Chapter 2 The Hero

I placed the inventory on the shelves as Melissa is at school.

It is Halloween today and I am taking her trick and treating. We are going as Scooby and Shaggy.

I am the dog.

Which I don't mine. Scooby is one of my old-time favorite cartoons.

I am an old soul, at least that is what my mother use to say.

I sighed as I walked past the picture of my mother and father hung up in the store. I stop and looked up at the picture.

I placed my hand on their faces as I started to tear up, "I don't know what I am going to do."

I heard the bell at the front door as I cleared my throat, "I will be there in a minute."

No one said anything or no noise besides footsteps heading my way.

I started to walk towards the front door when I froze. A man in a ski mask stood in front of me.

I gasped, "What do you want from me?" He doesn't say a word, he just stormed towards me.

God, not again.

Why?

I quickly turned my heel and ran towards to the back door when his footsteps picked up pace. I tried to look back when I tripped over a box.

The man leaped on top of me before I could get up. I screamed for help and slammed my fist against him. He did a low chuckled but didn't speak.

He grabbed my wrists as he pinned them against the floor above my head. He pushed himself into me that made me feel his bugle.

My eyes widened, "Don't you dare."

He did another low chucked as he whispered into my ear, "You are mine."

I shook my head as I screamed.

This can't happened.

I need to fight. "HELP!"

Blake's Point of View

I arrived in Gloucester, yesterday.

I wasn't going to track Holly down as soon as I showed up.

My father told me the store is opened all year around. I figure that is where I could find her.

How I am going to play this?

Who the hell buys Christmas stuff all year long?

I entered the Winter's Christmas Shop when I heard a scream coming from the back. I quickly call nine – nine – one then grabbed a bat that I found on one of the shelves.

I smacked my hand on it to make sure it will do damage to whoever hurting someone in the back.

I lifted the bat over my shoulders and quietly made my way to the back.

I froze when I saw a man trying to pull Holly's clothes off. He managed to rip her shirt opened. At least I think it was Holly, she looked like the person from the picture that my dad sent to me.

Her eyes widened and pleaded for help.

I swing the bat and hit the man in the ribs when he grunted. I said with a stern voice as I held the bat ready to swing again, "Get the fuck off of her or I will smash your head in."

He got up off of her and ran out the back.

I went to chase after him but didn't want to leave Holly. I didn't want the man that tried to rape her get away either. I placed the bat down when I turned towards Holly.

I heard the sirens pull up in the front as I went back to Holly.

I bent down as she closed her shirt, "Are you okay?" She shook her head as her body shook. I placed my hands on her arms as I assure her that the man it gone, "You are safe. He is gone and he won't hurt you again."

She nodded without saying a word as I heard the police enter the store. I looked back then yelled, "Back here."

They came back as I quickly let them know what happened, "The attacker ran out in the alley."

A police officer came over with a blanket as he wrapped it around her, "Fuck, Holly. Are you okay?"

She shook her head as she was still in shock. The officer looked up at me, "Blake Lincoln, How the hell are you?"

I tilted my head as I chuckled, I know this prick, "Officer Green. It is always a pleasure to see you. I just wish today wasn't one of those days to see you." He is my brother – in – law.

He smirked then held Holly close to him, "Thanks for saving, our Holly." I nodded as my hand went to her arm, "I heard her scream, and I couldn't allow someone to do that to anyone."

He walked Holly out of the store as I followed as he swore, "Here comes Melissa. She can't see Holly like this."

He right.

Melissa can't see Holly like she is. She is crying, shaking, and confuse. She looks pale and she could get sick any moment. The worst thing of all, is that she is scared out of her mind.

I nodded to him, "I got her. Just call me when Holly is ready to go home." He knew how to get a hold of me as he thanked me.

I ran towards Melissa as she looked worry. I placed my hands on her arms as she shook, "Melissa, your sister is okay. She just getting checked out."

She hugged me as my arms hesitantly went around her, "What happened?"

I looked down at her, "Holly was attack and I stopped it. She is okay. The police is likely going to take her down to the station to get a statement then she will be home."

I watched her blue eyes teared up as she looked like a little version of Holly.

I squeezed her shoulders, "Why don't I take you home and wait for your sister to finish with the police?"

She nodded as we walked toward their house, I think. Melissa looked up at me as she giggled. I lifted my eyebrow, "What so funny?"

She tilted her head, "You got my email."

I rolled my eyes as we got to a little house off of the beach. It was run down but cute.

She unlocked the door and we entered as I looked around. Place was clean but needed repairs. Maybe a few upgrades. I went into the kitchen as I saw a pile of bills laid out.

"Would you like some to eat?" she asked. My eyes quickly scanned over the bills, "No. I am good thank you."

She nodded as she pulled a pot out. For a twelve-year-old she is pretty self-sufficient, oh though these girls had to become self-sufficient at a young age.

I mean, I still have my parents at twenty – nine. I can't imagine what they have been through.

I looked up at Melissa as I lifted a bill up, "You two having money trouble." She hummed, "We are. My sister thinks she hiding it from me but as you can see." I shook my head as I shifted through the bills.

Fuck.

They have until Christmas day to get out.

"What are you doing?" Holly asked as she stood in the doorway with her arms crossed. I lifted my hands as I walked towards her, "Sorry, I didn't mean to pried."

She lifted her chin to the side, "Thank you for saving me but you have no right to go through my private things."

I nodded as I stepped towards her, "I am sorry. Like I said."

Melissa shook her head as she snapped at her sister, "You need to calm down, Holly." Holly straighten up, "What are you doing home early from school?"

Melissa bowed her head, "Mrs. Green told me that there was something going on at the store. I picked up my stuff then ran to the store."

Holly snarled at her sister, "Melissa. You can't do that. I was fine." Melissa threw her hands up, "No you were not. Like we are not fine with the store and like we are not fine with the damn house."

Holly bowed her head as she softly said, "Melissa, now is not the time to talk about this with company in our home."

Melissa moved the pot to the sink as she poured out the water and pasta, "It is never a good time Holly. You place the world on your shoulders and never let anyone just take care of you."

She looked up at me as her eyes widened as her voice cracked, "Melissa, why is Blake Lincoln in our kitchen?"

I could answer that, but I don't think this is the time for that.