Autumn's POV
I was too shocked and scared to be confused at Leo's reaction too. So I thought later I would ask him.
She looked down at me as if towering over me to show that she has more power of me even though we were roughly the same height. She hasn't changed one bit, not even the scowl that rests on her face as moved an inch since I last met her. Her brown hair tied in a tight bun so her full ugly face is in view. I wanted to scream and run but I couldn't. I couldn't bring myself to move. All the memories came rushing back and I could feel the pain she brought me as if it was yesterday. My body tingled and turned cold also remembering the memories of her torture but that's a story for another time.
Her eyes were finally directed towards Leo and away from me. The breath I held in was finally let out but that doesn't mean my heart rate slowed one bit. But looking at Leo now, I felt terrible and wanted to erase that pain from him by letting her direct her gaze back to me but I couldn't.
Leo looked scared out of his mind with tears in his eyes but not daring to let them spill in front of her. He was shaking uncontrollably with fear and he looked on the verge of having a panic attack. I've never seen him like this. Never would I have thought he would afraid of a person like he is now. But I guess everyone has their weaknesses.
I felt so useless and I didn't know what to do. I don't even know why I felt this bad, I was supposed to hate him for the pain he brought me and be happy he's getting it in return by the most feared women I know. But it wasn't even fair to call her a women because she was more of a monster.
'So the Diablo is back I see.' She sneers at Leo. I gasp at the name. How dare she call him the devil, she has no right, if anything she is the devil.
I hear Leo's whimpers as he can't say a single word. He seemed powerless and frozen just like I was a few seconds ago from her gaze.
'What have I taught you. Never cry because it will show weakness that a man can't afford. But you were always weak and were never going to be a man. Not after what you've done to MY SISTER.' She shouts and spits in Leo's face.
'It wasn't my fault, I didn't mean to I'm sorry.' Leo defended but he sounded like he didn't even believe himself. As he kept repeating it as if he was trying to convince himself that it was the truth. I may not know what happened but I'm sure Leo would've never done anything wrong especially if Aunt Rosa is involved. Leo sacrificed himself to save the world. I may have said I didn't believe that, but it was a lie. I was too caught up in my hatred towards him to fuel his ego.
'Oh are you sure. I don't think the cops agree with that. They have been searching for the murderer of my sister and how lucky am I to find him right here outside my house.' She whispers the last part and I am in complete shock. Leo's wanted for the murder of his mother. There has to more to the story as I always know never to jump to conclusions because it can always be a miscommunication. Wait. I knew this places looked familiar. I should've realised it sooner and maybe we wouldn't be in this mess. I feel like this is my fault now.
All my fear turned to rage as she insults Leo with these fake statements about him. I muster all my courage to finally stand up to this son of a bitch.
'STOP' I shout at the top of my lungs.
'You have no right to say that to him, you have no idea the heroic things he's accomplished while you rot in that same house with no accomplishments or any social life so instead you put us down and torture us.' After all these years I had finally stood up to her and I can't tell you how much relief and joy that made me feel. I feel like a ton of weight has been lifted off my shoulders.
I stare at her with my cold eyes and hold her gaze to show that I'm not backing down and I will defend myself this time. No more running away from my problems. I notice the look of surprise on Leo's face from my outburst and it seems that he's thankful, but I also don't miss the shock on Aunt Rosas face. It was priceless.
But every good moment has to end. As soon as she recovers from her shock her face turns to pure rage as she is solely focused on me now. Feeling the heat of the gaze I shrink back as I'm sacred for what's about to happen in the next few seconds.
'I see you've gained some courage Autumn. I'd thought you would learn to never challenge me after the beatings I gave you but I guess you need a little reminder of what happens when you disrespect an adult.'
She brings her hand over her head as she's getting ready to smack me. I close my eyes to wait for the impact but nothing comes. I open my eyes to see that Leo is holding onto aunt Rosa's arm to prevent her from hurting me. He looked so furious that he didn't even flinch under the monsters glare.
'Don't. You. Dare. Touch. Her.' He said, pure anger evident in his voice. I've seen Leo mad but not at this level of mad.
'Don't worry I won't but the police will. As you see I called them a few minutes earlier when I first spotted the both of you and they are here mostly to arrest the Diablo but you too since you've been on their wanted list for years.' She gives us an evil smirk as she pointed towards the both of us. The first time since we crossed paths with the monster me and Leo haven't looked each other in the eye after remembering the past until now. We both had a look of concern on our faces but we knew what we had to do.
RUN!
And that's what we did and all we've ever done. I feel like I've been running my whole life and it's frustrating. I've never had time to live and stay in one place too long and enjoy whatever I have because I always had to watch my back.
When we were out of her sight we calmed down and took a breather. We were panting unable to speak about the events that just unfolded until Leo brought it up.
'What's your excuse for hating her and how on earth do you know her? She's not your mother is she because I would've know if you were my cousin?' Completely taken aback by his question I shake my head vigorously. So Aunt Rosa is his real aunt.
'No way. She um..uh.' Should I tell him. I've never told this to anybody and it might as well be him as he seems to have his bad shares of stories with her too.
'I'll only tell you if you tell me your story after?' He tenses after my suggestion but then slowly nods.
I walked to a small place in between small buildings to have a more private conversation.
'It started when I was on the run from the foster home I was in and in need of some money. I found a house who's door was wide open and decided to go inside and, don't judge me on this, steal some money. I was broke and I needed food to survive but due to my horrible luck the owner of the house caught me and it was Aunt Rosa. I was around 9 at the time so as a punishment for trying to steal she hit me. She grew to enjoy it more and more so to help her case she became my foster parent to not seem like she kidnapped a random child and then she used me as her punching bag for a year. She then ordered me to call her Aunt Rosa and nothing else. I never understood why. She kept mentioning stuff about her sister and her niece but I was too overwhelmed by the pain to comprehend what she was saying. After I finally escaped for the 10th time I succeeded and ran as far away as possible from Houston Texas.' It was so hard for me to retell the story because it felt like I was reliving it. Tears fell silently down my cheek and my mind has gone to a dark place reliving each slap, whip and punch.
'I'm so sorry Autumn, I-I get it. I know sorry doesn't erase the past but for what it's worth I'm glad you told me.' I had never seen this soft side to Leo before and honestly I liked it. He made me feel like all my problems could go away.
He had explained about how Aunt Rosa was his mother's sister and blames him for the death of his mom in the fire and how after she wanted nothing to do with him and only fuelled his pain by blaming it on him when he was already beating himself up.
He then reaches out to wipe my tears away but I flinch away from his touch not wanting anyone to touch me. I was still scared of people hurting me after getting flashbacks from those dark memories I tried to forget.
'It's ok I won't hurt you, I promise.' Leo says in a gentle tone to calm me down. He then try's again to reach his hand out and I eventually let him. I welcomed the warmth of his hand on my cheek by leaning into his touch and putting my hand over the one he put on my cheek. While he wiped the tears away gently with his thumb, I stared into his eyes that hold so much pain behind them that I've never noticed before. He seemed to have put his walls down and allowed me to see his vulnerable side and I've never felt more honoured. I could also feel his eyes measuring mine and studying them with so much intensity.
At this point we were so close to each other that I suddenly felt the urge to close the gap but when that comes to mind I immediately pull away from his hold. For a second I see disappointment in Leo's eyes but then it disappeared the minute I blinked. My mind must be playing tricks on me.
'Umm we better get to the uh the uh... the camping ground close to here before the police finds us.' Why am I stuttering, I never stutter. Especially because of an annoying bully. What is wrong with me.
'About that' He said while pointing behind me. The police were aiming for us and we had to move now.
'Ok your a mechanic right? Do you know how to hot wire a car.' I said in a rushed manner.
'I thought you'd never ask.' He grins and runs to the closest care which just so happens to be a red BMW convertible. Leo got it running and was about to drive until I threatened him that if he didn't let me drive this time I would cut his hair. He finally agrees and I get into the drivers seat quickly as the police are gaining on us and I drive.
