"WHO THE FUCK HURT HER?"

Everyone of my men's head were bowed down staring at the table; silent and tense for they knew when I was angry no one was safe. No one uttered a word in the large meeting room as they were afraid one wrong word and it would cost them their lives. It had been a long time since I fell into the deep dark abyss of rage and anger but I had no control over it.

"Boss, I'm sorry we"-

"I don't want your pity, I want answers" I yelled out slamming my fist against the desk making a few of the men jump back in fear. I pinched the bridge of my nose and shook my head trying to bring a moment of peace to my rage fuelled body. But the longer I stayed here, the angrier I would become. I had to go see Lucy.

"Gentlemen, I'm going to head to the hospital. But you're going to keep working and I hope by the time I return, you will have some answers for me".

The men remained silent and nodded their heads slowly before excusing themselves off out the room.

Time to go see my baby sister and see if she's made any progress.

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"Good morning Mr Gray. Please, come through".

The elderly woman smiled sweetly as she ushered me through the busy halls and eventually arriving at the familiar door and hurrying me inside.

"Ah, Mr Gray. Good to see you again. How have you been?"

"Fine" I grumbled lowly, unimpressed by the chirpiness of the Doctor as he scribbled away on his clipboard.

"You'll be pleased to hear that Lucy is making fantastic progress. She's been asleep since the surgery, but it's due to the medication and the stress on her body. But for now, I'll give you some time alone".

The doctor excused himself and exited the room closing the door gently behind him leaving me alone with my sister and the dull beeping of the heart monitor.

Dragging a chair across the smooth flooring, I collapsed down onto the chair and carefully entwined my hand in my sisters and began to examine her facial features. She was looking like mum more and more everyday and that hurt. I felt like every time I looked at Lucy I was looking at mum. Memories of her last moments would forever plague my mind like a disease.

"Mama".

"Baby girl, I need to find your papa. Stay here with Dean. He will keep you safe".

Mum turned her attention to me, fear swarmed her eyes as she shakily ran her hand down the side of my face wiping away tears as they leaked from my eyes.

"Mum, I'm scared. What if the men find us and hurt us"-

"No! You will be safe here. But you must stay hidden. Promise me, you'll stay hidden away". The urgency in her voice scared me. I had never seen her so vulnerable and frightened.

"Mama, stay" Lucy cried in my arms as she reached out to grasp mum one more time and never let go. But I held onto her tighter not letting her escape out of my hold. Mum softly stroked Lucy's reddened cheek and pecked her softly on her head.

"Be brave my little angels. It's going to be okay".

"Mama, please".

"Dean. Promise me something. Promise me that you'll protect Lucy no matter what. Promise me that you'll protect her for the rest of your life. She's your baby sister and it is you duty to take care of her and guide her. I'm so proud of you Dean. Watch over her".

Lucy sobbed even harder as mum pulled away from both of us and gestured for me to lock the wardrobe door. The image of mum soon began to fade as she ran out the door and into the chaos on the floors below.

Cupping Lucy's mouth to hush her broken cries, I clenched my eyes shut hearing the loud gunshots and echoes of deep yells and jeers. I prayed everyone would make it out of this home invasion.

"It's going to be alright LuLu". Lucy's cries had quietened down, but she was too young to listen to the atrocities beneath us. Placing both my hands on her ears I pressed down firmly in hopes to completely block out the noise of the fights downstairs.

"It's going to be okay".

How wrong was I.

That was the day we lost our parents. Cruelly taken from us. They didn't even spare us the opportunity for a burial. No, they took their dead bodies with them as trophies of their victory. Yet, they couldn't find their children. But I hated myself.

I made a promise to my mum to keep Lucy safe, and yet here she is not so long ago clinging on for dear life. She's 11. She should be having sleepovers, planning her future wedding and painting her fingernails, but instead she lays motionless on a bed recovering from a fucking stab wound that could've been prevented if it weren't for my carelessness.

"I'm so sorry Lucy. Truly. I'm a complete failure as an older brother. I don't expect you to forgive me soon, or ever in fact"-

"I'll forgive you if you put £5 in the swear jar".

My closed eyes shot open startled by the young soft voice of my sister. I watched silently baffled by the suddenness of her awakening. Her eyes fluttered open and close as she tried adjusting to the bright light of the hospital room but smiled softly as she closed her eyes and laid still on the bed.

"Oh Lucy. I'm so glad you're okay". I fought the urge to pull her into a bear hug, but instead chose to stroke away loose strands of her hair as to not hurt her.

"I'm okay Dean. I, truthfully can't really remember what happened. I, I was watching you with Rosie when a man suddenly came up behind me with the knife and"-

"Shhh. Don't think about that. You're back and that's all that matters. Lulu, I was so scared I'd lost you for good". Tears welled up in my eyes as I held her hand tighter and whispered reassuring words of comfort in her ear.

Lucy placed her hand on her stomach and groaned loudly as pain surged though her body like electricity.

"GET A DOCTOR IN HERE NOW" I yelled. I couldn't bear to stand seeing Lucy in pain. But Lucy calmed herself and shook her head at me.

"No, Dean. I think I've had enough. Although if they've got any Calpol, I'll take that. That stuff tastes amazing".

I chuckled lightly. What a warrior she was. After all she's been through and she's already making jokes.

"For you, I'd do anything. I'll get you some Calpol even though I doubt that'll do anything. Is there anything else you want?". I grabbed my jacket and checked my phone waiting for my sister's request knowing she'd probably have a long list.

"Yeah, I want to know when you and Rosie are going out for dinner? Or have you planned something else for your date. A movie, a picnic, where is she by the way?"