TessThey kept pushing us to go faster as we approached the bottom of the stairs. "Please, just let me hold Winnie. We will move faster that way." I said as we left the stairwell doors. They wanted her easy access to a human shield; I knew that, but it never hurt to play dumb. You could still hear gunfire from the outside, which gave me hope that they would at least let me hold her. Please be okay.We enter the cafeteria, and I see Greta lying on the floor at an unnatural angle with blood under her. I turn to pick up Winnie. I don't care what they say; they need us alive. I pull her to me a second too late, and she screams, "Greta! Mommy, you have to help wake Greta back up." She says as I cuddle her close to my chest, trying to calm our racing hearts. I wanted to get sick but kept pulling air into my lungs instead.I started to take steps that way, knowing I was probably too late to save Greta but wanting to try. "Don't you fucking move that way. Keep going through to the kitchen." H

TessI don't even remember falling asleep; once I woke up, it was with the smell of bacon in the air. Eyes still closed, hoping to get a little more sleep, I search for Winnie blindly to snuggle her close. Instead, I am met with emptiness beside me, making my heart rate speed up and panic take over. Yes, I know she is logically safe with someone, but tell that to my racing heart and an overwhelming sense of panic. I leap up to my feet and run out of the room but trip on the blankets I am entangled in.I kept reminding myself that it was natural to feel this overwhelming panic after waking up and not seeing my baby after what happened yesterday. Seeing that gun put to her head and being unable to comfort or be a mother to her in her time of need. The whole situation made me feel helpless; without my phone calls to Ace, they would have probably successfully taken us to their final destination.I get free from the blankets and run down the hall to the kitchen, where I see Winnie sitting

TessThis has undoubtedly been the longest day of my life. There have been three vehicle changes on the eight-hour drive. While trying to entertain a small child, we have only had two intense breakdowns. Quite positive that I was about to join her on that breakdown journey. The last vehicle change included fun wigs, so that helped the fun levels. Disappointed a princess outfit didn't come with the wigs. I tell her we mention that in the Yelp review. This satisfies her need to complain, at least.We were lying in the back of a... well, for a better term, a murder van. There were no windows in the back, along with no defining markers. "We are pulling into our friend's place now," Jack stated to us, and I exhaled in relief at this news.Van doors open, and a burly-looking man is smiling at us. He styled his blonde hair up into a messy bun while sporting a full beard. His eyes were the color of an amber whiskey and he had laugh lines around them. "I hear we have a princess coming to visit

TessWhy does morning sickness have to be so terrible? People always say you forget the pains of childbirth and pregnancy once the baby is safe in your arms. That has to be the case because I forgot how bad it was with Winnie. Of course, this time, Ace was supposed to be there to hold back my hair when I puked. That asshole is missing out on his master plan at work right now. Shaking that thought off because it's not fair; he couldn't have predicted this for us."Knock, knock." I hear Bear state from the doorway. I pull up from the floor and flush the toilet so he doesn't see the evidence.Pretty positive that this will be great birth control for any of the guys. Maybe I should try to make some money for a condom commercial. Take this terrible situation and at least make a profit off of my misery. "Enter at your own risk." My voice cracked at the words, but still trying to act like I wasn't just puking my guts up.The door slowly opens, Bear peeks his head inside, and his dark eyes so

I get back to my quarters and head for the shower. I can’t help but hope that the water washes off this piss-poor mood I am currently in. We have cut Mother’s supporters in half between the five of us. The remaining supporters should drop off quickly.This thought alone should make me happy; however, it doesn’t feel like I am doing enough. It feels like doing busy work instead of going for the kill shot I hoped would present itself. Of course, the viper of a woman wouldn’t show her weak points.I dressed to return to the war room, as we have been calling it. Leaving all matters regarding this on the upper levels ensures we have no leaks. We cannot afford any mistakes. I look at the videos that Saint has been sending of my girls. Winnie has been growing in confidence around the members. The feeling of jealousy isn’t something I have had little experience with, but I feel it now. I hate I am missing out on more of Winnie’s life. Missed out on the first part of her life and didn’t want t