Authors note: I just wanted to say thank you for the reviews, they keep me inspired and please keep them coming. I definitely take into account what you think and I'm so happy you like the story so far.

"I know this is hard Maya and that you've been through a lot, but if there's anything you can tell us to help us get ahead of this, it's gonna help save peoples lives." Erin explained gently.

Maya picked at her cuticles, she wanted to help but she was afraid they would come back for her, and for Stella. Her older sister had over come so much, it's why she waited so long to finally tell her what was going on. She didn't deserve this. She deserved a normal life.

"What are you thinking about?" Erin asked after a moment.

Maya inhaled an unsteady breath, "I want to help you but..."

"We can protect you, and Stella, the rest of your family." Erin offered.

Maya's eyes rimmed red with unshed tears, "That's the problem." she whispered.

"What do you mean?" Erin asked, she waited but no response came, "Maya if you know something, you need to tell me, even if you're scared because more people could get hurt, and you don't want that do you?"

Maya shook her head no. Stella looked between them concerned, "Maybe that's enough for today," Stella told Erin as she rubbed both her sisters arms.

Erin eyed the teenager, wondering how far to push, "What happened to you, could happen to someone else, another girl, your age, maybe younger. I know it's scary," Erin put a hand on Maya's leg, "I know it's scary because I've been there." Maya looked up at Erin, "I was that girl, I was you, and now, I stop people like the men who hurt you, but I need your help to do it. So please, Maya, if there's anything at all that you know that can help us, I need you to tell me."

Maya eyed Erin a moment, there was something in her eyes that told her Erin wasn't making the story up. She had been hurt before, and instead of running away and hiding, she did something about it. Maybe she could do something about it too, after a moment, she nodded. "I'll do everything I can to help."

After Erin left, Stella adjusted the blanket on the couch, "I'm proud of you." she told her little sister. "It was a very brave thing you did."

Maya sighed, "It doesn't feel like that."

Stella cocked her head, "What does it feel like?"

"It feels like..." Maya struggled to find her words, "like I'm in a bad dream that I can't wake up from." Stella frowned and pulled her closer, "I don't know what I'm supposed to do."

"Well, we can get you some new things, get you registered for school, figure out a schedule." Stella offered, trying to act normal.

"And what about you?" Maya looked up at her, "I'm ruining everything, you're not safe, I don't know why i even came here."

Stella watched as silent tears began to cascade down her sisters cheeks and all she could do was hold on tighter, in a desperate attempt to make up for those years she was gone, "Don't you worry about me okay," she brushed a tear from Maya's check. "I am so relieved to have you here with me." she looked down at Maya, "You know I love you right?" Stella's eyes rimmed with tears, Maya nodded slowly. "Please don't think that any of this is your fault okay kiddo? Because it's not." Stella swallowed the lump in her throat. "I'm gonna do everything in my power to keep you safe."

Stella was exhausted so she couldn't even imagine how Maya felt. The teen had gone to bed early most nights since arriving nearly a week ago and probably hadn't slept soundly in a long time. Maya had said it was three years since the abuse began. She was 14 and it was right around the time Stella left Milwaukee. Thinking about it made her feel sick to her stomach, so she pushed the though away and grabbed the tv remote, absentmindedly flicking through the channels for a moment before he mind drifted again.

Erin had been good with Maya, she was patient and kind, and she knew the right things to say. Maya had shown that she cared more for others than herself, which, while admirable, was concerning to Stella. She didn't want the teen to feel unimportant, and she intended to do her best to make up for the last three years.

Then there was Kelly, and how this was going to affect them. He was just trying to help, but she had pushed him away. She need to talk to Maya because she wanted them both in her life. She fiddled with her phone a moment, debating if she should just sleep on it and call him tomorrow, but in the end, she didn't want to leave things the way they were, she wanted to hear his voice, and she wanted to hear him say it was all going to be alright, even if she wasn't sure it was.

The phone rang a few times before clicking to voicemail, "Hey Kelly, it's me," she paused, "I just wanted to tell you I'm sorry for earlier and I appreciate everything you're doin' for me, even if I'm not showing it. Anyways, talk to you soon, bye."

Stella sighed before tossing her phone on the living room table and pulling the throw up to her chin. She missed his arms around her, and promised herself that tomorrow, she would at least try to sort things all out.

Maya woke before Stella, she padded quietly threw to the kitchen to make some coffee, as Stella began to stir on the couch. Stella groaned and stretched, "Hey," she called.

"Hey," Maya replied as she set the coffee quietly on the counter and listened to the machines tiny motor grumble to life.

Stella came over to learn on the counter, "Listen, I was wondering if it would be okay if Kelly came by to hang out with us today?"

Maya looked up at her a little sheepishly, "He's been here before."

"I know," Stella traced shapes on the counter, "but I was thinking you could get to know him a bit. He's a really great guy and-"

"Sure." Maya replied pouring her coffee into a mug and grabbing her phone off the counter.

Stella watched her with curious side eye, "Sure?"

"Yeah, I mean, he's your boyfriend right?" Maya looked up from where she had sat down on the couch.

"Well," Stella ran her hands through her hair, they hadn't really discussed what exactly they were, "yeah I guess." Maya shrugged, "You're okay with this?' Stella padded over to the couch and sat down beside her, "I mean really?"

Maya put down her phone and looked at Stella, the thought of spending time with strangers made her stomach turn but Kelly was important to Stella, and she didn't want to tell her it made her uncomfortable because she was certain she wouldn't do it. "I'd like to get to know him." It was a white lie, but a lie just the same.

"Okay then, it's settled, today we're gonna do something fun!" Stella smiled.