A Touch of Rain Ch. 4

Sorry it took so long! It's my dumb computer. Chapter four.
And this story isn't just sadness and violence:) I promise. There is going to be romance. The story is just getting started!
Please, Please comment!!

Crunch. Crunch.
‘What was that?’ I turned over on my side.
Crunch. Crunch.
‘It seemed to be getting closer’
Crunch. Crunch.
"Summer?"
I jumped in the air, and couldn’t believe who was standing in front of me.
"Whoa,whoa. It’s okay." He said in a soothing voice.
He probably thought I was some kind of deranged schitsiphrenic. My hair was sticking up in all directions, my eyes were wide and wild, and I was breathing like I had just run a marathon. No wonder he was trying to calm me. He gently peeled my fingers off his arm.

"Nick?" I asked timidly.
"Yeah, it’s just me." He answered softly.
The reality hit me that I was standing in the middle of the forest with my baby sister who was severely abused last night, and this beautiful guy in front of me with his slightly wet and disheveled blond hair and sparkly blue eyes staring down at me and I was freaking out like he was Hitler himself. Wow.
"Oh, gosh, I’m sorry. You kind of snuck up on me." I admitted.
"You think?" He said with a chuckle.

"Well what are you doing out here this early?"
"Your asking me? I’m just taking a walk like I always do. So, what are you doing out here? And who’s the little girl and why are you both bloody?"
"Well…"
What was I supposed to say? That I saved my little sister from my abusive mother, and we ran away out here, then passed out? I don’t think so.
"We were just taking a little walk last night. We tripped on some roots, and got a little cut up. I guess we kind of dozed off." I explained sheepishly.
"Wow, I bet your parents are going to kill you."
I sighed. "I bet they are."

"Summer?" I heard a feeble voice ask behind me.
"Gracie-" I started.
Nick bent down and brushed a strand of hair away from Grace’s face, like she was an injured baby deer. Grace stared at him like she trusted him with her life.
"Well, hello there little Gracie." He said with a little half smile.
"Hi, my name is actually Grace, only Summer calls me Gracie, but you can call me that too, what’s your name?" Grace said in one breath.
He just chuckled. " I’m Nick."

"Oooooh, so your Nick, Summer talks about you all the time." She said shamelessly.
I shot her a dirty look. This wasn’t exactly the time I wanted him to find out how I fantasize about him, and how I never shut up about him when I talk to Gracie.
"Oh does she?" He said flirtatiously. "And what does she say?"
"She talks about how pretty your eyes are, and your hair, and how your cute your butt is-"
I tackled her and my hand snaked around her mouth in an iron grip.
"Oh Gracie, she’s such a kidder, just loves to make jokes." I rushed, while my face turned crimson.

He just looked at me with extremely amused eyes and a smirk on his face.
"Well… We better start going back." I said while my face returned to it’s normal color.
"Sure thing" He replied, and stood up.
Grace engaged herself in a detailed discussion about her favorite foods, animals, and things to do. I trailed behind. This was a chance to organize my thoughts.
How did I really feel towards Nick? I’d only known him for a couple of weeks. Maybe my attraction to him was just a petty physical thing. He did have a pretty cute butt…..
But, then again he’s so sweet. He’s never been the least bit rude to me in any way, and Gracie obviously had a thing for him, the way she was practically glued to his side with her mouth working overtime. He could possibly have a thing for me too, considering his attitude toward me, but maybe that’s just him being an awesome, sweet, perfect guy.

But wait, what about him flirting back there? It wasn’t exactly directed towards me, but close enough. Maybe he did have feelings for me.
But then the reality dawned on me. I could never like anyone like that. I couldn’t have a boyfriend. Not with parents like Michal and Jennifer. What about when the relationship started to get serious? When it was time to meet each others parents. Was I supposed to ask Michal and Jennifer to maybe just pretend they were nice parents. That they didn’t kidnap me from my real mother. That they didn’t abuse there two only children practically everyday?

I didn’t think so.
Well, might as well get over the fantasy right now, because it’s never coming true.
"You okay, Summer?" We had reached the edge of the forest. Nick and Grace were turned around looking at me.
"Yeah, I’m fine, just fine."
We began walking again.
………………………………………………………………………………………………………

"WHY DO YOU THINK YOU CAN JUST TAKE YOUR LITTLE SISTER, AND GO SKIPPING OFF WITHOUT US KNOWING A CLUE WHERE YOU ARE, THEN SHOW UP THE NEXT MORNING ON OUR DOORSTEP? HUH? ANSWER ME!"
"I don’t know Michal."
The way he yelled at me you’d think he actually cared what happened to me and Gracie. But he was actually just worried that someone would get a suspicious.
I know what your thinking. Why didn’t I just grab Gracie, take off to the police, then this whole mess would be over. I had had Gracie, they had no power over me last night. So why didn’t I take the chance?
I was scared.

I knew if I went to the police Michal and Jennifer could never hurt me. Gracie and I would stay with a nice family while they searched for our mother. But I have nightmares about Michal and Jennifer finding me and finishing the job. Killing me.
I knew it was silly, but I couldn’t get over it. And because of my stupid, selfish fear, Gracie was in danger. I was putting Gracie in harms way because I was too chicken to go to the police. And I was disgusted with myself for it.
"WELL IF YOU EVER PULL SOMETHING LIKE THAT AGAIN I’LL BEAT YOU SO LONG YOU’LL HAVE MY HAND COMING OUT YOUR BACKSIDE! YOU GOT THAT?"

"Yes sir."I mumbled halfheartedly. Jennifer was standing behind him with a satisfied smile on her face, adding words every now and then to my offense.
"NOW GET UPSTAIRS!"
I was never more happy to obey one of his orders.
I ran upstairs and heard soft crying behind Grace’s door. I slowly opened the door and saw Grace huddled in the corner. I closed the door behind me and walked over to where she was sitting. I pulled her into my embrace.
"Summer, why was daddy so mean to you?" She said shakily, trying to hold in her sobs.

"Well, I guess I shouldn’t have taken you away from home last night." I added just as shakily. Her tears were making me on the verge of sobbing myself.
"But, it was my decision to go with you, he was only mean to you."
I chuckled softly. It surprised me how smart she was sometimes.
"Yeah, but I’m older than you, so my decisions count a little more than yours."
"I’m just so sad." She cried and hugged herself to my chest and let the sobs loose.
I joined in, and cried softly on her head.
I vowed this was the last time I would see her cry like this.