The Girl Next Door

Here's part 3 of The Girl Next Door. We left off in Part 2 where Gracie got caught trying to free people, now you'll find out her fate. Also please comment below on what you think of it. Your feedback is very appreciated and helps improve my writing. All characters are subject to copyright laws, so please don't try to copy and resell my stories. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 5

Gabriela's POV

When morning finally arrives, I strangely feel almost ecstatic. I know what I have to do. I'm going to march over to Gracie's house and firstly apologize and then tell her how I feel. She'll understand. She has to. I can't lose her again.

I'm just going to quickly eat breakfast, brush my teeth and shower. After that, I'll be ready to confront the mess I made yesterday and maybe I will finally be happy.

I take a deep breath and get at it. As I step out of my bedroom, the smell of my mother's breakfast burritos makes my mouth water. I walk into the kitchen and see my dad and brother chatting while my mom cooks breakfast.

"Good morning, sunshine. Why don't you join us for breakfast? Your mother is cooking her famous burritos," my dad says.

This is not part of the plan, but I suppose I can adapt. Especially for a breakfast burrito and besides, I should spend more time with Santiago while he's home. "Okay," I say as I take a seat next to Santiago.

"I'm surprised to see you home, I thought you were going to spend all weekend with Gracie," my mother says.

Just hearing her name raises my anxiety level. "Well... We had a disagreement."

"Oh? What happened?" my mother asks.

"Nothing," I say.

"Come on mom, you know how complicated teenagers are these days," Santiago says. "Probably just feuding over a boy."

"Aww, honey. Don't let a boy get in between you and your best friend," mom says. If only she knew the truth. She dishes us all a burrito before joining us at the table.

"Breaking news, huge human trafficking ring broken up..." the TV blares.

"So, tell me how are classes going?" my father asks my brother.

"Great, all A's so far," he says.

"Nice have you met any nice girls?" my mother asks.

"A few," my brother smiles.

My mother raises an eyebrow. "You only need one. Make sure she's a good cook. You need to eat more. You're too skinny."

"Let me add that to the list of qualifications that my future girlfriend must have on her resume," he smiles as he whips out a fake pen and starts writing on his imaginary notebook. "Must be an excellent cook."

"Laugh all you want, but don't come running to me if you marry a woman who can't cook," my mother says.

"I'm definitely not complaining," my father says as he pats his stomach, his plate clean enough to put back into the cupboard.

After Breakfast

After we clean the dishes I bolt up to my room. Fear crept in me like a chill in the cold dark night. I can't talk to her so soon after what happened last night. I... I need time.

"Don't tell me you're going to chicken out," Santiago says.

"What? No! I'm... I'm just... I can't do this," I look into those teddy bear eyes of his, the tears are one crack away from flooding down my face. I just don't think I can handle the pain I saw in her face. I really hurt her last time. "What if she never wants to speak to me again?"

"She probably wants to speak to you right now. I bet more than anything she's wishing she could redo last night. You just need to talk to her," he says. He looks at me with that big cheesy smile. "Just take a deep breath and everything will be fine."

"Thanks, I don't know what I'd do without you, Santiago," I say.

"You'd do well, you'd know that if you'd only believe in yourself," he says.

"Aww thanks," I say.

He gives me a big bear hug, nearly squeezing the life out of me before he pushes me out the door. Now I have no choice. I have to talk to her. He's right.

I walk up to her doorstep. My god, it's almost like I'm back in gym class. My palms won't stop sweating and my knees are shaking so bad, I'm scared they're going to go out on me. Just take a breath and everything will be fine. That's what Santiago would do.

I knock on the door after I take a deep breath. I just noticed something. Her car's not here. Did she really have a party to go to? I thought she just said that to get me to leave. Weren't Kate and Stacy spending the night with their boyfriends? Who would have a party if they weren't going?

Suddenly the door opens and Gracie's dad answers. His eyes are all bloodshot, his blonde hair that's slowly turning white is a mess. "Gabriela? I haven't seen you in a while."

"Pastor Murray," Gracie said he's been spending a lot of time at the church. The bags under his eyes look like he hasn't slept in a long time. "I was just here to see Gracie."

"She isn't home at the moment. I haven't spoken to her since yesterday."

"Okay, thank you."

"If you do see her can you tell her I'd like to speak with her?" he asks. "She left her phone at home."

"Yes, I'll definitely tell her," I say.

"Thanks," he says. "Tell your parents they're in my prayers," he says.

"Thanks. I'll see you on Sunday," I say, walking away.

Sunday Sermon

Gracie's nowhere to be found at church. Everyone swarms my brother asking him how college is going. He just grins and spits out the same response. "Couldn't be better."

As we take our seats, Pastor Murray begins his sermon. It's about forgiveness and acceptance. The way he talks, it feels as if he's talking to someone in particular. As if he's asking for forgiveness himself. Gracie's dad looks exhausted. As if he's being held together by duct tape and could fall apart at any moment. My heart aches for him and Gracie. For all, they've been through. Losing his wife and daughter that fateful night. He looks defeated and yet he continues to carry on. He continues to fight and give his sermons.

I wonder how Gracie's holding up? Especially after the other night. She's already going through so much and then what happened the other night between us... Oh god... Did I break her? Was I the last straw?

No... She's so much stronger than that. She probably went to that party and had too much to drink. Yes. Gracie doesn't give up. She never quits!

After the sermon, my parents gather in the common area outside and chat while they drink coffee while I follow my brother around.

"Gabriela," Pastor Murray asks as he comes up to me. "You haven't spoken to Gracie since yesterday morning, have you?"

"I haven't," I say.

"She didn't come home yesterday... I'm starting to get worried," he says.

"I'm sure she's just at Stacy's or Kate's," I say.

"You're right," he says. "Just... if you talk to her, can you tell her I'm worried."

"Yes, I'll let her know," I say.

"Thank you," he says.

At School

At school, the following Monday, I... I feel empty and lost as I walk through the swarm of buzzing people. No one of them seems to care or notice me. Not that it matters to me, I prefer being invisible. I look through the faces to find the only one that matters to me. My body aches as if it's been hollowed out and all that's left is a vast void.

"Gabriela..." I turn to see Kate and Stacy walking toward me. They're both in polka dot dresses with bows in their hair. Kate's dress is a light pink while Stacy's wearing a dark blue dress. "Have you talked Gracie? She didn't come to the party Saturday night," Kate says.

"I haven't seen her since Friday night," I say.

Kate lets out a sigh. "Well if you do see her, remind her that we're going to be decorating the float tonight at my house. By the way, you're more than welcome to come."

"Way to dress up," Stacy says, rolling her eyes. "Where's your school spirit?"

"I'm sorry, I forgot," I say.

"Hey, look at what we have here, tranny freak and robot boy," Zack Lambert says as he bumps into Robert Shaw and Erin Palmer.

"Leave us alone, asshole," Erin says, as she glares at him. Her dark brown hair is buzzed on one side. She's got the punk rock style going on with torn-up jeans and a hoodie with the sleeves torn off.

Robert's got his perfectly fit khakis and a button-up shirt. I swear that's all he wears. He has several variations of the same outfits. Always khaki pants and always a button-up shirt.

"And what are you going to do about it, freak?" Zack says. I hate that word. Freak... It's... It makes my skin itch. Why is Zack always picking on people? Why can't he just leave them alone? Someone needs to stop this. But what can I do? I can't stand up to Zach. He's just so abrasive. Tigress wouldn't hesitate to intervene.

"Zack, don't make me bend you over and give you an ass-whooping," Erin says as she stares him straight in the eyes. Wow...

Zack laughs. "You really really want to push your luck, don't you, tranny freak?"

But I'm no hero. I'm just a fangirl. I just have to take a breath. Everything will be fine. What would Tigress do in a situation like this?

"Zack, stop being an ass. It really makes everyone realize how tiny your dick is," that all too familiar voice says. I turn around and see Gracie walking down the hall to us. I have to do a double-take to make sure it's really her.

"I was just..." Zack starts.

"No one cares, Zack. No one cares," Gracie says.

"I..." he stops before turning around and walking away as he mumbles under his breath. "Whatever. Such a bitch."

"Didn't think you were showing up," Erin says to Gracie.

"Changed my mind," Gracie says. That's... That's weird. Since when do Erin and Gracie talk?

"Gracie! Where have you been?" Kate asks as she and Stacy swarm her. I look at Gracie, but she doesn't even acknowledge me.

"I'm here now," Gracie says.

"Come on, we need to go over our plan for this week. I've been trying to get a hold of you all weekend. Where were you Saturday? You never answered your phone," Kate goes on.

"Yeah, not cool Gracie," Stacy says as they pull her away.

"You should talk to her," Erin says as they start walking away. What does she know about any of it? But she's right.

"Gracie!" I shout. The rush of adrenaline coursing through me makes me feel like every inch of my skin is getting shot up with a 100 volts of electricity. My hands are shaking, my head is spinning. All because of a girl.

She turns to me as the bell rings. "We'll talk later, Gabs," Then she walks away. She didn't even look at me. Just dismissed me. My stomach literally folded in half.

Please god, please don't let her push me away once again.

Chapter 6

Gracie's POV

Back at the Warehouse Friday Night

This can't be happening to me. I'm not about to be sold to this...

"This what?" she asks as she stands above my cage. An icy chill touches my heart as the blood seeps from my face. Did she? No...

She only laughs. "Of course, my pet."

"Sythe, transport my new pet back to my suite while I pay up," the woman says as she takes one last look at me. I can feel so much pressure against my entire mind. "Oh and don't forget the other slaves as well."

Suddenly the pressure vanishes as she walks away. I can breathe again. Who is that woman? I need to get out of here. The giant that knocked me out earlier walks up and grabs my cage and easily hoists it over his head as he makes his way out... There has to be an opportunity to escape. I'm not going to be this woman's property. I'm not going to be anyone's slave. I still have to find justice for my mother and sister. Maybe I can...

Don't think you're going to escape out of my clutch, my pet. Her voice echoes in my mind. This is hopeless. How can I escape when she knows what I'm thinking? I can't believe this is happening? Urgh... I feel like I'm going to be sick.

Suddenly, bright light burns through the wall, blinding me. The mountain named Sythe sets me down as two figures appear through the now burnt hole in the wall. Starlight and Nighblade?

All hell breaks loose as Starlight vanishes and darkness starts to seep out of Nightblade. Before I can blink, the mountain is thrown back and barrels through the wall behind us as Starlight stands before me in all her glory. She's tall. Her golden fiery hair flows like it's alive. Everything about her just shines. Her golden cape, the gleaming star on her chest, especially her eyes. It's as if they're made of pure light.

She looks down at me and rips the cage door off and breaks my chains. Soon I find myself lifted out of the cage and set on my feet. I blink and she's gone. I look around to find her freeing the other people. How can I call myself a hero when I got caught? She's a true hero.

You got lucky this time my pet, but you will be mine. That woman's voice seeps down into my thoughts as a shudder goes down my spine making my knees weak. But somehow I can only wonder what she wants with me. The way she looked at me, it... It made me feel things I shouldn't. Not for someone like her.

I can hear sirens in the distance. Before I can process anything, I'm swept off of my feet, and the next thing I realize I'm on the rooftop of one of the other warehouses with Starlight standing in front of me. "Wait here."

Just like that, she's gone. I hurry to the edge and watch as the police surround the building. Starlight and Nightblade are helping them escort out the criminals. I wonder if the lady who tried to own me got away. I don't doubt it, but her mountain didn't. Starlight has to carry him on her shoulder because she knocked him out cold. She's so strong!

After things die down, both Starlight and Nightshade fly up to me. Nightblade is about my height. "What were you thinking?" Starlight snaps at me. "You're lucky we came when we did or you could've been sold as a sex slave or worse."

"I... I'm sorry, I just couldn't let those people just be sold off like cattle," I cry as my head falls. "I... I couldn't stand back and do nothing."

"I admire that," she says. "But no offense, you need training. Powers don't matter if you don't know how to survive on the streets with them. Because let me tell you something, kid. When you come across another person with powers, if you don't know how to fight, you're going to end up dead."

"I'm sorry," I say.

"Don't be sorry," she says. "Let me ask you something. Why do you want to be a hero?"

I look up into her eyes. "It's simple. I want to bring the men who murdered my mother and sister to justice."

She looks at me and it feels like she can see right into my soul. "I take it nothing I say will make you change your mind about wanting to be a hero?"

"Not a goddamn thing," I say.

"Very well, in that case, I'll have to train you myself," she says. Next thing I realize, I'm in her arms once more. "Come one Nightblade, let's go."

She rockets off into the air faster than I can even comprehend. Soon we arrive above a gym. "In order for this to work, we're going to have to trust each other," Starlight says as she sets me down as we land on the roof. "Trust goes both ways."

"Gracie Murray, are you willing to trust us?" she asks.

"How do you know who I am?" I ask.

"I like to keep tabs on what's going on in my city," she says. "So? What do you say?"

"Yes, of course. You're my hero," I say.

"Good, then follow us," Starlight says as she walks into the building. I follow her and Nightblade down the stairs and into the gym. It's an MMA gym. I look back up at Starlight as her light fades and her costume seethes into a normal pair of sweats and a t-shirt. She holds out her hand. "My name is Bristal Ward. It's nice to finally meet you, Gracie."

"Oh my god. I'm honored that you trust me enough to show me your true identity," I say shaking her hand as I pull my mask off.

She looks over at Nightblade. I follow her gaze as Nightblade's dark black and costume simmers into black skinny jeans and a sleeveless hoodie. "Erin Palmer..."

"What's up Gracie... You're the last person I would have pegged as a superhero," she says.

"Yeah, I could say the same thing about you," I say rather flatly. She folds her arms against her chest and turns her head away from me.

"Now, now, let's all get along," Bristal says. "You two are going to be working together from now on. You'll have to put your differences aside if you want this to work."

"Are you kidding me? You want me to work with Ms. Popular over there? A true hero wouldn't stand by while her friends make mine and Robert's life a living hell," she says.

"I... I'm sorry. You're right. That was a mistake. I... I should've stood up for you," I say.

"I don't need your help. I can take care of myself," Erin says.

"I can tell this is going to take some time," Bristal sighs as she rubs her temples. "Both of you need to say what you need to say right now and let it all out. Get whatever burden you have off your chest because tomorrow's a new day and we will start over. Gracie, do you have anything you'd like to say?"

I look at Bristal before looking back at Erin. "Yes, you know, you're not exactly the easiest person to get along with either. I tried helping you once and you pretty much tossed it back in my face. Maybe if you'd be a little nicer instead of constantly being such a bitch, people wouldn't treat you like one."

"Oh come on," Erin says. "This is coming from the same person who laughed when Stacy called me a tranny freak in front of everyone."

"I already admitted that I made a mistake," I say.

"And I'll bet everything I own that come Monday, you'll continue to make the same mistakes and let Stacy get away with the same bullshit. You can't put on a mask and be a hero when you're a shitty person after you take it off."

With that, Erin storms off. The sad part is that she's right... I... I'm guilty of everything she said. I act all high and mighty, but when the time comes to do the right thing, I... I stand by and do nothing while injustice wins. My sister wouldn't have stood by. She would've done the right thing. Why couldn't she have lived and I died. The world definitely would have been a better place if we traded lives.

"Don't be so hard on yourself," Bristal says. "You're only human. Erin's had a hard life. It'll take some time for her to come around, but she will. You should take the time to get to know her. You'll find that you both have a lot in common. She also lost loved ones she cared about. Her parents died while working at Shaw Industries. She doesn't have many people she trusts or can rely on. She could definitely use a friend like you."

"Someone who stands by and let's bad things happen to good people?" I ask.

"That's not how I see it. You didn't stand by while those people were being auctioned off. You took action," she says.

"But I got caught. I would've ended up just like them if you hadn't shown up," I say.

"Even so, not many people would've tried, especially knowing their chances of success were dismal at best. Listen, Gracie, you're a good person. I can see that plain as day. Even good people make mistakes. Just follow your heart and hold your head up," she says.

I don't know what came over me, but I couldn't fight the tears that broke free from my eyes. I dove into Bristal's chest and broke down. She wraps her arms around me as I cry my eyes out. She holds my head as she whispers in my ear. Her words are so reassuring. "Everything is going to be okay. I'm here now. You're going to get through this."

"How can everything be okay? My life is so fucked up. I ruin everything. I'm in love with my best friend, but she doesn't feel the same way about me. My dad is never home and I just want my mom and sister back. Most of the time I wish I was the one that died instead of my sister. She deserved to live." I let it all out. Everything I've been bottling up deep inside, it just comes pouring out into the open as Bristal holds me close.