The Devil's Web | Sequel

Smile For The Picture

I throw my arms around is neck and give him a light peck, he pulls away and frowns."Your lips are like an iceberg, you'll catch a cold, let's go inside."

"Ah, ah, after I see you lifting all three of us up."

Sliding his finger across my jaw, he smirks."I can carry you three plus the other three we'll have soon."

I raise my eyebrows."Three? You want three more kids?"

"It's your body, so It's up to you, but I would love three more."He adds, shrugging his shoulders.

Three kids, huh, I don't hate the idea.

"I will take it into consideration If you lift us all up no-"His arm flies to behind my knees and I yelp as my feet leave the ground.
One moment, I'm standing in front of him, the other, he's holding me with one arm, one strong muscular arm that now might as well be called my chair by the way I'm seated. The best part? There's not an ounce of struggle on his face, If anything, he's smirking and satisfied.

"Wow."Is all I mouth.

"Woah, my turn, my turn."Princess screeches in excitement and runs up to us, Evander following behind her.

Kingston lifts both of them up with his free arms, effortlessly, I mean---seriously with no strain or hesitation.

The two of them clap their hands in awe and I just laugh at his smirk."You never fail to surprise me, baby."

"Oh, yeah? What If I do this?"

He starts moving his arms up and down, as If he's lifting weights.

"Okay, yeah. I'm impressed."

"You better be, but there's more from where that came from. I will show you after breakfast though. I need a lot of energy for all my other tricks."

The kids pout then groan when he puts them down.
"Not fair, I wanted to see the tricks now, please?"Evander pleads, showing him his best puppy eyes.

He puts me down on the ground and shakes his head."As soon as I eat your uncle's radioactive pancakes, I will show you all the other things I can do, I promise."

They laugh at his radioactive pancakes comment and nod in agreement.

"Deal."They say in unison and run back to the house, holding each other's hand.

"Come on, sweetheart. I'll feed you whatever poison they serve us."I laugh, and plant a kiss on his cheek.

"You go, I'm right behind you, I just have to pick these toys up, they're everywhere."I point at the pile of dolls and toy cars.

"Be quick, okay? I love you."

"I love you more."

He kisses the top of my head and makes his way to the house.
I put my hair in a messy bun and start picking all the toys up, dusting the dirt off them.

Throwing everything in the empty knitted basket, I spot Evander's ball in the distance, near the entrance of the forest.

I walk toward it and and pick it up, putting it with the rest of the stuff.

Just when I was about to turn around and head in the house, the sound of leaves cracking catches my attention.

I freeze, the cold breeze suddenly being the least of my concerns.
I feel my heartbeat quicken and my stomach twist as I force myself to turn around.

A harsh grip lands on the back of my neck and I gasp..

"Don't. Move."

That aggressive tone, the insanity dripping off it. I could recognize it among the voices of a million psychos.

Liam.

I swallow, flinching when he jabs something hard against my back.

"If you don't want to be visiting your kids' graves in a few days, I suggest you stay very quiet and listen to me, understand?"

I nod, my vision blurring from the tears. I watch the house through fog, catching a glimpse of my family sitting at the table, smiling, too distracted to look my way , unaware that this might be the last time they ever see me.

I stare at Kingston's side profile, my heart sinking deeper into my stomach. My whole body pulls towards his embrace, feeling empty without it, screaming for it, but It's pointless, he can't see me.

Please turn around, please.

Liam slides his hand in my hair and pulls it tight, pressing my back against his chest.

"Now, we're going to take one las picture of you and send it to my brother over there, okay, my little girl?"

He shuffles with something then pulls out his phone, the camera already opened and showing a glimpse of him.

"Now, smile for the picture, sweet girl."He whispers and forces my face in the frame.

I look at my reflection. My eyes red and face flushed from the cold."You look so beautiful when you cry, I love to see it.He murmurs, and snaps a picture of me.

Then another.

And another.

And another.

I close my eyes shut, feeling too sick to look at myself again.

"Now, let's go home."

"What-"

Sudden pain sears through my neck and back, knocking the air from my lungs. I snap my eyes open but my vision darkens, like I am staring into the void of nothing. 
The muscles in my legs weaken and I melt into his arms, losing control of my movement, feeling too tired to even try.

Then.

The world goes mute.