Chapter 88

***Chrissy***

~
07:15 pm,
I stare at Mom one last time before exiting the room, she's been ill and her condition is adding up to it. Can this baby grow in peace when there's virtually no tranquility around her.
I walk into my room rubbing my arms gently, I've suddenly developed goosebumps. Dayle should be returning today but they have taken so long and what could be the problem?
He did what he did to save me, the whole mother thing must he mind boggling and devastating for him, I'm concerned over how's he's coping with the news after all. Mom has told me how cold and absent he's been around here. I grab my backpack and head out of my room. I bump into Nina, she's carrying a tray that has my breakfast in it.
“Where are you headed little girl, your Mom strongly suggests that you remain home for the day! At least have some breakfast?!”
“I know. I can't stay at home as well, I'll be fine! I won't go alone—I’ll go with the security—securites!” I explain and she furrows her brows.
“Okay! Your principal has been told that you are unable to make it school—”
“It will be more suspicious if Dayle and I miss school. Is it possible that we both fall ill on the same day—concurrently?” I ask making my point. In as much as I want to stay, I just need to head out. I'm so worried about Dayle and Dad—especially Dayle.
I know that what he did to me was wrong, I'm pained over it, I don't know how to place my anger or dismiss it but then I want him safe. More reasons why I need to step out a bit.

*
I'm escorted by three security men, it sucks but I have to comply.
I try to enter school secretly but I'm super unlucky, students are either staring at me or muttering a whole shit about the list and our sudden disappearance. Molly bumps into me once I enter the class, it's empty though.
“Chriss?” She calls out coldly. I force a faint smile.
“Hi. Molly. How are you?”
“No, how are you?” she asks, she's being somewhat sarcastic now.
“Great.” I snap
“You've not been in school lately and why is that? Principal says that you've been ill but then it's now strange again when he says that Dayle is ill too. Something is not right!” she says crosding her arms posting her lips. Fuck. She'd never understand a single thing and why is she being mean to me? Molly that I've known would have asked if I'm okay but reverse is the case.
“What's not right? You heard the principal, he would not lie, would he?” I ask her, I won't let her have a shit. She chuckles.
“Principal would not lie but the Theodore’s would! Dayle would. And you would!”
“What's your problem with me, why are you like this?” I ask her firmly and she shrugs a shoulder.
“I'm just confused.” She starts talking before Ken and Ellen enter the class. “I'm still confused.” she adds before walking away. She doesn't even look in Ellen’s direction as well. Something is really abnormal but that's the least of my problems. Ken and Ellen throw themselves on me, we miss each other.
“I knew you'd return,”
“What did that family get you into?” Ken asks. I know how much he hares Dayle and now he's transferring his aggression on the entire family. “What happened to you? Who abducted you?” he asks again and I drip on the seat next to me. I'm trying to recover from that ugly incident.
“Ken stop, you're impossible right now! She doesn't need all of that right now and remember, no one has to know about it.” Ellen reminds him.
They are pressuring me about the entire incident but then I only tell them that I'll tell them everything when I feel much better.
In fact I already regret why I chose to come to school when I was strongly warned against it.
Everyone has been on their business likewise myself, Ellen and Ken have been with me the whole time. We head to the cafeteria, I'm don't have the appetite to eat anything as it stands. I'm just worried about everything. My Mom’s condition, Dad, Dayle and everything involved.
“Did he apologize about the list?” Ken asks
“Jeez Ken, let Chrissy be for a minute!” Ellen warns him and then he looks away.
“I'm sorry. I'm just... I'm just worried over you. I mean—”
“Fuck you, Ken, not now!” Ellen scowls at him but he continues talking regardless.
“I mean, the rumors are soresinh and they are very ugly. Some think that you and Dayle are secretly seeing each other... There are fucking crazy instances that have been laid out.” Ken pauses while I try to understand the whole thing.
“What do you mean?” I calmly ask
“They are instances. You both are really close—well everyone thinks so and—”
I leave the table and start walking off but I hear Ellen scolding Ken over his attitude.

I'm guilty as fuck and it's one of the reasons I'm fucking cold. I don’t know what to say and I have nothing to say even. Getting to the hallway, i bump into Egan. I try to walk past him but he grabs my arm causing me to halt.
“Just a minute, Chriss. Please!”
I push his hand off my arm and he respects it. “Can we talk outside?!”
I remain silent walking out instead. He follows me from behind.

We stand on lawn, it's not crowded. I cross my arms. “What are we talking about?”
“Nothing. I just want to apologize about everything and for I've been terrible with you. I lied to you the whole time. The tick off that you heard was really fuck list. I swear to you that I tried to back out, we all wanted out—Dayle and I but Steve didn't. He felt crossed and it was all my fault.”
“It's... It's fine!” I start walking off but he grabs my arm again, I stare at him disappointedly. He takes off his hand. His eyes are welling up. I do t want to see this.
“Chriss! Tell me how to make things up, I want us to be like we used be—we were happy and in love—”
“We can't anymore!” I snap, I'm on the verge of tearing up too. “ it's not possible right now!”
“Why? I've turned a new leaf! I want to prove to you that I could be better, I have no secrets. Chrissy I love you with everything I own,” he sniffs rubbing his eyes
“Egan please stop, just stop. I'm not what you think I am—I mean I'm not the girl for you! I need time! Just move on!” I groan attempting to run off and so he blyrts out again
“Is it him? Or can we not ever work? Am I the problem or he is?”
Who is he referring to, I ask myself? Instead, I run off, ignoring what he had just said. Coming to school was the worse decision that I've made today. Things did not go well, the speculations are high.

*
As soon as I arrive, I sight Mom from a short distance. She's sitting in the garden holding a glass of juice I think. She looks tensed up. Initially, I had been told that she wants to see me right away. I walk over to her. She lifts her face to meet mine but she looks angry.
“Mom—”
“There is only a simple rule today. Remain home but you broke it.”
“Mom, I promise that school was fine. You don't—”
“Did you know how I felt when you were abducted by that sick woman? I pictured a lot of things, I almost ran mad. It didn't end there, your brother is now held captive and so is your father and then you... you stubbornly left for school. We have no idea who’s gonna come at us— and so do you left. What did you think I would feel? Do you think this is easy for me? All you had to do was listen to a simple instruction STAYING HOME!!! Chrissy, I’m truly disappointed at you, it seems like you don’t have an idea what’s going on. Your father’s life and that of your brother’s are on the line. I just want to keep us safe for them—could you just understand that I hate situation that we are in? Please!” she stops talking and looks away. I draw in a deep breath.
“I'm sorry Mom, I didn't mean to bother you!”
“Come here!” she pulls me in for a hug. She rubs my calmly. “I just hope that they come home to us. I hope that this ends!”
“It will Mom, be hopeful!”
We pull away gently. She sits down. “This is not the life planned for you Chriss, it seems like I keep messing up. I want you to be happy,” she starts sobbing
“Mom, I'm very happy to be in this family. And if you keep blaming yourself then I'm going to get mad. You've done everything mother should do for her daughter! You gave me a wonderfully and I'm happy. You have no hand in this, things happen and it will pass. Soon!” I cradle her in my arns again.
Some seconds later, a security cones up to us hastily. Mom braces up instantly. I love the way she fixes her strength in every situation.
“What's the matter?” she asks
“They are home. Everyone!”
Mom and I look at ourselves and smile, Mom tells the man to lead the way. She's almost running and I remind her that she needn’t have to.

*
I see Dad, Dom, Bobby and Dayle. Dad embraces us before a second is wasted. He kisses me nonstop on the head also reminding that he'll never let anything as this happen again. I nod agreeably. He embraces his wife again and again. They are kissing too. Dom and Bobby give me a curt smile before heading away and now my eyes are on Dayle. He's starting at me and I'm staring at him too. I don't realize the moment I throw myself on him, he hugs me very tightly. He's silent but then I feel how cold he is, he's bothered and excited to see me.
“I knew you'd come back to me!” I tell him as my eyes waters. At this point, I don't know if I'm acting way to much over a brother or not. I can't help it. I can't beat it either.
“I love you so much, Chriss!” his whispery voice send an avalanche of chills down my spine. Even to this moment, he's still telling me this.