A/N: The song in this chapter is called Seamless by Sabrina Carpenter. I thought it fit really well…As always don't forget to let me know what you think.
Chapter 10
There she was, there was Riley! She was running toward Maya as she was wheeled to the ambulance. Riley stopped when she reached the gurney. Maya held out her arms and Riley fell into her embrace. They sobbed tears of joy and of sadness. Cory and Topanga were there now too. Maya looked up to find Topanga staring at her neck. The collar.
'Please get it off of me" Maya begged in a low, weak voice, keeping her eyes locked with Topanga's. Topanga rushed over and tried to remove it finding it locked in place. Cory was at Topanga's side in an instant, handing her a pocket knife.
"Maya, Sweetie, Hold still. I have to cut it off." Maya nodded, closing her eyes. Riley stepped back to give her mom room to work but kept a tight grip on Mayas hand. As Topanga slid the knife between the collar and her neck Maya squeezed Riley's hand. She needed the collar off but the cold of the blade brought back memories of pain and embarrassment for Maya. Topanga made quick work of removing the collar and dropped it into and evidence bag as soon as it was off; her heart was breaking for Maya. Mayas hand instantly went to her neck and rubbed it gently. She needed to feel with her own hands that the collar was truly off of her because even though it was only on for a short time it still felt like it had become part of her.
"Thank you" Maya whispered letting a lone tear slip from her eye. It was not just for removing the collar; it was for saving her, for loving her, for being her family.
"I'm sorry, but we have to take Ms. Hart to the hospital now." A paramedic said, feeling bad that he had to break up this reunion.
"Umm, can they ride with me?" Maya asked quietly. Had Topanga been standing a few feet away she would not have heard Mayas request.
"We only have room for two of you" the paramedic said looking between Cory, Topanga and Riley.
"Topanga, you and Riley ride with Maya, I will follow behind in a bit. I want to check in with the detectives anyhow." Cory said. He wanted to be there for Maya but he could tell that she needed some time with just the girls.
"Maya, I love you and I am so glad that you are ok" Cory said. As he started to walk away Maya spoke up.
'Wait, Thank you so much!" Maya said as she reached out for Cory. He quickly went to her, engulfing her in a tight, fatherly hug. He rested his hand on her head and just held her until she began to pull away.
"Ok, we have to go, I'm sorry" the paramedic said as she began to wheel Maya away. Riley stayed by her side while Topanga hugged Cory before jogging to catch up to them.
In the ambulance
They rode in silence for a while, no one really knowing what to say. It was Maya who started.
"I, Um.. Well… what happens now?" She looked over to Topanga.
"Well, when you get to the hospital they will have to examine you. They will collect evidence," Topanga paused swallowing hard. "They will do a rape kit. After that they will have you give a statement to the police. As long as you are medically clear you will be released from the hospital sometime tomorrow." Maya nodded silently and then looked at Topanga again.
"Will you stay with me? I mean, Can you?" Topanga reached her hand out and Maya took it.
"If that is what you want then there is not a force that can stop me." Maya nodded again. Riley watched as he mom and best friend talked. Maya was broken and Riley wasn't sure if she could ever get past this.
"Maya, What can I do to help you?" Riley wondered out loud. Maya looked at her and then reached out her free hand.
"Just don't leave me. Please. I don't know what I would do without you here." Mayas voice cracked. She was trying so hard not to cry again. Her head was pounding. Her body ached. She was exhausted.
"Is my mom coming?" Maya already knew the answer, But she was trying to hold onto the hope that her mother really did care.
"Maya, she was arrested. It turns out she gave Colin permission to take you. Her parental rights have been terminated." Topanga said. She couldn't lie to Maya, but she hated having to tell her the truth.
"So, I'm an orphan?" Maya said, finally letting her tears fall again.
"What? No, not at all. Maya as soon as her rights were terminated Cory and I petitioned to become your temporary guardians. We Love you like our own Maya." This made Maya sob harder. She felt Riley start rubbing her head singing a song. It was the one Maya had written for the talent show last year. Riley had convinced Maya to enter.
Good morning, you're leaving You and me together We're klutzy, but so lucky You and me together You're right by my side whenever I need you You and me together
I'll see you in the evening
My best friend till the end
My better half no pretend
Our language is sacred
Though people try to solve it
New adventures on the way
Take on the world forever
I know all your secrets
And I promise you I'm gonna keep them
I'll be there when you are feeling clueless
You and me, oh yeah we're seamless
Woah oh, yeah, woah oh
That I always have you to catch me
We're partners in crime
You're stuck with me your whole life
So different, out of our minds
From a planet that's hard to find
Every second every day
Take on the world forever
I know all your secrets
And I promise you I'm gonna keep them
I'll be there when you are feeling clueless
You and me, oh yeah we're seamless
Through the hardest times
I'll be there for you
At the crack of dawn when the moon is gone
I won't be hard to find
Cause you and me, oh yeah we're seamless
Take on the world forever
I know all your secrets
And I promise you I'm gonna keep them
I'll be there when you are feeling clueless
You and me, oh yeah we're seamless
Woah oh, woah oh
By the time Riley stopped singing Maya had drifted off to sleep. Riley let her tears fall as she leaned over and rested her head on Topanga's shoulder
Back at the Cabin
Cory had talked to the detective for nearly an hour now and all he knew was that Colin had gotten away. Cory was Irate when he found out. He had to protect his family from this monster. The detective walked back over to Cory after taking a phone call.
"Mr., Matthews, I have talked to my supervisor. This is normally against protocol but you have permission to tour the property. You will see some things that are highly disturbing but we hope that it will help you to help Maya. Also we want to allow you to get her belongings. Please follow me." With that Cory was on his way into the house. He followed the detective into the basement first. He was horrified at the things he saw. His eyes rested on the bed. The sheets had been removed but there were still visible blood stains that Cory could see. He scanned the room again stopping at the cage. He could see the dried blood on the thin mat of the cage. He also saw the whip that was lying on the floor near the poles. He shuddered. With that the detective led Cory back up the stairs and they continued to look through the house. The main level was mostly normal so they only walked through it. Once they reached the second floor the detective stopped.
"Would you like to get her belonging first or go to the room that she was found in first?" Cory thought for a moment.
"Her belongings first." He said. The detective nodded and led him down the hall and into the room that had multiple locks on the door. As he entered Cory too in the sight of the room it was mostly bare so it was easy to collect the belongings. He grabbed the backpack and the journal as well as the blank sketch book and pencils, placing them all into the bag. Then he turned and followed the detective into the other room. Cory stopped in the doorway. He didn't have to go all the way into the room to see the bed. He could see the blood. He could see the restraints. He turned around and walked out of the room as fast as he could. Once he was outside he turned to the detective again and said "My wife, Could she come here as well? She is a Lawyer and she is going to need to see this to help Maya." The detective nodded.
"Yes, I can let her look around"
"Thank you." Cory said. He headed to the car with Mayas backpack in tow. Once he was settled in the car he sent a text to Topanga.
"I went into the house, you can go in too." Cory left it at that. He started the car drove. His mind was racing and he couldn't remember a time he had been so angry. His phone buzzed with a reply from Topanga.
"Breath Honey. How bad was it?" He took a deep breath and responded.
"It's really bad"
A/N Ok sorry it has taken so long. I have been sick the last few days. I hope to update again later or tomorrow. Let me know what you think.