Chapter 8

A/N: hi guys I'm so, so sorry for not updating; I had writer's block and a lot going on.. This update's quite short, I apologise I hope to update more frequently from now on, as always thanks for all of the support in the for of follows and reviews etc I really appreciate it and love you all. I hope you enjoy the chapter...

Mike's POV

When I got the call I couldn't believe my ears; there was a raid on a warehouse, they thought it was going to be filled with drugs. Instead it was filled with children, they were in cells and some where even kept outside for days, maybe weeks in small yards with walls 4 meters high. When they told me that these children where being sold to families for thousands of dollars it kind of made sense, these kids would be grateful for anything after their ordeal and who wouldn't want a child like that. I hate admitting that.

Then it dawned upon me; that girl... Cora could be one of the kids found. So I got in my car and raced down to the scene.

That's when I saw her, the small, frail girl being wrapped in a blanket and it was her. She was looking around herself and hadn't really reacted to what was going on. The other children were screaming for their parents or grandparents and all she done was stare at her face was badly sunburned, they obviously kept her outside like an animal. Her eyes where glazed over fixed on an object in the distance.

I approached her and asked her if she remembered me. She bit her lip and nodded. I told her that I could take her to Stef and Lena and her eyes lit up. The corners of my mouth pulled up into a smile.

TIME JUMP

That takes us to now. We are in my car headed to Stef and Lena's and apart from the radio it's silent. As we pull up and get out of the car I can tell she's nervous. I am about to knock at the door when Cora tugs at my sleeve.

"Are they angry?" She asks looking terrified.

"Of course they're not, they missed you so much," I tell her honestly as I knock at the door.

Lena's POV

I am making dinner when I hear a knock at the door. I answer it to see Mike standing with Cora by his side. Tears fall from my eyes as I hug the girl, then check her to see if she's ok and she is. I don't know what to do. He explains how he found her and that he'll have to take her down to the station for questioning. She looks so vunerable.

"Stef! Kids! Get down here!" I yell up the stairs leading Cora gently to the family room..

Stef arrives first and her jaw literally drops. She pulls the girl into a hug. Cora is beaming. The rest of the family(minus Kirsten) join us one by one and they all greet her in their own way.

Then we hear light footsteps coming down the stairs. Cora runs into the hallway and the two sisters run and hug each other. Kirsten finally cries and she tells her sister to never leave her again. They eventually break apart after quite some time and re-enter the family room holding hands, grinning from ear to ear.

Stef and I decide to tell everyone that we have decided to foster the girls for the time being which earns a cheer from everyone.

Callie's POV

After dinner we all went to bed early. Kirsten normally went in beside Mariana and I invited Cora to sleep in beside me. She smiled and yawned before snuggling into my side on the sofa, as I stand up she wraps her arms and legs around me, I shrug and carry her; she's really light anyway and has had a tough few days.

I take the girl up to my room an grab one of mariana's old shirts and a pair of her old shorts and give them to the small child. She can barely lift her head off my shoulder so I decide to get her ready myself.

As I lay in bed trying to sleep I cant help but imagine what happened to the girl wherever she was. The horrific possibilities made my stomach churn as she began to gently snore(it was more like whistle like and light).

I don't know exactly when I fell asleep, but I did and the next thing I knew it was the morning. I woke to the sun streaming in through the curtains. Disorientated and still half asleep; I felt two little arms around my waist. My eyes shot open wide and as I looked down I remembered inviting the little girl to sleep with me.

I wrapped my arms around her as I knew I couldn't get away without waking the poor girl. I let my eyes close a few times but I could only bare to close them for seconds before my mind begin conjuring up 'what if's and 'maybe's about where Cora had been. These thoughts eventually caused me to shudder.

I felt Cora stir in my arms. She woke slowly; yawning and squinting her eyes at the light. Suddenly, her eyes shot open and they were filled with fear and her whole body tensed to the point of shaking in my arms. Once she took in her surrounding she relaxed significantly and smiled up at me apologetic. I assured her that she's ok and suggested we went for breakfast; she nodded in reply so we untangled ourselves form each other headed downstairs. I can't help but smile at the little skip in her step as she approaches the stairs.

You'd never have known that she was abducted a few days ago and before that was an orphan living in an abusive foster home. But you know what they say kids are resilient.