Chapter 32-Worst Nightmares

Chapter 32-Worst Nightmares

-Emma-

A few days after the whole note situation, and we still had our eyes peeled for Mark's next move. Yet nothing happened, this game he is playing is getting quiet old and I'm getting tired of it, everyone is getting tired of it. In all honesty, we just want to end it once and for all, but if he doesn't make his next move we can't make our final one.

"Sleepy, tired and hungry." Amy stated as she plopped down in one of the empty desk in our last period class. Every since she got her note from Mark she hasn't been able to sleep a wink at night even though she got her parents to fix the lock on the back door without actually giving them a reason why, her mind still seems to be stuck on the fact that Mark was in her house.

"Here" I said handing her a granola bar I had in my bag. Amy gladly took it and started to eat it.

"Thanks, you're such a life saver." She said after finishing the granola bar.

"I'm no candy." I said smirking a little. Amy rolled her eyes at my lame comeback but I saw a small smile on her lips.

"What are you doing after school?" She asked.

"Well, I have to go and pick up Tyler at his daycare since my parents are working late tonight. So I have to take care of him for the rest of the day." I said simply.

"Aww, brother sister time." She said grinning.

I chuckled lightly. "Yeah, I haven't spent time with Tyler in a long time, so I'll use today as my advantage to do that."

"Good, you need something normal in this hectic life we have." I nodded and turned my attention to the teacher who had just walked into the now full classroom.

After class was done I said goodbye to Amy and headed outside to the parking lot. Yes, I actually drive school today! It's a bit of a shocker since I am lazy and snag rides from my friends a lot. I mean A LOT.

I felt muscular arms wrapped around my waist as I near my car. "Where are you going in such a rush?" A deep voice whispered into my ear. I looked over my shoulder to see Aiden behind me.

"Well," I said turning around to face him. “I have to go pick Tyler up from daycare today. My parents are working late tonight. I can't be late picking up my brother, how would that make me look as a sister?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"A good one if you spend time with me." Aiden retorted smiling widely.

I rolled my eyes at him. "Ha-ha, very funny. But I haven't spend any time with Tyler in awhile so I was thinking of take today as a chance to catch up with him."

"Aw, you're such a good big sister." Aiden said ruffling my brown hair a little.

I smacked his hand away and patted down my now messy hair. "I'm amazing." I said playfully. Okay, I'm not the best big sister out there, but I try to be as close as I can for Tyler.

"Personal praising is a sign of being conceited." Aiden argued with a smirk.

I gapped at him. "You do it all the time!" I exclaimed.

"No, I just state facts. So your argument is invalid." He said simply.

I could feel my left eye starting to twitch in irritation. "Aiden, your ego has to be as big as this universe times ten."

"But you love it." He stated in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Uh-huh, sure."

"You don't love me?" He asked stepping closer to me.

"Maybe." I said waving my hand dismissively.

"Well, maybe this will change your mind." He whispered huskily and leaned closer crashing his soft lips onto my own. Our lips moved perfectly in sync for a few moments with our bodies molded against each other. This kiss like the others was just perfect, no other way to described it.

"I have to go now." I said pulling away from him slightly breathless and peck his lips softly one last time.

"Do you want me to come with you to pick up Tyler?" Aiden asked with a serious face seeing what he was hinting at and I shook my head.

"No, Aiden. I'll be fine just picking up Tyler alone." I said. "Plus we can't live like Mark has total control of our lives or else we will run mad and having you with me all the time for protection makes it seem like he does."

Aiden nodded in understanding. "I know what you mean sweetheart, but I just want you to be safe. I understand I can't protect you from everything, but I will try to protect you from everything I can."

"Thank you." I said kissing his cheek softly. "I appreciate that, Aiden."

Aiden smile at me and I grinned back. "You should get going to go and pick up Tyler or else you'll get the award for being the world's worst sister for picking him up late." He said smirking and I rolled my eyes as I slid into driver's seat of my car.

I told Aiden that I would call him later when I put Tyler to bed and bid him a goodbye and pulled out of the school's parking lot. It took me about ten minutes to reach to Tyler's daycare, basically I got there just as they were letting the kids out, and I blame Aiden for almost making me late. Stupid bad boy and his kisses.

"Emmy!" Tyler yelled with excitement as he ran towards me. His brown locks were bouncing up and down and his green eyes were wide with joy and happiness.

"Hey, Ty" I said chuckling lightly as he attached himself to my leg. I bended down and ruffled his hair softly and gave him a tight hug in which he returned. "How was daycare?" I asked holding his small chubby hand in my own as we walk towards my car.

“It was good! I colored a lion today, it looked so cool!" He exclaimed which caused me to smile at him as I help him into the backseat of the car. "Oh, Emmy I have something for you." Tyler said and turned towards his small backpack that had Power Rangers on them. I was expecting a handmade turkey or a painting but I was not expecting my four year old brother to pull out card with my name neatly written on the front of it which caused my heart to drop immediately to the ground.

I quickly took the card from his hand. "Where did you get this from, Tyler?" I asked him sternly.

Tyler looked up to me with innocent eyes. "This man with really cool blue eyes and black hair came to me before I saw you and gave me this card saying to give it to you, Emmy."

"Did this man do anything to you?" I asked a bit scared.

"Nope! He was nice and said that he like my backpack and just gave me the card then left."

"Okay, Ty." I said forcing a smile on my face. "Thanks for the card." Tyler just grinned at me as I tried to keep the smile on my face. I stuffed the card in my coat pocket and shut his door as I got into the driver's seat and drove home with caution.

When I got home with Tyler I tried to act like nothing was wrong. So we played with his toys, watched some of his favorite movies and had dinner together, but all I could think about was that card that was still in my coat pocket. When I put Tyler to bed around eight o'clock at night, I walked down quietly to the living room and towards the coat rack and reached for the card that was in my coat pocket. With the card in my hand I sat down on the couch and studied the outside of card. The cream colored card had light sliver border around it and my name was written neatly in cursive handwriting on it. Taking a deep breath I flipped open the card and let my eyes skim over it.

'Dear Emma,

Well as you know right now is that you aren't the only one who got a note like this, but your friends also. What you have to understand is that these notes are warnings, I don't want to hurt you or your friends, you guys haven't done anything to deceive me, but Aiden on the other hand I have a score to settle and it would be best if you and your other friends stay out of it. But these are just warnings and if you don't do as I say and don't stay out then I'll just have to put you along with the others in the same boat as Aiden. You have such a nice family Emma, it would be such a shame if something 'terrible' happen to them wouldn't it? Do as I say and nothing will happen to you or them. Ignore it and I will come through with my threat. Make your choice wisely.

-Mark.'

In anger I tossed the card onto the coffee table in front of me and whipped out my phone from my pocket dialing Aiden's number. "Hey sweetheart." Aiden greeted when he answered.

"Aiden, get everyone and get over here now and tell them to bring there cards." I said in a serious tone.

"Why? What happened?" He asked worriedly.

"Nothing, not as of yet. Just come over here."

"Alright, I'll be there in five." He said and I hung up the phone. I could feel my rage boiling inside of me, how dare Mark think he can threaten me and my family? And my friends too? He has another thing coming if he thinks I will listen to him. Fucking bastard.

Five minutes later, the doorbell rung. So I stood up from the couch and went to open the door, standing at the door was Aiden and everyone else. Letting them in and leading them to the living room, everyone took a seat on the couch and loveseat. I picked the card up from the coffee table. "Well, I got my note from Mark." I said simply and handed it to Aiden letting him read it. When he was done he tossed back onto the table with anger boiling in him. Derek picked up the card and read it then passed it off to the rest.

"How did you get your card?" Mia asked after she read it.

Falling back onto one of the chairs I ran a hand through my hair. "Tyler gave it to me."

I heard a series of gasps and angry comments circled around when I said that. "How did Tyler get it?" Derek asked looking furious.

I sighed. "When I went to pick Tyler up from daycare he handed me the card saying how a guy with blue eyes and black hair asked him to give it to me."

"That fucking asshole." Matt stated. "He shouldn't have brought Tyler into this. He's only a child!"

Aiden shot up from his seat. "I can't have you guys in this anymore. This is my battle to fight and I need to end this by myself." He said running a hand through his dark brown locks, his hazel eyes were darkened with rage and anger. "These threats against you guys will happen if you don't do as he says. I can't put you and your families at risk. It's not worth it." Aiden said looking at me straight into my eyes.

"We're already deep into this even if we choose to get out of it there is no way we can and just leave you, Aiden." Amy said.

"You have to understand, Mark will go through with his threats even if we leave you alone. He will go through with them because we know about his operation and too much to just let us walk free." Mia said. "So we're in this no matter what you say, now sit your ass back down."

Aiden looked like he wanted to argue but complied and sat back down on the chair with a grumpy look. I couldn't help a small smile that found its way onto my lips. The scene looked like a mother scolding her child and I just found it a bit funny.

"Do you guys have your cards?" I asked them and they nodded and pulled out their cards and set them on the table. I picked them up along with mine and walked over the already lit fireplace and toss the cards in there letting them incinerate. "Say goodbye to those lame excuses for threats because as of right now we are definitely in this all the way and no threats can stop us."

Aiden was still a bit skeptical with us still being involved, but after a few smacks in the head he finally let it sink in. The next day we all acted like nothing happened, that this Mark thing was phase and went back to the way we were before this all happened because we came to the conclusion that we can't worry about Mark and what he's going to do or when he is going to pop up. We just have to go with the flow for now and let it be.

"Derek! Give me back my cookies!" I yelled at Derek smacking him multiple times, but Derek just pop another one of chocolate chip cookies into his mouth. "Derek, I will bitch slap you."

Derek's eyes widened and he handed over my cookies. "Aww, Em. I just wanted one." He said pouting.

"You ate five." I said glaring at him and he just smiled cheekily at me as I went to sit back down next to Aiden. We were all currently at lunch at the steps, considering it was a bit chilly outside it was still nice enough to sit. Aiden put his arm around my shoulders as I lean into his embrace and popped one of the few cookies I had left-thanks to Derek-into my mouth.

"You're so mean sometimes." Derek said pouting as he sat down next to Mia.

"Just face it, women are cruel mean creatures." Matt said which cause us girls to glare at him intensely.

"Excuse me?" Amy asked menacingly.

"Um, well I didn't mean it like that Ames." Matt said trying to get his foot out of his mouth.

"If we're so 'cruel mean creatures' why do men keep running back to us?" Mia asked. "You men are so typical."

"Do you have anything to add to Matt's argument?" I asked Aiden and gave him a look that screamed 'choose wisely or regret it.'

Aiden raised his hands in a surrender manner. "Not a thing sweetheart, you know I love you and your mean ways." He said like a good boyfriend and I just looked at him for a few moments acting like I didn't believe him and he just smiled sheepishly at me.

"How about you?" Mia asked Derek catching him in a mouthful of his sandwich.

Derek swallowed the lump of food in his mouth. "Well" He started but then stopped when out of the corner of my eye I saw Aiden shook his head signaling for Derek to shut his trap. I turned my attention to Aiden which caused him to cease his actions and smile happily at me to which I glare at. "We all know Matt can be an idiot sometimes." He said neither agreeing nor disagreeing with the topic. Clever answer.

"Hey!" Matt exclaimed. "Well, okay I agree." He said simply finding no argument in it which caused us to chuckle.

Lunch ended a few minutes later and we were all walking down the semi-empty hallway when I felt something missing. "Hey, I left my phone on the steps. I'm gonna go get, I'll meet you at my locker." I said to Aiden and he nodded telling me to hurry up.

I jogged down the hallway out the double doors and toward the stairs where we sat for lunch. My phone was on the first step so I bend down to pick it up and stuffed it into my coat pocket and just as I was about to turn and walk away a deep voice stopped me in my tracks. "Always seem to misplace that phone of yours, especially at the diner. You should super glue to you or something along those lines." I turned around to see Mark with his muscular arms crossed over his chest, his black hair was spiked up slightly and his icy blue eyes pierce through me like needles. I could feel my heart rate picking up and my palms getting sweaty as caught sight of him.

"What do you want?" I asked confidently keeping my head held high and shoulders straight.

"To apologize." He said.

I raised an eyebrow. "Apologize for what exactly?" There are many, many things he has to 'apologize' for.

"This." He said and my eyebrows furrowed in confusion and just as I was about to respond I felt something heavy and solid hit the back of head hard causing me to fly to the ground. My head started pound from the sharp pain and I could feel my eyelids getting droopy and the next thing I knew I was surround with darkness.

-Ashley-

"Okay, that's enough for now." I said slightly breathless pulling away from the blonde guy's lips. I couldn't quiet remember his name, maybe it was John or Mike, I'm pretty sure it has to be Andy.

"Aww babe, we were just getting started." Blondie said with a pout and I mentally rolled my eyes. Guys like blondie only have one thing on their mind and I was in no mood to do that.

"That's fine. We can continue later." I said adjusting my top and fixed hair.

"Promise?" He said.

I wanted to slap this guy right now, but I force a seductive smile onto my face and lean close to his ear. "Of course." I whisper the lie as I ran my fingers down the guy's muscular chest slowly. "But for now, I have to get to class." I said pulling away from the guy before he could make any moves and stepped out of his car. "See you later." I regarded him simply and started to walk towards the main building before he could say anything.

Just as I was about to round the corner I heard two people talking and saw that one of them was Emma, the bitch who took Aiden from me and the other person was a guy with black hair and blue eyes he was pretty cute and looked familiar, I sure he use to go here. I hid behind one of the pillars and tried to listen in on what they were saying, but I couldn't her much so I just watch.

"Apologize, for what exactly?" Emma asked.

"This." The black haired guy said just as a tall very muscular guy came and hit Emma over her head with heavy looking object. She flew to the ground holding the back of head in pain, I wanted to go and help her but I couldn't get my legs to move. I watched as she fell lifeless to the ground and when the guy who hit her picked her up carrying her away to a black van. The black haired guys glanced around the area once seeing if anyone saw what happened and I turned away and let my back rest against the pillar before his eye could have landed on me.

God, I know I didn't like Emma, but she didn't deserve what just happened. That was worse than anything I could think of, I was just going to do some stupid pranks to get her upset, but never something like this! I need to tell Aiden, I have to find him quickly. Peering at the side of the pillar and looking around, it seem like the guy was gone so I ran, I ran as fast as I could into the main building and down the halls till I came across the hallway where I saw Aiden and the rest of their friends in.

"Aiden." I said breathlessly as I ran up to him.

"Ashley, what do you want?" He regarded me coldly without glancing at me. I have to admit that hurt a little but I push that to the side.

"Emma, someone took Emma! Like kidnapped her!" I yelled towards him. His head whipped toward me and so did the others too.

"Who? What did they look like?!" He yelled and I flinched a bit by his tone.

"This guy, he had blue eyes and black hair and this other guy knocked her out and just took her into a black van." I explained quickly.

"Shit!" He roared punching one of the lockers hard enough to leave a dent.

"Come on, let's get going!" Derek yelled pulling Aiden's arm. "Ashley, you need to come so you can identify the van." I nodded just as we ran down the halls in top speed and out the doors towards the parking lot. I may not like Emma, but I hope to god she is okay.

-Aiden-

When Ashley told me Emma was taken, my heart fell out of my body and onto the ground breaking like glass into a million different shards. Fuck, I knew something bad would happen! I just never knew that, that bastard would take Emma.

Just as we made it out to the parking lot in record time, I heard my name being called I glanced over quickly and saw that it was Nick. "Hey man, what's up why are you in a rush?" He asked walking up to me.

Irritation flared through me. "I can't talk now, Nick. I have to go save Emma, that asshole took her!" Nick was filled in about Mark a few weeks ago.

"Fuck! Let go!" He yelled when it finally sunk in. We all jogged towards Matt's SUV that could fit all of us. I saw a piece of paper stuck to my car that was parked next to Matt's and it was labeled with my name. Grabbing the paper I started to read it.

'Aiden

Your heart must have felt like it's been ripped out of your chest and have been stomped on it a thousand times since your precious girlfriend as been taken from you. Enjoy the pain, because you deserve every single second of it and more. I always told you to never deceive me, that you will regret it in the long run. Do you regret it now? I will get my vengeance on you and having Emma in my hold was just the beginning. See you soon.

-Mark'

Crushing the piece of paper in my hand I tossed it away and slid into the passenger seat of the vehicle. "Where do you think he took her?" Matt said pulling out of the parking lot when everyone was filed in.

"The warehouse." Mia and I said in unison.

"Why the warehouse?" Nick asked.

"The warehouse is where Mark would keep her. It's the place that he knows we would check first, because this is Mark's way of easing Aiden into his trap." Mia answered and I nodded in agreement.

"What's the plan?" Derek asked.

"Matt, Amy, and Ashley you guys will stay outside and scope for anything that seems abnormal to you. If you see a threat, Matt will text my phone three times as a signal for us to move quickly or get out. Derek, Mia, Nick and I will go into the warehouse. Mia, I need your help looking around the warehouse and since you know it more than I do you're coming. Derek and Nick are extra back up strength in case Mark brings his men on us." I explained. "Got it?"  I heard unison of 'yes' come from everyone.

"So how are you guys supposed to protect yourselves from Mark and his men?" Amy asked. "They probably have weapons of their own in there."

A smirk made its way onto Matt's lips. "Babe, you should know that being the people we are means that we go nowhere without protection." He said.

"What do you mean?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Mia, move your feet there should be a compartment there, open it and pull out the backpack that is there." I said to Mia who was at the window seat near the driver's side of the car. Mia did as I said and pulled out the backpack and handed it to me. I took the bag and unzipped it taking out the object from it.

"You have guns!?" Ashley exclaimed and I rolled my eyes.

"Yes, we have guns and reasons like these are why we have them." I said simply. I looked over the gun and touched the barrel. I will use this if I have to. I will use this to save Emma and to end everything once and for all, because no one messes with my friends and I. Don't worry, Emma I'm on my way to save you.

-Emma-

A sharp pain stung in the back of my head when I finally regained consciousness. My eyelids fluttered open, but the bright light that was shinning towards me made the pounding headache I had even worse. I squint my eyes trying to figure out my surrounding. Where am I? I glance around the space I was in, I saw that I was in a huge place, there were many levels, and boxes were packed in every other corner and windows on every other level. I couldn't see much because where I was dark, I tried to move arms but I couldn't they were tied behind me even my feet were bound together. Then it hit me, the events that happened prior to now replay in my mind. Me running back to get my phone, seeing Mark, him 'apologizing' and then something heavy and hard hitting the back of my head knocking me to the floor. "Shit." I cursed under my breath.

"Glad to see that you are awake." The deep icy voice that haunts me said. Mark stepped forward to the light that was hung over me. "How's that head of yours?"

I gritted my teeth. "What the fuck do you want?" I spat out.

A sinful smirk made its way onto Mark's lips as he held his hands up in a surrendering manner. "I was just concerned." He said circling around me. "I am human after all." He said whispering into my ear which caused an unpleasant shiver to run down my back.

"Human? You make a mockery of that word. You're not human, you're a monster. A sadistic monster who enjoys watching people suffer till they can't take it anymore." I growled out.

Mark came around to the front of me and shrugged his shoulders. "You're a feisty one. No wonder Aiden likes you so much."

I wanted to jump out of this chair and claw his eyes out, but yet again I'm bounded to a chair. "I'm asking again, what the hell do you want?"

Mark crossed his arms around his broad chest. "My revenge." He said. "And the only way to get is to have you here."

"Why? Why is revenge so important to you?" I asked.

"Because." Mark said grabbing a chair and sat on it backwards in front of me. "Your boyfriend deceived me and I don't take to kindly to that."

"What the hell did he do? All he did was leave and you took Mia in place of him."

Mark chuckled lightly. "Oh, so you don't know the full story. Well it will be my pleasure to fill you in. I didn't mind that Aiden left me not when I had Mia. It's what he did out of his anger that has me at the edge."

"What did he do?" I asked out of curiosity.

"He almost almost got me killed." He said and my eyebrows shot up. "I took Aiden under my wing, I taught him everything, he knew every secret within this operation. Letting him walk free thinking that he wouldn't talk was a stupid move on my part. When I took Mia and let Aiden go, he went to one of my competitors and tipped them off where I was going to go to pick up my shipment at a few days later. Being the bigger drug dealer around here you are bound to pick up enemies every so often. Well this competitor wanted me out of the picture completely and Aiden gave them the information needed to do just that. But I have men all around the city and I was tipped off on what happened so I moved my shipment somewhere else but I still went to see if it was true and guess what it was. If I wasn't tipped off I would have gotten killed and not a soul would have known about it. Aiden would have been the reason I got killed and that's the reason I want my revenge."

"What are you going to do to him?" I asked whispered.

"Kill him of course." Mark said simply and I could feel heart drop to my stomach. No, he can't. Fuck, he will not kill Aiden!

"Boss, we need you. There's a problem with one of our dealers." One of Mark's men said approaching him, I recognized the guy as Miles, the one we saw at Mark's house.

"I'll be back soon, Emma." Mark said standing up. "Don't miss me too much."

I smiled mockingly at him. "Of course not." With that Mark walked away leaving me in the bounded chair by myself in the dark cold building.

I'm not sure how long I was in this building for, but I was in here long enough and I wanted to get out already. I tried to untie the knots but they were bounded too tightly that I wasn't able to. Looking out of one of the many windows all I could think is if everyone else is okay. If Mark did anything to them, it was so nerve racking not knowing anything.  I heard a rustling coming from outside the building when a door opened letting sunshine in. Squinting I saw four figures come in, but didn’t make anything of it because if was probably a few of Mark’s men. The door shut letting the inside of the building return to its dark state except the one light that was above me.

"Emma!" I heard a voice whisper loud enough for me to hear it. Mia.

"Mia, is that you?" I asked.

"Yes, its me." she said stepping forward into the light. I sighed with relief when I saw her. Aiden, Derek and Nick stepped forward also they were the four figures I saw coming in.

"You have no idea how happy I am to see you guys." I said as Derek untied my legs and Nick untied my hands. When I was unbound I stood up and went into Aiden's arms as he held me tightly.

"I'm so sorry, Emma." He whispered into my ear softly, his voice broke slightly towards the end.

"It's okay, I'm fine now." I whispered back soothingly and he pulled away kissing my cheek softly. I went hugged Mia and Derek also.

"What are you doing here?" I asked Nick when I was in his embrace.

"Well, I came to your school to give Amy her wallet that she forgot at home but when I saw everyone rushing out I asked Aiden what was going on and he said you were taken. I had to come, Emma. Remember I told you I will always be there to protect you." He said kissing the top of my head and I smiled softly pulling away from his embrace.

"Let's get out of here." Derek said and I nodded and before any of us could take a step forward that same cold haunting voice returned.

"Well, well, it's nice for you guys to join us!" Mark said stepping out of the shadows. "But I didn't need you all, I just need him." He said gesturing to Aiden.

Aiden jaw was clenched and one of his hands was behind him as I notice with everyone else.

"I'm here now. Do your damage." Aiden spat out.

"Gladly." Mark said just as he reached behind his back pulling out a gun pointing it to him. Aiden, Mia, Nick and Derek all did the same pulling out a gun pointing it towards Mark. "Well I see you guys all came to play, but four against one doesn't seem fair does it?"

"It seems fair enough to me." Aiden said. "It's finally time to end all of this once and for all."

"I agree, but it seems like everyone is here to protect you." Mark said. “It seems like I can't kill you when I have four guns pointing at me, if I can’t kill you I can kill the next best thing." He said smirking. "Say goodbye to your precious girlfriend." Turning his target from Aiden to me and without a second thought Mark pulled the trigger of the gun shooting a bullet straight towards me, but the impact of the bullet never came, instead someone threw themselves in front me taking the bullet instead. It all happened in slow motion the person who took the bullet fell to the floor lifelessly and when I looked down to see who exactly it was my heart broke into a million little pieces and the world as I knew it came crumpling down.