Shackled (The Lord Series) by Carlos

I

Ansel and Mose enter the house carrying three large pizza boxes and put them on the dining table, next to the potato salad Jasper and I made. Tyson made crispy onion rings. "I thought you were making burgers?" I ask, confused, while I finish setting the table. Mose puts on an apologetic face while Ansel shrugs. "Change of plans."

Rueben puts a six-pack of root beer on the table. "I bet..." From the couch, Tyson and Jasper watch him intensely. Rueben's eyes narrow to slits. "I'm sure Mose burned them."

give Mose a peck on the lips. "He's doing the best he can. After all, cooking is not that easy, especially since he has little to no experience."

Rueben rolls his eyes at me. "He's Mose's demon, for fuck's sake. He should know how to make simple dishes but he can't even fry some eggs without burning the kitchen."

I press my lips together, not wanting to laugh with Mose present. Rueben is not wrong, but he shouldn't be so direct. "You should be more considerate of your elders," I say, and everyone gives me strange looks. Well, Mose's demon is older than dirt. He must have seen the Big Bang and the formation of our universe."

Jasper can't help himself and says, "His fart was the Big Bang."

"Shit. Don't give him beans! Who knows what will happen if he farts again," Tyson continues the joke.

Mose joins the fun and burps. "Boom!" he says before wrapping his arms around my waist and spinning me around.

"You're making me dizzy!" I squeal.

Mose only stops to tell me, "Love." He still hates talking more than a few words at a time, but I don't need long conversations to understand him. Or to care deeply about him.

I don't even know when I stopped wanting to die or when I started living again. My heart is not fully healed; it will never be, but each day is better than the other. I never once dreamed of a life where I'm not only loved by Tyson but by four other men. Allowing myself to have feelings for them is hard, but one day, I'll trust them not only with my body but with my heart as well.

For a long time, I thought that I'd never be able to be happy because of the agony I've been living in since Spencer. While that is true, I also came to realize that for a long time, I was scared that my father and Jason would take away from me everything that I love. It has been like this all my life. Each time I would receive something from my grandparents, Jason and my father would quickly snach it away, especially if it was money. This is why Grandpa Jon set a trust fund for me. At school, Jason would try to isolate me from other students. I had a hard time making friends, especially in middle school. It all changed when I met Camila. She never let Jason bully her. Maybe this is what made Jason have his friends target Camila the night of the party. I don't even want to think what would have happened to her if I wasn't with her.

As long as Jason, my father, and Azael are still out there, those who I love are in danger. These days, I keep the dangers and a firearm nearby. Tyson and Rueben are positive that no one will find our new house, but Ansel and Mose's constant vigilance has me on edge. Jasper is now the leader of the group, and he is too busy making sure the cabin and the surrounding woods are safe, and this is most of his focus.

"Mose," I whisper. It's all I can say for now. One day, when all the threats have been eliminated, I will let them know how much all of them mean to me.

Despite all the shitty stuff they did to me, especially Tyson and Rueben, I can't hate them, not even if I try. Maybe it's because I was always meant to be with all of them. The love I once had for Tyson is no more. It was immature and most of the time, impatient, as there had been moments when I wanted to be with him in ways I was yet not ready. It's better this way, as back then, I was still living in my own world, thinking that once I finish high school, Tyson would take me away on a white horse or some shit like that. He was the first man who respected me and told me to love myself more than I loved him. That's something I was never able to do because back then, I couldn't imagine living without him. It's why I made a deal with Jason to get him, Rueben, and Ansel out. The idea of Tyson, of any of them, locked in the facility, enduring the same things that 919 or Anton did, still causes me distress.

The feelings that are now blossoming inside my heart are much stronger than the ones from six years ago. I am not the same either. While I'm still discovering myself, I have now found my voice.

The others come close to Mose and me. Ansel steps behind me and kisses my neck. "How about we eat and then have some fun?" he proposes.

Looking over my shoulder, I ask, "What kind of fun?"

A sinister grin appears on Ansel's face. "I don't want to ruin the surprise."noveldrama

Tyson pulls out a chair and Mose sits with me on his lap. "Did I mention how much I hate surprises?" My attempts to make Ansel speak are stopped with a slice of pizza and a bottle of root beer. The guys take turns feeding me, and I soon forget about the 'surprise'.

***

After dinner, I step outside to take a few pictures of the moon when someone creps upon me from behind. A strong arm circles my waist while a hand covers my mouth. Before I can register what's happening, a blindfold is put around my eyes. I try to kick the one behind me, but all I can think about is the night when Malaky took me to the woods. My heart starts racing against my ribcage.

My brain is telling me it's the guys and their stupid surprise, and it won't be like back then, but my instinct is screaming at me to run because I'm in danger.

"This is not funny," I try to say in a brave voice when my hands are tied behind my back, but my voice comes out in a whimper.

Someone laughs close to my ear. "Run, Little Rabbit."

**Hi all. There days, I haven't been well and writing has been a dificult task. I hope to feel better soon so I can bring more updates and much faster. I will try to update in two days**