25th June, 2013. 16:59

The girl looks up to me with wide, terrified eyes, not moving. I smile gently, crouching down.

"O namae wa nan desu ka?" I ask her, but she frowns at the question, only shaking a bit more.

"Makoto?" Robyn calls out softly, and I whirl around, looking at her in anticipation. She doesn't continue however, looking at me with wide eyes as well.

"Who are you?" The unknown girl whispers, and it was only then that I realise what was happening. Makoto… Robyn called me Makoto.. My Japanese name.

"I'm sorry" I spoke softly, shifting so I was sitting on the ground. "It's been long since I spoke English, I .. I didn't realise" I apologise, but the girl still seemed wary.

"Namae wa?" Robyn asks, and I frown, again looking back.

"Asuka, eigo de hanashite kudasai" I tell her, turning back to the girl. "She asked your name, her English is not very good" I explain to the girl, taking a deep breath myself. The whole situation only made it more evident that we lost Camille, that we couldn't speak in our language anymore. From now on we had to start English again.

I frown slightly. Robyn.. Asuka.. wouldn't be happy about that.

"Rachel.. my name's Rachel" She tells me, watched me as if she still didn't trust. Which, I guess, was fair since we hadn't given her a good reason to trust her yet, not to mention us speaking a totally different language.

"My name's Mikey, or Makoto in Japanese. That's Robyn, or Asuka" I spoke, and Robyn nodded, slowly getting off the bed and walking towards me. I immediately curl an arm around her as she sits down, allowing her to lean against me.

"How old… are you?" Robyn spoke, her accent too noticeable after not speaking English for so long. But Rachel understood nevertheless.

"11" She spoke, eyes darting around, as if the panic was just now coming back. "Where are we?" She asks, and I'm surprised she hadn't completely freaked out yet. All things considered, she was pretty calm.

This thing however, never got easy. "Rachel… you were taken by two people, a couple."

"But why?" She interrupts, and I look at her with a sad look.

"The couple.. lost their own kids, now 6 years ago or something." I continue, rubbing my eyes slightly. 6 years, when I first arrived here it had been 3.. 2006.. or 2007. I had been here 3 and a half years. It hadn't been the fourth of July yet, so …

Robyn squirms against my side, burying her face against it. I smile gently, nuzzling her. I knew what she was doing, she was trying to cheer me up. And it worked for some reason.

"They were traumatised by the ordeal, and started taking children to replace theirs." Rachel just looks at me, and Robyn. "They had 3 children, Peter, that's me. Maddy, that's you, and Jessy, that's Robyn"

"But I'm not Maddy?" Rachel questions softly, squinting her eyes slightly. I sigh, nodding.

"I know, but trust me, it's better if you play along with their game" I tell her, wincing at the memories of previous girls who didn't. "You're Maddy, the middle child, 12 years old. I'm your older brother Peter, I'm 14" Even if I was already 15.

"I'm Jessy, but I'm 9" Robyn adds, and I smile down at her, slightly conflicted. But that pretty much sums up the last 3 and a half years. It was always conflicted. We were still locked up, we were still scared out of our minds.. but we tried to have fun, tried to enjoy ourselves, tried to make the best of the situation.

And one day.. one day we would find a way out.

TMNT

June 7th, 2014. 08:29

"Morning" I mutter, glancing at Leo before taking another bite of my cereal again, glancing back at the screen in front of me.

"Hey little bro, how are you feeling?" He asks me cautiously, sitting down next to me. I shrug, not looking at him, but instead focusing on the screen in front of me. "Please talk to me"

"About how I ran away scared last night?" I mutter, angrily munching on my cereal, which in itself would've made me laugh any other day… or rather, 4 years ago.

"You didn't … you shouldn't feel embarrassed or ashamed about that" Leo says. "So many parents were confused when dad called them, many asked if it was really okay when they arrived, you know why?"

I glance at him, shaking my head slightly. Leo sighs, extending his arms and pausing the movie I was watching, before looking at me again.

"They were surprised you arranged this so soon after it happened. They were scared for you because they thought it was too soon. But they were also admiring you for doing this so soon afterwards. You weren't a coward by running away, you were brave for holding out so long, for putting yourself behind others"

"Well after 4 years I kinda got used to it" I mutter, and I could see Leo wince. And for some reason, I couldn't find the energy to apologise. But this was the first time I really lashed out, brought up the consequences of my captivity. Most of the time I would try to forget what happened, try to move on with my life.

"I'm sorry" I continue, turning away, but I could see Leo shaking his head.

"No need for that little bro, say what you want, it helps" I cock an eyebrow at that, a smile tugging on my lips. "If it serves a purpose" He glares, but couldn't contain his own smile from appearing on his face.

"And here I thought I could finally critique you without consequences" I snicker, and Leo laughs, shaking his head again.

"You can't little bro" He snickers, looking up as Raph walked down the stairs as well. "I didn't hear you last night by the way" He adds softly, and I look up with a frown, glancing at Raph for only a second.

"I kinda didn't fall asleep in my old bed" I say with a soft tone, and Leo glances back at Raph, before a knowing smile appears on his face. "No nightmares" I add, before Leo can comment.

"Don't feel embarrassed by that little bro" I chuckle slightly, shaking my head. "And especially if it helps keep the nightmares away" Leo continues. I nod slightly, looking down and heart beating slightly faster.

Because that was exactly what Rachel had told Robyn the day she died.

Just 3 months ago.

TMNT

26th February, 2014. 22:56

"It's getting worse" Rachel whispers, showing the inside of her hand. I swallow thickly, looking at the ball of hair that was sitting in Rachel's hand. I carefully take it from her, and Rachel brushes Robyn's hair to the side, revealing another bald spot on her head. "What do you think it is?" She continues.

Robyn was leaning against Rachel, sound asleep, finally.

I sigh, sitting down on the bed as well, reaching out for Robyn. "I have no idea" I whisper softly, looking at her. Robyn had bags under her eyes. Nightmares kept waking her up the last few months, and she seemed twitchy, nervous, anxious. And to make things worse, she was losing hair.

The bald spots too frequent to not notice right now.

"You think it's stress?" Rachel suggest and I frown slightly.

"Could be.. she seems more.. agitated lately" I whisper softly, nodding painfully.

"The woman won't like her hair, you know Jessy's hair was her specialty" Again, I nod, running my hands over my face with a frustrated sigh.

"Will she be mad?" Robyn whispers softly, and I whirl my head around, looking at the eyes that were just barely open and looking at me. I chuckle despite the situation.

"Hey there Asuka, I thought you were sleeping" I say, nudging her gently. Robyn shakes her head, leaning against Rachel even more. The latter smiled, wrapping her arm tighter around Robyn in turn.

"Don't wanna sleep" Robyn whispers, and I frown slightly.

"Why don't you want to sleep Asuka?" I ask her gently, and Robyn.. Asuka, looks at me with fearful eyes.

"Nightmares" She whispers. Rachel's expression falls, and she shifts slightly so she could look Robyn straight in the eyes.

"And if I stay with you?" Rachel asks gently, but Robyn is far from convinced.

"I'm scared they will come back" She whispers, but Rachel smiled gently. She glances at me for a quick second, giving me a slow nod.

"But they won't come back when I'm here, not when Mikey is here to protect you" It was faulty reasoning, we both knew that, but maybe Robyn wouldn't. She was still young after all. And there was a good chance it would work. It wasn't a secret that being close to people you trusted kept nightmares away.

It helped me numerous times when I was younger, dad would take me into his bed, or one of the guys would come to my room, or I'd come to theirs.

Robyn nods sleepily against Rachel. The latter shifts slightly, getting more comfortable herself. I helped get the blanket over the both of them, locking eyes with Rachel. She nods, silently telling me it's okay. Still, I didn't move from my spot. I stayed where I was until I was sure Robyn was fast asleep.

"Get some sleep yourself" I whisper silently, standing up and crawling into Rachel's bed instead.

"You too" She chuckles, closing her eyes as well.

27th February, 2014. 14:02

"I saw this lovely hairstyle on the internet, I just need to try it" The woman announces her presence. Immediately, I stiffen, glancing at Robyn. I could see Rachel look at her as well. And for a second our eyes lock, blue eyes meeting the green eyes ones of Rachel. And we both feared the same.

Robyn's life.

Robyn herself didn't seem to understand the situation like we did, but she was still scared out of her mind. Which was the only reason, the only cause of her hair falling out, stress, fear. Both contributed by the couple that took us. I take a deep breath, slowly walking over to Robyn and sitting down next to her.

"It will be okay, everything's gonna be okay" I whisper in her ear, kissing her head quickly and wrapping my arms around her protectively. But I knew that wouldn't stop the door from opening. I take a shuddering, locking eyes with the woman the moment she walked through the door.

"Jessy" She smiled, but I don't move, and neither does Robyn. I glance at Rachel, who was glaring at the back of the woman's head, slowly reaching a book.. a weapon. I shake my head, and she locks eyes with me. Don't do it. I mouth. I couldn't let her be killed. I couldn't lose her.

I promised to get her out of her, get her back to her adopted family, allow her to see her grandma again, her last living relative. She had lost so much already, her parents and sister in a car crash now 7 years ago. Her grandma unable to care for her so she was put up for adoption.

I promised I'd get her back.

"Jessy?" The woman frowns. "Jessy come on" She urges, walking over to us, but I push Robyn behind me. She couldn't see her, couldn't see her hair.

"Peter what is up with you lately?" The woman frowns. "Let Jessy go"

I shake my head. "She's not feeling well mom" I wince slightly, she wasn't my mom, I just had to play along.

"Nonsense, she was fine this morning" You haven't checked in days. Then her gaze suddenly turned angry. "Now let me see my daughter Peter" She warned. I shake my head again, she would turn around soon, she always did. But the only thing that came was the hand for my cheek.

I gasp, head shooting to the sight. Immediately my eyes go wide, and I turn to the woman. She didn't even look sorry, in my moment of confusion, she reached for Robyn, dragging her with.

"Mikey!" Robyn cried out, and I dart forwards, grabbing her hand.

"Asuka It's going to be alright, everything will be okay" I urge, before Robyn was ripped from my grasp.

"Your father will deal with you later Peter" The woman snorts, dragging Robyn further.

"I love you Asuka" I whisper, before the door was closed.

TMNT

"I didn't know at the time, but Robyn didn't come back that day." I glance to the side, consciously not talking about the fact that the man did come downstairs. The pain I felt… "She didn't come back that day, not the following day, or the day after"

Leo, Don and Raph listened silently, Leo holding my hand tightly, but I didn't pay attention to it.

"I knew.. I knew when they brought Allison down" They had killed Robyn.

"The morgue examined her body, they said they broke her neck" Don whispers, and I nod numbly.

"I'm glad" I whisper, glancing at him. "That means she didn't suffer" I take a shuddering breath, standing up suddenly and walking over to the window.

"I just.. the knife was in her pocket, if I hadn't urged Rachel to stay put that day.. we could've gotten the knife" I sigh, looking down. "I know it's unlikely, the woman wouldn't have realised, and taken the knife back… or let us kill her.. but I still feel guilty. I was supposed to protect Robyn"

I turn around, looking at my three older brothers. They were looking back at me with a look of understanding, of course they would. They all knew what it was like to look after a younger sibling, and they all knew the guilt of failing that younger sibling. Me getting captured, Robyn.. Emi.. and all the others dying.

"You couldn't have stopped that" Leo whispers, shaking his head and standing up. "Just like we couldn't have stopped you from being taken" He continues, putting his hands on my shoulders. I look up hesitantly.

"Do you blame us for not seeing it? Not paying attention to you?" He asks softly, and although it was a rhetorical question almost, I could see he still blamed himself for not paying attention. I shake my head softly.

"I thought about that day a lot, wondered how different things would be if I hadn't walked off to the bathroom alone.. if either of you had to go as well.. but I never blamed you for not coming with, or dad" I spoke slowly.

"And I'm sure that's how the girls felt as well. They knew you cared for them, they knew you tried everything to protect them. They knew you loved him, and they knew you couldn't have done anything" Leo urges, and I could see Raph and Don nodding.

"Does the guilt ever go away?" I whisper, feeling tears jump into my eyes. And I knew what Leo was going to respond, didn't make it any easier when he shook his head.

"It doesn't, but knowing you made it out alive helps."

"But the girls didn't" I retort slightly, and Leo shakes his head.

"Not all of them, but you got Rachel and Allison out, from what you've told me, you got the knife, you made the plan, and you protected Rachel by taking that beating" Leo whispers softly. "You gave Emelia a loving brother, when all she knew was neglectful parents. You cared for all those girls, made them laugh, made them feel safe in an impossible scenario"

Leo takes a short breath, looking straight at me.

"I know you feel guilty, and we do too, but try to focus on the good you've brought those girls. The closure you gave those parents. Without you.. that wouldn't have happened. Without you, Rachel and Allison would still be locked up, and the parents would've never known how their children died."

I nod again, staring right back at Leo. "I know you're right Leo" I start hesitantly. "And I know what you said is true.. but I can't help but feeling guilty.. it gets better every day though.. but I still feel it"

"That shows you're healing little brother, and that's not a bad thing, nor the fact that you still feel guilty. I guess we all do now.."

I chuckle softly, looking at both Raph and Don. "Thank you guys.. for everything.. and listening to me." I draw out, and Raph chuckles.

"Just keep talking bonehead, well help ya get back on yer feet" He rumbles, and I smile.

"I know.. I feel so much better after telling you" I whisper, but then shaking my head. "But that was everything.. after Robyn they got Allison, and I already told you what happened in the beginning"

"That may be true, but there's still so much. And I'm not saying you should tell everything.. I'm just saying there's a lot more to tell, so if you want to tell, or if you're feeling bad.. come to us, to dad.."

"I will big bro" I whisper softly, nodding shakily. He smiled, wrapping his arms around me and bringing me closer. I let him, burying my face in the embrace before looking over his shoulder. Don and Raph were both smirking, Don in the embrace of Raph, and looking at me with satisfied eyes.

I smile at them, before burying my face fully in Leo's chest, allowing tears to fall freely.

Thank you. I could feel Leo wrap his arms tighter around me, kissing my forehead. Thank you for saving me.

And for the first time since 4 and a half years I could truly feel the responsibility seeping away from me. I had told all their stories, Jane, Eisley, Irina, Emi, Camille, Robyn. They knew everything, and the parents would know how their girls died.. other parents would have closure.

And Rachel and Allison were safe.

I let Leo carry me back to the couch, suddenly too exhausted to do anything else anymore. Because I didn't have to do it anymore… I was safe.. I didn't have to watch my back, and the back of two other girls, to keep them safe. It was okay to relax, to take a step back from everything.

"I'm so glad you came back to us otouto" Leo whispers in my arm, kissing my forehead. I smile, snuggling closer to him, and wrapping the blanket closer around myself.

Me too. But I couldn't muster up the energy to say it.

I felt safe.

I am safe

TMNT

One more chapter to go! Rescue tiiime