up at Austin as he helps me down the last step. He places his arm over my shoulders as we both look up at the completion of decorations around the club. There are green and red lights everywhere. A large Christmas tree in the center of the room where the dance floor normally is, and about two hundred wrapped presents for the local children's shelter that Chance sponsors. We will all drop them off tomorrow morning. Turns out I was right; the warriors are making the community better. I had asked Austin right after thanksgiving if we could do a Christmas party at his club for all the members and their families. After spen
VOLUME THREE: TRUTHAnna Age 5"Again."I run as fast as my little legs will carry. I hear father running right behind me and I know I need to beat him this time, I'm just so tired. The scorching sun reminding me of the invitation to a pool party I had to decline because my training came first. My training always came first."Do not let me catch up with you Annabelle." Father shouts from behind, his booming voice terrifying me enough to nearly stumble.This is our third time running today. I want to tell him that I don't want to run anymore, but I know what that will lead to. He just doesn't understand that I'm not as fast as Jed. I feel father gaining speed and know he is coming up right behind me. A gripping hand grabs the straps of the heavy backpack and my little body goes flying backwards.I land hard on the backpack which is holding about ten large rocks inside. My back immediately protests with pain. I hold in the scream that is threatening to rip out of my mouth because
AnnaI extend my arm and punch. I do the same with the other. Punch, punch. Left, right. Again and again until I tire. The metal swings the punching bag away from me then back, away from me, then back again. I dance on my tip toes, left, right, left, right, punch, punch. Seconds, minutes, hours pass, I don't pay attention to the time. It's the only time I don't.Mickey, the owner of the training center I am profusely sweating in, comes up from behind me, I see him before he speaks, I feel his movement before he even makes it. I was trained to."Looking good Anna but keep your elbows up."I nod and do as ordered, then try again. Punch, punch, left, right. Sweat slides down one side of my face and onto my collarbone. I can feel pressure rising form the bottom of my back and that's my indication that I've been at this for over an hour. My max is usually no more than forty-five minutes, but if I really push myself, like today, I can normally make it to one hour and eighteen min
AlanI walk down the halls of Northridge Academy one last time. As excited as I am to be moving to New York and starting new somewhere, I am really going to miss this school. I have been here a total of three years and even after everything that went down with me one dark and drunken night, the school staff and principal still supported me and welcomed me back when I was deemed fit to teach again.Mr. Tissimo, the school principal, greets me right outside his office door. When I first requested to work here in this school, I expected I would not get in. It being an Academy and all, had diminished my hopes. It wasn't until I was hired and was asked several times if I would have my father come and tour the school or take a look around at what needed to be fixed in the school, did I understand the true meaning behind my hiring. I am my father's son.Dad is a real estate tycoon that has recently announced his running for Senator. It didn't come as a surprise to our family, dad was alw
AnnaEight seventeen pm."I just can't imagine those two colors together. What do you think Anna?"Eight seventeen pm."Anna, did you hear me?"Eight seventeen."Anna, why are you starring at your phone so hard?"Eight eighteen. Shit. Still nothing."Anna!"I look over to Laynie as she smirks at me. Shit, how long has she been asking me a question?"Sorry Lanes. Got a little sidetracked. What were you asking me?""Anna, we can do this another day. It really isn't a big deal." Laynie says to me as she looks around at her now empty restaurant. Yesterday Laynie asked me to come over to the restaurant and help her out with a few things. When I came in today after work she was at one of her tables with her head down, looking at paint samples. Laynie has been extremely overwhelmed with everything since Maggie's business skyrocketed. She is working nearly seven day a week being the chef and manager. Both Jared and I have told her to hire someone to help manage the place, but sh
Alan"We are very excited for you to start with us Mr. King. The previous fifth grade teacher, Mr. Wormon, has decided last minute that he no longer wanted to teach, so circumstances have you starting sooner rather than later." Mr. Moley the school principal tells me.It's Sunday morning and I was asked to come down this morning to start my paperwork and get them everything they would need for me to start by tomorrow. It's not normally how it's done but I know they are shorthanded at the moment. Plus, to be honest, I don't mind one bit. I'm eager to get started and to meet my new students.I've been here for two days now and although the first night was of me getting settled in and resting. I thought the next day would bring me a surprise I've been waiting on. Laynie and Jared came over to bring me dinner but when I asked Laynie about Anna, she just lowered her head and shook it.The girl has been avoiding me like the plague since I moved out here but when I told Laynie that, she s