Forever

| Chapter Twelve ~ Leaving ~ |

Noah's Pov
My mouth was agape in shock. Silence fell over the room as Elizabeth stood there, almost a slight smirk on her face. Almost. Her hazelnut hair hung over her face, covering part of it. I couldn't even tell what she was going to do. I felt myself become tense as she paced back and fourth, shaking the gun as she did.

She suddenly stopped, looking at me. We all watched her, intrigued. As quick as a flash, she spun around and aimed the gun at her parents. An insane giggle came from her as her face went from serious to scarily happy, just like her mother. It was in this moment that I really didn't feel safe. My father subtly shifted himself in front of my mother.

"You know," Elizabeth began, pacing again, "I wasn't actually going to shoot you."

She blew the end of the gun as if she had just shot it.

"But you tried to shoot him," she pointed at me. "Why? He's the one who tried to save Richelle. Once she'd moved out, I'd be next, wouldn't I?"

"I don't know what you're talking about, darling," he mother pleaded with her.

"DON'T LIE TO ME," she yelled, her eyes almost hypnotising her parents. "It's true. You'd have no one to pick on, so you'd go for the next in line; me. I saw what you did to her. I saw you hit her with the belt. I saw you give her no mercy. Elizabeth always sees, but she never speaks. Until now."

Her parents glared at her. She scowled back. I didn't know what to do. My heart was beating like a drum; I didn't think it was my place to be here for this conversation. I just wanted to leave. I wanted to take Richelle with me.

"I already called social services," she told us. "I complained about how you weren't treating us right. They're coming and they're taking us away."

"Mummy," a small voice whispered from behind the door.

A tiny head peaked around. It was one of Richelle's other younger sisters. She had so many! I just couldn't quite remember her name. Now she looked like Richelle. Her small blonde locks curled down her head, hugging her face. She only looked about five or so and small tears were in her eyes.

"Who's taking me away?" Her small voice broke a she said the words, a tear falling from her eye. "I don't want to go."

"Sophia," Elizabeth began as Sophia hugged her mother's leg, "we aren't safe here. Mummy and daddy can't take care of us anymore. Look at Richelle."

Her hand pointed towards Richelle's fragile body which was laying behind us. No! Richelle looked dead and....Sophia (was that was Elizabeth had said?) was too small to be able to not know that!

She gasped before running over to Elizabeth and hiding behind her leg.

"Now, where are Luna and Louisa?" Elizabeth questioned her, but she was just staring at Richelle in shock.

Elizabeth's head turned towards Richelle, probably regretting that she told Sophia to look. It was in that moment that Alan jumped up and grabbed the gun out of Elizabeth's hands. We all stared in shock, petrified.

"Dad," Elizabeth began, her voice afraid, "I'm...I'm s-sorry."

"You aren't leaving, OKAY?" He yelled. "WE'RE ALL LIVING HERE TOGETHER. FOREVER. ONE BIG HAPPY FAMILY. GOT IT?"

They both shook their heads in fear. What kind of a father was that? I couldn't stand him any longer. I lunged at him, yelling for the others to run. Somehow I'd managed to knock him into his wife, and they both fell down. I heard the floor boards screeching as everyone ran. No one had Richelle!

Quickly, I sprung off him, leaving him struggle for air on the floor a bit whilst his wife squirmed uncomfortably. I ran to Richelle, scooping her up in my arms; she was as light as a feather. Her practically lifeless body lay in my arms, her head tilted back.

I stared for no more than I couple of seconds before sprinting out of the door, well, going as fast as I could with Richelle in my arms. I had not expected the day to end in this way.

I was just about to reach the top of the stairs when I heard a gunshot. My ears picked up on a great whoosh that lasted for less than a second as I heard a bullet fly over my head and smash its way through a window. I felt myself panic slightly, but I just ran downstairs as quickly as I could. I just needed to keep her safe. I needed to.

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