Vincent

"This is Lakewood Gardens. Now it's gonna be like finding a needle in a haystack." Caleb sighed.

"We'll split up and ask around." I stated. Caleb's phone vibrated and he checked his notifications. We were currently sitting in my car. Xavier was fully on board with finding Aubrey so he came along. Caleb, Alex and Blake were also there. Blake was pretty chill and we got along easily. The rest of the guys couldn't be here but they promised that they would assist in any way they can.

"It's a message from Haden." Caleb said.

"What does it say?" Xavier questioned.

"He said that he's taking the 'next step' with Ivory in their relationship. They are having an engagement party and we are invited. It's tommorow actually."

"Huh. I wish him the best." I laughed.

"So do I. I'm not saying I'm perfect but doing this is just wrong. Abandoning Aubrey like that is just pathetic. He can't be serious!" Blake exclaimed.

"Oh but he is. Mom and dad aren't talking to him because of all this. I've distanced myself from him to." Xavier admitted.

"I honestly didn't think Haden could be this heartless." Alex sighed.

"Lets forget about him and do what we have to. Every moment away from Aubrey is crucial." I stated and they all nodded.

"So we'll meet up at Burger Bros in an hour. Find out as much as you can but you have to be smart and subtle about it." I added and we all split up.

~

I've been asking around for the past 45 minutes but I found nothing. Most people didn't know who I was talking about. I sat on a bench and sighed.

An old man that was sitting opposite me adjusted his glasses and looked around.

"Waiting for your wife huh?" He questioned.

"No, I'm looking for someone else."

"Who may that be?Maybe I've seen the person. Nothing gets pass me around here?"

"I'm looking for a guy, Leo.He has a scar that runs all the way down to his chin." I explained.

"Ahh, yes Leonardo is his name. He moved in a couple months ago. A really quiet fellow. Doesn't talk much. He lives in an apartment a few blocks from here. Number 87 is his apartment number. If you're looking for him he won't be home right now. He usually comes in late."

"Thanks alot sir." I pulled out some cash from my wallet and gave it to him. A broad smile spread across his face as he stared at the money.

"Hey son! Anytime you need information, I'm always here!" He shouted as I left the park.

"Yeah I'll remember that." I chuckled as I made my way to Burger Bros.

Alex was already sitting there so I joined him.

"Lets wait until everyone gets here and we'll share what we found out." Alex said as the waitress brought him some tea.

"Sounds like a plan."

A few minutes later all of us were sitting there anxious to speak.

"I found out where he is from. He's from Canada. He moved when he was 18, wanted a better life." Blake stated.

"Great. I found out that he works with Sam as we know and in fact his girlfriend lives in this neighbourhood." Caleb added.

"I found out where his apartment is." I declared.

We all turned to Xavier and waited to hear what he had to say.

"Guys I found out that this restaurant sells nachos, my favorite." Xavier chuckled as he ate some chips.

"Really man that's it?" Caleb groaned.

"No that's not it. I heard from some dude that there's a guy called Angelo. Of course I had to bribe him with money but he says that Angelo hangs out with Leonardo alot."

"So far, we know about Leonardo, Angelo and Sam. Angelo must be the boss." Caleb concluded.

"That can be true. We should go check out the address I got." I suggested and they all agreed.

The apartment was not what I had expected. It was actually very decent.

We went straight to the number I got from the old man. I knocked on the door but there was no response.

"He probably isn't home." Caleb stated as they looked around.

"We'll have to break in then."Blake said calmly.

"Don't you think that's taking it a bit too far. What if we get in trouble? There are cameras overhead." Caleb pointed out.

"Nobody really looks at those things anyway." Xavier added.

"That's true. We have to break into his apartment. Information about Aubrey can be in there." I pleaded and Caleb sighed.

"Alright fine, but do it quickly before people realise something's up." Caleb finally gave in.

Blake and I struggled with the door until it opened. We all slipped inside and began looking around. His appartment was fairly empty. There wasn't much in here.

"Guys look at this." Blake called and we darted towards him.

He held a book in his hand with a look of horror on his face.

"This man is sick." He blurted.

"What did he do?" Xavier questioned.

"Maybe you should ask him yourself." A voice said and we all froze.

Turning around we came face to face with Leonardo himself. A long scar that ran all the way to his chin and a well built figure. This man was very intimidating and we were screwed.

Its been two weeks since Anthony took away my innocence. Eventually, it became a regular thing. He would come into my room and take me anytime he wanted to. I've lost a huge part of myself that I knew I couldn't get back. The physical abuse might hurt but its the mental abuse that has me fragile. I'd lose my mind if this continues. The pain from him was excrutiating and unbearable.

I was currently vomitting in the bathroom. This has been happening ever since I woke up, it originally started a few days ago. After I was done I just sat down on the bed and breathed deeply. The door opened and Anthony came in and stood infront of me.

"How are you feeling baby?" He questioned and I ignored him.

"What's wrong?" He asked again only to get the same response.

"Aubrey, if you don't tell me what's wrong I can't help." He groaned.

I felt the bile rise in my throat and I puked on him. Serves him right.

"Shit! Damn it Aubrey." He muttered as he stepped back a little.

"So you're sick then." He stated as he touched my forehead and I pulled away from him.

"I'll take you to the doctor since Matthew is out of the country. Hurry up and get dressed in five minutes while I get changed." He ordered but I couldn't care less. I stayed put on the bed. There was no reason for me to do this. There was no reason for me to listen to him. I was currently wearing a grey T-shirt and black sweatpants. My hair was in a mess but it didn't matter to me.

He returned a couple minutes later in a fresh set of clothes, all dressed and ready to go.

"I told you to change Aubrey." He hissed.

"Listen to me when I'm talking to you. Answer me, damn it!" He screeched as he grabbed me from the bed. I still refused to speak to him.

"Fine. Be stubborn then. Let's go." He grabbed my hand and I followed him downstairs. We got into the car and he pulled me unto his lap. I didn't have the energy to fight him so I just sat there without saying a word.

The drive to the hospital took around 20 minutes. When we got there we waited another 20 minutes then the doctor called us in.

"Aubrey, Anthony, I'm Samantha. Can you tell me how you're feeling?" The doctor asked.

"I feel sick. I've been vomitting for the past few days every morning." I confessed.

"Do you feel fatigue sometimes and a bit more sensitive to certain foods." She inquired and I nodded.

"There is a possibility that you are pregnant Aubrey. I need you to pee in this cup okay?" She smiled as she passed me a plastic cup.

I went to the washroom and did as I was told. A few minutes later I brought back the cup for her.

"I'll need you both to wait outside for a bit while I run the test. I'll call you back in when its all done." She chirped.

Sitting in the waiting room a thousand thoughts were running through my mind. I don't want a baby with Anthony. I can't bring a child into this pain and suffering. I hope this isn't true. I was on the verge of having a breakdown. I always wanted to have children with the man I love. I wanted to raise a nice family surrounded by love, care and happiness. This is not what I had in mind.

"Aren't you excited Aubrey?" Anthony smiled and I turned my head from him and stared at the floor.

"Talk to me Aubrey." He commanded but I still didn't listen to him.

He sighed and began scrolling through his phone. Time flew by and Samantha called us back inside.

"Congratulations Aubrey, you're pregnant." She beamed and my heart broke. This can't be happening. Tears sprung from my eyes and I had to hold onto the wall for support.

"Would you like to see the baby?" She questioned and Anthony nodded since I didn't say anything.

He guided me to the chair and I sat down. The doctor raised my shirt and applied a gel-like substance on my stomach which was very cold.

She then moved the machine around and the ultrasound of the baby came on the screen.

"There's the baby. He/she hasn't reached enough months and is still very small, so we can't tell the sex yet. I'll give you some prenatal pills to ensure that the baby comes along well. I'd like to also see you back here in two weeks."

"Thanks doc. My wife is soo happy, she can't even speak." Anthony joked as he rubbed my head causing the doctor to smile at us.

"Becoming a parent is very exciting. Now let's clean this gel off you and you'll be ready to go."

After taking the pills from the doctor we were on our way back to Anthony's home. He talked endlessly in the car while I just looked out the window. I can't take care of a baby. I don't want this baby. Anything that is part of Anthony is a complete turnoff.

Once we arrived, he took me up to the room I was staying in and gently laid me on the bed.

"Aubrey, we are finally having the family we always wanted." He kissed my forehead. I didn't respond to him as I just stared at nothing in particular.

"Talk to me." He pleaded.

"I'm just resisting the urge to knock you down." He spat.

"Then do it. Knock me down Anthony. Maybe you might end the pathetic lives of this baby and I. So if you think you'd be hurting me you're wrong,you'd be doing me a favour." I yelled taking him by complete surprise. He stared at me and just left the room leaving me with my thoughts.

Realization dawned on me,this baby is also part of me. Feeling my stomach, I felt the urge to protect my child. This is my child, my own flesh and blood. This isn't the best circumstance but I have to protect my baby as well as I can. I have to hold on, for the sake of my child.