I don't own Timecrest all rights belong to sneaky crab

I know this is different, but we're gonna go ahead and do chapter 20. I'm gonna return to our heroes obviously but it's a flashback chapter Young Zoe will tell her story it will be our first and maybe only one in this book but maybe not the last, that will not see Zoe's point of view for things I think it'll be fun at her as a new addition as we did with Riley don't worry they'll be more Riley and Luther and Scarlet action chapters but we want to see her perspective and how she grew up before she became part of this wonderful family, and how Dr. Crawford and doc Folger saved her. I know it's late in the story to tell it but I think it's time during this time. Period. If they slow down and they're hiding for her to tell them her story after the trials all right let's go.

Zoe

I was sitting with my new family, my new brother, and my new sister-in-law when Riley told me about Miss Scarlet. I called her Miss Scarlet because that's what they call her but I guess I'll be calling her sister soon Riley is my sister and Luther is my brother I am Zoe and the daughter of the lieutenant who died in the Vald Orion disease my new mommy and daddy are hell not and Julius Timecrest. I am now Zoe Timecrest.

The story takes place after the trials were over after I saw Riley after I watched Luther and Scarlet lose. I was sad. I hope they will get their freedom. I didn't like them being trapped in there. It made me sad to think that they still have to be trapped inside that awful place I had to live here, but then being trapped here is worse, Mommy always told me that I had to stick my nose at them if they ever left the palace which they never did but if they walked by the palace and she told me if you ever see them in the window, stick your nose up with them if not, I will hit you I didn't one time I saw them hit me in the face. I told you to stick your nose up at them she said why what did they ever do to us? They're human dear she said Scarlet, not human I said, but she lives in a human family. I heard her say.

but that doesn't make her human I asked and said yes, I guess Mommy said I thought that Luther is a very respectable person. I said he may be but he's human. Mommy said he is the prodigy I said again doesn't matter that he is Mommy said, and if they ever did get their freedom they wouldn't because they'd be put back into the quarantine zone. Mommy said, so it doesn't matter if they get their freedom from the palace they'll be stuck here again he went home and Mommy and Daddy fought with each other. My mom and my stepdad I should say fuck with each other. They hit each other and me. I miss daddy but Mommy always told me that I shouldn't forget about him. It's been over a year forget about your father she said you'll never see him again he's dead, she said.

remember that it's wrong remember someone after a long time after they're gone, she said no go to bed, but it wasn't bedtime but she made me go to bed anyway I didn't die anything from their injuries or anything but it got worse. Sometimes I'd go out and forget things that they told me to do and I wouldn't and they hit me or they hit each other, I was being messed with all the time sometimes I walk by the palace and hear Miss Scarlet screaming I guess her brother was torturing her again Poor Scarlet I thought for me do I get out of this too will I ever get out of this mess? I hate being a mommy and daddy's little hunting bag sometimes is not my daddy he's not my daddy my daddy would never hit me.

I knew that because my daddy loved me. The lieutenant was a good person, but this new guy was evil like Mommy I hope someone takes me out of here, but I think my day was about to turn around soon.

today was like any other day. I was home with Mommy and my stepdaddy. They beat on each other and they bet on me and then they didn't want me anymore. They hit me as much as they could and then threw me out of the house. We don't want you anymore Zoe we wanna have our own family how I know this is because Mommy was having another baby. She was happy that she was having a new baby with them my new daddy with my new stepdaddy, and I was having a half-sibling. That'll probably get more attention than me that was quick. I thought that they were having another baby. I was no longer the baby anymore.

and I thought about my new friend who is the princess who is no longer the princess anymore Riley if I can get to Riley, I was thrown out with my things we don't want you. Mommy said we're having a new baby we don't want you, Zoe you're just a handful for us two children are too much. We only want one. What are we a bunch of humans she stuck her nose up but the word human. If you have another baby I said are you gonna kick them out too are you gonna kick it out the next child after that child I said to my parents, my mommy and daddy, my stepmom and daddy mommy and my stepdad are gonna kick out that baby if another baby is born too, how many children are you gonna have and pick out? I said you're gonna make me live on the street I said yes we are. I'm only five I said I don't wanna live on the street you live on the street and nobody will. Love you, Zoe.

I cried nobody loves me I thought, as I cried my things outside maybe I'll get taken in by Portia I thought maybe Portia will take me and live with her that would be nice I thought well maybe not it was cold on the street. People were meaner to me on the street and my parents were guard. Sammy is nothing but trash on the street. Even though I was the lieutenant's daughter at one point now I was a nobody I couldn't change my clothes on my own not here, I cried all the time and curled up under things like benches and things to sleep mommy and my daddy was right. Nobody loved me out here I was all by my little self.

I didn't stick my nose up at the palace anymore, though when I heard Scarlet screaming or when I saw her in the window or when I saw Luther in the windows, I would wave up at them but they couldn't see me way down here Scarlet couldn't see it all and Luther probably didn't notice me I could see him through for 13-year-old little boy he was a good looking I can see his violet ties and blonde hair, so pretty I thought why such a beautiful boy locked up there and beautiful girl like Miss Scarlet locked inside the palace alone being tortured it made me feel sad.

but I was pushed along by the guards to say moving little street urchin they said you're a dirty little thing they'd say you're nothing, but go on our shoes. Sometimes they kick me in my things. I never changed my clothes or the clothes I had with me I never had a chance, I would hide to sleep in the alleyway or under a bench somewhere in the same clothes. Sometimes it was cold I was cold I was hungry barely anyone would give me food to eat.

good morning when I was waking up from one of my sleeping places, I saw Dr. Fuller. Come towards me little Zoe I heard him say child why are you out here all alone I looked up at the doctor. I was a little scared of him because of things I'd heard about him working for the king and all. Oh, don't worry child, I'll be your ally he says you're just a kid anyway, a five-year-old I wouldn't think you were boring even if I did, you're just a baby child he said little children like you should not be on streets he said picking me up you're bruised and dirty he said, but that's OK we can get you cleaned up and looked at I know a friend who will take care of you and another friend who will take you in I smiled thinking about this what do you mean? I asked the doctor you'll see he said wrapping me up in a blanket and picking up my things come on little girl you're too hungry and too weak to walk so I will carry you. He said this daytime so the gates shall be open. He snuck out with me and into the quarantine zone.

he found his friend Dr. Crawford's office and left me there. He removed my tattoo there as well. The Val Dorian tattoo was gone. I had no tattoo was no longer Vald Dorian well at least not by tattoo or known by design and you won't be a street urchin for long, the doctor said the good thing is I got you out before you died of exhaustion and hunger. Maybe my friend would give you something to eat not knowing that maybe this other friend would give a poor child like myself some food my little tummy hadn't eaten for a while, and my clothes were dirty even the clothes in the bag I had was dirty I was dirty, a dirty little five-year-old child doctor Foger put me down and he hollered for Dr. Crawford what is it? I heard another voice call he was late at night or early morning. It was barely daylight, but they were able to get out the tattoo wasn't off of me yet another man about the same age as Dr. Fuller came to the door. What do you have my friend? He asked. Even though I'm not talking to you what do you have Dr. Boger Dr. Crawford Howard said cordially Bray said what do you have I found this little child on the streets of Alder all alone by herself.

we normally don't take in little urchins Dr. Crawford said but she's not been out long. Dr. Boger asked how long he had been out there two or three days but the poor girl had probably been starving before then Dr. Crawford scanned my aura. She is now nourished and she's very well bruised up. We will have to clean her up. What's your story child he asked me. Mommy and my stepdaddy hit me. I said they hit me all the time, it's even worse because they're having another baby and they don't want me they want the new baby, not me I said starting to cry. Oh darn you poor child Dr. Crawford said softly, putting a hand on my shoulder I know a person who will take care of you? He said, hugging me we're just gonna have to take this off first pulling up my wrist Doctor Fogger removed the tattoo from my wrist. We just need to get her cleaned up and looked out and checked out and we need to give her some food. They fed me and cleaned up my bruises but I was still crying and I still had awful nightmares about things don't worry little girl we will take good care of you thank you Dr. Bulger Bray you're welcome Howard he said even though we're not speaking to each other does it mean we can't be cordial at times no my friend and I know you want to get me out of here soon maybe we could be partners again one day he not yes maybe but I wanted to get that little girl out of there. She was hungry and she could've died. You're great to bring her here. We will take care of her and Riley will take a great deal and caring for her.

you mean the new ambassador's daughter doctor Foger asked yes she's my apprentice doctor Crawford said she comes in every day and works hard. Well, that is good. She'll be a great partner for you. He knows Riley is good at healing things and people also she told me about this little girl before when we were talking after the trials she talked about her and how sweet she was she'll be so surprised to see this little girl. I'm glad you rescued her. Riley will be so happy Riley I almost forgot about Riley, Riley acted like the big sister I never had she loved me very much. I can't wait to see Riley.

oh, she is the nicest person. The two doctors said I mean she did trade her life for the two of course for Miss Scarlet and Luther. They probably didn't know, but she probably didn't know if they were gonna be tortured. No, I don't think she knew if she did, she probably would've refused, but Riley is not that type of person, Riley sacrificed her freedom for them. Riley never told me those things. Well, they gave me a check-up and took the tattoo off. You're free now. Zoe you're safe here now I smiled, knowing that I was safe and knowing that Riley was going to take me home with her which made me happy. Maybe I'll get a new family new people to love me a new mommy and daddy if not at least to be taken care of I cried a bit. It's OK you're safe now Dr. Crawford said as Dr. Foger left Riley will be back tomorrow. I should be in later today and she will be so surprised to see you. I smiled a bit I'll get to see Riley.

maybe you should be my new big sister I thought, big sister, Riley, I thought, and if they do adopt you, Dr. Crawford said you'll get a new brother too if he ever leaves that awful palace I smiled if the Timecrest family take me in then Luther will become my big brother I have a big brother and a big sister and a sister-in-law, big family I thought and another little sibling he said reassuring me so I'll have a new little brother sister after all but they won't kick me out. Let's get you fed. He said I ate well I ate like I haven't eaten in months which has probably been that long since I've eaten anything, the poor child you're so hungry. He said your mommy and daddy didn't feed you my mommy and stepdad didn't feed me I said or they would but they'd give me a little poor thing you're safe now Zoe and you're no longer part of that awful awful kingdom I smiled why because you're special, he said, and Riley loves you, but she'll be so surprised that you were even rescued at all big smile came on my face.

and you know the rest Riley came in surprised to see me. I saw another baby in her arms, Zoe and that's how it was now I am Riley now I am Zoe Timecrest now I told my new family. My whole story half of everyone cried Scarlet cried oh you poor child, if it wasn't for our children, we would adopt you. She said you could be a big sister to our children but being our little sister is even more fun. She says ruffling my hair. Yes, Luther said hugging me Riley hugged me too my new mommy and daddy hugged me. You'll be loved all the time now you don't have to worry about that awful story or those awful awful parents beside and hush tones, I'll be destroying that empire in a few years. Luther said I smiled my new my old mommy and my stepdad will die and the new baby too. I was happy. and those awful guards who are so mean to me.

I was loved by my new family and new friends, too. I was loved I was taken care of, and I was happy that my new big brother was getting married soon too even though he was super young, but my sister-in-law deserved him not that evil awful brother of hers who I would hear screaming you heard that, I'm not I would walk by the callus sometimes and I hear you scream Scarlet, I said, and mommy would tell me like I said to turn my nose up at you if I ever saw you in the window you or Lou they both well you're a big girl and you survived. Scarlet said like I did Timecrest, our survivors, Helena said my new mommy said hugging me tightly. All of my children are survivors she said smiling at them now we need to stop thinking about sad things and happier things are this marriage and our lives now we need to get planning shall we now that we know little Zoe's story I wanted to tell you all about it, but I wanted to wait till we were out of the danger of those quarantine zones. I said hugging my family I wanted to make sure we were in a safe place before I could tell you and we're glad you did Zoe. It makes me want to destroy them more Luther said, my big brother said reassuring me don't worry they will be all gone soon how are you gonna do it I don't know yet Mother but I will do it soon maybe in another year two years everyone I care about in that place is taken out this little girl and Riley so in my Scarlet so now I don't have to worry about anyone else. The king has already killed himself, and his guards so all that's left is a soul on his guards killing the king ain't gonna be easy, no and he'll probably escape before I enter the kingdom but that's OK. I heard it's gotten tighter there too. I heard there's a new high commander and I don't like the idea of it.

well, let's think about your wedding instead. Mom said my new mommy said right my new brother said that's a good idea Mom and you had to worry about raising Ash and Zoe and Riley. Yes, and they'll be raised happily and safe and is being raised by the stones, which is nice, yes all right then he held Scarlett's hand in his own. She had her children she was holding one and Luther was holding the other a pretty little family. I thought the twins were cute. My new little cousins are my new little niece and nephew I thought now was an auntie at five and Riley was an auntie at eight. It was crazy, we were aunties now and Ash was well whatever OK now what do we do now we have plans to make another young woman who is sitting in the room that I realized was Scarlett's best friend Claire was saying well we have lots of work to do but also mom said my mommy said I think it's time to go to bed soon the precious children need to rest the younger ones at least Riley since you're the oldest not the oldest oldest but the oldest of the younger children you could stay up if you like I'll probably go to bed too. Mom heard her say sides. I want to go and tuck Zoe in and I want to play with her for a bit, I might read her a bedtime story. I smiled bedtime story.

you finally get to be a kid Zoe I heard her say she took me to our room. You get to be a good little kid, but not in the way we want to trace you not in that awful way she said, and you get to be a kid I smiled not a kid of the streets, not a kid of a broken family, but a loving, loving family, I hugged Riley. She was my big sister. I love her very much I love big brother too and my mommy and daddy. I miss Scarlet her sister-in-law I should say and asked to. I have what I wanted and what I needed a big family a big big family to love me and take care of me.

I smiled as we tried to bed Riley lay next to me. The grown-ups stayed up longer. Riley could've stayed up with the grown-ups, but she decided to go to bed with me and my new mommy went to tuck in Ash, and then she went back downstairs to talk to her brother and sister-in-law for a bit before they left to take the children home to put to bed, I can't believe he's like 13 and he has to act like an even older grown-up that's weird but Riley told me he had to grow up quickly because he had to take care of Scarlet. I just do not know this either. Riley said we both had to grow up, we never got to be children. I got to be a child longer, but your big brother now will never get to be a kid again. I cried, knowing that my big brother would never get to joy of being a child or a teenager. He has to live the grown-up life of an adult because he's now a parent of two and soon to be a white husband to miss Scarlet and have to take care of her forever I felt sad for him and then he'll have to destroy that awful empire too. I asked Riley are you gonna be sad about it? No, because my mommy is still here she said in the palace oh, right her mommy is in a tomb on ion, so I don't have to worry, and if I die, I'll probably get put there too. Really yes even though I am no longer the Vald Orion princess I would want to be buried next to my mommy she said, do you think brother will learn the spell I think so I taught it to him oh but I hope I don't die for a long time Zoe I hug her you're my little precious baby she said patting me on the head you're my precious baby angel my little precious baby sister and I love you Zoe we're gonna tell you that we love you all the time you don't have to feel like you're not loved and cared, for you'll get all the love and attention that you desire.

and you won't feel sick to Ash Riley said or me or Luther. She said you have everything and mommy and daddy will give you everything and if you can learn magic and we can get this thing cleaned up you can be in a guild with us I know, knowing that I could learn magic like Riley and Big brother in Scarlet and you'll grow up with Ash and aura and the twins. I smiled knowing this having some younger people like me to play with and you asked me Riley said laughing you grow up happy and safe we will make sure that I smile as I snuggled next to Riley, she kissed the top of my head and we went to sleep. Good night my precious child, she said. good night Riley, I said.

end of this chapter amending the chapter here I know it's short, but I told you the last couple of them would be shorter. Also, it was a short little story about Zoe. I thought you enjoy that and it's so cute some parts and sad and heartbreaking but I thought you'd want to hear her part of the story before she was adopted by the Timecrest family and her side about it, not every bit of it some of it also I thought a sweet kind of sweet story but not sweet story but a little cutie chapter to in this particular book of the friend and pho series was what we needed and little Zoe is just too cute not too don't worry it'll make sense as the story goes along.

also, I was also I thought this was adorable

i'll see you in book 3 soon. See you then.