"Did you or did you not tell me that both of you will return home at exactly three in the afternoon?" My dad asked Ayden and me in a soft sound that I knew was a facade.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4GaUhvSoq 維尼
We were in trouble and dad was not happy with us at all. If not for his clenched hands, the fact that Adrian was shaking his head behind him was all the proof I needed to know that we were going to get the grounding of our lifetime.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4Ot1U99Iq 維尼
"You did," Ayden started, chewing his lips and looking anywhere but into my dad's eyes. "But the thing is, uh, there was someone who was asking us for help. Right, Ariel?"8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡhmdxlfdMK6 維尼
"Yup," I agreed, bobbing my head up and down like a bobble head. "Someone asked us for directions, and us being the good children you raised us to be, helped the person out."8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2WEXWwAIWY 維尼
I smiled widely up at my dad, hoping that my grin wouldn't look fake. Dad arched an eyebrow up, while his lips twitched upward before letting it flat again.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSrgVEiIPs 維尼
"So what you're telling me, Ariel," Dad said, letting his voice sound solemn again. "Is that you and your brother were two hours late because you were helping someone out."8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡsKGpCcJrVg 維尼
Well, that worked out better than I thought.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡxu2yVNFt67 維尼
"Yes, daddy," I said, letting out another bright smile. "You're abchoutely correct."8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡ45YesQIhno 維尼
Adrian let out a laugh, and I glared at him wondering what was so funny. I didn't appreciate his laughter. He was the reason why we were in this mess to begin with.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7OoC3JlrT 維尼
"Alright," dad said, turning towards Ayden. "Is what your sister is saying, true?"8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2LpF8zEJh 維尼
Ayden coughed, before smiling weakly. "Yup. Completely true. We were just being good citizens and helping those in need."8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡEOJnbtvvLc 維尼
"What was the person's name that you were helping?" My dad asked us and I blurted the first name that came to my mind.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡGWNfhsoiEf 維尼
"Hannah."8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAwZH6icy4 維尼
"Raphael."8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8KuiZbFGoD 維尼
Ayden and I spoke out at the same time before turning to glare at one another. If only he can keep his mouth shut, we wouldn't get into so much trouble all the time.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsxZT7Iibh 維尼
Behind my dad, Adrian looked amused and I could tell that he was trying to cover his laughter with his one hand.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡMm6rru6Vuq 維尼
"Ayden, Ariel," my dad said, raising an eyebrow towards us. "Was it Hannah or was it Raphael?"8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fkYmC33Pr 維尼
"Um, it was Hannah Ann Raphael. You know, her first name was Hannah and her last name was Raphael?" my brother blurted out, making it seem like he was asking a question instead of stating a fact. Why can't he just keep his mouth shut?8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡvSxJDWtAi5 維尼
"Or was it all a lie?" my dad calmly asked, crossing his arms in front of his chest and ignoring Ayden's blunder. "This Hannah, Ariel, won't happen to be the same Hannah from the show you always watch, can it? What was it called again?"8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UPR01Md9o 維尼
"Hannah Montana," Adrian supplied helpfully to my dad and I groaned in embarrassment and anger. Leave it to Adrian to take my dad's side on this.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDwJATK9tQ 維尼
"The same goes for you, Ayden," dad said turning his gaze towards Ayden who looked like he was going to pee on himself. "Is this "Raphael" the same one that can be found in the popular turtle fighting show?"8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡiEPnl0Rhke 維尼
Ayden turned a few shades of red and I knew then that we were caught.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡBtd3fJ6wz7 維尼
"It was his fault," I said abruptly, changing my defence position to offence. I'm not going to get grounded again. I would rather let Ayden take the blame. "I wanted to go home, daddy, but Ayden said that we have to play one more game of hide and seek or he won't share his cookies with me."8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡKfcSRnvHaf 維尼
Ayden turned and I felt the glare he was firing at me.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLuTG07AfW 維尼
"She's lying dad," he shouted, pointing a finger at me. "I wanted to go home so badly, but Ariel said that we have to play another game or she won't return my teddy bear!"8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡWM6VaAUdP2 維尼
"I don't have your teddy bear!" I shouted back, knowing full well that I was lying and I do have his teddy bear. "Who would want that smelly old bear anyways. It smells worse than you!"8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡj8Bw6SyMKv 維尼
"I don't smell!" He denied, a blush forming on his face. "You're just jealous that you don't have a teddy bear anymore."8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡIBAeUHpQTS 維尼
"And who's fault is that?" I demanded, getting angry with him. "You're the one who threw my teddy bear in the trash can!"8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3D9jvLmmh 維尼
"I told you, I thought it was trash! It smelt even worse than the trash can I threw it into, " he shouted back.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpeXCOsVNi 維尼
"You smell worse than the trash can," I retorted back, sticking my tongue at him.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡEschpxIK2A 維尼
"Ariel, Ayden," Dad interrupted calmly while raising a finger and pointing it upstairs. "Go to your room and finish your homework. Both of you are grounded for a week."8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡcZKDs2g0yF 維尼
"But daddy," I whined but stopped when seeing his stern face.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkWXMiNFGh 維尼
"No buts," he softly said and tilted his head to the stairs. "Now go."8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡMqTfkEqSST 維尼
"It's all your fault," I grumpily said, storming up the stairs in front of Ayden. "You just don't know when to keep that mouth shut, do you?"8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrmHgUwnY7 維尼
"My fault?" He squeaked, poking me on my back. "You're the one who said Hannah. If you left the talking to me, we wouldn't have been grounded for a week."8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7ZF378GIz 維尼
"You're right," I said solemnly before turning to smirk down at him. "If I left the talking to you, we wouldn't have been grounded for a week, but instead a month."8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡikcERs7ADj 維尼
There was a slight pause in his footsteps as he took the time to understand what I just said. I smiled when his mouth dropped and his face turned red.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡi4uwOkttSv 維尼
"Ariel!" He shouted, and started to chase me up the stairs. I ran straight to my room, laughing while locking the door behind my sputtering brother.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡ72FvFoPerW 維尼
It was just too easy to rile him up.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡrybkmqooB1 維尼
Orion8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡopmAevZX5e 維尼
"Ayden!" A voice pleaded out in despair and I jarred awake hearing the sheer desperation in the familiar sound.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9i9a8SCXR 維尼
I looked around, disorientated for a second, before honing onto Ariel's pitiful state.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡEauUfvAdcn 維尼
She was leaning against the wall, clutching her head into her knees, whimpering incoherent words every now and then.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3TN21FMSdU 維尼
Her arms were wrapped around her bent knees and I knew with a dreadful sigh, that she was lost in her mind.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡg4DIv985WJ 維尼
Quickly as I can, I rushed to her side hoping I can soothe her before she woke herself up again.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡinBlL4YVQL 維尼
I couldn't even imagine the pain she's in right now. Her whole body was black and blue and the liquid silver used on her back left her skin in shreds. It was a gruesome sight and half the time I wondered if death was truly a better option for the poor girl.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡSztrUvAfCW 維尼
"It's just a dream," I murmured in her ear, gathering her frail body onto my lap, hoping I can provide her some of my warmth. "Go back to sleep."8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡLC7kmvDDQU 維尼
"I c-can't," she mumbled into my chest and I was surprised and a bit disheartened to see that she was awake. Sometimes it was better for us to be asleep. That way we didn't have to face the real nightmare that's now have been our reality for three years. "It's s-so cold, Oreo. Are we in the N-North Pole?"8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2c0i8PBOph 維尼
I smiled with tears filling my eyes, wondering how she can still joke around at a time like this. She really is an amazing person.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡkaCe5GUyAH 維尼
"And what do you know about the North Pole?" I teased her, hoping to get her spirits up a bit. "Have you ever been there before?"8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡYo9kJBgsvX 維尼
She giggled softly and leaned closer, while shaking her head back and forth. "Maybe..."8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡCYtgaLaid8 維尼
"Maybe?" I gasped, tickling her sides carefully. "Does that mean you met Santa Claus?"8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡmeOMeYFcbO 維尼
"You're funny, Oreo," she laughed, before her voice turned serious. "Everyone knows that Santa Claus is not real."8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8HhO6DJQT 維尼
"You don't know that for sure," I responded lightly, carefully untangling the knots in her hair. "Most would say the same thing about werewolves but yet, we still exist."8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡN3dbP2dP5u 維尼
Ariel pondered the thought for a moment, before nodding. "You're right, Oreo. Maybe there is a Santa Claus somewhere out there."8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6s3bNfuMsO 維尼
I smiled, seeing how sincere she looked. It was hard to remember that she's just thirteen years old sometimes. The way she talks and the way she sees the world makes me forget that she's only just a child underneath all her power.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuM9LBIWDZ 維尼
"Orion," she whispered, and her soft voice brought me back from my thoughts. "Do you know what I think?"8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡG4951Hrp5K 維尼
"Hmm?" I asked quietly, smoothing her unruly hair down. Her once blonde hair now turned a whiter color, due to the lack of nutrition and light she got in here.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡFOs9EpGg4i 維尼
For some who looked at her, they would see an abused and depraved child, but for me, I could only see her beauty and power.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡPlYAPQRW9O 維尼
"I think that even if there was a Santa Claus, I don't think I'll ever meet him or get a present from him," she said sadly, and I cringed hearing the dullness in her voice.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81Nyhr2tuy 維尼
"Don't say that, Ariel," I commanded lightly, fully aware that the next words coming out of my mouth was bullshit. "We'll get out of here soon."8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡnycXIprb11 維尼
"No, we won't," she sighed, and I felt one of her tears splash my neck. "But that's not what I meant, Oreo."8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡjzPsUYi1BN 維尼
"Oh?" I asked softly, trying to relax the tone of my voice. It kills me inside when I hear her crying. I hate what that bastard does to her. He tries to break her spirit and sometimes I wonder how much time we have left, before he truly shatters her.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡPh3juIJ0bl 維尼
"I won't get any presents from Santa Claus ," she mumbled into my shirt, letting out a yawn. "I heard only children on the Nice list gets present from him."8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡQzmpUwCdJE 維尼
"You silly girl. You're the nicest girl in the world," I murmured and I truly meant those words. The only reason why the other wolves, Leon and I were still alive, was because of this girl. Without her healing power, we wouldn't have lasted a month in this hell-hole.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYfas11iRq 維尼
"No, Orion," she said seriously, looking up at me, before cuddling into my chest. "I'm on the Noddy list. I know you don't see it but I know for sure I'm on it."8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWdsQVU6WO 維尼
"And why do you say that?"8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡdlKjBmxRMr 維尼
"Because I did things," she said quietly, and there was a tremble in her voice that made my heart leap.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡB58qgFV4GP 維尼
Anger washed through my body and formed in the pit of my stomach as I grasped on what she was trying to tell me.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡA18GO2rOiq 維尼
No one, myself included, knows what takes place when Lucius drags Ariel upstairs. Every time she limps her way down the dark stairwell, her body is in a condition worse than before. Black and blue, with blood always dripping down.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZpeR6WdwH 維尼
What Lucius is doing to her is not just abuse, but torture. That bastard is torturing her for his own sick pleasure and we have no way of stopping him.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5inaljyhci 維尼
She never talks about it to us and we always let it go, trying to cheer her up instead. And for that, I'm grateful because seeing is one thing, but hearing what goes upstairs is a boundary that I don't think I would ever be ready to cross.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Khd4q8iQo 維尼
As cruel as it may seem, I only pray that the abuse she endures is physical. Because thinking otherwise, was not something that I'll ever be able to face or digest.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ck1B9Ftwk 維尼
A sick sense of dread filled the pit of my stomach and I tried not to gag, when voicing my next question. "What things are you talking about, honey?"8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡQWQysO7kd8 維尼
Ariel barely shrugged and I felt I was carrying a half-dead body on my lap. She looked so vulnerable, engulfed against my much bigger form.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡ97Kmngumnn 維尼
A doll.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2M5Ae5X9T7 維尼
She looked like a broken, used up doll.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbSFr0NM0B 維尼
"I don't know," she whispered softly, trying to control her breathing. "B-but Oreo, I don't like doing it at all. He makes me do t-things and I feel so d-dirty sometimes."8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡSY852lExH2 維尼
Her tears were my undoing and the anger I had toward Lucius increased with the hatred I held toward myself.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡkTKDl5zON4 維尼
I didn't want to hear anymore but I punished myself by listening to her whimpers and cries. I wasn't strong enough to save her and the worst thing is, I don't think I'll ever be strong enough to beat him.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡaAFnq6OiJd 維尼
"Oreo?" she asked and I gulped, trying to stop my voice from breaking.8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡpD0vsiYGrV 維尼
"Yes, sweetie?"8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9CQB6oikm 維尼
"Do you think my family will still want me?" Ariel asked, sounding sad and tired. "Do you think Ayden and Adrian still care about me?"8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLifVXbFbB 維尼
"Of course," I responded, thinking to myself how lucky her family was to had such a bright sunshine in their lives. "Why would you ask such a question?"8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡzAffpF3bhj 維尼
"I don't know," she hiccuped, before whispering the next words. "I'm afraid they'll forget all about me one day. Who knows? Maybe they're happy I'm gone."8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡLhY5OYxnHu 維尼
"Don't say that," I commanded, hoping to get my message through. How can she not see how damn special she truly was? "They'll never forget you, sweetheart. You're one of a kind. Impossible to forget and forever to love."8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡZbwQQfdTJk 維尼
"You're so sweet," she murmured, letting out a small giggle. "I'm so happy that you guys are here for me. I don't know what I'll do without you."8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡRFJ8Xps6G6 維尼
"No Ariel, you're wrong," I murmured, amazed on the amount of kindness she has in her heart. "We don't know what we would've done without you."8964 copyright protection67ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmZ92l2Qvj 維尼
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