chapter five; Skyla’s pov

" I need you to run far away from here, far from here where he wouldn't find you, my life depends on your decision sky" My mom’s voice cuts through the still night, what was supposed to be her eyes were hollow holes staring deep into mine.

The sound of a gun being fired reverberating through the thin air.

Followed immediately by a sharp crack, I watched my mom’s body going limp in horror.

"Mom..... mom?" I screamed frantically, blindly reaching for her. Instead, the hollowed faces of the Andersons loomed before me. Their guttural growls sending bouts of fear trickling down my spine.

"Mom.... mom. ! I jolted awake with a scream, my whole body drenched with sweat. My hand swung out, knocking down the unfamiliar bedside lamp to the floor with a crash.

"Are you okay, Sky.... I heard screams. " Ed's voice rang from the staircase, the early morning sun flooding into the cramped room, pictures of Ed, and his family lined on the walls.

Groaning, i buried my head into the pillow, my chest taut with lingering fear. Tears burned the back of my eyes as last night's memory trickled in.

"Sky.....??

"I am okay, Ed, give me five minutes," I called out hoarsely, my head pounding from the drink I had yesterday, my red halter neck gown still on my body.

Shit, I didn’t shower last night, and I reeked of the club and regret.

"Take a shower and come down in five, Lunch will be ready in soon ?" He called out, the sound of something sizzling over the fire followed.

Scratching my hair in confusion, it probably looked like a bed nest.

"Uhm.. you mean breakfast, right?" I croaked rubbing my temples.

"You slept through the morning Sky, it is noon already?

"What?" I screeched, scrambling to find a towel. " Why didn't you wake me?

"You were knocked out Sky, the Towel is in the bathroom, Sky.... I got you toiletries they are on the nightstand"

Muttering a quick thanks, I grabbed the toiletries, making beeline for the bedroom, peeling my clothes halfway, a bad habit I was already used to.

The water was cool against my skin, washing me off every grime, but not the heaviness that seemed to enshroud me like a bleak blanket.

my 3c curls clung to my scalp soaked and tangled

The events of last night trickled into my head like a broken cassette, hot lone tears spilling down my face, which soon gave way to a full-blown sob.

Steve and Tanya's betrayal wedging its way into my heart as I tried to recall how my life had gotten to this. How I had managed to wreck my life.

I needed an outlet, needed to escape this damned life.

Needed to escape Xavier, but I was broke, so I couldn't exactly run away again, far from the earth like his father had suggested.

I had no idea how long I stayed in the bathroom crying my eyes out. Even though the water had gone cold, I still stayed there, curled onto the bathtub.

It was the soft chime of my phone that jolted me out of the daze I was in. My heart lurched, fear knotting in my stomach.

Ignoring the phone, I dried up quickly pulled on a loose sweatshirt and sweatpants from Ed's wardrobe, although they drowned me, I couldn't bring myself to care. Combing my hair was a battle I wasn't particularly ready for so I gave up, hurrying downstairs.

The dream still lingered, gathering fear at the corner of my chest.

I met Ed bunched over the chicken he was grilling, the sweet smell of grilled beef, roasted vegetables and quinoa wafting into my nostrils.

"Afternoon, Sky?" He greeted, expertly flipping the chicken. " You look like shit ?" He said with a chuckle, trying to ease the tension in the room.

"Thanks." I muttered, rolling my eyes

But the humour faded as I took deep breathes, bracing myself for the inevitable.

"I need to go to Cali Ed," I whispered, dreading his response.

He paused mid flip, a heavy sigh slipping past his lips.. " Not now, Sky.... your whole life is at stake with everything that has been going on, I can't let you go, "

I gulped inaudibly, fixing my gaze to the chicken that was sizzling on the grill, my voice taut with several emotions. " I am scared Ed........ I had a bad dream, I need to make sure she is okay.

"Hey.. Hey... deep breathes Sky" Ed ordered, holding my shoulders reassuringly as he tried to meet my gaze. " Your mom is fine, we can call her afterwards Sky, you need to stay here?

"No, I can't," I snapped, shrugging his hands away from me swiftly." Xavier is here. Who knows what his father would do to my mom. Disappear from the surface of the earth or kiss your family goodbye. Remember,

Ed let out a frustrated sigh, his attention back on the chicken he was grilling.

"You have to understand, Ed. I don't know how to leave with myself if something happens to my mom because of me. Please, Ed, " I pleaded desperately, tears clouding my vision

He rubbed his face shoulders tense. " DO you need me to pay for the trip? I can book your tickets for you now if you want?"

I shook my head "No, Ed... I have money stashed up somewhere. It was supposed to be for her treatment, but since she refused, I hadn't figured out what to do with the money yet." I whispered, finding my nails suddenly exciting.

"How much is it, Sky... enough to get you a good lawyer?

I let out a humourless laugh.

"No, just a few dollars, nothing much," I replied with a sigh, my whole body tingling with exhaustion.

"Keep your money, Sky. we have to save up now anyway. I would book you a flight from the money we made from the last book tour,"

A sharp pang of guilt twisted in my belly, I knew there was no money like that stashed anywhere because all the money we made from the book tour was in the account that was now empty. But, I couldn't bring myself to say anything.

"Thank you, Eddie," I said, my voice tight.

"For what, Sky?"

"For everything Ed, without you, I wouldn’t have known what to do,"

I stepped forward and hugged him from behind, basking in his warmth for a little while, his steady breath reminding me that I wasn't alone.

"Come on." He muttered, gently prying me off . "Eat up, you have a long day ahead of you today."

He murmured, dishing me a plate of the roasted vegetables, quinoa, and the grilled chicken breast.

"I already asked Mr Clark to get your things from your previous house. I turned the store room to yours already, so you are free to stay here as long as you want......."

I frowned shaking my head "No, Ed, I can't do that. When I get back, I will get a new house or stay in a motel or something."

" With what money sky? His tone left no room for argument. " Besides, I insist Sky, Mrs Clara would want that, and besides, I owe it to her to keep you safe, we are family, and we stick together?

And with that, he was gone, disappearing into the living room to book my flight, taking with him all his warmth.

And I was left to wallow In self pity, a small ache settling over my chest.

I didn’t know how much more of this I could take.