Dream:

I was sitting in my room a couple weeks before Elise's death, trying hard to stay inconspicuous. John was here. When he was, that usually meant trouble.

"DARCY!" I heard Elise bellow, "COME DOWN HERE YOU (beep)!" Wow, my own mother doesn't remember my name. Thanks mom.

Sighing, I made my way downstairs. I knew what was going to happen, yet I went anyway.

There, in all his law breaking glory, was John with a cigarette in his mouth. He and Elise were sat on the couch, both with bottles in their hand. It broke my heart to see my mother like this. I remember when she was happy and always smiling.

"Hello," John smirked.

I gulped.

I woke up, gasping for breath with sweat tricking down my forehead. That night was the worst beating I'd ever received. Why won't my nightmares leave my? Why?

Tears streamed down my face and I allowed them to do so freely. I'd been crying quite a lot these past few days.

"Iris?" I heard Oscar's voice outside my door and the handle turn. Fortunately, it was locked, so he couldn't enter. He frantically knocked, "Iris?"

"Yeah?" I made my voice groggy with sleep. I'd had practice in crying silently with my voice giving no indication that I'd been doing so.

I heard him breathe a sigh of relief, "sorry, got worried for a second. I heard whimpering...he trailed off.

Hastily, I wiped my eyes and checked the time. The clock read 1:30am. I rubbed my eyes and put on a cardigan and went to the door. I unlocked it and was greeted with the tired face of my step brother.

"I'm fine, Oscar," I gave him a weary grin and he seemed to accept that. He bid me good morning and left.

I crawled back to my bed and buried my face in the pillows, unable to hold back the tears. I was not fine. I was tired.

X

At 6am, I woke up again. I got ready and traipsed downstairs. Thankfully, it was Sunday- meaning I didn't have school, so I was free to look like a zombie all day.

I sat at the dining table and made myself some hot chocolate. I sipped it carefully and gazed at a random spot on the wall. With a jolt, I realised that I'd been living with my family for nearly two months now- and I didn't hate it as much as I thought I would.

"Morning," I looked up to see Oscar coming in the room.

I smiled and returned the greeting.

"How are you feeling?" He asked, making us some breakfast.

"Fine," I replied, "you?"

"Same here," he shrugged, "some problems in the family business, but other than that, we're good."

"What is the family business?" I asked and Oscar stiffened.

"I can't tell you now. Please, don't question it," Oscar said quietly.

"Okay," I mumbled.

"So, any plans for today?" Oscar asked, obviously trying to change the subject.

"Maybe," I shrugged, it was Sunday, so there wasn't-

Oh. I remember now. Harry had called and said he wanted to meet me.

"Oh bubbles!" I yelled loudly, almost causing Oscar to drop his plate. I quickly left the room and ran up the stairs two at a time. I bumped into Daimen, but I ignored him and quickly ran to my room. I locked the door, got changed, grabbed my gun and phone before climbing out of the window. Why the window? 'Because doors are for people with no imagination,' (). I also didn't want to have to explain to my brothers why I have a gun.

"Iris?" I heard Oscar say, rapidly knocking on the door.

"I have to go somewhere," I said, halfway out of the window, "I'll be back shortly!" And I began my skilful climb down. However, my foot stepped on a piece of wet rock and I slipped. I stumbled and fell, expecting to meet the hard floor and, instead, falling on a person. They yelped and began cursing.

I immediately jumped off and examined them, "Oh God are you okay?"

The boy turned and I vaguely recognised him from school. He had dark brown hair and amber eyes, "I'm fine," he groaned a little.

"I'm so sorry!" I cast a furtive glance back at the house.

"It's fine," he waved his hand and shakily rose to his feet, "you're not that heavy, it's just the shock of a girl falling out of a window that surprised me."

"IRIS!" I heard voices yell from inside the house.

"Listen, I'd love to stay and chat, but I have somewhere to be and my family are looking for me. See you around!" I turned and sprinted away from the confused boy.

"What's your name?" He called after me.

"Iris!" I yelled back and ran. Fortunately, there were no guards at the gate and I was able to slip out unnoticed.

X

I walked through a shady alleyway, my hand brushing against the gun, the cool metal bringing a small sense of security.

"Rose?" I turned and saw my boss leaning against a derelict building.

"Boss," I replied evenly, smiling slightly, "Good to see you."

Harry's mouth quipped into a tight smile, "you too, Iris. I wish it was under happier circumstances."

"What's wrong?" I frowned.

Harry took a deep breath, "John. He's back."

Three little words.

My breathing became raggedy, but I forced myself to remain calm, "And?"

"He's looking for you," Harry continued. He didn't know the full extent of the abuse I'd suffered- if he did, I'm quite sure Harry would hunt down John and brutally torture him- he did know that John was a wicked man.

I closed my eyes briefly, "thank you for telling me, Harry. I'll relay the information to Jax and I'll be more aware of my surroundings."

Harry nodded, "do you want any protection? I can assign some of my men to keep watch, if you like?"

I shook my head adamantly, "that won't be necessary. Thanks though. It was nice seeing you, Boss," I left without waiting for a reply.

John was back.

And he was looking for me.

X

I arrived back at the mansion, a million thoughts zooming in my head. I entered and was about to make my way to my room, when I was stopped by my family.

"Where have you been?!" David growled.

"A meeting," I replied, not in the mood to be questioned.

"What was it about?"

"None of your business," I responded sharply, "I need to talk to Jax."

"You're not going anywhere," David snapped, "you're grounded and your phone will be confiscated!"

I looked at him in shock, "for what?"

"Disobeying the rules and leaving the house without consent."

"Technically, I didn't disobey the rules. I was told that I had to inform one of you- which I did. I'll accept the punishment for leaving the house, but I need to talk to Jax first," I kept my voice calm and void of emotion.

"No," David said, "first tell us where you have been, and then I'll think about it."

"I can't do that," I replied evenly.

"David," Oscar said quietly, "maybe we should leave her alone."

"I'm her father," David retorted, "I have the right to know where my daughter has been."

I lost it.

"You don't have any right to call yourself my father!" I yelled, "you and your sons left me for eight whole years! No visit, phone call, email or even a text! And I'm sick of you all pretending like everything's okay!" The anger dissipated and I closed my eyes, "I'm tired and I want to go home," I whispered. Not home to my alcoholic abusive mother and her awful friend. But back with Alex and Jax. When the three of us would just enjoy life without a care in the world.

"I think I need some air," I said, my voice barely audible, "before one of us says or does something we'll regret."

No one stopped me.