Four or Dead by G O A

Four or Dead

Chapter 77

Wyatt

"Set him up in the storage room." I tell the guys when we arrive back at the Motel

Emma stands to the side and watches the men drag Zane away. I "How do you want to handle this?" I ask, stepping up beside her

"Honestly, I don't know. My father hurt me because it made him feel better to have someone to hurt or blame, but this is different. I'm different." She says, her eyes locked on a point off in the distance

She's at a crossroads. One that everyone like us faces at some point. I know because I went through the same thing when I joined Zane's crew

"What if he wakes up and I can't do it?" She asks, turning to look at me

I don't answer her right away. Instead, our eyes lock and I reach out to brush a strand of hair from her face and tuck it softly behind her ear

"No one will think less of you if you can't. Thats why you have us, so you don't have to do anything if you don't want to." I say softly and her eyes drift shut and her shoulders drop a little, like my words have lifted a weight off her

I move to take my hand away, but she opens her eyes and looks up at

Chapter 77

me with unspoken words. She feels lost right now and is hoping I'll tell her what to do, but I can't

See, there is a point in the life of an abuse victim where you either fight to overcome what you endured and become a stronger and better person or you succumb to the darkness that grows inside you. Some turn that darkness into something ugly, like hurting and killing for no reason other than to feel something other than pain. Then there are those that use that darkness and harness it into a weapon. A lot of the guys here have taken theor screwed up lives and turned all that pent up anger and resentment and use it for one purpose, as a bullet. They focus it on each order their leader gives and enjoy every second

where I came from, so I move my hand

will get everything set up." I say,

table set up near the window. She lays down on her side facing me and I smile a little at how small she

girls that would hang around Asher bullying you and they ripped your sweater. I saw the scars and bruises and I knew you were like me. It was the first time I had seen another person at school with injuries like mine. Unlike you, though, the

Chapter 77

the monster of

the crew. He agreed, but I had to prove to him I was loyal to him. He handed me a gun and brought in one of his men. I was told to shoot the guy. I had no one and nowhere else to go, so I did it. When it was done, he smiled and told me a place for me had just freed up. From that day on I had to do things I never thought I would do just to survive and

Instead, I see...understanding

up. I can't help but shift nervously for a

small amount so I can look up at her. She hesitates for just a

could have known each other, so you didn't have to be alone, but I'm here now and you won't be alone again." She says and now I am the one releasing a breath of relief. "I hate even more the things you went through to help and protect me. You saved my life. I know that

Chapter 77

my reaction, but the moment only lasts a split second before my hand cups the back of her neck and I

was desperate and hadn't seen her in so long that I wasn't thinking straight. Now, she is the one kissing me

it feels like a gift either way. I hope one day she will care about me for more than gratitude, but for now, it has to be enough. So when she slowly pulls away from me, I let her. I put more distance between us, so she knows I won't try anything more, but

Emma

find Wyatt a bit too much after everything he's told me, but to me he reminds me that if things had been different, I wouldn't have been alone. Maybe if Wyatt had come to me and we found strength in each other, then maybe we could have run away and be free of the demons in our life. To me, he is a missed opportunity in a life I'll never know. One where I was

with no

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wanted to kiss him because in all that he is; I feel like he's already mine. He was my shadow,

must say those last words out loud while I was looking down

eyes grow wider. I "Emma..." He starts to say, but I cut

I want. Maybe I'm crazy and a little greedy since I already have four guys, but I don't care. This is my chance to