Trigger Warning: This chapter involves heavy scenes of violence, assault and gun use.
The Page Mansion was empty as we walked by the pathway towards the Fortress. We took the side entrance just to be safe and remained as quiet as possible. The sun was already going down and I am really feeling nervous, wanting to get out of here as soon as possible. I texted Matt and Dan that Noah and I were on our way. I think I heard their veins pop from the speaker when they called, demanding we return but I told them Noah wasn't having it and I just couldn't let him go there alone. I brought the baseball bat though, for their peace of mind. They were not impressed.
"Do the Wilsons often stay at your house?" I asked silently as I glimpsed his old house, the porch light was on.
"Yes, they're the ones cleaning and tending to it." He answered. "My parents never go there anyway, might as well have someone stay in it."
I stared at the Fortress as we neared. I honestly never considered going back here again. Thoughts of Violet's last moments haunted me. Now that I knew what really happened and what lead to it, it made me more scared going back. Up until her last moments and through her darkest hours, this is where Violet sought solace. This is where she found peace. This also symbolized how we failed her, how her parents failed her, how the world failed her. A child robbed off her childhood and innocence until her only option for peace is to eternally close her eyes.
I gazed at Noah and couldn't possibly imagine what he has gone through as well. How long were he deprived of the care and love everyone deserves? He was so young, still so young now to even go through those kind of horrible things, not just at the hands of these men but to all those around him. I asked him what he needed and his answers were a jacket, a warm meal and drink. A sixteen year old kid shouldn't have begged for that.
We quietly climbed up the rackety stairs to the Fortress and I felt my phone vibrate again. No doubt, Matt and Dan are already on their way.
"It's locked." Noah cursed and he asked for my baseball bat.
I didn't want to part with it but then, I remembered the key I also found at Violet's room. I stuck it with my car keys just in case. "I have an idea." It was a long shot but I couldn't possibly think of what other door the key would open.
It clicked and I sighed in relief. The baseball bat would've created too much noise.
The door opened and my breath caught up. I thought I would be hit by nostalgia and regret but instead, I felt indifference. This wasn't our Fortress anymore.
The walls were we playfully colored with our names and paints were gone and barely visible. The corner where Dan and I used to sit had empty beer bottles lying around. The shelf where we keep the books and my art supplies is broken and cigarette trays were scattered around. A worn out mattress was at the center and I found a gag, rope and whip on top of it.
This place is sickening. I almost wanted to vomit from the sight and smell of it. Noah immediately went to the corner and I almost admired his determination and composure. This must not have been easy for him but the hope that he can finally be at peace and Violet's memories be honored gave him the strength.
We both stiffened as we heard a tire screech from the front. Noah worked faster, searching what he's been looking for and I gripped my baseball bat tighter, ready to swing it with all my might for the second time today.
"Elle!" I heard my brother yell and I exhaled in relief. Opening the wobbly window, I waved at them to keep quiet.
Matt just scowled but Dan immediately went up the Fortress to join us. I saw Matt doing the same after shooting me more menacing glares at every step. From the inside, I heard something crash and Noah was running to me, holding a plastic bag full of pictures, CDs and flash drives.
"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."
"Ah yes, the Monroe's." Dave tutted us sarcastically. Standing closely, he looked even bigger and more intimidating. "Sadly, our financiers are much wealthier than you. We play hard and work smart, little kids."
"Well we fight harder old man." I quipped, surprised by my boldness. "How could you even live with yourself when you've destroyed so many lives just so you could have a 'good time'? Violet, Noah, everyone... they don't deserve what you did."
Lecherous eyes focused on me. "That feistiness, so alluring, we would make you scream all night baby." Stepping forward to reach me, Matt blocked his way.
Unfortunately, Dave wasn't having it. Grabbing Matt by the hair, he slammed him on the wall hard. The Fortress shook from the impact. Just as he was busy with Matt, I threw the bat quickly to Dan and just as Dave turned to face us, he was greeted with a bone crushing swing. I heard his grunt of pain and a melodious crack as he fell to the floor, unconscious. Grabbing my bat back, I checked on him, then for the sake of my temper, I kicked him on the nose, making sure it hurts. "Ar*ehole."
Dan checked up on Matt, then gestured for us to go down, them first. I followed them but I couldn't resist again and kicked Dave by the balls, harder than before.
Just as we were descending, Matt and Dan were jumped on. I held my hand out, stopping Noah from walking further and assessing the situation before we barge in. Sneaking a peak, I saw them being tossed around by Jim, Brendon and Richard, punches and kicks being exchanged. What a load of cowards, ganging up on two teenagers who can't barely hold their own. Turning to Noah, I gave him my car keys and bag. "Stay here and when it's clear, go to my car and get help."
Gripping my bat tightly, I used the darkness to my advantage, creeping quietly behind the trees and towards the fight. Just when Brendon was within a meter from me, there was no hesitation, I made a run for it and quickly swung the bat on his head mustering up all the strength I could that the bat almost broke. A loud crack was heard as he fell to the ground.
That seemed to surprise the other guys and Matt took advantage of it. He punched Jim on the neck; Dan came in next and kicked his knee, causing it to bend at an odd angle. He went for the other knee but Jim was able to jump on Matt and punch him hard on the face. Dan quickly came his aid, it was then that I noticed the side of his head bleeding and right eye busted.
Moving over to help them, I felt my hair being pulled back harshly and my face pushed on a tree, letting out a yelp of pain as the bark scratched my cheeks. "You messed with the wrong people, Ellie." Richard warned in my ear, his usual friendly face completely gone. "You won't get out of here alive."
I whimpered as he pulled my head back then slammed it back again. "H-how could you? You were their family. Violet's father and Noah's uncle and you let them-"
"I didn't kill Violet." He snarled, his grip on my head tightening. "I love Violet. I mourned her death too. She was all I have."
"You don't hurt the people you love, Richard." I hissed, ignoring the pain. "Don't you dare say you mourned her when you destroyed her all too willingly. Have you read her diary and poems? You killed your own daughter."
"I love her!" Richard growled, pulling my head back again but I was prepared this time. I slammed my foot on his' then face butted him from the back. He stumbled for a moment and I took advantage of. Turning around, I round kicked him on the head.
I was about to deliver my perfect right hook when I heard a sickening crunch at the side of my face. All I remember was a sharp ringing in my ears and my jaw almost disconnecting from my face as I collapsed on the ground.
"That wasn't very nice, little Ellie." An awake Dave stood over me, all bulging muscles, furious and bloody. His punch was too strong and I was left disoriented, my vision doubling and ears ringing. I tried to scramble away but I couldn't feel my feet, my body still unbalanced from the impact of his punch. But I did feel it when his booted foot kicked me on my stomach, making me roll around the dirt and feeling a few ribs crack. Damn, never kick a bodybuilder on the balls again. I was just trying to stand up and wheeze through the pain when Dave was suddenly in front and kicked me again then, grabbed my arm forcefully and turn it the opposite direction. I cried out in excruciating pain as he broke my shoulders then threw me back at the ground harshly.
I crawled away, fear consuming my body as I saw the crazy glint in his eyes. Richard was right, they have no intentions of letting us out here alive. My back bumped against a tree and I stopped, closed my eyes and wished for the strength. I refuse to let them win. The four of us would get out of this alive. We have to.
I heard a loud rustle of leaves from beside us. Opening my eyes, I saw Dan's arm wrapped around Dave's neck in a secure chokehold. I fought through my pain as I tried to stand up and help him.
Unfortunately, I was thrown on the ground once again, this time by Richard. Sitting over my chest, he wrapped his hands on my neck tightly. I was being choked for the second time in my life. Only this time, it is with intent to kill.
"You could have been my Violet. You could have replaced her. My lovely sweet Violet." He kept mumbling Violet's name with that manic and desperate glint in his crazy eyes.
I clawed at his arms and face, kicked his back, trying to get him to release me. But he just squeezed tighter, lifted my head for a bit then slammed it hard on the ground. I gurgled from the pain. My brain was shutting down from the lack of oxygen and I distinctly felt him grinding over my body. I wanted to vomit in disgust and pain at the same time.
Oh god, I wouldn't make it. I was trying to fight, focusing on what little strength I have to push him of me but my body couldn't handle it anymore. My head is pounding, my one shoulder is broken and my side is burning. Tears of desperation fell from my eyes, not wanting this to be my last moment. Blackness was spreading over my vision when I felt liquid splattered all over my face and the grip on my neck loosened. I focused my gaze and saw Noah, holding a big rock over us, and Richard's bloody head falling on me.
"E-Elle?" He softly called out while I swiftly gathered oxygen for my lungs.
"I'm okay." I wheezed out, wincing as I felt my cracked ribs. "Thank you, you saved me, Noah."
I saw tears in his eyes as he gripped the rock he was holding. I wasn't sure but it looked like the rock which we covered the Rabbit Hole with.
I pushed Richard's dead weight, unconscious but still breathing, off me and looked for Matt and Dan. Noah helped me up, carefully avoiding my broken shoulder, and practically carries me as we searched for them. We found them a few meters ahead, covered in blood and bruises, but those weren't enough to cover their fear stricken face as they faced the barrel of a gun.
"You pesky kids should have minded your own business." Jim, equally bloody, bruised and limping, threatened as he pulled the trigger and took aim. "I could already read the stories-- childhood best friends filled with guilt and shame returned to their old tree house in memory of precious Violet and, burned it on the ground, with them inside it. How's that?"
Adrenaline rushed through me. Never mind the pain and my broken bones. Shrugging Noah off of me, I ran. I have to go over there and save them, that was all I could think of at that moment. I don't know how but I have to move.
Then, the gun went off and I screamed.
My screams were joined by the sound of sirens approaching. In the next moment, we were surrounded by the police but I didn't care, none of them mattered. All of it was a blur as the guns pointed at Jim and he attempted to escape, a group of policeman following his trail. I saw some scouting over the Fortress and the mansion. But it didn't matter. Not anymore. They were too late.
As the gun went off, Noah made a dash and ran over to protect Dan and Matt. Everything happened so fast and next thing I saw, he collapsed on the ground, blood gushing out of his chest. I limped over to him, tears falling as I collapsed beside his body. "No, no, no, no." I wailed, crawling over to him as I cradled his face. "Noah, look at me."
"I-I did it." He croaked as Matt and Dan went over to us, limping and bloody as well. "I found the strength... to save my friends this time." Blood came out of his mouth and I had a flashback of my dad's blank eyes staring at me. This brought a loud sob out of me. Not again.
"Noah." Matt touched his shoulders gently. "We made it this far. Fight this time. Live."
But it was too late, more blood was gushing from his chest and I cried more. Dan took his jacket off and pressed it on the wound. "Come on, Noah. Don't do this."
In a few seconds, medics were beside us. They took Noah on a stretcher and immediately try to control the bleeding. I almost fell when I tried to stand, not noticing the severity of my own injuries. Thankfully, one of the medics caught me. As we headed out of the scene, I heard a ruckus from behind us, it seems even with being caught red handed, Jim and the others still won't give up.
Four police cars are parked in the front of the Page Mansion as well as two ambulances. A crowd was already gathered around, checking to see the commotion. I heard some gasps as Richard passed us, handcuffed. This was followed by Dave, Brendon and Jim. Richard was crying, proclaiming her love for Violet like it excused everything. Dave was struggling and still fighting back while Brendon was spewing curse words towards us. When Jim passed us, he was calm but made sure he pierced us with a deathly glare. I fought back a shiver as the medic told us to hurry.
Worried gasps and murmurs filled the air as my friends and I were led to the ambulance. Just as a brace was being placed on my shoulder, I caught sight of the Wilson twins at the crowd. Still a bit disoriented, I was a little confused in what I was seeing. Then, Ian gestured to Noah's old house and it clicked. They were inside when we went to the Fortress; they were the ones who called the police. Chris softly smiled then saluted me as the police successfully took in the four criminals. I exhaled in relief then nodded to both of them gratefully.