Troubled With Tattoos

Chapter Twenty Two

Windrose

Since the boys told me their little secret I had been avoiding them like the black plague. I couldn't think straight, my mind was doing backflips. Between my mom being on the news, my dad calling my aunt and the boys with their affiliations. I'm surprised my head hasn't exploded.

My mind drifted off back to Saturday night.

"Okay," I said hesitantly. Austin nodded, he had this look in his eye that seemed like he wasn't even here right now. Like he was far away. 

I gulped, this obviously couldn't be good. What if they knew about my family and they're going to question me about it? I followed him nervously into the living room where the boys were already sitting.

"Soo.." I began tapping my foot as I fidgeted on the couch. The boys looked at each other, thinking of where to start.

"Do you remember that night when the gunshots went off?" Austin asked.

"Which one?" I asked recalling the numerous amount of times I have been around during the shots. Austin rolled his eyes annoyingly.

"All of them" he said. He glanced at the others for approval to keep going.

"We made a deal with someone powerful." He hesitated to say.

"A deal?" I asked. My eyebrows scrunched in confusion. My hands grew sweaty.

"Camden got himself into trouble a while back and now we're all in trouble. Well this deal was a way to get us out but we called it off." Luke chirped in.

"What was the deal?" I asked wishing they'd just spit it out already. Austin mentioned before that Cam accidentally gets himself into trouble all the time.

"We uh," Luke began but looked at Austin for help.

"We were supposed to...get you and bring you to the leader of a notorious gang." Austin said running his hands down his face.

My stomach dropped as I slowly realized my friends were hired to kidnap me. Betrayal crept up my stomach and my heart was aching. I wanted to trust someone so bad I trusted the first people I met. I wouldn't let myself do that again.

"We backed out of the deal when we got to know you. We don't want you to get hurt." Austin added.

"We made a pact to instead protect you from this gang." Luke said. Camden stayed silent, his betrayal hurt the most.

"Camden messed with the wrong people and now Cam is apart of their gang." Luke said. I glanced up at Camden.

"Cash had been sent to finish what we couldn't." Austin explained.

"Cash?" I gulped. All of this was some big plan, none of this was real. It warmed me to know they cared for me enough to vow to protect me but was that all this was? Our friendship I began to look at as family was just a vow?

"Yes, Cash Sawyer, Lizzie's new boyfriend. He's just using her to get you to let your guard down." Luke said.

"Why would this gang want me?" I asked my voice cracking. I would not allow myself to cry in front of them.

"We haven't figured that part out yet." Declan admitted.

"Way to bring it down easy, Ducky." Austin shook his head.

"Windrose, that's the name of the gang.  We got Camden out but now we're in." Luke explained. The boys suddenly showed their tattoos in unison. Each of them had the same compass tattoo with roses wrapped around.

Austin revealed his tattoo, that I've seen before but never questioned. Declan lifted his hair up from behind his neck to show his.

"I want to go home." I stuttered scrambling to my feet. My aunt was right, Lizzie was right and I looked stupid for believing I knew the boys when they were complete strangers, dangerous strangers. I was more disappointed in myself than I had ever been.

"Wait, Violet," Austin jumped off the couch but Luke stuck his arm out preventing him from moving.

"She just needs time," Luke said.

They were in a gang. Like an actual gang with guns and blood. And Cash, my friend's boyfriend is trying to kidnap me. I couldn't even go to the police because I am a missing person. 

"Violet." Mr. Lynch said interrupting my daze. I lifted my head off my books looking around at everyone who was staring. My eyes met Lizzie who gave me a look of curiosity.

"Do you know the answer?" He asked looking annoyed and somewhat angry. I shook my head no looking back down at my empty page of notes. The bell went off signaling that it was lunchtime.

"Hey." Lizzie stood at my desk. I half smiled looking up at her. Something was different about her, she looked almost angry.

"What's up?" I asked as I picked up my books.

"What were you doing this weekend?" She asked curiously. I froze, wondering why she would be asking. She didn't ask me to hang out, did she? I didn't accidentally blow her off, did I?

"I went camping with the boys," I said my heart dropping at the mention of them, "why?"

She sighed digging through her bag getting her phone. She faced her phone towards me as I read the post she screenshotted.

It was from Kara, my stomach formed into knots as I read it.

I guess all good things come to an end when nasty whores get in the way. Have fun with my leftovers.

I gasped seeing the picture she posted with it. It was from the jacuzzi. I was smiling at Camden on top of Austins shoulders.

"Are you ladies going to lunch or are you going to sit here?" Mr. Lynch said from behind his desk. I got up from my desk walking with Lizzie to the lunchroom. I gulped down every last bit of assurance I had. I didn't want to talk to the boys but I needed them. I needed them to protect me if what they said was true, surely they cared about my safety if they had been protecting me all along. My mind scattered to the night when they locked me in the shop's office to argue with those men. They must have been the guys they listed off.

"Who do you thinks going to believe that? No one, you have nothing to worry about." She assured me. As soon as I opened the lunchroom door I swear all conversations dropped. There were hundreds of eyes glued to me. I fumbled with my fingers nervously.

"She's such a slut." I heard someone scoff as we walked by to our table. Making sure to keep my head down I sat down at our table still feeling everyone's gaze on me. I froze completely when I saw Cam strolling over rather quickly.

"Violet, we need to talk. I'm giving you a ride home today, meet me in the parking lot." He said quickly before taking off. I was relieved to see him again but the betrayal was still fresh.

"Everybody hates me," I muttered staring down at the table like I did something wrong. Deep down I know I didn't do anything wrong, I never took anyone away from anyone. I hate high school. The boys weren't kidding when they said she was crazy.

I clenched my fists as the girl who started it all walked by. Perhaps hanging out with the boys upped my confidence strength-wise. I had seen them fight a few times and could easily recall some of their moves. Her eyes met mine with almost an evil glare to it, she whipped her black hair over her shoulder and clicked her heels away.

"If only she knew what she had just started," Lizzie grinned like a mad man. I never took Liz as a revengeful girl but looks can be deceiving.

"What do you have up your sleeve?" I asked curiously. I swear her grin just grew as her plan formed into place in that brain of hers.

"You'll see." She said leaning against her chair as Rose and Max sat down.

"Violet, you hoe," Rose smiled at me. I gave her a look and she quickly apologized.

"I'm just kidding, you know we're on your side." She said reaching across the table to hold Max's hand.

I sighed as the last bell rand and I was being pushed in the hallway out the doors. Cam was already out front waiting. I tapped my finger on the glass and he looked up smiling. He opened the door for me and I didn't hesitate to climb in.

"Are you trying to avoid me? Because trust me it's not going to work I'm going to be up your ass forever." He winked at me. I rolled my eyes cracking a smile.

"Ahh, there it is." He grinned looking at my teeth.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to avoid you I just-" I sighed for the tenth time today as I struggled to spit out the right words.

"It's okay, I'm going to bring you home and the guys just want to say something." He said pulling out of the school.

I nodded in agreement. Camden really was my best friend, sure we didn't share secrets as much as best friends do but something tells me we will soon. He always there for me, and I'll always be here for him. We didn't need to share secrets to feel close.

"Why didn't you tell me sooner, it wouldn't have hurt as bad" I asked.

"I didn't want you to think I faked our friendship," He sighed "We should have told you sooner but we didnt want you to hate us. Trust me when I say we will protect you with everything we've got. Please forgive us." He pleaded taking my hand and squeezing it as he raced down the empty road. I nodded catching a single tear rolling down my cheek with my free hand.

A few minutes passed and we were pulling into the Hayes driveway.

"Violet! I missed you." Ducky ran up to me hugging me tight rubbing his fist against my head ruffling up my hair.

"I missed you too." I chuckled. I turned to see the boys all here.

"I'm sorry we just kind of buried it out all at once at you." Luke apologized.

"Did you see the post?" I butted out completely changing the topic. Austin nodded looking away. The others nodded as well.

"Do you think she has something to do with the gang?" I asked. If Kara easily found us in the woods then anyone else could too. Austin nodded. I scoffed in annoyance.

"What else don't I know?" I sighed running my fingers through my hair in frustration.

"A lot." Declan shrugged. Great. Always leave it to Ducky to be the completely honest one.

"Guys, if you smell something it wasn't me," Camden grinned walking upstairs. We all shared a look of horror, Cam's farts were the worst.

"Can we get back to the problem here?" Austin muttered sitting on his couch.

"Cam's fart is a problem, I think we're at serious risk here." Declan pulled his shirt over his nose.

"We don't know what's happening but we do know that you need to be kept safe, lock your windows, your balcony, everything and no matter what, stay inside," Luke said with such seriousness I had to gulp. I felt a hand on my shoulder knowing who's it was just from the heat it gave me.

"Don't be scared, we just heard the word that they're coming to question us," Austin assured pulling me into a hug. I squeezed my eyes shut hugging him tightly. Confusion tore apart my mind, I just learned they were in a gang this weekend and they're already having problems. I wonder how many times this had happened before I knew and they couldn't tell me. Oh god, what is that horrible smell?

"Come on, I'll walk you home," Austin said grabbing a sweatshirt. I was a bit surprised when he tossed it to me. I caught it putting it on instantly. It smelt just like him with...is that weed? I pulled out a bag of what looked like grass in a way.

"Sorry." He mumbled taking it quickly stuffing it in his pocket. I sighed following him outside. This isn't going to be the last time I see the boys right? Please tell me I'm right.

Austin took my hand and squeezed it. I tried to relax but a terrible feeling was creeping up my stomach. He pulled me into another hug, a warmer and tighter one.

"We're going to be fine, do you really think Luke's going to let anything happen? He's a beast." He whispered into my ear, I could feel him slightly crack a grin. He pulled away a few inches his hand cupping my cheek setting it on fire on the inside.

"I won't let anything happen to you." He said his thumb rubbing my cheek.

"It's not me I'm scared for," I muttered my voice cracking a smidge. He pulled me close again, his warm, pink, full lips connecting with my forehead. He let his kiss linger a bit before pulling away completely.

"Go inside okay, I'll come over when they're gone." He said his face was a blank slate. He always hid his emotions.

I watched as he slowly walked back to his house backward. His eyes not leaving mine even for a second until he reached the door. My stomach was in knots and I felt sick.

"You okay Vi?" Aunt Cherry suddenly appeared behind me.

"Oh yeah," I said turning to see her dressed in a sleek deep purple dress that stopped just below her kneecaps. I smiled looking at her.

"Second date?" I asked. I didn't think the first one went that well but I guess it did. I had wondered if Aunt Cherry had known they were related to the gangs of the town and thats why she had warned me. Or maybe she just overheard they were bad influences at the local grocery store.

"How'd you guess?" She chuckled, "if there's a third, I'll introduce you."

"I won't be home until late, maybe even in the morning." She giggled. My stomach was rotting away inside me with nerves. The thought of being home alone was unsettling. 

"It's okay, go have fun," I said shooing her away. The last thing I needed was for her to regret going out on dates.

"Okay, hun, dinners on the counter, no parties." She smiled. Definitely, won't have to worry about that. I walked inside as she pulled out of the driveway. I locked the door behind her debating on calling Lizzie or Rose. No, that'd just be stupid to put my friends at risk cause I'm lonely. I peeked over at the food on the counter, spaghetti. I placed it in the microwave for later.

I think the worst part was I wouldn't know if or when something was happening. I turned on the TV but wasn't really focused on it, a few hours passed before I went upstairs instead. I made sure to lock my balcony door no matter how bad I wanted to look out I shut the curtain. Anxiety crept its way through my blood causing my legs to bounce up and down. I was a nervous wreck. And then I heard the sound of doors closing. They were here, I think.

I squeezed my eyes shut not being able to hear anything else, seconds felt like hours and minutes felt like weeks. It was deathly silent, my ears were ringing and my legs were shaking. I started to panic, my breaths got shorter. And then I heard it. I felt tears running down my cheeks as I quickly opened the balcony stepping outside. The car screeched away and I couldn't tell, I couldn't tell who was on the ground. My heartbeat out of my chest I thought for sure I'd faint. I could see Luke's blonde hair but that was it, that leaves three of the others on the ground. Luke glanced up at me.

"He got shot!" Luke yelled up at me clearly not happy I was outside.

"Who? Who got shot?!" I screamed over the balcony tears running down my cheeks. My stomach formed into knots, this couldn't be happening right now. This was all just a dream, every bit of it. I'm going to wake up at the cabin in the woods and everything's going to be okay.

"Camden."