Page 50 of Lost in Life

This time I’m going to step up. I’ll protect them with everything I have.

Or die trying.

Chapter 26

Nova

I pull the car into the dark parking garage, turning off the engine. The silence that follows as the rumble of the car slowly dies off feels like an ominous premonition. I can’t shake the heaviness, the pit in my stomach as I try to force my legs to move.

You’re finally going to find out more about your father. Don’t be a coward, Nova.

Taking a deep breath, I push past the fear and climb out of the vehicle. I pull the photo out of my pocket, shining my phone’s flashlight on it as I remind myself of why I’m doing this.

Owen stares back at me, the grim set of his face a direct reflection of my own in this moment.

With one last calming breath, I tuck away the photo again and head out.

One positive thing of having connections in the lower tier of society is someone always knows someone.

With a few texts out and a picture of the photo, I was able to secure a meeting with someone who apparently knew my father.

Pulling my phone out, I double check the address.

1425 Mill Street

Looking at the building in front of me, I confirm it’s the correct place. I glance around, anxiety setting my nerves on edge at the desolate location.

Maybe this was a bad idea.

Before I can chicken out, the metal door slowly creaks open to reveal a tall, imposing man. The dark shadows accentuate his dark hair and sharp features. As I study him, my stomach flips. With one look in his cold eyes, I know I’ve fucked up.

“You’re the one looking for Owen?” He calls, taking a step toward me.

I clutch my phone in my hand, taking an involuntary half step back. My mind screams at me to lie, to get out of here, but I can’t make a sound.

A sneer forms on his lips as he runs his gaze down my body. “You look just like him.” He growls, continuing his slow steps.

I’m trapped in my body, begging myself to move, to dosomething. But I can’t.

“You’re on the wrong side of the tracks now, sweetheart.” He sneers, now only a few feet away.

I open my mouth to say something, anything, but no words come out.

With three more steps, he stops, towering over me. Snapping his hand out, he grips my throat, leaning close to snarl, “I’m going to rip the flesh from your body for what your daddy did.”

My eyes widen and I finally snap from my stupor. Reaching my arms up, I claw at his hand choking me. A desperation overtaking me as my lungs scream for oxygen.

The man stares at me, not a hint of emotion on his face as he chokes the life out of me. Somehow that’s worse. Something about him doing this, but it doesn’t affect him, that I’m just an insect to crush under his boot.

My attempts to free myself grow weaker as I begin to lose consciousness, the edges of my vision darkening from the lack of oxygen.

I know I must be losing it as I hear a familiar voice shouting in the distance, my heart aching as I realize the mistake I made in leaving.

Just as I’m about to slip away, a deep voice cuts through the haze. I blink and try to focus as I see the man in front of me turn his head toward the voice. A flicker of surprise and recognition crosses his face before he releases my throat.

I collapse to the ground, coughing and rubbing my pained throat. Someone pulls me into their arms and I try to react but am still too weak.

“Shhh. It’s okay, peanut.” West soothes, tightening his hold on me. I sob at the familiar scene, something I’m hoping isn’t about to become a regular occurrence for us.

---