Chapter 13

Warning, this story contains dark scenes with graphic detail that some readers may find distressing.

I sighed, still confused about mostly everything he was talking about. Opening the door, Bryce had just made it to the top of the staircase. “Bryce?” I called out and he turned to look at me a little surprised. “Thank you.” I smiled. For a few moments we both just stood there, in silence.
“Don’t worry about anything. You’re free from that hellhole, you’re safe here with us, and we won’t let anything harm you, not even your Uncle Robert.” Bryce broke the silence.
I couldn’t help but smile and feel relieved despite my confusion. Perhaps I had traded one hell for the fiery pits of hell. I guess only time can tell. I closed the gap between us, and I could tell that Bryce was feeling uncomfortable. It made me feel smugly. After all I haven’t forgotten what these guys had done to me.
Before I even thought about what I was doing, I hugged him and he was caught off-guard, I felt his body stiffen before he slowly softened and hugged me back. I just felt so thankful and so happy that I was finally free from that place, away from their angry stares and obligations that they gave me almost every day. I could finally eat properly and even find a job to support myself or buy anything that I need. I was so happy that I felt a few tears leave my eyes. I just prayed that Bryce meant what he had said. That I was safe. Well at least I believed I was safe. For all I knew they could just want me as a slave. Wait on them hand and foot. I had to stop doing that. Second guessing everyone and their intensions. My therapist told me that I shouldn’t over think things. Just let things be and follow the hands of fate.
Bryce and I let go of the hug and he saw my tear-stained cheeks. He laughed.
“Stop crying, you loser.” He teased, as he ruffled my hair, and couldn’t help but feel the pang of sadness settle in. It was something that my dad used to do to me. At the time I hated it. I felt too grown up. Now I missed little things like that. Bryce told me to get some rest and without another word I headed back to my new room which was bigger than the apartment me and my parents had rented in Chicago. I was finally alone. Exhausted and hyper at the same time. At the sight of the bed, I couldn’t help but grin as I let myself fall to the soft mattress, and I fell with a soft thud, slightly bouncing. This is it; I never thought this day would come. I thought I had to endure a few more years with that family until I could finally get the freedom that I deserved. I was ready to give up, on myself and life. But now, maybe I could finally start to live my life.
Little did they know that they saved me, not from them nor my uncle and his family, but from myself. I had been falling into the black hole of despair and depression. Now I could see a ray of light and I was ready to follow that light and see where it would take me.
A knock came from the door. I quickly got up and opened it only to find a worried-looking Taylor wearing the same clothes she wore at school. When she saw me, she let out a look of relief as she engulfed me in a tight hug, and I hugged her back. I should have been angry with her; I just couldn’t find it within me to be mad at her. There was a lightness in my heart that wasn’t there before.
“I’m glad you’re okay!” she exclaimed.
“I am! And I’m finally free!” I replied just as happily, and she quickly let go of me with a smile.
“I told you you’ll be okay!”
“You could have at least told me that you were in on this ‘plan’ they’re talking about!” I replied as I slapped her arms playfully. “Although I’m still not sure of what this all is.”
“Let the boys explain it to you.” Taylor waved it off half-heartedly. Explain it to me? I just hoped whatever they had to explain didn’t crush me. “Come, let’s head downstairs. I’ll make you dinner. Their kitchen is filled with food, I swear to you. The boys can eat, I swear there like animals at times.” She rambled pulling me along.
My stomach rumbled in hunger but excitedly, already expecting a full meal.
“Taylor, don’t you live here?” I asked.
“Nar, I can only handle Bryce in small doses.” She joked. “Plus, mum needs me. I couldn’t leave her to live alone.” She added with a bit of a sad tone. I thought there was more there but didn’t want to push her.
“What about the boys, I mean there all under eighteen. Is it even legal to live without adult supervision?” Taylor stopped walking.
“You ask a lot of questions! Listen Kingsley’s father is rich, I am talking millionaire rich. As long as the boys work for him he’s happy to let them live here. Alone. No one is going to tell Mr Davis what he or his family can and can’t do. He has a lot of political sway here and connections you don’t want to know about.” I still didn’t quite understand, but let it go for now. I had to get used to this new life of mine, where I didn’t have to worry about eating too little or wondering how much leftovers they would leave for me. Now I can eat however and whatever I want. I can find a good part-time job all while continuing with school, the worries and trauma of living with that family I hoped had finally gone from my chest for good. It was like this huge weight being lifted off my shoulders.
The boys were nowhere insight as we reached the first floor. “Where are the boys?” I asked. The big house suddenly felt empty.
“Oh, just running an errand.” She replied pulling pasta from a cupboard. “I hope you like spaghetti bolognaise. I can make a mean spag bol dish. Italian’s have nothing on me when it comes to spag bol.” She bragged in a playful manner.
“I love it,” my stomach growled in response. The next twenty minutes I helped Taylor, she crushed garlic cloves while I got the job of chopping onions. According to Taylor, I was more suited to onion tears. Besides she didn’t want to mess up her make up and have the boys tease her.
As everything was boiling the phone rang. Taylor practically skipped to answer the phone. “Hey, just tell me you’ve sorted everything?” I heard her ask. “Listen be careful. We can’t afford to bring focus onto us.” Hanging up she smiled at me. I had a feeling that there was something big going on and I was about to be dragged into it. I should I say jump into it.