Credence

by Penelope Douglas

I didn’t finished packing. And I didn’t change my clothes. I’m still wearing the shredded T-shirt Kaleb found me in last night.

Fucking traumatized over here and Noah is enjoying himself a woman in the next room

Moans, cries, and “Wow.” by Post Malone carry out from Noah’s room into the hallway, so I rush and swing open the door to the bathroom, seeing my uncle standing there at the sink, a towel wrapped around his waist.

Got to be kidding me, godamnit

“You know what I mean,” Jake says, knowing exactly what I’m thinking.

Gross

What kind of mountain man doesn’t just grow a beard?

Lmao

“Have you had any men?” he asks more bluntly when I don’t respond. “Whatsoever?” I slow my strokes, my breathing turning shallow. Is he asking if I’ve had sex?

Not any of his business

but I can’t help but steal another glance, because I like looking at it.

Eww

The way he and Kaleb may not look alike in the face, but you can totally see they’re related when they’re half-dressed.

I dont like the implications!

Maybe I should tell him about last night. How his son cornered me and tried to screw me on the hood of his car and how maybe this isn’t the safest place for me, after all.

YES PLEASE DO!

We don’t get along. Noah pushes my bad buttons, and I’m sleeping even worse since I got here.

But instead, I pick up the shaving cream, pour some foam into my hand, and start dabbing it on my face as he stops shaving to watch me. As soon as my cheeks are covered, and I look like Santa, I pick up my toothbrush again to use the handle as a razor. “You got no idea how to raise girls,” I tell him. He smirks at me in the mirror. “Want me to make a man out of you, then?”

Now this would be a cute wholesome moment…if the whole family didn't suck ass

When we’re done and only a few smudges of foam remain, he pulls a towel off the rack and cleans off my face, and for a minute, I feel like a kid and want to laugh for some reason.

DON'T RUIN THE NICE MOMENT JAKE

“I may never be a man,” I tell him, “but I won’t always be a girl, either.”

STAP!

When I’m a woman.

WTF

Why the hell isn’t my suitcase packed?

Girl why are you still here?! fuck these bitches and their pancakes

I’m not sure I would’ve gone through with packing it then, either.

REALLY?!

How long has he been standing there? His green eyes watch me,

Fucking hello to you too creep, he is scaring me because what is to stop him from assaulting you again

Is he going to apologize? What if I hadn’t been a step-cousin? What if I’d actually been blood when he decided to ignore my protests last night?

Those are not the only things im wondering but sure tiernan

He picks up his glass of orange juice and strolls over to the table, gulping it as he goes on like I don’t exist.

See this is NOT the enemies/rivals to lovers i want

and the last down in front of me, feeling Kaleb’s eyes on me, because I didn’t give him one. I don’t cook for you.

FUCK OFF KALEB

Without blinking, though, Kaleb picks up the plate of pancakes in the middle of the table, doles out three to Jake, three to Noah, and then pauses only a moment, holding my eyes, before dropping the plate back onto the table, right in front of himself, and taking the rest of the pancakes. Picking up the syrup, he pours it on his stack without leaving any for me. Prick.

You fucking bastard! I would jump his ass right there or pour orange juice all over him and the pancakes

I know I’m being rude, and I’m sorry for it.

Dont be sorry for their bullshit

I drift my gaze around the table, noticing I have more clothes on than any of them. Jake and Kaleb aren’t wearing any shirts, and Noah’s tee has the sides cut out, giving glimpses of the smooth, tan chest underneath. Kaleb’s black hair against his sun-kissed face. Jake’s toned shoulders and narrow waist.

Double fucking standards

They’re pretty, dressed to play, and for a moment, I want to be one of them.

Why?

I slide my eyes up—taking in his muscles, skin, shiny with sweat again, and before I get to his face, I know who it is. Kaleb has his head tilted back, his eyes closed, and breathes hard as he grips her hair, forcing her up and down on his cock.

Why are we here…just to suffer

She groans, he and I stare at each other, and all I see is how he would’ve moved with me last night. If I hadn’t stopped him.

He deserves jail

Shit.

My thoughts exactly

He’s vile. Jake was right. He and Noah are nothing compared to that.

Nope they all suck equally

My stomach sinks. I don’t like being around people I don’t know. I don’t like being around people.

Mood

When I turn back around, though, I see Kaleb strolling out of the stables, pulling his shirt on, and the girl he had in the stall following him. The girl from the store yesterday. The one who tried to get in my face.

Gross

turn my cap around,

A lot of cap flipping

Away. He looks down at me, jerking his chin again. Away. You’re not going.

FUCK YOU KALEB, I WOULD GO JUST TO PISS HM OFF LIKE WHO ARE YOU TO TELL ME WHAT TO DO BITCH ASS PEDO ASSAULTER, kick him in the groin

I wish I didn’t have to carry one. I’d look like an idiot—or a terrorist—

Girl wtf lmao why think that and also rifles are heavier than you (I) imagine so carrying it will probably be irritating if you aren't used to it

It’s empty. No people, no noise, and the warmth of the sun feels good.

Sounds good, tiernan deserves this peace and quiet from those predatory losers

Another smile I can’t hold back spreads across my face. This feels good.

Genuine happiness achieved BECAUSE of the serenity being within nature and NOT because of douchebags

Lying back, I float, the weightlessness and water in my ears making me feel alone. But not lonely for once.

Wonderful and now get some therapy girl

He heads for the water, pulling off his boots and socks, and I realize he’s coming in.

Oh hell no, terrance go away! Why did you ruin such a great moment godamnit

Loooooove the tribal tattoos. Wonder which tribe he belongs to. I almost snort.

…

“Relax,” he tells me. “Not everything with a penis is a threat.” “Which is exactly what someone with a penis would say.”

Girl run please for the love of GOD

“Terrance Holcomb.”

Bro i keep wanting to say terrace honey comb (like the cereal)

He smiles. “They went to ride. I snuck off.” “You followed me.”

GIRL RUN FROM THIS CREEP

“If you go,” he says, “I don’t know if I’ll be able to get you alone again.” I turn my head, looking at him. “They’re very protective of their property.” I stop and face him, my feet touching the ground now. “I’m not their property.” “Everything on their property is their property.” He circles me, the water coming up to both our shoulders. “They live by different rules up here, Tiernan.” As much as I’d like to argue with him, I think Jake, Noah, and Kaleb would agree with him.

Why do all these men here suck ass

Jake’s warning about local guys. Kaleb sending me back in the house instead of letting me join them on the motorcycles. Noah and his possessiveness in town yesterday.

Screw them all still

“You’re Chapel Peak’s shiny new toy,”

Physially hurling

I slide my hands through the water, my body drifting back out into the pond again and him inching, getting closer. His eyes zone in, intense as they calmly watch me, and my stomach flips. I know what he wants. Will he feel like Kaleb did?

1000% grossed out right now

“They always get the prettiest ones, too,” he goes on. “Until now. The prettiest one they’ll keep home and to themselves, won’t they?”

Eww, don't talk to her like that terrance, silly ass name for a creep

The guys get their fun. Why shouldn’t I? I’ll never see this man after I leave, anyway.

Now i maybe would agree with this logic IF i knew terrance's age and you weren't a MINOR

“Get the fuck out of there!” he growls at me. “Now!” I jump.

Bruh wtf yell at the slime ball!

Kaleb stands by his bike, staring at Terrance with his head tilted and his expression calm. A shotgun hangs casually at his side in his hand. A shotgun. They’re all out of their minds.

Get on an airplane now and call Mirai! Get the hell out of this cesspool

“You’re not gonna be able to keep her to yourself,” he tells Kaleb and Noah. “She’s the prettiest thing we’ve all seen in a while, and I’m just trying to get in there before all the dogs start barking at your front door for a piece of that sweet little snatch.” I cringe and Kaleb cocks his gun. “Now, Tiernan!” Noah barks.

Throwing up into a toilet right there

“See you soon, Tiernan.”

Fucking creeep, the whole lot of you