C H A P T E R  1 6 :

{ I know, I know, this part is short and was suppose to be Gaspard's pov and we'll get there! I promise! I'm just in the mood to get these Followers stories out there. }

{ Comment. Vote. Enjoy. }

Emmett hadn't come home last night. Billy knew because he had been pacing in front of the windows, checking his wrist watch repeatedly. It was 2:25 a.m. Where are you, man? The cell phone was tempting to just turn on and dial his number—but don't be stupid, don't be stupid. His phone probably wouldn't even be on. Because Emmett's not stupid.

Then headlights blinded him as their car pulled in.

Billy dropped his hand from shielding his eyes, leaning forward peering out of the smudged glass. There was Emmett, there was no question that was his figure, tall - very tall - with his walk of too big of steps. "Hey Mags?" He called when he saw his ex partner stoop into the open door of the back seat dragging out a limp body. It appeared to be a woman.

"What?" Maggie came up beside him, rubbing her short hair with a towel. Beads of water dripped down the sides of her face, skin fresh, smelling of lotion from her shower. The towel slowly stopped its circular motion as she followed Billy's pointing hand. "Who is that? Who is that!" Her voice raised and she twisted smacking Billy with the towel. It stung and Billy flinched reaching to grab it. "No one is doing their part!" She kept hitting him. "I told you we should have gotten rid of him!"

Hit after hit, he took it until he finally gripped the towel, wrenching it from her grasp. He clutched it tight as her nails dug for it back. "Let's just hear him out, ok?"

She huffed and puffed, a scowl etched in her face. He could see the wrinkles on her forehead and the frown lines near her lips corners. "Fine." Was her reply when he released the towel back to her. Billy always hated this side of her, the bratty, only child side of her. Her ways. Her orders. All. The. Time.

Emmett was never like that.

The side door screeched loud enough to wake Logan upstairs, but he knew what was in that milk Maggie gave him every night before bed. It sounded like a kitchen chair was being moved and a low groan echoed. Maggie started for the kitchen ignoring Billy's hands to stop her, forcing him to follow. And he wasn't prepared to see what he found.

Emmett was grinning. His smile was proud, his hands on both of the girl's shoulders as he stood behind her seated figure. The girl looked awful, hair matted and tangled in the blood that streaked down the side of her face. Her eyes were wide and frightened. A gag of some sort, maybe a sock, stuff between her lips enabled her from screaming and hands bound behind her.

"Hey, guys. This is Megan." Emmett said cheerfully. "Megan, this is Maggie and Billy." He pointed to each as he said their name.

Maggie shook her head in disbelief. "Who is she?"

"She's a friend," his hands smoothed out Megan's hair, "and she's gonna be staying with us for a while."

"You have lost your mind." Maggie's hands were in small fists at her sides.

"Yeah ..." Emmett drew out the word nodding his head toward Maggie as he spoke to Billy. "I'm done listening to her."

Billy grabbed hold of Maggie's upper arm as a series of foul words strung together left her lips. "Hey, I'll take care of this. Go check on Logan." He nudged her toward the door.

"You better."

It wasn't until the stamping of her feet disappeared when Billy dared to approach Emmett. His voice was a whisper, Megan's eyes strained to keep on him. "What are you doing Emmett?"

Emmett tilted his head, almost lovingly stroking the girl's hair, combing out her mess with his fingers. "I'm tired of being the third wheel, and now I'm not." His shoulder shrugged carelessly.

"I know you're mad at me right now, but you can't ruin things for everyone." Billy stepped away rubbing a hand along the back of his neck. This is crazy, even for you—

Emmett's crazed eyes seemed darker than normal and were wide when he moved forward, his face close to Billy, who stood his ground hesitantly. "Does Maggie know what a liar you are?" Emmett hissed lowly.

Billy's eyes narrowed, his voice betraying him, "We promised we wouldn't tell anyone Em ... especially Maggie."