Without Words

38- Return to the Fortress

"What the hell have you been thinking?" Matt made his presence known as he grabbed my arm. "Declan said no trouble. This is trouble."

"Relax. Noah just wanted to get more evidence just in case they destroy it." I tried to play it calm even though I'm also nervous in the inside.

From the corner of my eye, Dan was studying the Fortress and seemed to be disgusted to it as I was, making sure to avoid the mattress as he got closer to us.

"Here." Noah passed the sought after plastic bag of evidence to me. "Put them in your bag."

I wanted to leave now but curiosity got the best of me. I peeked at one of the pictures inside and almost vomited my lunch. Matt and Dan glanced at them too and they both stiffened.

"Take them and let's go." Matt gritted out, fury mixed with worry in his eyes. "It's already getting dark. I don't want to stay another minute in here."

Just as he said that, we heard a door open from the outside. All of us stopped breathing for a moment. No one was inside the house. No cars were parked at the front and no lights were on when we passed.

"Isn't this a lovely reunion?" I heard Jim's voice and my heart started beating fast. I was hoping it would be Richard only but if Jim is here, then everyone is here. "Richard. Your daughter's old friends came by for a visit it seems.

I noticed that the window was still open from where I called Matt to stay quiet. Crap, they must have heard us that time.

"All of you get down before we do something we regret." Jim's deep booming voice rang loudly around the Fortress. "We got contacts from the police. Are you planning to actually get us arrested? A bunch of kids?"

We didn't move.

"I don't think they heard you." Brendon chastised, amusement dripping in his tone. Double crap, they really are all here. "Such naughty children."

I looked around helplessly. Four kids against four overly large adults. Do we even have a chance?

We heard someone going up the stairs and my heart leapt from my chest. Matt and Dan stood in front of us while I placed Noah behind me.

Dave appeared from the threshold. Triple crap, he's the former bodybuilder. What little chance can we have here? I quickly thought of our options. Physically, he's the biggest threat because of his strength and muscles. If we can somehow subdue him, that leaves the other three. I'm confident I can knock the socks out of Brendon and even take a few swipes at Richard. Matt and Dan can take care of Jim while I prepared the car for a quick getaway. That's a good plan. But we need to make sure to put this big hulk of muscle out of the way first.

"You boys go down." Dave eyed them then glanced lasciviously at me, licking his lips. "I think I'll have a round with little Ellie here before I give her to the boys."

Matt growled and stepped closer. I gulped, no way could he take him. I gripped my baseball bat then turned to Dan. His blue eyes staring at me intensely then turned his gaze to my hands. I nodded in understanding then turned to Dave.

"You wouldn't get away with this." I was surprised my voice didn't shake. "The police are already in your case."

"We know." He smirked devilishly, walking casually to us. "How do you think we were able to escape accusations over accusations for years? We have connections little Ellie and a diary full of a little girl's overly imaginative mind wouldn't be enough to take us down."

He didn't know about the direct and concrete evidence I now have stacked in my bag.

"My family would put their entire effort to stop you." Dan gritted, his voice strong as he stood bravely in front of me. "You escaped your crimes for too long."