Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Chapter 5 Boss?

My men and I work under the cover of night once more, on our way to plunder the old storage house of its riches. It is believed, according to by men and I, to have many precious stones from around the world that is worth a lot of money.

Every single one of my members is dressed in black, with their guns drawn as we near the old, run down building. But even though this building may look abandoned, there very well could be many guards inside, waiting to blow the brains out of any outsider who dares to enter.

"Jeremy, Krazy, and Nick, go scale the property, make sure there isn't any traps or men lurking in the shadows. And if there is, kill them. Once you think the place is generally clear, come back and give us the signal." I say lowly to my three skilled members. They nod, and throw their hoods over their heads and creep away, disappearing into the darkness.

And so we wait.

We wait like a patient leopard in the grass, about to pounce on its prey.

And finally, it is time. We get the signal and we close in. The door was old and rickety, so I quickly kick it open, and draw my weapon in immediate defense, expecting there to be a guard there.

But there is no one.

Odd. If this place had riches, surely there would be guards.

I motion with my head for my men to spread out and search this dingy building. Jordan and Drew stay behind me for back up, as we creep through the dark, dusty hallways. Everything smells of mold and dust, and the paint is chipping off the walls, the floors creek with every step, and rats scurry about. Mold crawls along the walls, and the distant sound of a leaky pipe is heard through the building, adding to the eerie feeling.

Even though the building looked abandoned, signs of life stood out. An old, box television sat on the floor of what looked like the living room, the power button was glowing. Beer cans littered the floor, and traces of blood dotted the floors.

The lack of guards made me feel discouraged. Because truly, if this place had valuable items, there would be many guards and gang members swarming the place. But I urge myself to move on, and reaching the upper level of the building, I see some old, wooden stairs in the corner of the dark room. I make my way over to them, and am about to step up on one when I hear a small squeal behind me. I turn around swiftly, and see Drew terrified of a large rat that is creeping towards him.

I harshly bring my finger to my lips, telling him to shut up. His eyes widen as he looks up at me, and down to the rat again. Jordan, who is standing next to him, rolls his eyes and mutters the word wimp under his breath. Drew gives Jordan a death glare, and I watch in shock as Drew loads his gun, and shoots the rat dead, the loud gunshot ringing through the air.

I scold Drew with my eyes, because now, if there is anyone here or in the nearby area, they could have been alerted. I shake my head angrily and continue to walk up the stairs which creek with every step.

On the top of the stairs, and old door hanging off the hinges sits closed. I gently nudge the door open, and spring into the room, pointing my gun around just in case someone was there to attack. My men do the same, but soon lower their guns when they find that this room is vacant too. It's a small room, with no bed, pictures, or any signs of life. Once again, the room is moldy and rotting, and the wooden floors seem as if they could give out any minute.

Blood paints the walls like a canvas, and it's then that I notice a small, shadowed figure curled up in the corner of the room. I motion Jordan and Drew to follow me, as I creep up closer with my gun pointed at it.

As I get closer, I notice that it is a small, unconscious crumpled woman, in fetal position. Her back faces me and I approach her quicker, and notice that a small, ripped blanket drapes her naked body. Half her back lies exposed to me, and I notice that she is bruised and bloody. Scars are carved into her back, and her hair lies in a tangled mess, sprawled out onto the floor.

For a moment, I thought she was dead, but then I notice the small, slow rising of her shoulders as she struggles to breath. She looks as if she's dying, and I kneel down next to her, Jordan and Drew watching in shock.

I grab her arm, and press my fingers against her wrist, checking her pulse. It feels weak, but a weak pulse is better than no pulse.

I touch her shoulders, and they are cold to the touch. I take her blanket, and tie it around her waist. I then proceed to take off my black hoodie, and wrap her body up in it. I turn her face towards me to pull the hood over head, and it's then that I see who this broken woman is.

"Dakota?" I whisper.

I stare for a moment, shocked at the condition she is in.

"Boss?" Jordan questions, probably wondering what exactly is going on.

But I ignore him as I lift her lifeless, battered body into my arms. I cradle her against my chest, trying to keep her warm. I knew that she could very well die in my arms on the way home, because she seemed to be slipping farther away, barely grasping on the tiny string of life that holds her.

I walked quickly with her in my arms, as Jordan and Drew follow after me.

"Jordan, I want you to give the signal to my men that it is time to leave, you're in charge for now. I have to get her help." I say quickly.

"Yes Boss." Jordan says, nodding before quickly running off, disappearing into the dark hallways.

I make my way outside, and Drew and I jump into the limo I had called in beforehand. I gently lay her down onto the seat as we quickly make our way home.

* * *

"I can't leave her." I say as I argue with my own personal doctor, Kaylee.

"I need to examine her-"

"I'm not leaving." I say, crossing my arms over my chest, glaring at the doctor.

"Ace, I know you're anxious, but she's in critical condition. I need to examine her, she deserves her privacy."

I take a deep breath and allow the common sense to flow in. I realized the more time we spent arguing, the less medical attention Dakota was getting.

"Okay..." I say quietly as I turn around and leave my bedroom. I shut to door quietly behind me and pondered for a moment. I felt confused on why I would actually care about some random girl I don't even know.

I felt confused on why I would even care at all. I don't care about people like her, I only use them and kill them once I'm done with them. The only people I care about is my family. My gang members included.

But random people like her? They're nothing but the pieces in my cruel game of checkers, to use for my advantage and toss away back in their box when I'm done.

And I know I should have killed her. She's the daughter of the gang leader I despise, she's the daughter of the gang leader I have plotted my vengeance against for years. But yet, here I am, her knight in shining armor, her hero without a cape.

And you know what?

I'm okay with it.

And since Dakota is the daughter of that gang leader...then that means that building didn't belong to the Silver Snakes, but the Viper Gang.

"Ace?"

I am knocked out of my thoughts when Kaylee steps outside my room, softly closing the door behind her.

I look at her with wide, anxious eyes, waiting to hear the news.

"Well?" I ask, maybe a little to harshly.

"I did a complete check-up on her. It isn't good, Ace. She's dangerously underweight and dehydrated. I hooked her up to the drip so she can get the much needed fluids into her system. She had a broken arm which never healed correctly, so I had to reset it. She has large bruises and deep wounds I had to take care of. It will be weeks till the bruises fade, but most of the severe wounds will leave scars. She also has lots of old scars, but there's nothing I can do about those...." She says, her voice trailing off a bit.

I feel shocked as I hear the report as I remember the days when I was abused as a child. I catch Kaylee's anxious eyes, and can tell that there is something else she hasn't told me.

"What are you not telling me?" I ask her.

She hesitates for a moment, before speaking. "She shows many physical signs of RTS, which is short for Rape Trauma Syndrome, according to my examination. I tested for any possible STD's, but so far, it looks like there is none thankfully, however...."

"Just say it." I order.

"The girl she's....pregnant. She's very early in her pregnancy, and her body might just abort it to ensure her own survival. It's honestly a miracle she's still alive. She's a strong girl."

She's pregnant?

I felt angry about the trauma she's been through, and the violent act of rape committed against her. Maybe my feelings are strong about her because I can relate to her.

My beginning wasn't very peaceful, either. Abuse was the center of my life, and I was often beaten for no reason. Jordan and Drew, and a lot of my members, come from a similar background, and for that, I am protective of them.

"Can I go see her now?" I ask.

"Sure," Kaylee says as she shrugs, "But I sedated her because her body needs time to heal."

"Thank you doctor, you are dismissed." I say as I step into my bedroom slowly.

Wrapped in a bundle of blankets and bandages is Dakota. Her face relaxed in sleep and her breathing that was once shallow is a little more even. An IV is attached to her arm, providing her the fluids she needs to strengthen. Her face is swollen and bruised, and and her eyelashes gently kisses her cheeks.

My eyes trace the scars on her arms, each one reminding me of my bleak past. I take a deep breath and look at the scenery of my bedroom around me. The walls of my bedroom is a fish tank, and fish of all colors swim around me.

Now, you may be wondering why exactly my room's walls is one big fish tank?

Well, it is said that looking at a fish tank is peaceful and calming. So, whenever I feel overwhelmed, stressed, or fear, I can just come in here and relax. I practically brought a small piece of ocean with me. And, when Dakota wakes up, hopefully she will settle in better with the peaceful aura surrounding her.

I run my fingers through my hair as I gently pick up her hand and compare it with mine. My hand practically swallows her tiny hands. I run my thumb across her palm, and feel all the rough callouses that are scattered across it.

The life she lived was full of hard work and abuse.

The life she will live will be full of rest and joy.

Her life was about to change for the better.

For I went to that old, abandoned building for precious riches. But little did I know that those precious riches were in the form of an abused woman.