CALLIX
My hands were tied above me.
I dangled from the ropes.
I could no longer feel my hands.
They were numb with pain.
One of my kidnappers, who went by the name of Jax, stood with a smile.
His brown hair flipped back, and his weedy green eyes stared at me.
He held a knife in his hand.
"I'll ask once more, and then I'm going to kill you," he said thoughtfully.
I wouldn't let him get the information he wanted.
I'd protect Midnight till my last breath.
I loved her.
The cuts on my stomach bled.
They sliced me violently.
All night long.
At first, I screamed.
But the pain slowly faded.
Until I felt nothing.
"Tell me her biggest weakness", he spat.
Bits of his spit landed on my face.
I smirked at him.
"No", I stated seriously.
Jax stuck the blade in my already leaking cut.
It hurt.
I cried out as it penetrated my cut.
Suddenly, loads of shouting lit up outside the basement.
My brothers were here.
I could stop fighting.
Darkness consumed me.
**
As I opened my eyes, the first thing I did was take a deep breath.
I looked around and realised I wasn't alone in the room.
My heart skipped a beat as I saw Midnight sitting there, watching me with her bright grey eyes.
She looked at me with so much love and tenderness, but her eyes were also filled with tears.
"Cal, I've missed you," she whispered softly.
Her voice was quiet but filled with emotion.
"I bet I've missed you more," I replied, my voice groggy.
As I looked down, I saw that my cuts were bandaged up.
"Who did this?" I asked, turning my gaze back to Midnight.
Midnight looked at me for a moment and then looked away.
I could tell that she was hesitant to say anything.
"It was Romeo," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.
When I saw her body go taut, I knew something was wrong.
"What happened?" I asked, concerned.
She hesitated for a moment before blurting out the truth: "I slept with Axe; none of them are speaking to me."
But then she smiled at me, and I couldn't help but smile back.
I knew that must have been a big deal for Axe.
He hadn't been with anyone since Dehlila.
I didn't want to say anything, though.
It wasn't my place.
Her grey eyes searched mine for any sign of jealousy, but I had none.
Axe was my brother after all.
Then Night murmured something, and I could see the nervousness in her eyes.
"I need to tell you something, Cal," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
I could feel my heart rate increasing as I waited for her to continue.
"What?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
But then she said the words that made everything else fade away: "I'm in love with you." She grasped my hand in hers, and I could feel the sweat on her palm.
For a moment, I couldn't breathe.
I couldn't think.
All I could feel was the raw emotion radiating from her. And then I said the words I had held back for so long: "I love you too, Night." I stroked her hand softly, and a huge smile spread across her face.
Her stormy grey eyes sparkled with happiness.
**
As the night fell in the bustling metropolis of New York City, I lay beside Midnight, who had caught me up on everything I had missed during the day.
We were lost in our own thoughts when her phone rang, interrupting the silence.
Sitting up, she answered it with a sense of urgency in her voice.
"She's awake?" she exclaimed, her eyes widening with excitement.
After speaking for a few more minutes, Midnight's tone became increasingly happy as she called out to Axel.
"My aunt Aliza is awake; we need to go to the hospital," she said.
Axe looked at me and then at her.
"I'd love to take you, but Dex has me out on the Young Thugs drop tonight, so Romeo will have to take you," he said, his voice tinged with regret.
Midnight's smile dropped instantly, and her shoulders slumped in disappointment.
"Can't Jasper or Dex take me?" she asked quietly, biting her nails as she anxiously waited for a response.
Axe leaned in and planted a quick kiss on her head.
"They are busy, princess. Go get ready, and I'll text Romeo," he said.
Midnight nodded and turned to me.
"If you need me—" she said lovingly. I interrupted her, "I know where you are, little shadow."
As she left the room, I turned to Axe and spoke in a hushed tone.
"It's not your turn for the drop tonight," I said.
Axe nodded in agreement.
"She needs to make up with Romeo. They are both too stubborn," he muttered, sitting beside me.
Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my side and winced.
"Who took me?" I asked curiously, trying to distract myself from the pain.
Axe looked at me, his fiery amber eyes losing their vibrancy.
"Vipers," he said without looking at me.
It was a rival gang that had taken me.
"And what did you do with Jax, the leader?" I questioned.
Axel mumbled his reply, "Jasper killed him".
Well, that was unexpected.
MIDNIGHT
Silence lit up the car as Romeo drove.
Neither of us spoke. At all.
"What I said the other day was wrong. You aren't a whore Night", managed Romeo glancing at me quickly.
His green eyes glowed with sincerity.
I nodded. "I'm sorry for leaving you the other morning I'm not apologising for what Axe and I did together," I said, watching him nervously.
"I mean, I'm sure Axe is pretty good, but honestly, I am the best. Maybe I'll have to give you a demonstration sometime," he said with a smirk, flicking his dazzling eyes in my direction.
I couldn't help but giggle at his confident words.
"Sure," I sighed in response.
We both started laughing, and in that moment, I realised that I had finally gotten him back.
My heart swelled with love for him, and I knew that I would have to tell him soon.
But for now, I'd focus on the fact that my aunt was getting better.
Romeo's eyes met mine.
Sensing my distress, he took my hands in his and said soothingly, "It will be okay, princess. I promise." His words brought a sense of calmness to my racing thoughts, and I nodded in agreement, trusting him completely.
As we made our way to the hospital room, I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, unsure of what to expect.
Upon entering, I was greeted with my aunt's warm smile "I hope the boys have been looking after you,"she mumbled.
I couldn't help but let my emotions overwhelm me as tears tracked down my cheeks.
I nodded.
"Don't cry, Night, I'm okay", she said as I hugged her gently.
Minding her stomach.
Romeo smiled.
"Let me go and get a drink", muttered Romeo, wandering out.
"Do you remember what happened?" I asked seriously.
Her grey eyes were light as she looked at me.
"I remember a girl who told me not to tell anyone what had happened, or she'd hurt you' managed my aunt, staring ahead.
As I stood there, anger surged through my entire body, making me feel like I was about to explode.
"Did she say her name?" I asked.
Her response was a mere whisper as she replied with a name that sent shivers down my spine, "Selena".
Seeing the fear in my aunt's grey eyes was something that I had never witnessed before.
She was someone who was never scared of anything, and yet here she was, trembling with fear.
I whispered to my aunt, "I love you, Aunt Aliza," and hugged her tightly.
She hugged me back, whispering softly, "I love you more, Midnight."
As we parted a few minutes later, I noticed that my aunt was fast asleep, and Romeo, who had walked out earlier, was back in the room.
"It was Selena", I hissed furiously.
Romeo's green eyes beamed with a ferocity I'd never seen.
He ran his hand through his blonde hair before grabbing his phone quickly.
**
I walked into school the next day with the boys, minus Cal and Axe.
I was on a mission.
I'd kill her, and I'd have no regrets. She could have killed my aunt.
Now, she was going to see how it felt to lose.
Heading for the girl's bathroom, I looked at Dexter.
"She's in there. Some of our girls dragged her in. Don't worry about being caught. We'll be waiting," said Dexter seriously.
I nodded.
I walked in, taking one last look at the three of them.
I stepped into the bathroom.
Selena stood, watching me.
"You know your aunt Aliza begged me not to hurt her," she cackled.
Diving forward, I saw red as I slammed her head off the sink.
She screamed as she bled profusely everywhere.
I did it again and again.
Her screams bounced off the walls.
Suddenly, I felt someone drag me off her.
"Time out, princess", managed Dexter abruptly.
"No, I'm not finished. Please, Dex, don't", I cried out violently, kicking out.
Dexter didn't let me carry on, though, and he dragged me out as Selena Eaton lay bloodily on the floor.