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CHAPTER 3

Jude's POV

Friday 3:00 A.M

I woke up finding myself on a couch covered with a blanket in the living room and Callie was not here. I was scared they did something bad to her or they beat her up, Callie was always by my side except when she gets beaten up. I started looking for her downstairs but found no one. I wanted to go upstairs and look for her but what if they see me and beat me up too. I thought about it for a couple of minutes and then made my way up the stairs. I walked slowly and carefully trying not to make anyone hear my steps. I looked and there was 5 doors, and I didn't know which one to look in first. I looked around and one of the doors had the name Mariana on it, so I was guessing she would not be in that room, I walked to the other door and it was the bathroom, the third door was a guy's bedroom it was a bit messy and a guy was sleeping in his bed but no one else was there. I still had 2 bedrooms to check in, I guessed that one of them was Lena and Stef's bedroom, how was I supposed to get in their rooms. I was so scared and my heart was pounding so fast. Where is Callie? I asked myself. I heard someone's door open and I tried running somewhere to hide in but it was too late she already saw me. Lena looked at me and I thought that this is the end I'll be beaten up now.

"Jude, what are you doing here?" Lena asked with a whispering voice so she won't wake up others. I stuttered while I was trying to speak which made it obvious to Lena that I was nervous and scared I just want to know where Callie is and if she was okay.

"P…please don't beat me up I will go back to sleep"

"Omg Jude I would never beat you up what are you talking about" Lena said as she walked closer to me and put her hand on my shoulder.

"I…I…I was just…just looking for Callie"

"Callie is sleeping on the couch in our bedroom because there was no other space to sleep but tomorrow we'll get her the mattress from the garage don't worry about her she's fine" Lena told me with a calm voice making sure that she won't scare me while she talk

"Okay, I'm so sorry I woke you up, I won't ever do it again I promise" I looked at Lena in fear

"Jude no matter what me and Stef would never beat you or Callie this is a very bad thing to do and you should feel safe here" Lena said

"Okay thank you" I looked at Lena's eyes and they were very honest and true.

"I'll take you downstairs come with me" Lena took my hand and walked me downstairs. We went to the kitchen.

"Are you thirsty hun?" Lena asked. I nodded my head and she made her way to the fridge and got the water and then got two cups. She started pouring water in the cups, then handed me the cup and took one for herself.

"What makes you think that I'll beat you up Jude?" Lena asked

"I don't know it's just that I don't feel safe anywhere anymore, I'm always scared when Callie is not by my side because when she is she make sure that nothing happens to me. We were in very bad foster homes and Callie would always get beat up instead of me, I feel very bad about myself when she does that. She has bruises all over her body" I felt safe with Lena she seemed like a good person and a good mom. I wish I had a safe place and good parents to take care of me and Callie.

"Oh my god, Jude that is a very very bad thing, I can't believe you had to live this. I'm so sorry and I promise that you won't feel that way here" Lena said as she walked to me and hugged me trying to comfort me because tears formed in my eyes and slipped out of me eye. She continued "Why would they hit you or Callie, like what was the reasons?"

"Sometimes because a plate slipped out of our hands or a cup fell, if Callie was one minute late they would beat her up with the cord or a belt. It's just over the silliest mistakes" I looked at the cup making sure not to have eye contact with Lena.

"I'm so sorry you had to live this Jude, you should be loved and not beaten up, you have to feel safe here, okay?" I looked at Lena that was crying right now

"It's okay, you're a good person don't cry" I told Lena wiping a tear of her cheek. Lena laughed and hugged me again, this time tighter than the one before. The hug felt really good and I didn't want her to let go. She hugged me for about a minute and then she said

"Let's go back to sleep, I bet you're tired" Lena took me to the couch tucked me in and gave me a goodnight kiss on my forehead. I can't remember when was the last time someone hugged me, other than Callie.

"Good night" I told her as she disappeared leaving her scent behind.

Stef's POV

Friday 7:00 A.M

I woke up trying not to remember what happened last night to my kids. I can't get the picture of the gun pointed at them out of my head. It keeps popping in my mind. I looked at Lena kissed her on the forehead then looked at Callie who was has given up herself on sleep and looked like she doesn't want to wake up at all. I didn't want to send her or Brandon to school but I knew if I did that they will think we're not mad anymore. I walked up to Callie and felt the urge to give her a kiss on her forehead too, but I was afraid she would wake up and she doesn't like anyone being close to her anyways. I went downstairs and then to the kitchen made myself a coffee and sat on the stool when I saw Lena coming to me and sat beside me on the other stool. She looked at me for a while and then she placed her head on my shoulder we wanted to stay like this forever but eventually we will have to get ready and get the breakfast ready for kids, I didn't want to eat anything honestly I was feeling nauseous since yesterday. I was not going to work today because I can't leave Jude alone and Lena will do the papers to get him in school by tomorrow. Lena started making breakfast as I continued my coffee and helped Lena with the breakfast and made my way to our bedroom to wake up Callie. As I got in I didn't find Callie on the couch I looked at her in the bathroom and found her throwing up.

"Callie!!" I called to her "What happened love" I walked to her as I grabbed her hair with my hand and rubbed her back with the other. I felt really bad for her she couldn't breath when she was throwing up and then she started gagging.

"I'm fine, don't worry I just felt the urge to throw up" Callie looked at me and went to the sink to wash her face and mouth I followed while looking at her afraid she's getting sick

"Callie, why would you feel the urge to throw up are you sick?" I asked her putting my hand on her shoulder but I wish I didn't when she jumped out of her place and backed up slowly. It's just a habit that I have I always put my hands on my kids shoulders but I guess Callie didn't like it. "I'm sorry I scared you Callie" I said after hearing Callie let out a sigh

"I'm not sick" Callie said as she made her way out of the bathroom and to the couch "You don't have to worry" she continued

"What do you mean you just threw up out of nowhere?" I asked angrily

"Why do you care anyways?!!" Callie exclaimed as she took her clothes and went to the bathroom again to wear them

"Well I bet you're fine" I mumbled to myself as Lena approached and was getting ready as well

"Where is Callie?" Lena asked. Before I could say anything Callie was out of the bathroom with the same pair of jeans she had on the first day she came and some other shirt I bet she borrowed from Mariana. "Oh there she is" Lena said as Callie continued her way out of the room as fast as she could not saying anything. "What's wrong with her baby?" Lena asked

"I don't know she threw up when I went upstairs to get ready I thought she got sick well she might be but she didn't want to say anything she just took her clothes got ready and left" I was explaining to Lena as I heard a door shut very hard. I ran downstairs and looked out of the window seeing Callie running. I was very angry she was acting up this way, I went back to the bedroom were Lena was

"Did she leave?" Lena asked

"Yes, and she has to face the consequences of this I guess she burst at me and now she left the house without asking!" I told Lena looking into her eyes

"I don't think that would be a good idea right now, I think we want them to trust us Stef"

"Okay but at least we have to tell her that she can't be doing this and that this house has its rules"

"Okay baby we will tell her this when we talk to her about last night, let's just give her time" Lena looked at me and kissed me

"Tell me if she's at school or not, alright?"

"Okay i'll make sure to let you know" Lena said. Everyone woke up ate their breakfast and then made their way out of the house like a crew one after the other, looking at this daily made me feel blessed with my family even if it was not perfect Lena kissed me before making her way out. I went back in and then to the kitchen so I can fix the mess that happened with breakfast it was disastrous but that's what it looked like everyday. After about an 2 hours Jude approached to the kitchen

"Hey, what's up bud?" I asked

"I'm fine thank you" Jude told me

"Come sit on the stool"

"No it's okay i'm alright thank you" he looked at me and stared for about a minute when he finally decided to ask "Where is Callie?"

"Callie went to school Jude"

"Oh okay so she's going to school, thanks for telling me"

"Okay Jude are you gonna thank me all the time!" I told Jude as I looked at him and let out a small chuckle, Jude smiled and shrugged

"Do you want to have some pancakes Lena made them and they are so delicious" I told Jude making sure to be as friendly as possible

"No I want Callie" Jude said, I went closer to him and rested my hand on his shoulder, and to my surprise he had the same action that Callie had a while ago and I decided to never have contact with them until they feel comfortable with it, but to Jude it made him jump more and made his face pale. He then raised his hand and pushed his eyebrows "Don't hit me"

"Jude I would never hit you baby, you are okay here" I looked in confusion but making sure to make Jude feel safe and calm

"You were about to push me!!" Jude kind of yelled and was backing up slowly

"Nooo Jude I would never push you I would never do such a thing!" I told Jude with a soft assuring voice

"I want Callie, please take me to Callie!!!" Jude started crying I wanted a way to make him feel better but I didn't know how I wanted to soothe the little boy but nothing would make him calm right now except Callie

"Okay listen bud what if we call Lena and tell her that you want to talk with Callie do you think that's something you would like?" I asked Jude hoping that this would stop him from crying and that Callie was in school

"Yes, I want to talk to Callie" Jude exclaimed

"Okay I'll call Lena" I picked up my phone from the table and dialed Lena's phone number

"Hey love, Jude here wants to talk with Callie do you think you could take the phone to her" I told Lena hoping she would not ask further questions

"But Callie is in class right now Stef" Lena said

"I know that love but Jude wants to talk to her" I told Lena hoping that she would understand what I was trying to explain but i'll text her when I end the call and tell her what happened

"Okay I'll call you when I get to her class alright?" Lena told me

"Okay thank you love" I told Lena as I hung up and looked at Jude that stopped crying "She will get to her class and then call us okay Jude?"

"Okay" Jude let out a sigh of relief. I wrote a message to Lena and told her what had happened and she replied to me saying that she understood what I was trying to explain. A few moments later I got a call from Lena I answered put the phone on speaker and gave it to Jude quickly, Jude took the phone and started talking to Callie

"Hey Callie"

"Hey Jude, what's up bud why did you want to talk to me"

"I want you Callie"

"But Jude i'm at school right now when my classes end i'll come to you as fast as possible alright buddy"

"But i'm so scared Callie"

"You don't have to be scared Jude there is nothing to worry about no one will do anything to you, and if someone would've wanted to do something I would've never let you stay in that house alone, you know that"

"But you couldn't save me once what if you don't save me this time too?" what does he mean when he said you didn't save me once I was so curious to know why Jude doesn't trust us

"But Jude you know that house was not safe at all but I promise that this house is safe no one will beat you up this time alright, okay they might treat us bad but they will not beat us up okay? Now I have to go back to class don't do something stupid and stay on the couch till I get back you hear me and don't ask for anything, even if you're hungry when I come i'll take care of you" Callie told Jude and my eyes widened when I heard all those words from her, she knows that we won't beat them but she still doesn't trust us that much. How could she tell her brother not to ask for food when he's hungry I was interrupted by Jude when he tapped my hand and gave my back the phone

"Thank you" he said

"Jude you know that you don't have to listen to your sister, you can eat whatever you want when you're hungry and you can feel safe here, I promise you that no one here will ever touch you or do anything that makes you sad" I told Jude as he sat on the couch and looked at me with guilty eyes, he didn't want me to hear the conversation he had with Callie but he had no other choice. I wondered how Callie was saying this with Lena by her side maybe she wasn't. Jude didn't answer and I knew that it will take us a lot of time to make these kids trust us.

Callie's POV

I woke up today on the worst nightmare ever, I usually have frequent nightmares all the time but this time it was Liam I don't usually get nightmares about Lia except after I see him or think about him I hated the idea that he scares me cause I don't want him to scare me he doesn't deserve it and i'm stronger than getting scared of him. The fact of seeing that nightmare made me nauseous and my stomach was upset I ran to the bathroom putting my hands on my mouth to stop myself from throwing up everywhere when I finally reached the toilet and let everything in my stomach out there was barely anything to begin with so I was dry heaving most of it but only little liquid came out. After a few moments Stef was by my side now rubbing my back and making me feel better as I got up to the sink and started washing my mouth and face when Stef suddenly put her hand on my shoulder and rubbed gently but I wasn't used to anyone touching my shoulder except when they wanted to push me or hit me so I was scared for a moment I knew we were safe in this house but the flashbacks never got out of my mind and it made me jump whenever someone got in contact with me i'm just not used to it. I snapped back at Stef which was now shocked with my actions she didn't want to scare me. I took my clothes and wore them then made my way out of their bedroom and out of the house too, I just wanted to disappear because I felt embarrassed and I hated the fact that I was so vulnerable and that's why I snapped at Stef I didn't want her to think that i'm weak. I walked to school not really wanting but didn't want to get more in trouble I got to school right at time and went to my second class when Lena came to my classroom and was talking to my teacher while she looked at me, I guessed that she came to talk to me about how I snapped at Stef and if I was okay. Lena gave me the look to follow her and so I did until we got out of the classroom

"What happened?" I asked as Lena was still walking and I followed her kind of running to catch up with her she didn't answer me so I kept walking with her silently until we got to her office "Jude wants to talk to you" Lena commanded by the way she was talking I thought she was mad at me and it was an order more than a statement. I was worried about Jude too why did he want to talk to me I hope he's okay

"Why? What happened to him? Is he okay?" I asked Lena waiting for answers but instead she just handed me the phone and it was ringing now "Can I go talk to him alone?" I asked hoping that she would say yes but she gave me a nod and I was outside now. I talked with Jude and then went back in the office and gave Lena her phone thanked her and headed back out when Lena stopped me

"Wait Callie" I stopped and looked at her waiting to say something but she was probably waiting an answer from me

"Yeah?" I nodded assuring to her that i'm listening to what she's saying but she was kind of hesitant until she finally said "Nevermind, get to class we'll talk later" I left her room and there was 20 minutes till class end so I decided to get some air and then head back to class as I made my way out to the beach and sat there for good 5 minutes until I headed back in and bumped into someone as I approached to the door.

Lena's POV

I took Callie out of class and made her talk to Jude and then she asked me if she can talk to him outside and it made me curious, what were they talking about Callie looked intense when she was talking she came back and handed me back my phone I really wanted to talk to her about what happened with her and Stef this morning but I told Stef not to talk to her how am I supposed to be doing that so I dismissed her and got up out of my seat and out of the office but when I saw Callie walking she didn't head to class so I followed her when I was stopped by a teacher who was asking how I was and opened a little chit-chat but I wanted to see where Callie was so I quickly told the teacher it was nice talking to you and ran to find Callie but I couldn't my only chance was to see if she went to the beach I headed there and as I was about to step outside I bumped into Callie

"Aren't you supposed to be in class young lady!" I told Callie

"Yeah, but I just came out to breath in some air it was just 5 minutes and I'm off to class now" she said with a calm strong voice maybe to show me that she wasn't lying

"Okay go to class now!" I ordered looking straight into Callie's eyes letting know that I was mad. The day passed by and when it was time to go home everyone was by the car waiting for me to come I was just late 15 or 20 minutes talking with some teachers and grabbing my stuff, again Callie was not here. Where does this girl go for heaven's sake!! I told myself I was really angry this time she always leave without asking anyone or even saying and we had to have a talk with her and this should be today!

Stef's POV

12:00 A.M

It has been at least 2 hours since Jude talked with Callie he haven't got out of that couch at all not even to go to the bathroom or to drink water I was kind of worried because he looked like he could really use the bathroom right now and his lips are so dried up he could use some water too. Callie is not coming home in at least 4 hours and he can't stay like that for 4 more hours. I sat next to him but made sure not to come so close to him so I won't make him feel uncomfortable and wanted to start talking to him and convince him to go to the bathroom "Okay bud so you don't want to eat I understand but don't you even wanna go pee?" I asked with a soft voice he didn't even look up at me and he kept his daze on the cup of water that I placed next to him half an hour ago but didn't even drink one sip.

"No, I'm fine" he said I knew that I had to make a way to let him go to the bathroom

"Are you a liar Jude?" I asked in a teasing way, Jude furrowed his brows and looked at me with a shake in his head "Then why are you lying?" I continued

"I'm not lying" he said with a hesitant voice knowing that he just did

"You just lied to me, you know that I can detect the liers as soon as they lie?"

"How?" Jude asked widening his eyes open

"It's because i'm a cop and I know when people lie so I know that you really want to use the bathroom right now and I know that you're hungry and thirsty but you don't want to do anything because Callie asked you not to but it's not fair right? She is probably having lunch now and eating when she asked you not to! Plus she never said that you can't use the bathroom right?" I asked teasingly hoping that this technique might help a little bit with Jude knowing that he is only 12 years old and he probably didn't want to be called a liar

"I guess so" he said as he shrugged and got up running to the bathroom I smiled at him knowing that finally something worked I hoped that now he will eat too or I will have to find some other technique. Jude went back to the living room and sat where he was sitting in the first place he looked at me and gave me a slight smile.

"Does that mean you will eat now?" I asked enthusiastically hoping that the answer will be yes I was guessing he will say no but to my surprise he just shrugged and took the cup of water that was in front of him and started sipping from it until there was not even a single drop in it and then he looked and me and said "I'm not a liar" I looked at him and gave him a small nod and a smile to assure to him that I believe him as I rushed to the kitchen and did something very quick for him to eat before he changes his mind. I made him some eggs and the aroma in the room was filled with that smell and it made me hungry I poured some milk and quickly called Jude to come to the island as he came I quickly pointed him to the stool that I put the food next to and told him to eat

"Come on buddy I made you some eggs they are so delicious and I made myself one so you don't have to eat all by yourself" as I gave him a wink and a smile. He bit the first egg and then realized how hungry he was and started eating faster and faster

"Woaahhh slow down love I don't want you to choke and drink some milk" I ordered Jude and he barely listened to me I was so glad that he is finally eating and that he didn't listen to what his sister told him. I knew by now when Callie got home I will ask her to stop scaring her brother because this will not work and they were not dangerous people.

4:00 P.M

Hours passed by and I figured a way to let Jude choose a movie and watch it together so time can pass by and we shouldn't wait that much for the others to come. They should be home in a couple of minutes now when I suddenly heard a knock on the door I knew it was not Lena because she had a key and all the kids had one anyways they will be coming with Lena I went up and opened the door.