2. LUCAS: STEP ONE COMPLETE

She looked almost like an exact replica of her mother, although she was a lot thinner and her hair a little longer. The same skin tone, hair and eye colour with the same body shape and other futures.

I frowned.

Something about her seemed. . .off.

I thought back to the last photo Mother had taken of them. Even then I’d noticed the differences with one of the twins but now, standing a few feet from her, I could see it clearer.

My lips slowly curled into a cruel smile. They should enjoy the peace while it lasted because their clocks were ticking.

The smile froze on my lips when she turned her head and looked right at me. I wasn’t expecting the sudden on slot of emotions that hit me. It knocked the air from my lungs and forced me to look away.

A sudden surge of protectiveness filled me which was beyond insane. I was planning on destroying them not fucking protecting them.

Blowing out a breath, I risked a glanced in her direction.

Her head was bent slightly but her lips were moving. Was she telling her father about me?

I studied the man like I had studied her seconds ago.

Silas. . .a name that fell from my Mother’s lips more times than I was able to count. He was the man who had destroyed out lives without second thought. The man who was going to lose everything. . .just like we had.

He pulled the last box from the car and lowered it to the ground before he straightened and turned to face his daughter. Running a hand through his hair, her glanced around and said something that made her head snap up.

The frown slipped back into place on my own face when I watched her raise a shaky hand to slip a few strands of hair behind her ear.

She looked a bit paler than she had a moment ago.

Why was she shaking like that? It looked like she was about ready to bolt.

Before I could evaluate the situation a bit more, her twin bounced up to them. She was talking with a big smile on her face and her hands waving around as she explained things.

My eyes zoned in on the papers she had clutched in one hand. It wouldn’t be too hard to figure out what dorm they were staying in and what classes they were taking.

I needed just a bit more information on them but I was sure that I’d have it all within a few days.

With one last glance at the happy family, I straightened and disappeared into the crowd.

I’d let them settle in first.

---

My eyes darted over the wall at the back of my closet.

Photos, newspaper clippings, maps and everything else I’d ever need was stuck to the wall. Notes had been added to the old ones throughout the years along with some recent photos.

Ariana was the twin who looked like her mother and Eva was the one who looked like her father.

I was planning on befriending Eva since she was bubblier than Ariana, but it wasn’t going to work like that. She was taking classes I had no interest in.

Ariana on the other hand was into art like me. We had a few classes together which was perfect.

But after what happened on campus the last thing I wanted was to get close to her. For my plan to succeed, I just needed to ignore the feeling she evoked inside me.

Icy shivers raced down my spine when I heard the sound of heavy boots climbing the stairs. I snapped out of my frozen state when I heard the floorboards of the landing creak a few feet from my bedroom.

I slid my clothes across the rail to hide everything and then softly closed the closet doors. My eyes darted around the room as my stomach churned.

The footsteps stopped right outside my bedroom door. A second passed and then the doorknob was turning and the door slowly pushed open.

I unconsciously took a step back when my eyes fell on his burly figure. My head dropped but my eyes stayed glued to his dirty boots.

“You’re back early,” he muttered.

I nodded. “There were no classes today. Only—”

“Where’s my dinner?”

“I was just about to start on it, sir.”

Huffing, he stepped further into my room and walked over to the window.

I watched him from beneath my lashes as he ran his finger along the locks to make sure that it was still in place.

My lips twitched. I had learned long ago how to unlock the window without him noticing it.

There were a lot of things you could do once alcohol started to run though his veins. Two bottles of Whiskey and he was out cold for a few hours, but the mornings after were always the worst.

“What are you cooking?”

My mind blanked for a few seconds until I remembered the steak I had seen in the fridge last night.

“S-steak, gravy and some mash.”

I tensed when he turned towards me. My heartbeat increased as he moved closer, until only a few feet separated us. His breath fanned the hair on top of my head.

A gasp fell from my lips when his hand shot out to grip my chin. Rough fingers dug into my skin when he forced my head up.

“Look at me when I’m talking to you, boy,” he hissed. “I taught you better manners than that.”

“Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.”

“Look at me.”

My eyes shot up to his.

I hated his eyes the most. They were beady and cold and mostly red from all the drinking. He smelt of stale smoke and dirt.

“I’m going out tonight. There’s no need to waste anything,” he told me as his fingers loosened. “You have rent due, Lucas.”

“I know, sir.” I swallowed. “I’ll have your money b-by the end of the week.”

“Good.”

His hand slid up to cup my cheek. It rested there for a moment before he pulled it away.

I flinched but the blow never came.

Chuckling, he walked out of the room and slammed the door closed behind him. I listened intently for the click of the lock slipping into place.

When a few minutes passed and he didn’t return, I relaxed slowly but still stayed on alert until I heard his truck pulling out of the driveway.

My shoulders slumped and hate coursed through my veins.

I was getting out of the hell hole but not before I made them pay for everything.