Disclaimer: Don't own the A-team, not making any money from this either.
Notes: Now, in the flash-backs, Sister Mary couldn't have known what exactly happened, right? Well, you will find out how she knew later on, but for now, just to make it easier to understand- I'm joining both Face's and Sister Mary's memories together. Right, and remember, the present is with Sister Mary, past is with Templeton. (Present Face will appear later on).
Warning: this chapter may disturb sensitive readers, as this chapter does contain child abuse.
Thank you's:
bountyhunterslady- Thanks for the review, I'm glad that you like this story. I hope that you will continue to read and review! Enjoy. K
Nash Carter- There is still a whole lot more to happen. Thanks for the review. Hope you like the rest of the story.
Luna- Sorry about the long delay, I'll try my best to post every week. I hope that you will like what I did with this chapter.
Music Quotes:
What about the world today, What about the place that we call home "We are" - by Ana Johnson
The storm keeps on twisting, you keep on building the lies, that you make up for all that you lack- "Angel" by Sarah McLachlan
I wish I hadn't seen all of the realness. And all the real people, are really not real at all "Try" by Nelly Furtado
Tell me why are we so blind to see. That the ones we hurt, are you and me "Gangsta's Paradise" by Coolio
No one ever wants to bother to explain of the heartache life can bring and what it means "Voice within," by Christina Aguilera
I wish you'd unclench your fists And unpack your suitcase Lately there's been too much of this "Someday" by Nickelback
o o o
Chapter Seven
o o o
Twenty three years earlier...
Templeton knew the drill, first he would be sent to the boys ward, where he would be giving a bed, a cupboard, then he would be introduced to the other kids. Not that it made any difference. Then he would, finally, be able to sleep.
But something was wrong.
They weren't heading to the boys ward, they were heading to the office. Templeton looked up in confusion. The office was only for children who were either naughty, or were going to a new home.
"Sister Anne? what's happening?" Templeton asked.
Sister Anne didn't stop, she just kept on dragging him with her.
Templeton knew something was wrong, he tried to free his hand, but her grasp was to tight. He tried to stop walking, but it only led to him falling to his knees. Templeton staggered to his feet as she kept on walking half pulling, half dragging him behind her.
"Sister, please, stop," Templeton begged.
Sister Anne didn't stop, she just kept on walking.
Templeton watched as the office door getting closer and closer, he tried his hardest to try and break free, but it only caused her to tighten her grip.
"No, please, let me go," Templeton pleaded.
"Hush now," Sister Anne said harshly.
Just before they reached the door, she turned right.
Templeton frowned, there was nothing to the right, just the store room. He looked back at the office, and suddenly wished that they had gone into the office. He looked around, hoping that he could see anyone that could help him, but there was no one.
"Where we going?" Templeton asked.
"You'll find out soon enough," Sister Anne snapped.
They walked for a minute when they saw a green old car sitting in the middle of the path. He looked to see that there was a woman, in her twenties, standing by the boot area. She wore dark sunglasses, her long red hair hung loosely on her shoulders. She was wearing blue jeans, and black boots, just like the man.
Leaning against the driver's side, was a man in this thirties. His legs were crossed at the ankles, he wore dusty black boots, with black jeans. His muscular arms were crossed over his white t-shirt which was covered with beer stains. His hair was covered by a black baseball cap.
"Templeton, honey," She said excitedly.
Templeton looked at the Sister with confusion.
"Templeton, this is your new family, Sarah Tanner and her husband, Max," Sister Anne introduced.
"Howdy, little fellow," Max greeted.
"Hi," Templeton said quietly.
"Come on, we need to get going, we got loads of shopping to do," Sarah said with a smile
Max opened the passenger door, and motioned for Templeton to climb in.
Sister Anne gave Templeton a shove, as she released her grip on his arm. Templeton fell forward as Max gave him one tiny push into the car. Before Templeton even sat down properly, the door was slammed shut behind him. He looked at the nun as Sarah and Max got into the car. His winced when he heard the driver's side door slam shut.
He looked back at the nun, with pleading eyes.
All she could do, was stare.
Templeton closed his eyes as he sat down heavily in the seat. He just couldn't believe what was happening. He didn't want a new family, he just wanted to be left alone. He just wanted to sleep. To forget.
o 0 o
Back at the Orphanage, present time...
"SHE DID WHAT?" Hannibal yelled as he stood up in anger.
Sister Mary couldn't look at him in the eyes. She knew it her fault, she had accepted that, she just hoped they would.
"She gave him to another family. I didn't know, It was against the rules to give a child to a family so soon from returning. I never knew she was going to do that," Sister Mary pleaded with them.
BA's fists were clenched so tightly that Murdock thought the bones would crack. Murdock could see the look in BA's eyes, and it scared him. It was pure hate. Murdock knew, woman or no woman, BA would kill anyone who hurt his family.
Frankie looked to see that Hannibal was now sitting, but he could see Hannibal's tense body, like a animal ready to attack and kill it prey. He looked over to Murdock, who was looking at BA with a worried expression. He knew why as soon as he looked at BA. Frankie had never seen BA so angry before. And Frankie knew, if BA fought, nothing would stand in his way.
Hannibal closed his eyes, not wanting to show of his emotions.
"Was...was that family good to him?" Hannibal asked in uncertainly, not really wanting to know, yet, wanting to.
Receiving no response everyone looked at Sister Mary, who was staring at a spot on the ground near her feet.
Murdock looked at Sister Mary with pleading eyes, silently begging her to tell them that he lived a happy life, that all this was just a horrible story that she was making up.
Sister Mary looked up, showing her tear-filled eyes.
"As soon as I found out what she did, I called the police. They arrested her, they asked her who she gave Templeton to, but she didn't tell. I didn't know what happened to him. We searched all over the place. Nothing. I didn't know where he was, I couldn't protect him. Two months passed, till the police found Sarah..."
o 0 o
Twenty three years earlier...
Templeton had been staying with the Tanner's for almost three weeks, and within those three weeks, he didn't have many happy memories. They didn't have a real nice home like the Johnson. They didn't even have a house! They lived in a caravan. A very small caravan, which was parked just on the outside q new city, in the local caravan park.
He looked around the small room and saw Sarah sitting on the bed, busy panting her toenails, a very bright pink. She was wearing a black tank top, with short black pants. Her hair was tied up in a pony tail.
He liked Sarah, she was always smiling, always joking and telling him what woman like in men. She wasn't like Grace, no one would ever be like Grace, but Sarah was nice. Sarah was more like Kimberly, carefree, wild and adventurous.
Max, while Max was different. He would leave early so that he could try and find work, and would only come back late at nights. When he didn't return home drunk, he would return stoned.
If they were lucky, he would fall a sleep straight away, but that didn't happen to often.
Templeton silently sat down on the floor near Sarah, watching her as she kept on painting. He looked up at her face, he could see the dark bruise which covered her eye.
"Can I ask you something?" Templeton asked softly.
"Sure kid," She answered without looking up.
"Why do you stay?"
Sarah looked up in fright. She looked at the seven year old before her with a shocked expression. She lowered the nail polish on the small table, and motioned him to climb onto the bed.
Templeton quickly got up, and climbed onto her lap, resting his head on her shoulder.
"How come you are so old for such a little guy? you must be what? six? seven years old?" Sarah asked.
"I dunno," Templeton replied sadly.
"I don't know kid, I guess, I guess I'm waiting for my prince charming to return. He's just a little bit lost at the moment, and just to damn stubborn to ask for directions," Sarah joked.
Templeton smiled, but he still didn't understand.
"I know you might not get that, but the Max I know is still there, we have just hit a bad patch at the moment," She said sadly.
"But he hurts you," Templeton said sharply.
"He doesn't mean it, it's just his way to show love. Come on, enough with all the seriousness. Max said he would be home early. Let's hope he found a job," Sarah said happily.
Templeton sadly climbed out of her lap, wishing that he could have stayed there. He felt safe in her arms, it reminded him of the times when his mom was around, how he would fall a sleep as she sang to him. He missed that. He missed being able to hug someone, even just to be in someone's arms.
He would do anything just to stay in her arms.
"SARAH!!!"
Templeton and Sarah both flinched when they heard Max's angry outburst.
Sarah looked down at Templeton with a frightened expression.
"Quickly!" She said as she grabbed his hand leading him to the small cupboard.
"Hide, don't make a noise, and promise me, no matter what, you won't get out until I say so," Sarah begged.
Templeton had tears running down his cheeks as he climbed into the small space.
"Sssh, baby, it will be ok," Sarah said as she closed the door, leaving Templeton alone in darkness.
Templeton sat huddled up, in the small space. Tears kept on running, he was scared. He didn't want to be alone, he wanted to be with Sarah.
He bit his lip when he heard the caravan door open, followed by heavy footsteps.
"Where are you? you stupid woman," Max shouted, the words slurred with alcohol.
"Baby, please, don't do this," Sarah begged.
Templeton covered his ears as tightly as he could, trying to block the sounds. But he could still hear the anger yelling, Sarah's pleading, followed by the sickening sound of flesh striking flesh.
"nononononono," Templeton cried over and over again, wishing that he was somewhere else.
"You and that stupid boy! we don't have the money for him!"
"Max! he's ours, he's our boy!"
"NO HE'S NOT! he's a REJECT, a useless NO ONE, hell, not even his REAL parents WANTED HIM!"
Templeton heard every heartbreaking word. No one wanted him. He never meet his father, him mom drove off without him, the nuns kept on giving him away, the Johnson's left him, and now, them.
He heard Sarah's cries as Max kept hitting her, Templeton wanted to help, but he was to afraid. He was so afraid he couldn't move, he was paralysed. Trapped in the small space, forced to listen to the horrific sounds of his new father slowly killing Sarah.
"Where is he? where is the boy?" Max yelled.
"He's not here, he's gone to buy milk!" Sarah answered weakly.
"LIAR!"
Templeton winced as he heard Max begin his search, he heard the door slam open, it was coming closer...
Templeton tried to make himself smaller, trying to hide from Max, but there was nothing he could do. He closed his eyes, not wanting to see Max when he opened the door.
His wait didn't wait long, as the door was opened, revealing a very anger Max. Templeton felt strong hands grab his wrist, forcing him out his hiding space.
Templeton opened his eyes to see his battered new mom. Her lip was torn, blood continued to flow from the open wound. Her one eye was almost complete shut closed due to the swelling. She looked horrible. Bruises covered almost every inch of her body.
"Max, don't you dare touch him!" Sarah threatened.
Templeton could see the fear in her eyes, the same that was in Grace's. He was going to die. He knew it, he saw it in her eyes.
Max pulled Templeton up, forcing him to stand up straight.
"What, like this?" Max asked he pushed Templeton with such force that it sent him crashing into the counter.
Templeton hit the counter with such that the wind was knocked out of his stomach. Pain exploded in his chest as he felt some of his ribs crack on impact.
"NO!" Sarah yelled as she began to attack Max.
Being stronger, Max struck out at Sarah, sending her flying into the caravan wall. Before he turned back to Templeton.
"You useless boy, your a waste of money, a waste of time. What good do you do? You aren't 't even a man! you hide behind woman's skirts!" Max shouted in a drunken rage.
Templeton already flinching for what he knew was going to come. Sure enough, Max slapped him hard across the face, sending him to the ground. Tears were already falling down his cheeks. He knew what was going to happen, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.
Max looked down at the weeping child. He knew that the kid was a baby. He unbuckled his belt and pulled it out of his pant's loops.
"Max, no, leave him alone!" Sarah cried as she began to pound her fists onto Max's back, trying desperately to make him stop.
Max turned quickly, grabbing her wrists with one hand, before she could strike again. With a snarl, he clenched his fist, raising it, and sent her flying to the ground as he hit her face.
Making sure that she was unconscious , he turned back to Templeton, who was trying to stand up.
"Please, please don't. I promise I'll do better, please, don't,"
Templeton hated to beg, but he didn't want to die. Not now, not like this.
He cried out when he felt Max's foot connect with his side. Templeton collapsed to the floor. He quickly rolled into a feta position, trying to protect his aching stomach and head.
Max lifted the belt into the air and smacked it down across Templeton's back. He repeated the action a dozen more times before he finally stopped. All enjoyment gone, he placed his belt back on. Looking down at the pitiful site.
Templeton lay on the floor, trying not to make any noise as he cried. He buried his face in his arms, praying that the pain would stop.
After receiving no more blows, Templeton looked up, hoping that Max was gone. Much to his dismay, Max was still there. Before he could even react, Max grabbed him by the shoulder and hauled him off the floor. Max punched Templeton in the stomach, almost making the boy throw up. Templeton doubled over and clutched his stomach, trying to stop the unbearable pain.
"Stand up! You're so pathetic! your useless!" Max yelled.
"I'm sorry," Templeton whispered.
"You should be! You should be sorry that you were ever born!" Max shouted.
Max suddenly punched Templeton in the face, sending him flying to the floor once again. For a minute, Templeton thought that he was going to black out. However, he didn't.
He screamed as he felt pain tore through his side as he felt a kick to his ribs. Thankfully he didn't have to deal with the pain for long, as darkness claimed him.
o o o
He was vaguely aware of someone calling his name, but he didn't want to wake up. He just wanted to sleep.
"Templeton, honey, please, wake up baby,"
Templeton return to consciousness was agonisingly slow. At first, all he was aware of was a bitter cold, seeming to spread right through him. Then the pain hit him all at once and he gasped. His eyes shot open suddenly, as full consciousness was rudely thrust upon him.
He closed his eyes as he bit hard down on his lip, as a wave of pain hit him. He opened his eyes to see Sarah looking down at him, she gentle stroked his cheek.
"I'm so sorry, baby, I'm sorry," She said sadly.
Templeton felt two tears trickled down his face, he looked at Sarah.
"You hurt," Templeton said softly.
Sarah smiled a week smile.
"Not as bad as you look," She joked.
Sarah helped him sit up, as they did, Templeton couldn't help but gasp as pain exploded in his chest.
"Ow," Templeton cried.
"Oh, baby, I'm so sorry, I wish I could take the pain away," Sarah said as she felt a tear run down her cheek.
Templeton looked around the dark room, he frowned when he looked outside to see that it was night time.
"Where is he?" he asked anxiously.
"He went out drinking, that's why we must leave before he gets here," Sarah said as she helped him stand.
Templeton bit his lip as he began to sway, almost blacking out.
"Can you stand for a few minutes? I need to pack some clothes for us, ok?" Sarah asked.
Templeton nodded, not really wanting to speak.
He watched as Sarah quickly grabbed everything she owned into a large suitcase, before adding his stuff. He watched as she scanned the area, making sure that she had everything before closing the suitcase.
"I'm just going to pack this in the car, will you be ok for a few minutes?" Sarah asked.
"Yeah,"
"Good boy,"
Templeton was feeling a bit nauseas, his chest felt as if it were on fire, and his head was aching. He just wished that he could go to sleep, to escape this world of pain.
He looked up to see that Sarah was already back in the room, looking at him with concern.
"Are you hurting badly?" She asked.
Templeton bit his lip when he saw the dark bruises on her face, he knew that she was hurting too.
"Just a little bit," he lied.
Sarah looked at him, and smiled.
"Good, now come on, it's just going to be you and me," Sarah said as she took his hand, helping him out the caravan and into the front passenger seat.
She silently closed the car door, hoping that she wouldn't wake up anyone. Quickly glancing around, she headed for the driver's side.
Templeton watched Sarah get into the car, before she started the car. A smile formed on their battered faces. They were free, they were finally free.
Sarah smiled, she didn't know why. She didn't have anyone to turn to, she didn't have anywhere to go, she didn't have enough money to last them a week. Still, she was finally free.
"We made it honey, it's just gonna be you and me," Sarah said with a smile.
Templeton nodded as he slowly drifted into a peaceful deep sleep.
o o o
Three weeks later...
Templeton and Sarah had found a small little apartment where they now lived in. Things were great. Sarah had managed to get a job as a waitress for a local cafe, earning enough money for them to live on.
Sarah would work during the day, allowing Templeton to clean the house while she was working. However, in the afternoons, it was their time.
They would go for walks, enjoying the country scenery. They would take about anything and everything. Or they would build puzzles together. His favourite part, would be bedtime, where he would sit on her lap, while they would read books. It was pure heaven. Things were just perfect .
Templeton woke to find out that it was already ten o'clock. He quickly got out of bed and headed for the shower.
As he waited for the water to warm up, he took off his t-shirt, revealing the fading marks. The bruises were almost gone, there were still a few traces left, but all physical pain, was gone. However, his back told a different story, there were numerous half-healed welts criss-crossing, where the belt had caught his back.
His face wrinkled in disgust when he saw the scars, he hoped that they would fade away quickly. He undressed and quickly showered, before dressing in his brand new pair of blue jeans, and white top. He looked at the mirror, making sure that he looked his best. Before he headed out to the lounge.
He looked at the clock, and signed. There was still a few hours till his mom would come back. He looked around the room, and noticed a book that lay on the table.
He picked the book up, and opened it up. He hadn't been to school, but Sarah had been teaching him. He remembered when she said that he was a quick learning because he could read a "grown-up" book. There were still a few words that were just too big for him, but he managed.
He was so caught up in the book that he didn't notice Sarah enter the room. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw her boy holding up a book.
A smile formed on her face, she put her hand over her mouth, in shock and amazement.
She had taught her little boy to read. And there he was, reading. All by himself.
Tears of joy ran down her face as she just stood there. Her little boy was growing up. Her baby was reading, all by himself.
Templeton became aware that someone was watching him, he lowered the book to see his mom, wearing her light pink uniform. Her hand over her mouth, tears running down her face.
"Mommy?" Templeton asked worriedly.
"Oh, baby, your reading! MY BABY IS READING!" Sarah shouted in happiness.
She dropped her bag, as she rushed over to where Templeton sat. He didn't even have time to register what was happening when he was thrown up into the air. Before landing in his momma's open arms.
"MOMMY!" Templeton giggled in happiness.
Sarah just kept him in her arms, not wanting the moment to disappear.
"Ah, isn't this cute!" a sarcastic reply came from behind them.
They turned, and looked in horror as Max stood in the doorway. All blood drained form Sarah's face. She couldn't believe it.
She lowered Templeton back down onto the floor, placing herself in front of him, making sure that Max wouldn't be able to hurt him.
"What do you want Max?" Sarah asked half in anger, half in fear.
"You,"
Sarah shook her head, tears already falling from her face.
"No, Max, please, I don't want you here. Leave us alone," Sarah begged.
"I'm not going anywhere, sugar, your mine. You always will be," Max replied coolly.
Templeton held onto Sarah's hand, like a lifeline. He didn't want Max, he didn't want to lose Sarah.
"Give me the boy," Max ordered.
"NO! I'm not going to let you have him. He's my son, Max, he's MY son!" Sarah said with a new determination.
Sarah would have never fought back, even if she had to die, she wouldn't have fought back. However, she was a mom. She would Never let anything happen to her baby. A mother's love was a very powerful thing.
Max saw the determination in his wife's eyes. A smile formed on his face. He always loved a challenge to break someone.
Max walked dangerously closer to them, and Sarah began to move away, unknowingly forcing herself into a corner.
Templeton took a step back, and paled when he felt the wall. They were trapped.
Sarah felt her son stop, she quickly glanced back, and to her horror, she saw the wall. She turned back to see Max right by her.
"Templeton," Sarah said as she stared at her husband.
Templeton looked up in fear as she released his hand. He felt himself begin to panic, not really knowing what to do. He saw her hand clench into a fist, and knew what she was going to do. She was going to fight.
"Mommy, no!" Templeton cried.
"RUN!" Sarah screamed as she struck Max in the eye, making him stubble back.
Templeton saw what she was doing and began to run, heading for the door, where he could try and found help. He heard Sarah begin to run after him.
"Ugh!" Sarah yelled as she fell to the ground.
Templeton stopped, as he turned around. He saw Max holding her ankle. With nothing to lose, he charged his father.
"NO! RUN AWAY!" Sarah shouted as she saw Templeton running back for her.
Templeton didn't know what to do, half of him wanted to run for help, the other side wanted him to help his mom.
Max saw his chance, as he quickly got up, and began to run towards Templeton.
"NO!" Sarah yelled as she tried to stop Max.
Templeton watched in horror as he saw a very anger looking Max, charging straight at him. He wanted to run, to turn around, to do Something....but his body didn't respond.
Fear had paralysed his body, forcing him to remain in the same spot.
"RUN!" Sarah screamed as she tried to get up.
But she was to late, before she could even stand up, Max had, in one swift motion, picked up Templeton.
"NO!" Templeton screamed as he began to struggle against Max's grip.
Max kept on running, even with the struggling child in his arms. He quickly headed out the door, knowing what had to be done.
Sarah screamed as she began to run after her husband and child. She didn't know what Max was planning, but she was scared. She was petrified at the thought of Max having Templeton.
Not being able to stop, she crashed into the door.
"Ow!" She cried as she pain exploded in her arm.
But what made her heart stop, was the sight before.
Templeton looked back at the door to see Sarah slam into the door.
"MOMMY!"
He began to struggle harder against the strong arms that held him. He didn't know where Max was taking him, he didn't care. He wanted to be with Sarah. Why couldn't he be with Sarah?
Max held Templeton in his arms in front of him, but as he approached the car, he knew that he would need his arms. With one quick move, he repositioned Templeton over his shoulder.
He opened the car door with his one arm, allowing the other to hold onto the wriggling little body.
"MOMMY!!" Templeton cried as he heard the car door.
Now struck with horror, Sarah began to run to her crying child.
Templeton tried to stop himself from being loaded into the car, but he couldn't help it.
Max threw him in, shutting the door before Templeton could even move.
"NOOOOO!" Sarah yelled as she ran to the door.
Templeton and Sarah tried desperately to open the door, but it didn't move.
Templeton began to his hit the window with all his might, trying to break the window. Tears run down his face as he saw the terror in his mom's face.
"TEMPLETON!" Sarah yelled as she too, began to hit the window.
Sarah snapped out of her panic as she heard the driver's door opening. She looked to see Max climbing into the car.
"NO!" She screamed as she ran to his door.
He smiled as she arrived just as the door slammed shut.
"Max, let him go! please, you can have me, just let him go!" Sarah pleaded with him.
Max just shook his head, before smiling evilly.
"I'll be back sugar, don't you worry," Max said with a evil grin.
Sarah began pounding her fists against the window, trying desperately to break the hard glass.
The car roared to life as Max began to drive.
"NO!" Sarah yelled as she began to run with the car, still hitting the window with all her might.
"MOMMY!" Templeton cried as he tried to open his door.
The car began to move faster, Sarah tried to run with it, but it was just going to fast. She managed to keep up with the backseat, where her son was trying to get out.
She looked at his sad, tear stained face. Her heart was breaking. She couldn't save him. She just couldn't save him.
"NOOOOOOOO!" Sarah yelled as she stopped running, knowing that she couldn't do a thing.
She looked at the back seat of the car, where her son was staring at her. She could see the terror in his little blue eyes.
"NO!" She screamed as she fell to the ground, tears running down her face, as her heart broke into a million pieces.
"Mommy," Templeton said softly as he watched his mom fall to the ground.
"Mommy, please get up, mommy, please, please, mommy, please!" Templeton begged as the tears began to run down his face.
"MOMMY!" Templeton cried as he began to hit the seat.
"Mommy, don't leave me here, mommy," Templeton cried.
Max just kept on smiling, as he kept on driving.
To be continued....