May 9th, 2014. 18:03
"I'm just done Rachel, I don't know how long I can keep doing this" I whisper, closing my eyes and leaning my forearms on my knees.
I could feel Rachel looking at me with guilty eyes, even if I didn't see her. "You gotta hang on Mikey, they'll make a mistake eventually" Rachel tries to encourage me, reaching out carefully until her hand rested on my shoulder. I look up, tears streaming down my face but looking at her.
"I've been telling myself that for 4 and a half years Rachel… it's been over 7 years since they started.. I know I should but it's just hard" I mumble and Rachel nods numbly. She glances back at the door for a second, and I was glad she had closed it. Allison didn't need to hear my doubts, she was too young.
I had to be strong for her.
"I get that Mikey, but you can't give up." She tells me, and I nod, wiping away my tears.
"I don't even know if my family still remembers me.. I know it's a silly thing to say.. but what if they moved on? What if they.. aren't looking anymore?" I mumble, taking a shuddering breath. How would they even look like right now? Would they still recognise me after all these years?
I glance down at myself. There were a couple of bruises that were still healing, already healed gashes and cuts, some healed, some still healing. I was thin, unhealthy. My hair had grown out slightly without the ability to go to a barber, but the woman sometimes made an effort to cut it.
I had changed, I was different.
"I'm sure they do" Rachel argues, her voice firm. But I sure as hell wasn't as sure as she was. "And I'm pretty sure they know something was up with your abduction"
I whirl around at that sentence, frowning. "What do you mean?" I ask, and this time it's Rachel who sighs.
"It was on the news before I got taken as well, several kidnappings in New York over the past years, and the police was pretty sure they were all connected.
"Why?" I find myself asking, what did my kidnapping have in common with the other girls? Or where they even referring to Em.. to Camille and so on? Maybe there was somebody else out there kidnapping children as well.
"Kidnapped in broad daylight, on busy festivals or parks. No body found after all these years"
"But we're all different ages" I frown but Rachel shakes her head slightly.
"You said you were 12 when you were taken, and Jessy was supposed to be 8. That's an age range that's very plausible"
"I suppose" I mutter, looking up. "Did they mention my name?" I ask, not really knowing it I wanted that question to be answered to be honest.
"I don't remember honestly, sorry. But I know they're looking into the kidnappings." She tells me with a guilty tone in her voice, but I shake my head slightly.
"No need to feel guilty" I say, rubbing my hands together. Rachel smiled sadly, squeezing my shoulder gently. I sigh again, wrapping my arm around her form and bringing her closer. She doesn't say anything, but leans into my embrace without any complaints.
"I will get you out Rachel, I promise" I whisper, burying my face in the embrace as well. Rachel hums slightly but doesn't respond.
TMNT
May 9th, 2014. 18:52
Somehow I knew I had to go back into the room, and not just linger here in the hallway. I had to get back to Allison and Rachel, but I couldn't muster up the energy to move anymore. I don't even know why it hit me so hard today, but I was just done, I felt myself giving up after so many years.
Seeing so many girls come and go.
I didn't want to give up. I had promised Eisley I would find a way out, I promised myself that i wouldn't give up, and that I would get them out as well. I had promised my family that I would never leave them, and I didn't plan on letting that promise be broken without trying to mend it first.
Which meant one thing, getting out of here and not giving up before I did so.
I flinch slightly as the door to the basement opens, and I turn my head to the direction, seeing the woman descend down the stairs. Her eyes immediately lock with mine before she opens the first gate, using only one hand. In the other one she was holding a big pan, clutched to her chest.
"Peter, go inside, it's time for dinner" She told me, her voice sharp but not unwelcoming. I nod, eyeing her warily before standing up. She stopped before the last of the two gates, watching as I walked to the door. Only when I opened the door, did she open the gate. I walked inside, glancing at Allison and Rachel.
They both seemed to understand what was happening, probably had heard the conversation as they both stood up, walking to the table.
"I have something special for you" The woman smiled, putting the pan on the table and taking off the lid. Immediately the smell of meat entered my nostrils, a delicious smell. But I could only focus on the knife sticking out of the piece of meat, surrounded by rice, sauce and vegetables.
The woman grabbed the knife, slicing the meat and urging for a plate, which Rachel immediately gave. It was one of the few things they allowed down in the room with us. My stomach churned at the sight of the food, it had been so long since we had such an elaborate meal.
It was mostly just a simple meal, and the woman would sometimes even forget to feed us.
The woman divided the food on the plates, handing one to Allison with a smile. I glance at the knife again, looking up when I saw Rachel staring at it as well. There was an unspoken conversation between us. Do it, do it. She nods to the knife, as if she was telling me the same thing.
Grab the knife.
But we both knew that it wouldn't matter if we threatened the woman, the man wouldn't open the door. I had told her the story of Irina, how the man didn't care that she had a gun pointed at the woman's head. Rachel nods towards me, and I frown slightly as Rachel walks towards Allison instead.
Then suddenly, she starts to cough loudly. Immediately the woman snaps her head towards Rachel, turning her back towards the knife. Without thinking, I shot forwards, grabbing the knife and putting it in my clothes.
"Dear, are you alright?" Woman whispers, and Rachel nods shakily.
"I'm fine, just a cough" She rasps, and I snicker almost. She was convincing for sure. But there was just one problem, the woman would notice without a doubt that the knife was gone. Unless.. unless she was in a hurry or angry.
"You poor thing, are you getting sick?" The woman continues, reaching out.
"Don't touch her!" I cry out, darting forwards until I was standing next to Rachel, and pulling her behind me. I glance at the woman in front of me, feeling a slight fear creep up to me.
"PETER" The woman screeches, looking at me with disbelief. "What is wrong with you lately, you've been acting weird?" She says.
I just glare and the woman's expression turns to shock, before an angry expression glosses over her face. So easy to manipulate, so easy to anger.
"You better apologise right this instant, young man" She frowns, but I glare right back at her.
"No"
The hand hit my cheek faster than I could comprehend, and I felt myself stumbling backwards at the force, planting my hand on my cheek with wide eyes.
"No desserts for any of you" The woman spat out, fuming almost. As if we'd ever get desserts. I thought grimly, glancing at the woman as she hastily, and angrily, grabbed the pan. She lingered for a second, and for a second I was afraid she would notice, but she shook her head before turning to the door.
We all stayed silent, watching the woman shut the door, hearing two gates open and close, before the last door closes.
"What were you thinking?" Rachel hisses, but I don't listen, taking my hand off my cheek and showing her the knife. "Yes you had that before you acted like an idiot" She continues, and I shake my head, walking towards the bed.
"She would've noticed if I hadn't made her angry, did you notice her lingering for a few seconds? She noticed.. I think.. "
"But because she was so angry.. she didn't?" Rachel concludes, but I shrug.
"To be honest, I don't know for certain, but it worked" I mutter, rubbing my cheek slightly. Allison had sat down next to me, watching the knife as well.
"So what do we do with it?" Rachel questions, still standing in front of me. I frown slightly.
"We can't just attack one of them, that will get us nowhere" I say, and Rachel frowns.
"Maybe pick the lock?" Rachel suggests, and I glance at the door.
"The locks are too small for the knife" I stop myself, frowning. "Unless…-" I stop again, reeling back slightly.
"Unless what?" Rachel pushes, and I glance back and forth between Rachel and Allison before sighing.
"The first two weeks I was locked up.. I got like really sick. The parents took me upstairs to take care of me… and they left me alone for awhile" Rachel's breath hitches as understanding dawned down on her. While Allison still seemed confused about the whole situation.
"I will do it" Rachel immediately says, and I frown, shaking my head.
"No way Rachel, I won't let you go up there, I will go" I say, but Rachel shakes her head stubbornly.
"I can do this Mikey, and she already thinks I'm ill. Besides, I can pick locks."
"I can pick locks as well" I frown, but Rachel didn't back down.
"Mikey let me do it" I frown slightly. What would even happen to Allison and Rachel if I escaped? I wince, feeling my body turn cold. They would punish them, they would blame them for my disappearance. I couldn't let that happen, I couldn't let Rachel take such a punishment.
It should be me.
"Okay" I whisper, sighing. "Okay you can do it" I didn't tell her why, because I knew, I knew she would object otherwise. She needed to be 100 percent focused on the task, no distractions, and not worrying about us.
"So what's the plan?" Rachel asks, a slight sense of victory on her face.
"We wait till tomorrow, when the woman comes down in the morning. The man will be off to work, and once the woman leaves the house, you escape" I explain. We all knew the man still had a job, leaving 5 days a week, and the woman would get groceries, and do whatever she did when she went out of the house.
That was our opportunity.
"But Rachel's not sick" Allison whispers, and I nudge her gently. I sigh, not sure if i should suggest this in front of her.
"I'll stick my finger in my throat" Rachel explains bluntly, and I sigh, bringing Allison a bit closer to me.
"Will that hurt?" Allison whispers, but I don't think she fully understood what Rachel had just implied. Rachel smiled gently, crouching down and tipping Allison's chin up.
"It won't hurt Alli, I promise, I'll be fine" She tells her, and I smile slightly as well. Rachel might be hard on the outside, a tough girl, but she was also caring and soft. "I will go away for awhile, but I'll come back with police, and we'll get you back to your mom and dad"
I didn't dare defy her at this moment, didn't dare to voice my concerns about our plan possibly not working. I just had to hope, and suffer with my doubts alone.
"You should eat, and go to sleep early. You need all the strength you can get for tomorrow" I whisper, and Rachel and Allison nod. I place the knife carefully on the bed, hidden under the blanket and walking to the table.
Tomorrow… tomorrow Rachel would get out.
May 10th, 2014. 8:36
Despite my orders, neither of us had slept very well, or very long. But I stayed up for most of the night, watching over both Rachel and Allison to make sure we weren't too late, that we weren't asleep when the woman came downstairs. And make sure they were still safe when I could still watch over them.
"It'll be alright Rachel, you'll do fine" I whisper, handing her the knife and allowing her to grab it. Two extra socks were wrapped around the blade of the knife to avoid her cutting herself. She carefully put it in her sock, putting the fabric up as much as she could. Just to be safe, we tied string around it before allowing the pants to fall.
"Just make sure you take your socks off last. The woman first took my clothes, but would allow me to dress myself. So she won't see the knife if you're smart" I tell her, and Rachel nods.
"I will get out, I promise" She whispers, turning to Allison. "Be brave for me okay? And watch over Mikey" She continues. Allison nods shakily, and Rachel wraps her arms around her tightly. After a few moments she let go, wrapping her arms around me as well.
"Get to someone as fast as possible, but make sure you're far enough" I whisper in her ear. "I don't know where we are, but we're probably somewhere abandoned, be prepared to walk a long way" I tell her and she nods against me. I smile, pulling out of the hug and giving her an encouraging nod.
Almost if planned, the sound of the door opening echoed through the halls. A jolt of fear runs through me and I glance at Rachel. But she was already up, rushing to the sink and taking a deep breath. I cringe, watching her put her finger into her throat furiously, and I pull Allison towards me to shield her eyes.
Rachel gags furiously, taking out her finger. But nothing happened. The first gate opened, and Rachel put her finger in again. She presses against the back of her throat, gagging once, and another one before she takes her hand out again. Vomit spewed from her mouth, covering the sink and her hand as well.
Then the door opens. The woman's eyes widen in fear as she sees Rachel retching a couple of times, but the vomit had already covered the sink.
"Maddy!" The woman cried out, rushing over to Rachel. I wince, refraining myself from interfering as the woman wrapped her arms around Rachel's figure.
"'don't feel so good" Rachel mumbles, wiping her mouth. But I knew it was all fake, all acting. The woman looks concerned, genuinely concerned as she turns Rachel around.
"I know honey, but we'll make you better." The woman says, wrapping an arm around Rachel. She glances back at me for a second before they walk ahead to the door. "I trust you will be fine by yourself, I have to take care of you sister" She continues, and I nod.
"We can handle ourselves" I croak, watching as the woman disappeared with Rachel through the door.
TMNT
May 10th, 2014. 15:06
Seeing Rachel put a finger in her mouth hadn't been pleasant, comforting Allison as she cried hadn't been nice. And all those years locked up had been agonising. But nothing, maybe only the death of those girls, was worse than having to wait right now. Not knowing whether Rachel got out, whether she was alright.
Or if she would come back to us with help.
If we… if I could get Allison out of here like I promised.
I glance up from the spot I was sitting on, noise filled the space above me, and immediately a smile crept up my lips. Frantic voices, calling out for their daughter, calling for Madilyn, Maddy. And it was that moment that I knew it had worked, Rachel got out, she was free. And I knew they were going to blame Peter.
It was a part of the plan I hadn't told Rachel, because she would've never agreed to it if she knew. And that's why I never told her.
It was also the reason I had agreed to her getting 'sick'. Not because she could pick locks with just a knife, because I could do so to, but because I knew what they were going to do once they noticed one of their children were gone.
I turn to Allison, who had also heard the screaming, and was looking at me with terrified eyes.
"Hey, I want you to sit on the bed, and cover your ears for now okay? Don't look until I tell you to" I say, putting Allison down. She nodded in confusion, not knowing why I was asking her to do such a thing but she wouldn't question me, ever. With stiff muscles I walked over to the middle of the room, giving one assuring nod to Allison before turning to the door.
My little sister was huddled in the corner, folding the blanket around her. Her hands were on top of her ears but as soon as I had turned towards her, she had closed her eyes. Through the door I could see the fence, and the door leading to the staircase, but most importantly Mr. Lewis coming right through the door, and unlocking the fence.
"Where is she?! What did you say to your sister?!" Mr. Lewis bellowed, unlocking the last door. A strong hand reached for my collar, pulling me closer.
"I haven't told her anything, dad" I told him calmly, the last word mockingly. Mr. Lewis narrowed his eyes, and so did I.
"TELL ME THE TRUTH PETER! WHERE IS YOUR SISTER?!" He roared, and then the first hit came. His fist harshly hit the left side of my face and my head snapped to the right. Tears of pain jumped in my eyes but I bit them back, looking back.
I was just done, done with pretending, done with playing nice.
"She's not my sister you sicko. She isn't even your daughter. Maddy is dead" I responded, my voice still oddly calm. The second hit followed soon after my comment, and I fell to the ground. I knew it was pointless to fight back, they wouldn't care. The woman wouldn't care, they only cared about their children.
So even if I had her husband at gunpoint, she wouldn't open the fence. Even if I put a bullet through his head, she would never open the fence. She would wait for days, until we were too thirsty, and too hungry to fight back. So I let him, taking the beating as some twisted victory. Because every punch reminded me that Rachel got out.
And they were coming for us.
May 12th, 2014. 10:16
I wasn't even sure who was coming, who was invading the house, but I couldn't get myself to move right now. It could be friends of the parents, here to pick us up. Or the parents had decided to come back for us and not let us die down here, after abandoning us ever since the man beat me senseless.
But I couldn't move, the little bit of hope that this was the police kept me on the bed, a gentle hand on Allison's body. Her chest rose and fell slightly every time she took a breath, eyes closed in a peaceful, but deep sleep. Allison was a deep sleeper, something I had noticed in the past two months.
She wouldn't wake up unless shaken.
"House is secure" A voice suddenly echoed through the basement, and I knew they had opened the door. I could almost feel myself breaking down, that was the police.. it couldn't be someone else. "Heat signature show two bodies down there, both children"
"Wait kid!" Someone suddenly cried, and I stiffen, immediately standing up in panic and darting to the middle of the room. Far enough to be safe from whatever was coming through the door, but far enough for Allison for her to be too near as well. But I wasn't expected for the figure who opened the door.
The door opened with force, colliding with the wall in its haste. But I didn't care, I could only stare at the vibrant green eyes of my older brother. My eyes widened, but I felt numb. Then Leo and Don ran in as well, followed soon by more officers.
There was an awkward and long pause, nobody saying anything. What could I say really? After not seeing them for four years, as they stared at my appearance with horrified eyes.
"Took you long enough dudes, I've been waiting" I joked.
I could hear Raph snorting, immediately pulling me into a crushing hug. I didn't tense up, immediately melting in the embrace. I blinked past the tears that were now threatening to slip past my eyes. Despite my blurred vision I could see paramedics standing in the door opening. I wasn't deadly injured, none us were, so they left us alone for now.
"Let's get out of here bonehead, you reek"
This time I was the one to snort at Raph's comment. The obvious concern and relief was a dead giveaway that he didn't really mean what he just said, but it wouldn't have mattered, I knew my older brother, I knew how much he cared. I reluctantly released him, punching his shoulder lightly and giving him a smile.
Doubt flashed in Raph's eyes, and his green orbs scanned me briefly. I knew what he wanted to know though, how I could still be so calm after everything that had happened. And to be honest, I didn't really know myself, probably the euphoria of having my brothers with me. I didn't feel panic at the moment.
"Don't touch her!" Until now. Until I saw Leo hesitantly reaching for Allison's figure.
My hand was on top of my mouth not even seconds after the sentence left my mouth, even muffling the last letter slightly, but I was too late. Leo's hand immediately froze mid-way, flashing his eyes towards me. My heart was loudly beating in my chest but I pushed past it, and past my older brother.
Uncertain shuffling was behind me, and I knew that Leo was slowly backing away but I ignored it.
"Hey.. wake up" I whispered, shaking Allison's shoulder lightly, the bed she was on creaking slightly at the movement. How she hadn't woken up from all the commotion is a mystery I most likely won't be able to solve. She blinked a couple of times, rubbing her eyes with her tiny hands.
"Mikey?" She questioned and I smile slightly.
"I'm here Alli" I reassure her.
I could feel eyes burn into my bruised back but I ignored them. I gently brushed Allison's fair hair out of her face, placing my hands under her armpits and easily hosting her up. She whimpered, burying her head in my shoulder. Her hair tickled slightly against my shoulder but for now I needed it, I reminded me of the responsibility I had taken upon me.
And that I hadn't failed her.
I turned around, looking into my older brother's eyes while completely ignoring the stares I was getting from Don and Raph, Leo was also looking at me with that look. But unlike Don and Raph, he was trying to cover it up, the keyword being trying. Because I could see right through him. They were all struggling to hold back their tears.
But I had no time for that sort of feelings right now. Making sure they were both okay was more important.
"Did Rachel sent you?" I ask straightforward, walking towards the door, just wanting to get out of this place. Raph, although still confused about what is happening, puts a comforting hand on my shoulder. I smile at him, knowing it's finally over.
"She did, she's outside waiting for you two. She's physically okay though, bruises and some scratches and tired, but she insisted on going with us" That's why I preferred Raph during these times, as much as I appreciated Leo and Don wanting to protect me, I hated when they danced around the subject. Right now I just wanted to know how Rachel was doing, and I was glad Raph was honest with me.
Even if he was clearly in shock of seeing me after 4 and a half years. Should I be concerned I didn't feel the same panic? Because I didn't, I was oddly calm, and honestly, it scared me. And yet… they were calm as well.
It surprised me actually how calm my bros seemed, after all this time. I could see they wanted to cry, I knew they wanted to attack me with hugs, hugs I had missed so much during my 'captivity'. But Rachel had probably told them about everything, and they had most likely seen what they shouldn't do with someone who has been through so much.
"And .. uhm .. you know." I said, feeling panic bubble up inside of me again.
"The police caught them just before the border, don't worry, they won't be able to hurt you anymore" I nodded again, blinking as bright sunlight hit my eyes, sunlight that I hadn't seen for a while. I shook my head slightly, looking down at the 8 years old child in my arms.
I was never afraid they'd hurt me, I was afraid they would hurt her, them.
"Your father and ambulances are waiting outside, we would like to take you two to the hospital to check up on you" One of the paramedics spoke, and I nod numbly. One of them extended his arms, opting to take Allison from me but I shook my head, walking right past him.
I glance down the hallway one last time. I didn't care about what I would leave behind, I didn't bring anything valuable. Only the clothes I wore that day were mine, but I even grew out of those.
With stiff legs I walked up the stairs. "We're getting out Alli, Rachel did it" I whisper in her ear and Allison nods against me. Once we reach the top, I put her down, slightly out of breath from the exercise. I jolt slightly as a gentle hand was placed on my back, and I whirl around, immediately pushing Allison behind me.
"Woah, just me" Raph tries, but I could see that my reaction hurt him. I nod numbly, blindly grasping for Allison's hand, who squeezed my hand.
"I know.. I'm just a little jumpy I guess" I whisper, and Raph nods stiffly, eyeing we warily. I ignore him for now, turning again, and gently pulling Allison along with me. I knew the way to the front door, from the one time I entered, and from the one time they took me upstairs. I take a shuddering breath.
And for the first time in 4 and a half years, bright light fills my vision, bright light coming directly from the sun.
I squint, reeling back in shock. Allison didn't have the same reaction.. but she hadn't been locked up for too long. I take another hesitant step.
"MIKEY! ALLI!" A voice cried out, but I could only stare at the Rachel's figure rapidly approaching. The sun… so bright, and so warm and gentle on my skin. Before I knew it, I sank to the ground, knees colliding with the soft grass on the front porch, and Rachel immediately wraps her arms around us both.
"Oh my God, you're okay, you're okay" Rachel rambles, and I bury my face into the embrace.
"You made it.. you did it" I mutter, and Rachel nods shakily, tears streaming down her face. Then, a look of horror spreads across her face, and for a moment the throbbing pain basically everywhere in my body returns.
"He hurt you" She whispers, bringing a hesitant arm up. I wince, pain jolting through my body like electricity, but I ignore it.
"Don't worry about it Rachel" Her gaze still lingers however, trailing over the injuries I got from the man. She nods shakily, glancing back at the house. I gently reach out, bringing her closer to me. I knew it wasn't fair, but I wouldn't allow her to look back at that house again, we were free.
"Your family" She mutters. "Your family's here… they came… I told you they'd remember"
I nod shakily, bringing her closer, and she presses her face in my chest. Allison was still safely huddled between us. Both girls were sobbing.. but I couldn't feel anything. I couldn't get myself to cry, to move really. I knew my family was right there, I hadn't seen dad yet, but I had seen my brothers.
I knew they were right behind me, I knew the paramedics were watching us, but I couldn't move. The sun was too bright, but I didn't care, didn't care that it seemed to burn down on my skin, that it seemed to burn my eyes. I slowly tilted my head, looking up at the sky, and a smile travelled across my face.
A shaky laugh was all the emotion I could muster at seeing the sky.
A sky I hadn't seen in 4 and a half years. A sky I had dreamt of for so many years, freedom I had yearned for so long.
"Please let me see my son" I heard dad, recognised his voice instantly. I stiffened, and Rachel seemed to notice as well.
"Go to him" She whispers, but I shook my head, looking down at Rachel.
"I promised I wasn't leaving, I'm not leaving you" I whisper, kissing her head.
"I think it's best if you stayed back sir, we know nothing about his mental state. He has essentially been raised by a different father for 4 years. He could have a negative reaction upon seeing you" I wanted to say something… tell the officer that I wouldn't be scared when I'd see dad.
That I had longed to see him for so long these past years. But at the same time… at the same time I couldn't seem to move, couldn't seem to speak up. I stayed there, arms tightly wrapped around Rachel and Allison, even if my injuries were throbbing in pain, screaming at me to relinquish the grip.
I take a shuddering breath, tears slowly starting to stream down my face.
"Are you good to go to the hospital with us?" One officer slowly asks, kneeling down next to us. I look up, nodding shakily. The officer carefully reaches out, but I glare at him, pulling Allison back from his hand.
"I'm staying with them" I glare, and the officer immediately puts his hands up.
"That's perfectly okay Mikey" He says, and I frown slightly. But Rachel had probably told my name before they came here. "There is an ambulance right over there. There will be enough room for the three of you but if you want your family with you, just tell me" He says calmly, pointing at the ambulance.
The car wasn't that far, barely a few meters. I nod, not having the energy, or really the will, to speak up and ask for my family to be there. How should I react to them? I could feel my heart skip a beat. I was afraid to face them, afraid how I should react after so many years. The few sentences I spoke to them…
Inevitable confrontation. But I realised I didn't want to speak with them now.
I carefully stood up, legs starting to scream again, but I ignored it and helped Allison up. She whimpered lightly, pressing herself against my side as we carefully made our way over to the ambulance. I never looked back at the house, and my family who were surely standing behind me.
I would figure that out later, the most important thing was getting my two little sisters safe.
TMNT
May 12th, 2014. 13:06
Allison didn't move when the parents walked into the room, didn't move a muscle. She only crept closer to me, looking up at me. I smile gently at the parents before crouching down, facing Allison. From the corner of my eyes I could see the hurt and confused faces of the parents, but I ignored them.
My only focus was on Allison.
She was staring down at me with tears in her eyes, just as confused as I had seen her 2 months ago. I gently reached out, brushing her tears away and smiling again.
"Don't cry Alli" I whisper, but she just releases more tears. I choke on a sob, laughing and brushing them away as well.
"I'm scared" She whispers, and I nod.
Rachel had said the same thing when she was reunited with her family. Or at least, her adopted family. She had cried against my chest when the authorities had told her her grandma had died while she was gone, her only living blood family that she had. Died, died without knowing Rachel was still alive.
But the hardest blow was to Rachel of course, she couldn't say goodbye to the last family.
Yet, she still had family. Her parents had died when she was very young, 5 years old. But her grandma couldn't support her financially, and agreed to let her get adopted. Both for money reasons, but also to give her a normal life. A life with siblings, loving and young parents. They of course, visited grandma often.
The experience had hardened her for sure, but she was just as much a family of her grandma as she was of her adopted ones.
So she was happy to go home with them again, albeit reluctant to leave me, just as Allison.
"You don't have to be Alli, they're your parents" I whisper, brushing her hair back. She nods shakily.
"I will miss you" She says, and I nod.
"Your parents will have my number, know where I live. If you want me to visit, I will" I tell her gently. Because apparently, in four years so much had changed in the world of technology. When I was her age, I didn't even know what a phone was, but she did, and could even use one.
I glance at the parents, who were still standing there with tears streaming down their faces. They were probably scared Allison didn't remember them anymore, oh how wrong they were.
"I live nearby, I can visit anytime" Well not anytime… but she didn't need to know that. I knew that the moment she got back to her parents, she would mostly forget about me. Or at least, I assumed. I had only been with her for 2 months after all.
"Okay" She rasps, and nods. I smile, standing up and holding out my hand. She accepts it, turning to her parents almost hesitantly. The parents in turn jolt in almost fear, and anticipation. Allison's first steps were hesitant, but the closer she got, the more excited she was, until her hand slipped from mine and she ran straight towards them.
"Oh baby girl" The woman cries, wrapping her arms tightly around her, sinking to the ground. Allison didn't say anything, she just cried. I smiled sadly, and I realised, that that was totally okay. She didn't have to say anything, her parents didn't care that she only cried. They were just so happy to hold their baby girl again.
The woman turned to me with teary eyes. "Thank you for bringing our baby girl back" She whispers, and I nod, wiping away the tears that were lingering in my eyes.
I hesitantly walk around them, out of the room. They didn't care that Allison was only crying in that moment, they didn't care that she didn't know what to say. So without really thinking about it, I turned left. I knew where they were, knew where they were waiting for news about me and my mental state.
They… my family.
I take a deep breath, stopping in front of the door. I could see Leo.. I could see Raph and Don, and dad through the glass. I took another deep breath before carefully reaching for the doorknob. Immediately, all four of them turned towards the entrance, eyes widening as they saw me.
I swallow again, carefully stepping into the room and closing the door.
"Hey" I mumble, glancing at all of them. My brothers had grown so much, changed so much. Raph had dyed his hair red at the top, put more gel in his hair. His arms were huge, ripped with muscles. And generally looking older than I remembered. Leo.. he roughly had the same hairstyle.
It was a bit shorter, more mature. And just like Raph, he had gained a large amount of muscle mass, less than Raph though. He was taller, taller than Raph but shorter than Don. The latter had grown out his hair, pulling it up in a ponytail, not wearing the glasses he wore in .. the house.
Which meant one thing, he got contacts over the past years. But since it was so early, he hadn't had time to put them in yet, until now that is. He wasn't as ripped as Leo and Raph, but still extremely fit. Unlike me…
Dad hadn't changed much, which only made my chest ache even more.
"Michelangelo" My dad whispers, stepping forwards, all so cautious. But it was Leo who walked over to me first. He looked at me, bright sea blue eyes staring into mine. He seemed to wait for a moment, but I just look up to him with teary eyes. There wasn't as much height difference between us I noticed.
We had both grown, but I had always been, and still was, the shortest of my brothers. But I wasn't that much smaller anymore. He carefully reached out, wrapping his arms around me. I instantly melted into his embrace, and I felt my knees buckle. Leo gently lowered me to the ground and my head spins slightly.
He was so careful, so caring. He reminded me of.. me. How I had hugged Rachel and Allison not hours ago. I sat there on the ground, knees touching the ground but just numb to the world around me. I could feel Raph and Don wrap their arms around me as well, dad joining in after a moment of hesitance.
I was numb.
Don was the first one to sob, burying his face in my shoulder. I still didn't move, staring ahead. I blink sluggishly as I felt something wet touch my shoulder, a tear. My throat restricted, and for some reason it just hit me at once.
I was free.
I felt tears roll down my face before I knew what was happening. Leo and Raph both started shaking against me as well, both crying without embarrassment at all, only dad silently cried. I let out a sob, and immediately I felt Leo tighten his hold on me. I lean towards him, for the first time moving my arms.
I tightly grip his shirt, not caring about the fabric and burying my face into his chest before I start sobbing. Tears continuously stream down my face, pouring out everything that had happened in the last 4 and a half years.
Not just missing my family for so many years, not just missing them grow up, be with them, play with them, laugh with them, fight with them like every sibling does.
No.
I cried for everything. Jane dying after Colton's failed attempt. Eisley beaten to death and dying in my arms for not being able to read. Irina, who also failed to escape because she protected me and Em, and got killed for it. Emi… who was killed right in front of my eyes, my little sister.
Camille… Camille who was too good. Camille who acted too much like Maddy. Reminding us, me, that nobody could please the parents in their fucked up fantasy of their children still being alive. Robyn.. Robyn who died so recently. Robyn who didn't make it by two months. What was two months against 7 years?
I sob harder, barely able to take in enough air. I did it Eisley, I looked after them, I got them out like I promised you.
I cried like I had never cried. Never, not even on my first day, not even after Eisley was killed, not after Emi was killed, not after any of the girls was killed. Not after one of the so many beatings the man gave me, not after another night spent locked up in the dark basement with no way out.
I cried the hardest I had every cried. But not just because of the horrors I had faced, horrors I could finally open up about, even if it was only through tears. Horrors I could finally share because I was with people I trusted who were older, who would be able to handle it. No, not just for the horrors.
I cried because I was out, I cried because all those parents finally got closure, because the police had found the bodies of every girl I looked after. But also every girl and boy that came before me. I cried because I fulfilled my promise to Eisley, That I would get myself, and the two other girls out.
I got Rachel back to her family, I got Allison back to her family.
I cried because after 4 and a half years, and after all those years of abuse, I was back with my family.
"I love you guys" I whimper.
I cried tears of joy.
TMNT
It's dooone! Please let me know what you think of the chapter! and thank you to everyone who reviewed and read the story.
See ya!