Chapter 8

Hope Evans

It's been a little over a week since Jaxon and Scar brought me here to the camp and I've been under surveillance ever since. I've been in the infirmary recovering from the beating Joshua had given me. I had a few cracked ribs which were very painful. I had a black eye, bust lip and bruises all over my legs. I don't know what would have become of me if Jaxon and Caleb hadn't come when they did. I'd probably be laying there unconscious or dead. I needed to know how to fight back or keep my trap shut. I was going with the first seen as my big bro had brought me here, he must've sensed that there was something wrong either that or he saw the bruises that Josh had inflicted on me before he'd arrived. I made myself a promise to become stronger, not to be weak and fight back whenever he bullied me. I had no clue why he was doing it apart from the fact he was jealous that Caleb had taken an interest in me or the fact his friends preferred me to him, other than that I had no clue. I know neither of us wanted this but I just wanted my mom to be happy and she was with his father, pity he was a dickhead with a grudge on his shoulder. I'd been watched over this past week by the nursing staff as well as my brother and this Scar dude, he seemed harmless enough hence the scar that run the full length of the left-hand side of his face which made him intimidating.

And here he is now.

"Hey Angel, how are we today?"

"You asked me that yesterday and the answer will be no different today Corporal Stevens, I'm fine apart from my bruised ribs that are giving me some jib."

"Have you taken any painkillers?"

"Yes doctor." I grinned he could give as good as I threw.

He laughed. "You wish I was mon amour."

I laughed. "Please, don't make me laugh Corporal Stevens. It hurts too much."

"My apologies me petite."

"Hey I'm not little."

He smirked. "To me, you are mom amour."

"Quit the French dude speak English."

"D'accord."

"Merci beaucoup."

His grin widened.

"You speak French well."

"Well I did French for five years. I'm almost pro."

"I picked it up touring France."

I smiled.

"When do you think I'll be out of here?"

"The doc says you healing well, maybe in the next week or two. Are you anxious to get into the training honey?"

"I'd prefer it to been stuck here all day everyday board out of my wits."

"I think we can think of a few things to pass the time."

"Really?"

He wriggled his eyebrows and I burst out laughing. "Owe owe you're killing me."

"I hope you're not distracting the patient, Corporal Stevens."

He looked at my brother and grinned. "Who me? Never."

"How are you, sis?"

"Will you stop asking?"

"I will when you back to your old self."

I smiled. "I'm cool Jax, just a little pain in my ribs."

"I'll get them to give you some pain relief."

"They already have."

He looked at Scar frowning.

"What?" He asked, Shapelessly.

"I told you not to make her laugh until she's fully recovered."

"I can't help it, it's his face."

Jax burst out laughing.

"You wound me mom amour." He said clutching his heart dramatically as I and Jax fell into a fit of hysterics.

The entire visit went like that and they cheered me up no end until my meds came around making me drowsy they said their goodbyes as they had to get back to training the new recruits. I closed my eyes into complete darkness.

Joshua Kingsley

I can't believe this shit, he took her away! he took her a fucking way! God, I'm so angry and pissed right now. How dare he! Who the fuck does he think he is? Oh right, her brother that's who? Who gave him the right to come into our house and take her away? He has no fucking right. Right now I'm fucking fuming how dare he take her away from me! How dare he take Hope away from me! We had a good thing going, yet she has no fucking idea why I was doing this to her. Sometimes I wondered why then I look at her and hate her even more for coming into my life. Both of them came into our lives we were perfect without them in it. I can't believe Caleb would let that prick take her away.

I wasn't finished with her, she'd be okay if her face and mouth didn't ruin it. I've never I'm my whole life met a girl like her. She's brash and she doesn't give a shit when she opens her mouth, the words just flow through.

She had no idea that makes me more furious. I was never like this before she come into my life I was more passive. Caleb and I became friends through pure coincidence he fought the bullies for me, something I was forever grateful for now here I am doing the same thing.

I'm a fucking coward. I should've just voiced out why I hated her so fucking much, but instead I used my fists and my feet. I'm so ashamed of myself right now, but I can't help what I do she riles me up. My father had always told me never to hit a woman, but here I am beating my stepsister to a pulp through pure hatred. Yes, I hate her for coming into our lives. I was fine not having anyone but dad around after mom passed four years ago and I didn't need a mother figure in my life right now. And I didn't need a sister to go with it. But dad being dad had felt for her fucking mother and decided he was going to marry her. Fuck I hate my fucking life.

"Hey what are you thinking about?" Caleb asked.

I'm surprised he's still talking to my pathetic ass. "Nought."

"She wouldn't be there if it wasn't for you you know that right?"

"Yeah yeah. I'm sick of him telling me this shit over and over again. I get it I fucked up what else was I supposed to say, but... Whatever."

"It's just a couple of months Josh. If I can handle it, I'm sure you can."

"I'm glad she's there at least I don't have to see her sorry ass or hear her fucking voice for two months. I'm glad she's not here."

"Whatever. But I'm glad to so you don't have to take out your anger issues out on her, and beat her to a pulp just cause her mom married your dad." He looked at me. "Have you ever thought she may feel the same as you?"

I had, but that didn't matter to me what mattered is how I felt. I didn't care for her feelings in this just mine.

"It had to be hard on her to Josh. She up and left her old life, and friends to move some where she didn't know to become part of a family she probably didn't want to be part of, and you not making it easy for her made it ten times worse. Just think about it Josh you have two months to get your shit straight before she comes back."

"Sure whatever."

"I have to go. Just think about it."

"Whatever." He pulled himself up and walked toward the door, opening it. "You need to do what's right Josh. You need to put all this hate you have for her behind you and move on. Later."

"Yeah later."

He closed the door. I don't need him to decide I already know this situation will never change so there is no need in trying to change it. I've already made my mind up she'll regret returning to this house. Our parents asked where she had gone when they came home. I couldn't tell them the truth so I lied. Then that prick of a bother rang telling her mother that she was doing an eight-week course at the centre to toughen her up so she could take care of herself when the bullies tried to attack her again. Her mom gasped telling him she had no idea they were still bullying her seeing as she had no new bruises. They talked for an hour and then said their goodbyes. As far as I'm aware he picked up her things a day later as I care. I can't wait till these eight weeks come to an end cause she won't know what's hit her.