I just want to say i'm so so sorry this has taken so long to update! I was in the process of finishing my Uni Degree then went abroad for a week! But i am back now :)

the day went quickly and whilst Maddie was getting ready she couldn't think about anything but what she was about to tell both Ethan and Cal, it could ruin everything.

C "Mads you ready?"

Taking a deep breath and smoothing out her jacket in the mirror Maddie started to make her way downstairs, she saw Cal waiting at the bottom smiling at her.

seeing how nervous she looked cal pulled her into his large arms for a hug whilst rubbing her back.

C"hey, hey it is fine no matter what you tell us we will be here alright?"

Maddie looked up to Cal and nodded forcing a small smile on her face, Cal released her in his hold and broke into a coughing fit whilst Maddie looked on sympathetically.

M "you sure you are ok to go back to work?"

Cal nodded in response although Maddie wasn't sure if she believed him.

M " right let's get this over with"

They both went out and climbed into Cal's car and set off, Maddie was playing with her phone most of the journey until Cal shook her arm telling her they were here. Maddie unbuckled her seat belt and took a deep breath. Cal placed his hand on her thigh and smiled which Maddie returned.

Cal climbed out of his car and went to Maddie's side to open the door for her, after locking his car they started the short walk to the Cafe in which they were meeting Ethan.

when it came into site Maddie slowed right down until she came to a stop, then backed away against a wall.

Cal looked to his side and realised Maddie was no longer there, he turned back and saw her, heading towards her he started to approach more slowly

C "hey little one whats wrong?"

Cal noticed her breathing was starting to get a little quicker and that she was developing a thin layer of sweat on her forehead.

M "i can't do this Cal.. i .." placing her head into her hands sliding down the wall till she was crouching.

C "Maddie you don't have to do anything you know that right? Ethan and I will always be here for you whether you want to talk to us now or in ten years time. Just take a deep breath little one"

Maddie nodded and took a deep breath like Cal had instructed her too.

C "good and again just concentrate on your breathing"

*Cals phone started ringing*

C "hey Eth, were just round the corner see you in a few"

Maddie stood up a bit too quickly making her go a bit dizzy, Cal noticed this and gripped her tiny waist whilst she clung onto his strong arms trying to regain her balance. she let go as did Cal however to be cautious he wrapped one arm around her waist for support if she needed it and they both walked towards the Cafe Ethan was waiting for them at.

After grabbing something to drink Cal and Maddie went to sit with Ethan in a secluded booth he had chosen.

M "so.. i really don't know where to start to be honest. I.. erm.. " letting out a sigh Maddie put her elbows on the table and placed her head in her hands.

Ethan placed his hand on her back rubbing gentle circles

E "Just start where ever you feel comfortable, take your time"

M "ok so i am just going to speak please don't interrupt me.. so i guess it all started when i was 15, my brother Daniel was 11 and we were inseparable... my parents loved Daniel very much, he was their favourite child and they never hesitated to make that known, i loved him so much that it didn't bother me.

We came home from school one day to find my mother drunk which was a regular occurrence however my father didn't know he was at work. I had to study for my GCSE's which were right around the corner so I went up to my room, Daniel came in for a while and i helped him with his homework.

He went downstairs to get a dvd that he could watch in my room but when he came back up he was in floods of tears.

I cuddled him and he told me that mum had slapped him... i was fuming.. so so angry i ran downstairs and found our so called "mother" and asked what the hell she was doing, she told me that he knocked over her bottle of vodka and that she didn't mean it, that she loved him and just wishes i would leave so she could have a perfect family, she told me i was the cause of her drinking, i was the cause of everything that went wrong. I was useless. Pointless. Stupid and many others. Sensing no sign of any progress with her i gave up and retreated to my room looking for Daniel only he wasn't there. starting to check every hiding place i knew for him.. i couldn't.. i "

Maddie stopped and took a huge deep breath keeping her eyes firmly on her hands not able to look at either of the boys

"I started to panic, i heard a huge crash and screaming outside and i just knew something bad had happened to him. I sprinted outside and just stopped my whole world stopped it came crashing down. Daniel was lying there. He wasn't moving, his body was contorted to a weird angle and there was.. was so so much blood. The driver of the car that hit him was crying, my mother stood behind me staring whilst my baby brother was dying in front of my eyes i ran too him and just picked him up and held him in my arms he blinked his eyes open..."

sniffing quickly Maddie couldn't stop the tears that started falling down her cheeks.

C "hey, hey little one if you don't feel like you can continue it's ok Eth and i are right here"

Maddie shook her head, wiping her cheek of the tears now falling at a steady pace.

"he looked at me, and i knew i knew he was going to die in my arms, but i had to stay strong for my little brother.

"hey little bro, just hold in there ok, i love you so much i won't ever leave you ok?"

He motioned for me to bring my face closer and whispered in my ear

"Maddie, you are amazing you're the only family i ever needed, you need to get away from mum and dad you're worth more,thank you for looking after me, i love you so much, i always be with you never forget that but i need to say goodbye now"

he closed his eyes and left me. he left me "

now sobbing uncontrollably Ethan passed Maddie a tissue

E "maddie sweetheart, i am so so sorry, would you like to go home?"

Maddie used the tissue and shook her head

M "i really need to finish and if i don't say it now i don't know if i ever will"

nodding understandably the boys both motioned for her to continue

"so the ambulance and the police got there and they took Daniel away from me after pronouncing him dead at the scene,

the police officer took me inside my house and asked where my parents were, i called for my mother but there was no reply, i told them my father was at work. they called him and he arrived soon after.

A few hours later my mother turned up sober, pretending she had no idea what happened my father comforted her and told her what she already knew.

I saw a note lying on my dresser, picking it up i noticed it was Daniels writing i fell to the floor in tears, i opened it, he had written it just before he left the house "Maddie, i am very sorry mum shouted at you, it was my fault i knocked her vodka over. I have taken my pocket money and i am going to the shop to buy her a new bottle so she won't be mad anymore. I love you, Daniel xx" i just crumbled i couldn't breathe i just got up and ran, i went to the park where i slept over night for a week without a word from my parents. When i returned that is when things started getting even worse.

My parents they blamed me, my dad thought i was the only one home and had no clue about my mothers drinking problem, in their eyes it was my fault and my mum convinced my dad that it was.

They locked me in a cupboard for two weeks with barely any food or water, after that came the daily beatings they would throw me in a blacked out room and just beat me, torture me, whatever they pleased i was tied up and couldn't do a thing. Then my "father" would patch me up. he was a.. was a.. doctor"

looking Cal directly in the eye i saw realisation wash over his face as he looked at me sympathetically reaching to hold my hand, glading accepting the contact he started rubbing the back of my hand.

"he would give me stitches, relocate dislocations, and whatever else needed doing only he always said i didn't deserve medicine or pain relief."

a shocked gasp escaped the lips of Ethan and Cal whilst Cal's hand tightened around my own

"i started having panic attacks from the whole thing, only every time i did i got thrown into the cupboard for being "stupid" and that it was my own fault it was all happening, eventually i started staying at friends house's until i found your advert online and decided to just move and it was the best decision i ever made."

Smiling at the two brothers who still had very concerned looks on their faces and looked like they were bursting with questions, my face fell

"only i started getting texts from them..threatening me.. and i just.. i don't know i can't go back"

E "Maddie it's ok we can help you! you never have to go back to them Cal and i would never allow that to happen"

C "it's true Maddie, you're safe with us"

E "we need to go to the police"

Maddie's head shot up looking terrified

C "We will be with you the entire time ok, there is no need to be scared"

E "we can go tomorrow Cal and I both have the afternoon off right?"

Cal nodded

M "please can we go home guys i am so tired and i just need to sleep right now"

C "i need to go and start my shift at the hospital but Eth will take you home"

Cal stood up as did Maddie and his large frame engulfed her tiny one in a hug. Maddie wrapped her arms tightly around Cal. reluctantly letting go she waved goodbye to Cal and left the Cafe with Ethan who placed his hand on her lower back the entire walk to the car, opening the door for Maddie she climbed in and took a deep breath thinking about the entire days events. She was strangely relieved which she never thought would be the case although was incredibly nervous for the next day and dealing with the police, however knowing Cal and Ethan were there with her made the thought much more bearable.