Three weeks later...427Please respect copyright.PENANAiB4ZJzmJQl
427Please respect copyright.PENANAgUiO11GHXC
"What...what the h-"427Please respect copyright.PENANApZfpaylIqa
427Please respect copyright.PENANA08JKpcdIPa
"Be careful, take your time."427Please respect copyright.PENANAvOyfa6UEBp
427Please respect copyright.PENANAlmgSJ9foAx
A rush of bright light poured into the room as my eyes adjusted to the harshness.427Please respect copyright.PENANA9k1W3BQB8Y
427Please respect copyright.PENANAawdFhwxCcm
"Where am I?" I asked, confused. I looked around the bleak yellow room with flower paintings hanging on the walls and a little TV mounted above me playing some MTV show. "Am I...dead?"427Please respect copyright.PENANAUZv6HfZKzp
427Please respect copyright.PENANAUHAvOb0jQ2
"The hospital, Robbie." The voice spoke again and stepped into view.427Please respect copyright.PENANANMLbQqjlWv
427Please respect copyright.PENANAxZRgnjoAam
She's a pretty, young woman with olive skin and black hair contrasting beautifully against her light blue eyes. She had a brief case tucked tight to her side and was dressed in a tight black suit jacket and pants.427Please respect copyright.PENANAK8dpEFzhpq
427Please respect copyright.PENANA9VPM9D5AJe
"How did I get here?" My brows furrowed and I looked down at the white sheets beneath me. "Where's Josh? He's going to be so worried."427Please respect copyright.PENANAvxg6kYzO6s
427Please respect copyright.PENANADsfVmUUAWF
She eyed me cautiously, "How much do you remember, Robbie?"427Please respect copyright.PENANA3EcQoP4JTw
427Please respect copyright.PENANAMxrkS9pNnX
"W-what do you mea-?"427Please respect copyright.PENANAo2lkLd9YH8
427Please respect copyright.PENANACfBmJ4e03u
I stopped as that night hits me like a train.427Please respect copyright.PENANAvUmf3ibPYL
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The birthday cake ice cream. The ski mask. The gun. Josh dead.427Please respect copyright.PENANAfAy5LZ4yQv
427Please respect copyright.PENANAuuHOGGJaen
Josh. Blood. Bullet. Dead.427Please respect copyright.PENANAUhsD7Pfo0Y
427Please respect copyright.PENANALrCllwHSKf
"No..." I breathed out as the shock hits me. The girl continues to watch me, her eyes scanning for something.427Please respect copyright.PENANA3Y1dMoiHv0
427Please respect copyright.PENANA3n2KOM9G2c
I started to panic, "NO!NO! Fuck you all, get me out of here." I tossed the blankets off of me and noticed the wires.427Please respect copyright.PENANAQTgmXSGHYp
427Please respect copyright.PENANAIhwjZiltfX
So many little wires and needles. I probably looked like some weird science experiment.427Please respect copyright.PENANA7Qa1AoslKk
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The woman standing near my bed watched anxiously as three nurses rushed in immediately.427Please respect copyright.PENANAcigjKvJ4XW
427Please respect copyright.PENANA5i0M4GO3kc
"You need to relax, Robbie." She said and stepped back to sit in the chair behind her. "Let us help you."427Please respect copyright.PENANArpwsLSdKYQ
427Please respect copyright.PENANALJ3U3p3mrg
"No! Let me go! I can't be here, this can't be real!" I laughed manically. My emotions wrecking havoc on me. "Josh can't be dead! Not him too."427Please respect copyright.PENANAnLgDsPcq6z
427Please respect copyright.PENANA7rl5YyLt6Z
"Please, calm down." A nurse begged as she came closer to my exposed arm. "We're going to give you something to relax now, Roberta."427Please respect copyright.PENANAY148oAjDQ2
427Please respect copyright.PENANA0R3GiJRshS
I ripped my arm from her grip. "Don't call me that!"427Please respect copyright.PENANAuDWl98rD9o
427Please respect copyright.PENANAjidUpbOYfb
She just looked over towards the other two nervously waiting for her instruction. Instead, the pretty blue-eyed mystery woman spoke up.427Please respect copyright.PENANAuGuxGeJNnG
427Please respect copyright.PENANALPQmKqvMY8
"Robbie...can we give you something to just help the pain and help you relax? After that, they'll leave and I'll answer anything you want."427Please respect copyright.PENANA7CIX32T91f
427Please respect copyright.PENANAjRMAkiAud9
I stared hard into her blue eyes searching for anything I need to be wary of.
Should I trust her? Is she here for Jagger?427Please respect copyright.PENANA2k4ibUkmw7
427Please respect copyright.PENANAnrsUvpa3KL
"Fine."427Please respect copyright.PENANAs4ERQL6FQx
427Please respect copyright.PENANAPFBnfN4Vgg
She smiled softly and stepped away as the three nurses administer a painful sting to my arm and check my vitals. I kept my eyes locked on her as they finished up and leave the room just as quickly without a second glance at the crazy, orphan girl.427Please respect copyright.PENANAP1MzremYs1
427Please respect copyright.PENANAfE5jNF3pW4
The mystery woman piped up again. "Sorry about that, Robbie." She stood up from her chair and moved closer to the bed. "I wish you would've been brought to a hospital with a better bed side manner."427Please respect copyright.PENANAwv9gfNIxlB
427Please respect copyright.PENANAbuCNmYnkZ2
I scoffed, "How am I not dead?"427Please respect copyright.PENANAcaTqmmh4gq
427Please respect copyright.PENANAOQBEQxEnZW
"It took these doctors a lot of work to bring you back, Robbie." She replied, bleakly.427Please respect copyright.PENANAPmlDrPhpUk
427Please respect copyright.PENANAGWgCSU9oyS
"Wait...I d-did die?" I stammered.427Please respect copyright.PENANABqFWcfU3GA
427Please respect copyright.PENANAThjoKgy5Ok
"For a few minutes, yes. You lost a lot of blood."427Please respect copyright.PENANAEzoUPj96Gd
427Please respect copyright.PENANAem5F8GHkOe
I shook my head, "I saw Josh dead...the bullet hit him?"427Please respect copyright.PENANAQWUq0r0YgF
427Please respect copyright.PENANAx8Ovr0j7lk
She nodded, "It did, yes. It also went through him and pieces of it embedded in you pretty severely plus, you hit your head on that brick wall which did cause some pretty significant internal bleeding."427Please respect copyright.PENANAJKUZvKAg5t
427Please respect copyright.PENANA2TkCbCV5Ko
"Why didn't they just let me go..."I moaned out in misery. "Why do I have to keep suffering?"427Please respect copyright.PENANA6YoTWRFtTk
427Please respect copyright.PENANAVzybL9VjWl
"Robbie, don't be ungrateful." She snapped harshly. I looked over at her in surprise. "You're alive for a reason, be thankful."427Please respect copyright.PENANAiEFxigUD8A
427Please respect copyright.PENANAyLPVuEe9mC
"Sorry...it's just been rough." I muttered and rolled onto my side.427Please respect copyright.PENANAxZGEPeDd90
427Please respect copyright.PENANAIYsiy4ierk
The bed shifted as her weight sunk into it, "I apologize for my reaction. I do understand you've been through a lot. Losing your parents and your only brother is a pain I can't imagine, you need to grieve...to heal."427Please respect copyright.PENANAU7xQlrNuUE
427Please respect copyright.PENANA69c9EQzY3Z
"I just want it to end...it's like my family is cursed." I laughed darkly. My eyes stung with the tears fighting to escape.427Please respect copyright.PENANA5n0uv3k6xu
427Please respect copyright.PENANAzyqXYrsiyo
"You're not cursed, Robbie. Sometimes bad things happen to those who are strong enough to handle it. From what you've experienced, I'd say you are one tough chick."427Please respect copyright.PENANAIcbAu87cux
427Please respect copyright.PENANAyQLctAsHAH
I smiled a little bit. "How long have I been here?"427Please respect copyright.PENANAEnL6UFj38l
427Please respect copyright.PENANAWBJ5qY6ztD
Her jaw flexed and she looked up towards the clock in the corner of the room.427Please respect copyright.PENANAVEYDEhPUUz
427Please respect copyright.PENANAtMDCZ0ZzeR
"Three weeks."427Please respect copyright.PENANA26h0I2WXwC
427Please respect copyright.PENANA7Tl1WIuZQp
My mouth fell open,"I...I've been asleep for THREE fucking weeks!"427Please respect copyright.PENANAFL7gH5ep6B
427Please respect copyright.PENANA93A1u0FJPL
She glanced anxiously at the door and moved off of the bed, "Please calm down. You don't want them to continue to sedate you."427Please respect copyright.PENANAqoj1rspI51
427Please respect copyright.PENANAlxIL3lTZnn
My heart picked up fast and I could feel the cold sweat breaking out all over my body.427Please respect copyright.PENANA9mw3UG743P
427Please respect copyright.PENANAAGJBwRtvU1
"H-how...w-hy...what the fu-" I started to panic again, clutched at the wires attached to me.427Please respect copyright.PENANAAbfjhnqd74
427Please respect copyright.PENANA2Bov7ebqC2
She hurried over and grabbed my hands in hers. Her touch so soft and gentle.427Please respect copyright.PENANAIHPQwA0hD4
427Please respect copyright.PENANA8JC0dpgLeF
"You're okay, Robbie. You were put in a medically induced coma to let your body heal and rest. They had to do a lot to save you and prevent you from permanent brain damage. You were monitored closely the entire time."427Please respect copyright.PENANAtmghJXKmV3
427Please respect copyright.PENANA8vELDTamDi
I nodded a little bit, trying to slow my breathing down. "Who are you?"427Please respect copyright.PENANA3m66SrLzUJ
427Please respect copyright.PENANAXSaUi3Dhua
She smiled crookedly, "My name is Angel Ramirez and I am actually here to ensure you are well taken care of, Robbie."427Please respect copyright.PENANAMNDnRKGAPi
427Please respect copyright.PENANAqfXXpOB8rI
"With what...exactly?"427Please respect copyright.PENANANj7w9Pp3f7
427Please respect copyright.PENANAdKKR8ZoaFX
Angel moved to sit on the bed again, "Do you have any other family, Robbie?"427Please respect copyright.PENANARbR38eAEPz
427Please respect copyright.PENANAxIUfMaqjsN
The question made my heart swell.427Please respect copyright.PENANAOPsdWCnp9t
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I shook my head, "N-no..."427Please respect copyright.PENANAxDVAoDOZSm
427Please respect copyright.PENANAstpA3GgP0b
"Grandparents? Aunts? Cousins?"427Please respect copyright.PENANASIJRkcwWt6
427Please respect copyright.PENANAtBT1d1ICg2
"Nobody...nobody I have communicated with in years." I frowned and looked down at my bruised hands. "It's always just been my parents and brother..."427Please respect copyright.PENANA0avD4O5VCC
427Please respect copyright.PENANAVmgqWrzJMB
"Never communicated with your parents family?" She pushed, pulling out a pen and pad.427Please respect copyright.PENANAXhPCHnJCuz
427Please respect copyright.PENANAWQV4G9kMvg
"My dad's parents died when he was a young..my mom never knew her biological father and her mother disowned her when she got pregnant with Josh. I never knew anything about her, I don't even know a name." I murmured feeling so low. 427Please respect copyright.PENANAPy46HT6WKc
427Please respect copyright.PENANAEdZEtwNVAl
I laughed, looking up at her with tears. "I guess...I guess I'm an orphan, huh?"427Please respect copyright.PENANAPnkDSYLv9g
427Please respect copyright.PENANAihw2dIUzdA
She shook her head and closed the notebook. "Don't think like that...we want to make sure you are able to have a stable home. You are finishing your senior year right?"427Please respect copyright.PENANAMEUhFE8v0u
427Please respect copyright.PENANAbeXVyTrA34
"Yes...finals already passed though, so I'm not sure what will happen now," I replied and stared up at the ceiling fan. "I'm sure the school has blown up my phone."427Please respect copyright.PENANAZj8o68XLE3
427Please respect copyright.PENANA7Gt7oxEdf3
"We took care of it," Angel laughed lightly. "They just want you to rest and heal, you'll be able to finish school when you are ready and if you are healed before graduation they want you to walk with your class. They spoke very highly of you."427Please respect copyright.PENANAZB1PszHWYz
427Please respect copyright.PENANAo6caPLRyk1
"School has been the only thing I've felt successful in," I smiled to myself. How sad and pathetic does that sound? "Any chance if my job ever called?" I continued.427Please respect copyright.PENANAP15qYJDiVx
427Please respect copyright.PENANAllhfOqgsc6
"Yes, we contacted your manager. She was a bit snarky but is aware of the situation," She chuckled. "Everyone just wants to give you time."427Please respect copyright.PENANAH5fqOgKyR4
427Please respect copyright.PENANAIBIZPRnAhp
"Well...what do you suggest? No family, no car, no money." I shrugged indifferently. Struggling has always been a normal thing to me. "I'm sure the asshole that owns the apartment we were in would be thrilled to see me out on my ass now that the lease holder is...gone."427Please respect copyright.PENANADWDXWidd8i
427Please respect copyright.PENANAchX4Liu6r1
"I do have a proposition for you," Angel interjected, changing the topic. "Do you know anything of your brother's closest friends?"427Please respect copyright.PENANAChWp6sgML6
427Please respect copyright.PENANAncioLUz5nu
"Aside from them being low lives?" I snorted. "Not at all, I've met a handful of them and don't envy their lives to say the least."427Please respect copyright.PENANASrIR2pA6Vu
427Please respect copyright.PENANAvpWyPf0PZc
She didn't laugh, "Do you know anything of a man named Kalon Wolfe?"427Please respect copyright.PENANA9LLMAdsXbL
427Please respect copyright.PENANAXCKATfNsZn
"No...why?"427Please respect copyright.PENANAucjGCetMc9
427Please respect copyright.PENANAGwDXS1x0QV
"Your brother had listed out Kalon Wolfe as an emergency contact for you...do you know anything about that?"427Please respect copyright.PENANAyR9w2s0rfz
427Please respect copyright.PENANAMTDXvM6AqY
My brows furrowed, "No? I don't even know who this Wolfe guy is?"427Please respect copyright.PENANAY8AnNW3rSY
427Please respect copyright.PENANAEtmI1prsoS
She nodded, "Well, I've had the pleasure of chatting with Mr. Wolfe and it seems he had offered your brother some kind of security as long as your brother had upheld his end of their agreement."427Please respect copyright.PENANAFXp64ivDsW
427Please respect copyright.PENANAcNvfN6QKna
I stared at her blankly. "I'm lost."427Please respect copyright.PENANAxeKXAsRgU5
427Please respect copyright.PENANAtmfcCxSjNB
"How much did you know of your brother's life, Robbie?"427Please respect copyright.PENANAENYwFkVxJh
427Please respect copyright.PENANABYCYVIgMAe
"He slept in a lot, sold pot, and ate too much of the food in the house." I shrugged.427Please respect copyright.PENANA7kjhxGCrTf
427Please respect copyright.PENANAzPJ3GjIshn
"Anything else?" She queried.427Please respect copyright.PENANAtXcfhrXCXR
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I just stared at her hopelessly. I really wasn't prepared for yet another news bomb involving my family.427Please respect copyright.PENANAkx8ntsSWqt
427Please respect copyright.PENANAliWnEPGcP5
"Your brother made an agreement with a group of men who provide security in exchange for service and devotion such as helping with transportation of goods. " Angel explained and passed something towards me. "Have you ever seen these men with Josh?"427Please respect copyright.PENANAFKoj6GpiqE
427Please respect copyright.PENANAQQBqjbDpOs
I looked over the picture in my hands. It's a photo of Josh in his favorite red hoodie with two other men dressed in sleek black suits leading him into the back of a very expensive looking sports car.427Please respect copyright.PENANA4LQX06zGFz
427Please respect copyright.PENANAM2Un8Xzj5Q
"I have no idea who they are...Josh never hung out with people who owned cars like this." I pushed the photo back towards her. "Even if he did...what does that have to do with anything?"427Please respect copyright.PENANANtnkpPSgFd
427Please respect copyright.PENANA2wy5oBoXW3
"Everything, Robbie." She replied as she tucked the photo away. "I'm going to give you this proposition because it change everything for you. Before I do, I need to know that you will swear to secrecy and not speak a word on Mr. Wolfe's business to anyone?"427Please respect copyright.PENANApvYfDWxLce
427Please respect copyright.PENANAMZc0LIWwBD
I laughed loudly, "Did you join his cult or something?"427Please respect copyright.PENANAqxcquwbMio
427Please respect copyright.PENANAt9p7jl3h3V
This chick is insane. 427Please respect copyright.PENANATfl4hMGz1Q
427Please respect copyright.PENANAHotxTluzdN
Her eyes narrowed, "No, I didn't...I did agree to his terms though in order to make sure you are taken care of, Robbie. Mr. Wolfe reached out to the hospital directly and I was connected with him. I met with some of his direct men and we discussed the terms and conditions."427Please respect copyright.PENANA9jFM5jZqbM
427Please respect copyright.PENANAkrZr5dRT5Y
"Okay, just spit it out." I rolled my eyes. Her dramatics really weren't doing it for me. "What are they a secret society or something?"427Please respect copyright.PENANASuWMMMmaXg
427Please respect copyright.PENANAr5QgWTvxhI
"In a way, sure. This contract here details that if you agree to these terms and conditions set in place by Mr. Wolfe that you will be given absolutely everything you will ever need. They will provide you shelter, food, and clothes. Anything you could possibly want, they will make happen for you within reason." She muttered and played with the edge of the papers. "When Josh signed that agreement with Mr. Wolfe he was sworn into this family forever until death. Josh agreed to loyalty, secrecy, and services in exchange for both you and him to be protected and cared for if it ever came down to it."427Please respect copyright.PENANAg0T0mdeij7
427Please respect copyright.PENANAn8nAMUIi41
"So...you want me to sign this and swear that everything I see with this Wolfe guy is kept to myself so I can have...the life of my dreams?"427Please respect copyright.PENANAcrhmcZ6U1r
427Please respect copyright.PENANAXCAV1GJhuy
"Your silence is vital, Robbie."427Please respect copyright.PENANA62cjTrGUz3
427Please respect copyright.PENANAFc5qpMePcB
"And what if I break this contract or don't sign it at all?"427Please respect copyright.PENANAeROLGqsMTq
427Please respect copyright.PENANAyuAQs4mSfm
"It's your life," she shrugged her shoulders, "If you don't sign, you are on your own after you are discharged from here. If you do sign, you will be under his contract and if you break that contract in any way..." she trailed off and looked down at the contract. "It's just not in your best interest."427Please respect copyright.PENANAcg4PCLLEvy
427Please respect copyright.PENANAMQJ2v9pASn
"Great," I chuckled and laid back against the bed. "This is what my life has come to."427Please respect copyright.PENANAtjb1lPg2S3
427Please respect copyright.PENANAAJMu0QdRVQ
"I understand it's a lot," She responded softly. "I'll leave his agreement here for you to review and consider. He expects a response tomorrow by noon."427Please respect copyright.PENANARGL28auRmY
427Please respect copyright.PENANAfqWDpm8l9Q
I took the contract in my hands, skimming over the front page.427Please respect copyright.PENANA297aZxZcUk
427Please respect copyright.PENANA8SLQ7t1HX0
Mr. Wolfe427Please respect copyright.PENANA8gAp7G11Gv
427Please respect copyright.PENANAbQYhwBaMae
Family Contract Offer427Please respect copyright.PENANA3pi33jukF2
427Please respect copyright.PENANATpTKwFY0SO
Roberta Quinn 427Please respect copyright.PENANAnueADMrWLH
427Please respect copyright.PENANAwmndZUGwxR
Simple and weird. Just like a cult.427Please respect copyright.PENANAQf1zlM6b1k
427Please respect copyright.PENANATYjp8rR26N
"Alright," I looked back up at her. "I'll read it over and get back to you."427Please respect copyright.PENANAjy0fmzBXKK
427Please respect copyright.PENANAlhhYeUYvnc
"Of course. Take care, Robbie."427Please respect copyright.PENANAlmysLFaJGo
427Please respect copyright.PENANApIL6jmQLI2
I watched as she gathered her belongings and headed for the door. She glanced back briefly at the papers in my hands as the door closed in her face.427Please respect copyright.PENANAn9tMliKiVr
427Please respect copyright.PENANAPx0UtLSJ7s
What the fuck am I getting myself into?