Chapter 1

ONE: 

                    Jessica's Pov. 

It was ten pm and that ended my shift, my phone started vibrating in my back pocket adding to my anxiety. 

"Jess, can you stay until Becky comes?" My boss called and I shook my head, taking my phone from my back pocket. It was Willow, my little sister. 

Shit. 

"I can't, I really have to go now" I dismissed politely but judging from the angry scowl on her face she wasn't pleased with my reply. 

"It's obvious you don't value this job, maybe you should stay at home tomorrow or for the rest of the week" She threatened. 

"You know I can't do that-"

"Then stay until Becky comes" She snapped, my phone had stopped ringing but I knew that was even worse, every single second I spent here something horrible might be happening to Willow at home. 

I removed my apron and dropped it on the counter, taking the hundred-dollar bill there before heading for the door. My boss cursed loudly as I shut the door. 

I can always find another job but I can't ignore my little sister. 

I found a taxi and soon we were in front of my uncle's wretched bungalow. After paying I rushed inside my heart in my throat when I heard sobbing coming from inside the house and pushed the door open. 

Willow was on the ground, her glasses broken next to her, my uncle was taking off his belt, my eyes caught her phone scattered on the ground close to the wall. 

Anger burned through my veins. 

"What is going on here?" I demanded and he turned to me with his face red, he had that unhinged look in his eyes and I swallowed my anger turning into fear but I lifted my chin. 

I would rather die than let him touch her, she is just thirteen. 

"You finally decided to show up, you dirty slut! Where are you coming from?!" He barked, diverting his attention towards me, which was good. I don't mind getting beaten with his belt but I don't want him hitting Willow. 

"I'm coming back from work" I replied looking at Willow. I tried signaling her to run to the room while he's focused on me but she was still searching for her broken glasses with her hands. 

"Work? Dressed like that! You think I don't know what you're doing? I shouldn't have taken you and this parasite in if I had known you both take after your slut of a mother" He spat in disgust and I swallowed a heavy lump in my throat reaching for Willow. 

The belt landed on my back and I winced tears blurring my vision, but I was still determined to get Willow out of his sight. I didn't stop and that seemed to annoy him more. 

"Where do you think you are going to?" He yanked my hair dragging me back, I screamed as I fell on shards of glass on the floor, the pieces piercing my skin. 

"Jessica!" Willow called out in panic. The sound of the belt hitting the ground made me snap out of my misery rushing to shield Willow on the ground, she wrapped her hands around me crying. 

"Shut your useless mouth!" He hissed then his phone started ringing in his pocket. 

"Give it to me" He commanded and I was about to ask what when he shot me a dangerous glare. 

I reached for the money in my pocket and handed the hundred-dollar bill to him. He left after that and I took Willow back to our room. She refused to stop crying no matter what I said to her. 

"Are we going to keep living like this? He's insane, he would kill us one day" She lamented and I sighed even if that happens I will make sure she survives instead even though I loathe the thought of being separated from her. 

That's the reason why I haven't reported my uncle for abuse, the foster system is worse than this sometimes and I'm sure as hell not going to let anyone take my little sister away from me. She's all I have and after our parents' death, she has never been the same. 

"You shouldn't have left the room, I told you to stay inside and lock the door" I scolded, the words left a bitter taste on my tongue and she scoffed. 

"It's not my fault, he burst the door open asking for you and I tried explaining that you were still at work but he didn't listen he dragged me downstairs and threw me on the ground... I- I was so scared" She broke down again and I wrapped my arms around her patting her back. 

"It's okay, I'm sorry for not coming on time. Just give me this month I already saved enough for the apartment" I lied sheepishly. 

I don't have enough for the apartment, that's the reason I'm still here. My uncle found where I hid my savings and took everything. I can't even call him out on it because I'm afraid of what he would do and he might use it as an excuse to kick us out. 

"I hate Uncle Austin" Willow seethed and I nodded. 

Me too. 

I couldn't find anything decent to make a meal in the fridge so I made a sandwich instead and gave it to Willow, just as I was cleaning up the mess he had made before he left. 

The door burst open and I flinched in shock when three men walked in, they had intimidating heights all of them dressed in black suits. 

My eyes widened when I saw the gun tucked in one of the men's waistbands. 

The broom in my hand fell and I started moving backward. 

"Search the house" The one with the gun ordered and the rest walked past me scattering everything, I quickly rushed to where Willow was sitting holding her tight while they ransacked the house searching for God knows what. 

Are they my uncle's friends? 

What are they looking for? 

Should I stop them? I don't even know what to do or say, the best I can do is keep my mouth shut so they don't notice me. 

"The bastard is nowhere to be found,"

They said as they returned and the man turned to us. 

"Take them to the car"