Fighting for a New Life Ch. 10

CHAPTER TEN

"Ariana." She looked up, surprised to hear her father calling her name.

"What do you want?" Ariana asked, clasping her son to her breast as if to protect him from some evil force.

"To talk. To explain why I did things the way I did them," Glen answered.

"Explain what? Why you imprisoned me after mom died? Why you tried to force me to marry someone as despicable as Jack!" Ariana exclaimed.

"Yes, I would like the chance to explain," Glen told her.

"Explain then," Ariana said.

"Not here, inside."

"No way in hell," Ariana hissed.

"Ariana Jane, you will invite your father into that house, and you will do it now," Glen growled.

"Guess what father, I'm not a child anymore! I'm a grown woman with four children and you don't get to tell me jack squat!" Ariana shot back.

"Ariana Jane, I want to explain everything, but not here when anyone could hear us" Glen told her.

"There's nobody here dad but me and the kids," Ariana said, glancing down at Brad who was falling asleep in her arms.

"Ariana, please. Inside," Glen pleaded.

"Fine. Once we're inside, you have twenty minutes to say what you want to say and leave," Ariana sighed. She looked over at the girls and smiled. Olivia and Erin were having a tea party on a quilt and Maggie was sleeping in the stroller. Ariana placed Brad in his part of the double stroller. "Girls, we need to go inside for a few minutes," Ariana called. Olivia and Erin protested loudly. "We'll come back out, I promise," Ariana told them. Olivia and Erin ran to the front porch, Ariana and Glen following close behind.

"Your twenty minutes start now," Ariana told Glen as she closed the door behind her.

"Your mother didn't die of natural causes. She was murdered," Glen began. Ariana's eyes widened. "Jack's father wanted your mother to marry him and instead, she chose me," he continued. "The reason Jack's father didn't try to steal her away at first, is that it was pretty evident to everyone in town that she was carrying my child. You. Despite the fact that he had gotten married, he tried to steal her away from us when you were twelve but she wouldn't go with him so he kidnapped her and tried to get her pregnant by raping her.

He didn't know that she had had a major complication giving birth to you and had to have a hysterectomy and could no longer get pregnant. After she failed to get pregnant for two months in a row, his father hired a private nursing firm to come out and perform an ultrasound and when he saw she couldn't get pregnant, he killed your mother and dumped her on our doorstep," Glen said. Ariana closed her eyes as the flashback overtook her.

"I found her body," Ariana whispered. Glen nodded.

"Jack stood there with his father, gloating. A few days after your mother's funeral, Jack's father came to me. He told me that if I did not agree to let Jack have you when you turned eighteen, that he would kill you before another man could touch you and that he'd be watching. I knew you went for your long runs and so did they. Jack followed you on every single run. They wanted me to make you hate me; to punish you for going against my rule. That's why I had to hit you when you came back from your runs. I never wanted to and it killed me," Glen said, his voice shaking, his eyes full of sadness and unshed tears. "I loved your mother and I love you so much. It nearly killed me to have to treat you that way," Glen added.

"Why are you telling me this now?" Ariana asked, glancing at the stroller when Maggie began to fuss.

"I couldn't live with the guilt anymore and I had to tell you that this nightmare isn't over yet. Jack's father is back in town and he is beyond pissed that you have married Bobby and that Jack is dead, at your hands no less. He is dangerous and I want you to be careful. Don't go anywhere without Bobby or his father," Glen warned. "Not even outside to let the kids play," he added.

Ariana nodded, her eyes wide, unable to believe it. "I need to go now sweetie. No matter what happens in the future, please remember that I DO love you," Glen whispered before slipping out the front door.

"Can we go outside now mommy?" Erin asked. Ariana looked down at her daughter and gave a small sigh.

"No sweetie, we can't. It's nap time and mommy needs to call daddy," Ariana answered.

"After nap can we go out?" Olivia asked.

"We'll see," Ariana murmured.

~~~~~~~

"I had my dad do some digging. Your father wasn't lying about your mother. The state required an autopsy be done since her death was very mysterious. I'm so sorry Aria," Bobby murmured after the kids were in bed later that night.

"Dad said that Jack's father was back in town and very displeased at the turn of events," Ariana whispered.

"It's going to be okay. I won't let anyone hurt you," Bobby promised. They both jumped when the doorbell chimed. Brad began crying loudly. "You get Brad, I'll get the door," he suggested. Ariana nodded and headed up stairs. When she returned to the living room, Mayor Glass was sitting on the couch.

"Ariana, sit down please," he began.

"What's wrong?" Ariana asked, sitting next to Bobby.

"Your father is dead Ariana. He was attacked in his home; there are several knife wounds throughout his entire body," Mayor Glass answered. Ariana paled and glanced at Bobby.

"Jack's father," Bobby said. Mayor Glass nodded.

"More than likely," he agreed.

"Do we need to leave town?" Bobby asked.

"No. I'll have a marked police car sitting by your driveway with orders not to move for any reason without my permission," Mayor Glass answered.

Ariana moved through the house, keeping the flashlight pointed at the ground as she checked to make sure the kids were okay. "Hello Ariana," a gravely voice said as she left Olivia and Erin's room. "Why don't we come downstairs and have a little chat," he added. Ariana started to protest until she saw the glint of the knife he carried. "If you even think of trying to call for help, I will kill each and every single one of your brats, starting with the boy," he threatened. Ariana gave one last glance to her bedroom door where the panic button waited. Bobby would be pissed that she'd left it in the room when she went to check on the kids.

"You cut the power didn't you? To lure me out into the open," Ariana accused. "You're Jack's father."

"Very good young lady. You're smarter than I gave you credit for," he applauded.

"What did I ever do to you?" Ariana wanted to know, making sure to keep him talking as they walked into the living room.

"You killed my son," he replied.

"He tried to kill me, it was self defense! And he nearly killed my husband!" Ariana exclaimed.

"He should have been your husband, not the pansy ass Bobby Glass," he sneered.

"Bobby glass is a million times the man your son was! Bobby loves and respects me; your son would have made a horrible husband, for any woman," Ariana said. Jack's father slashed at her with the knife and she jumped back just in time; the tip tore her shirt, but missed her skin.

"You're just like your whore of a mother! You're nothing but a fucking little cunt!" he shouted, lunging for Ariana. Ariana screamed and darted out of the way. She ran for the kitchen and as she grabbed the phone, she heard, "If you even fucking dial a number, I'll kill your precious children!" Before Ariana could set the phone down, it rang, startling her. "Who is it?" he asked.

"It's Bobby," Ariana answered.

"Answer it, put him on speaker and tell him nothing about me being here," he instructed.

"Hi Bobby, how's your day?" Ariana asked, hoping her voice wasn't shaking too badly.

"Are you alright Aria? The chief of police has been trying to radio the car out front of the house and they aren't answering," Bobby asked. Ariana thought quickly as she peeked out the window. She nearly screamed at the sight that awaited her; the two police officers were laying on the ground, bleeding profusely. Ariana could see one of them trying to stand up and quickly closed the curtain.

"Everything's fine Bobby, they came in to use the bathroom and get more coffee," Ariana answered.

"They weren't supposed to leave the car," Bobby swore.

"Well, we had a lightening strike out here and the power's out. They came to check it out and asked to use the bathroom and for some coffee," Ariana lied.

"I want to speak with Officer Smith," Bobby said.

"They're on their way back to the car, but it may take them awhile, Smith cut himself on the lock on the fence and his hand is bleeding pretty badly. He might need the hospital," Ariana said, hoping Bobby would understand what she was trying to say. The look on her capture's face told her to wrap it up. "I have to go Bobby, Martha is waking up," Ariana said.

Bobby's eyes widened at her use of their prearranged code word as he realized that his family was in terrible danger. "Okay babe. Sit tight, I'm sure the crew will have the lights on soon and I'll tell the chief about Smith," Bobby said.

"Bobby," Ariana said before Bobby could hang up. "I love you," she murmured.

"I love you too," Bobby told her, hanging up the phone. He lifted the receiver again and dialed 911. "This is Bobby Glass. Roger Jansten is at my house with my wife and children and there are two officers down, possibly dead. Please hurry," Bobby said before hanging up the phone.

~~~~~~~~

"Damn, how the hell did they figure it out?" Roger snarled.

"I don't know," Ariana lied.

"Go get your brats," Roger told Ariana. Shaking, Ariana did as she was told.

"Livy, Martha, I need you to stay with me and do as I tell you," Ariana told the older girls.

"But mama, my name is ..." Ariana's hand went over Erin's mouth quickly.

"I know sweetie, but do you remember what we talked about? I need for you and Martha to let the man think your name is Martha. Say nothing to him, even if he asks you a question," Ariana said quietly. "Understand?" she asked. The girls nodded. "Good. Livy, I need you to help with Maggie and Brad," Ariana said. She watched carefully as Olivia helped Maggie walk down the stairs as she carried Brad in her arms, Erin holding tight to her hand, scared.

"I will say one thing, your kids are pretty damned cute," Roger admitted as Ariana sat the scared kids on the couch.

"Why is it so dark mommy?" Erin asked.

"The power went out," Ariana answered.

"I'm cold," Olivia complained. Ariana grabbed a quilt off the back of the lazy-boy and draped it over the kids' legs.

"When will the lights come back on?" Erin whimpered.

"Soon baby," Ariana murmured, remembering that her daughter was terrified of the dark. She walked over to the fireplace and light a large candle. "Is that better sweetie?" Ariana asked. Erin nodded, trying to be brave.

"Shut up Ariana and sit on the chair. Away from the kids," Roger instructed as the chief of police tried to negotiate.

-Hours later-

"Look, I'll do anything you want me to, just please, let the kids go out side to safety," Ariana pleaded.

"Anything?" Roger asked, doubtful.

"Anything," Ariana confirmed. Roger studied her carefully. "Please, they're just children, they had no part in what my mother did to you or what I did to Jack. Let them go," Ariana pleaded.

"You killed my son, why should I believe anything you say?" Roger snarled.

"Your son tried to kill me while I was pregnant with Olivia. I had to have a c-section because of what he put me through. He tried to kill me five times, and the fifth time, he was almost successful. Wouldn't you have died to protect your child?" Ariana pleaded, hoping that there was some sort of paternal instinct left in this horribly disturbed man. Finally, Roger nodded and allowed Ariana to turn the kids over to Bobby.

"I'm not leaving without you Aria," Bobby argued as Ariana gently placed Brad in his arms.

"The only way to keep the kids safe is for me to go back in there." Ariana leaned closer to him, as if to give him one last hug. "He doesn't know about the basement or he would have secured it by now," she murmured.

"Thirty seconds," Roger warned. Ariana kissed Bobby gently and ran her hand over Brad's head one last time.

"I love you," Ariana whispered as she backed inside the house, her eyes never left Bobby's until she closed and locked the door.

Ariana choked back her tears as Roger began cutting her clothes off of her. "You said you'd do anything if I let your kids go so why the tears?" Roger asked harshly. She winced as the blade nicked her skin.

"I didn't say I'd enjoy it," she retorted.

Roger slapped her across the face and grinned when he came to her panties and bra. "You are just as beautiful as your mother. You'd never know you have four children by looking at you," Roger admired. Ariana shivered as his fingers touched her now bare abdomen. Roger cut the panties and bra before laying the knife down to undo his own jeans. Ariana screamed as he pushed his way forcefully into her. "I guarantee you this: the next child you have will be mine," he growled. Ariana's fingers closed around the handle of the knife, tears streaming down her face as he thrust painfully inside of her.

"No, it won't," she said, her voice low and full of hatred as she slammed the knife into his back. Roger shouted in anger and continued to thrust savagely into her, trying to ignore the knife. The pain became too much for him, and he pulled out of her and reached for the knife in his shoulder.

"I'll kill you for that you little bitch!" Roger screamed, groping for the handle. Just as he pulled the knife out of his shoulder, the police stormed in through the basement. Roger whirled around, amazed that they had found away into the fortress he thought he had created.

"Drop the knife scumbag!" one of the officers shouted.

"Over my dead body!" Roger snarled, turning back towards Ariana, slashing with his knife. Ariana dove out of the way and screamed when shots rang out. When she looked up, Roger was laying on the floor, a pool of blood fanning out around him. It was over, he was dead.

EPILOGUE

Ariana knelt down in front of her parents graves and placed white lily's on her mother's and a yellow rose on her father's. The memories of finding her mother dead on the front porch of the house stayed with her, she couldn't lose it, and now it was combined with the horror of her experience with Jack and his father. She looked up at the sound of laughing children and smiled; they were happy and healthy and seemed to be getting over their ordeal and she was grateful that Roger hadn't hurt the children. "I miss you mom," Ariana murmured, brushing her fingers over her mother's name. She reached over and brushed her fingers over her father's tomb stone. "I'll see you both again," she promised before standing up and walking back to her life, her love, her future.