"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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6kizKbmvRp 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4gXCkvR6U 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡIk07DcwUqo 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Vx4oirmiD 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡoXJBtVkj7W 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7o56WUUx4c 維尼
Well, that worked out better than I thought.8964 copyright protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoowUVcuxi 維尼
"Yes, daddy," I said, letting out another bright smile. "You're abchoutely correct."8964 copyright protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡzSYnZslg5M 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPRokmKrVJ 維尼
"Alright," dad said, turning towards Ayden. "Is what your sister is saying, true?"8964 copyright protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2KXKqH1mC 維尼
Ayden coughed, before smiling weakly. "Yup. Completely true. We were just being good citizens and helping those in need."8964 copyright protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡV7ylLXL95j 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSnJIBfuQQ 維尼
"Hannah."8964 copyright protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4RLK2Lrvu4 維尼
"Raphael."8964 copyright protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxlflte3do 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZxmAmVjFu 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHGoYDSjhm 維尼
"Ayden, Ariel," my dad said, raising an eyebrow towards us. "Was it Hannah or was it Raphael?"8964 copyright protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡfUPnuRnd7q 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡn4oI0wCshZ 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6SDBV4QOjg 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡx1TV9Q35FG 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡDWNxOHoYpC 維尼
Ayden turned a few shades of red and I knew then that we were caught.8964 copyright protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdWLLKx8pC 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVeJ0nq2Zo 維尼
Ayden turned and I felt the glare he was firing at me.8964 copyright protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXu82Fc7G0 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡNHHgqo1WAd 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHMvo627L9 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡieaXr6zqrc 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡOej8jwAQz3 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCiKeUfn2p 維尼
"You smell worse than the trash can," I retorted back, sticking my tongue at him.8964 copyright protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUynU8pzlI 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡSWnX0QW5au 維尼
"But daddy," I whined but stopped when seeing his stern face.8964 copyright protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡgA4aHK2VMw 維尼
"No buts," he softly said and tilted his head to the stairs. "Now go."8964 copyright protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡWUUyrpUmeZ 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡQKfRbg2gm7 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7hc76ouoap 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡb0cT8ikA4Z 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡLYkG9RwlYp 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡikjmzCk7pw 維尼
It was just too easy to rile him up.8964 copyright protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡpTmg2O08Ey 維尼
Orion8964 copyright protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡaxdPVfpsER 維尼
"Ayden!" A voice pleaded out in despair and I jarred awake hearing the sheer desperation in the familiar sound.8964 copyright protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVRIVBWlGu 維尼
I looked around, disorientated for a second, before honing onto Ariel's pitiful state.8964 copyright protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjMRucWBui 維尼
She was leaning against the wall, clutching her head into her knees, whimpering incoherent words every now and then.8964 copyright protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡfRtMU9l6Ry 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡEfb8VE9XV5 維尼
Quickly as I can, I rushed to her side hoping I can soothe her before she woke herself up again.8964 copyright protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfBhucgf4J 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZbN2SM5yN 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYv6PdfDWq 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡvApHH0PWJc 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWtE3LNuBN 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7yEwhdMX7 維尼
She giggled softly and leaned closer, while shaking her head back and forth. "Maybe..."8964 copyright protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡSONpkw4t6k 維尼
"Maybe?" I gasped, tickling her sides carefully. "Does that mean you met Santa Claus?"8964 copyright protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6L4wIry0a 維尼
"You're funny, Oreo," she laughed, before her voice turned serious. "Everyone knows that Santa Claus is not real."8964 copyright protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJ6sYScnu1 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡ99zDzgHTd2 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡk3aZFNtcWJ 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAeaw8X3GC 維尼
"Orion," she whispered, and her soft voice brought me back from my thoughts. "Do you know what I think?"8964 copyright protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡfFk0ijGFBG 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0TmbkrCog 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZs6uoNUdS 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡGJve0Gug1R 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNrwLW5PEO 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡjj1oJg9Kpd 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9pkfvSIZe 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡzL39SYfFgG 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61ndxERgIa 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡAbPrfSj4eJ 維尼
"And why do you say that?"8964 copyright protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbBBkJ0kb0 維尼
"Because I did things," she said quietly, and there was a tremble in her voice that made my heart leap.8964 copyright protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡTm9usi5t7u 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡocZ1ZNw72l 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡhGW8LkJJu1 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡy1zeZoR7TH 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡuUyP8pylyL 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2MUMkVZaSa 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbAXNuIlIQ 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡNeoYUCa7ea 維尼
A doll.8964 copyright protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcGJvanX7z 維尼
She looked like a broken, used up doll.8964 copyright protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRcI1vyzJ5 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtwFwXhdQ0 維尼
Her tears were my undoing and the anger I had toward Lucius increased with the hatred I held toward myself.8964 copyright protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡhSi91ScAtY 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡIv73FVa4t0 維尼
"Oreo?" she asked and I gulped, trying to stop my voice from breaking.8964 copyright protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡCxgcgnXbBP 維尼
"Yes, sweetie?"8964 copyright protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡOArDwx4E2O 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHbE4uRjNW 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡNCk3lC9eSg 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡ29xbW9ByKm 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡhgUfOymuVO 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7ZopV5o6r 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 protection189ＰＥＮＡＮＡf2KPAWyjcf 維尼
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