Hey! It's been a while. This is the second to last update. I'm not really sure if anyone actually reads this, but I will finish. In this chapter, there will be some unexpected visitors… Wonder who it could be? Disclaimer: I don't own the Chemical Garden Trilogy.

Having Cecil around raised Rhine's spirits a little bit, but her health still wasn't improving. With the weather a little bit warmer, Rhine was able to sit outside with Maddie and Chris, Cecil watching the baby nearby. Joseph was still releasing Rhine's story, but her hands were shaking so much that it was hard for her to even hold a pencil. Instead, she dictated it to Cecil, who wrote everything down diligently. Cecil was proving to be a great help around the house. She took over some of the household tasks Rhine had put herself in charge of, allowing my sister to rest more, and she had plenty of information about her father-in-law and his experiments. Gabriel seemed a little jumpy around her, but Cecil tried her best to bridge the gap.

Something huge was being planned by the naturalists, but we hadn't been given details yet. Joseph was rarely in the house these days, too busy attending meetings and making arrangements. He promised to tell us what was going on once there was a finalized plan. Sara spent most of her time out of the house too, recruiting and trying to rescue girls like she had been doing the day I met her. Gabriel and I were really the only two left to defend the house, and I still had the gun in the living room drawer.

One day, when the kids were napping, Gabriel and I took the girls outside and showed them how to use the pistol. I remembered having to learn after our parents died, when Rhine was still too depressed to even get out of bed, so I could defend the house. Gabriel also knew how to shoot, though I didn't ask details on why. Cecil eagerly took the gun first and aimed for the target we set up. She only hit the edge of it, but at least she seemed comfortable shooting. Rhine was more hesitant, the gun huge in her small hands, but she still aimed and hit the target. I sincerely hoped she never had to use it. Maybe I was underestimating her, but I just couldn't see my sister, the one who tended so diligently to the flowers in our garden, killing someone.

The day everything went to hell, however, it was a miserable rainy day. The roof was leaking slightly in the kitchen, and Gabriel and I had to empty the bucket on the table every hour or so. Rhine and Cecil were sitting in the living room by the fire, Maddie and Christ playing at their feet. Cecil was attempting to knit, having been taught how by Sara, and Rhine was reading quietly. It was a peaceful afternoon despite the weather, and yet I couldn't relax. I knew something was coming.

There was a knock on the door. Still suspicious of the last time this happened, I grabbed the pistol and slipped it into my back pocket. I walked to the door and opened it, tense, but it wasn't Vaughn. Instead, a guy around my age in very nice clothes with tired eyes was standing there.

"Can I help you?" I asked quietly, my eyes wandering back to the living room. I made sure he couldn't see inside.

"I want my wife and son back," the man explained, playing with his hands. "I'm willing to pay whatever you want."

"They're not here," I replied, wondering if someone in the government was setting us up. It wouldn't be the first time.

"I know you have them," the man insisted, his eyes determined. "My father tracked them here. I don't want any trouble. I just want them to come home."

"Your father," I repeated, studying the guy's face. A few of the features reminded me of Vaughn, and I slapped myself mentally. This must be Linden. Another though crossed my mind. "You think I kidnapped Cecil?"

Linden's brow furrowed. "What else am I supposed to think? My wife disappears without a trace."

I sighed. "Come in," I waved him inside. "I think I have someone you need to talk to." Linden followed me through the hallway into the living room warily. His eyes widened at the sight of Cecil and Browen comfortable on the couch, but he froze when he glanced over and saw Rhine.

"What…" Linden couldn't even finish his sentence. He looked like he had seen a ghost, and from what I had heard about his first wife Rose, maybe he had.

"Linden, sit down," Cecil said commandingly. He sat down, still unable to say a word. "We've got to explain some things to you."

An hour or two later, Linden was filled in on the basics of what has happened. Rhine was fast asleep by then, and Gabriel offered to carry her upstairs, but I was afraid to wake her. Linden's face had lost a lot of color since Cecil started talking, but his eyes were full of determination. I had a feeling Vaughn wouldn't be able to sweep any of this under the rug like he had in the past.

"So my dad bought Rhine and Jenna?" he whispered furiously. Cecil rubbed his arm soothingly, but he didn't seem to notice. "And he's been experimenting on our son?"

"From what Rhine has told us, yes," I confirmed. "I started looking for her everywhere, and she tried to make her way back home."

Linden nodded, his face solemn. "I promise that my dad will never bother you guys again," he stated before turning to Cecil. "And he is not coming anywhere near our son. We'll stay with my uncle until I make other arrangements."

Cecil smiled brightly. I glanced over at my sister, noticing that she was now awake. She put a finger to her lip, and I understood.

Cecil caught Linden up on everything that had happened, and eventually Gabriel joined us as well, watching Linden warily. Rhine leaned back against him, closing her eyes. We were so involved in the conversation that we never heard the door open.

"Well, doesn't this make for a nice picture?" Vaughn smirked, leaning against the doorpost.

Linden stepped in front of us all. "Dad, you need to leave now," he demanded, meeting his father's eyes.

Vaughn rolled his eyes. "Step aside, Linden. This doesn't concern you."

"Doesn't concern me?" Linden repeated, his face getting red. "You experimented on my wives, on my son! You threatened Rhine, and you tried to control Cecil. This definitely involves me."

Vaughn laughed. "Oh son, they're technically mine. I paid for them after all."

Gabriel and I pushed Linden back. I knew I didn't have the gun, but I still wasn't going let him near my sister. "Get out of my house," I snarled, glaring at the bastard.

Vaughn just smirked. "And how are you going to do that?"

To my surprise, I didn't have to say anything. Rhine, my gentle sister, the one reluctant to hold a gun, snuck up behind him while he was busy taunting me and pressed my pistol to his back. "I'd suggest you do as he says."

Vaughn chuckled bitterly. "I knew you would be a thorn in my side."

"Likewise," Rhine shot back. "Now get out because I'd really like to shoot you, and you know I won't hesitate."

Vaughn slinked out of the house, not bothering to shut the door. I smiled at my sister, and Cecil squealed with delight. Gabriel, however, frowned.

"Rhine!" he shouted as my sister collapsed. He jumped to catch her. "Someone get help!"