Lydia

I watch Liam as he plays quietly with his toys.

Children are so innocent. Oblivious to the ways of the world. Here he is, Kidnapped but still smiling. It breaks my heart.

I hate how he had to get mixed up in all of this.

As I calmly drink my tea, I contemplate whether I should call mom. Richard DID tell me to do it.

I put down my glass cup and reach for my phone when there's a sudden knock on the door.

Who could it be? I wasn't expecting anyone.

I usher Liam to stay quiet as I walk up to the door and peer outside through the peephole.

It's Zack. And he looks mad.

Why!? Why is he here!? Without informing beforehand!

Quickly, I pick up my phone and run into the bedroom as he knocks again. Atleast he can't bring a gun in here.

Liam sits there, worried. I give him the phone and take him to the bathroom closest.

"Hide. Whatever happens, DO NOT come out. And when I yell the word "Hilarious" call my friend Richard and just say code:blue. Understand? Can you do it?" I whisper to him as the knocking grows louder.

He nods but is still scared "W-who is it?"

"An angry friend of mine. Don't worry, I'll make him leave soon." I assure him and leave him to open the door.

As soon as I open the door, he glares at me.

"Where are they?" He demands.

"Who are you talking about?" I smirk.

He then pushes past me, forcefully entering the room, and starts searching the living room. I quickly shut the door.

"Is this about your embarrassing fiasco at the old toy factory? Saw it on the news" I taunt, successfully prompting him to stop in his tracks.

"Lydia. I'm done with your games. Tell me where Morgan and that boy is right now." He says firmly in a threatening tone.

I brace myself and continue to have the upper hand.

"I honestly don't know where they are but even if I did, aren't you so incompetent that you can't find them on your own? Guess now everyone will find-" before I can finish what I'm saying, he launches at me and his thick hands grab my delicate neck.

I lose balance and fall onto the sofa behind me while he gets on top of me and starts strangling me. The tea cup on the table falls to the floor, shattering to bits.

The weight of him on my stomach and his hands crushing my windpipe makes it incredibly hard to breathe.

"Either you answer me right now or I'll kill you right at this spot." He roars as I cough. My hands desperately try to pull him away.

Don't show weakness...
Don't falter...
Don't let them get to you...

I smirk and open my mouth, to speak. "Are you sure...you wanna do that? Richard will reveal...everything if...I'm not able to."

"I'll just take my chances. Deal with that later." He says as his grip tightens. He doesn't let go even as my nail dig into his hands prompting blood to drip towards my neck.

Not...yet...

"Poor Ethan...was...so proud" I utter as I start to gag.

His grip finally loses and I start to cough and gasp for air.

"What?"

I stroke my neck and look him dead in the eyes.

"Oh, that's right...I met him a few days ago. He went on and on about how proud he was of his big brother. How much of a father figure he considers him now...I really wanted to laugh." I lie. My right arm reaches to the floor, searching stealthily for a big piece of glass.

I can see him getting angry again. He still stays on top of me causing my stomach to hurt now. He sure is big.

"Just imagine his expression when he realizes that his brother is the one who murdered his dear father! HILARIOUS!" I say and start laughing at his face.

He raises a fist and punches me on my left cheek. An electrifying pain courses through my face and my mouth fills with blood. As quickly as I can, I raise up the glass shard and slash his cheek right below his eye. He yelps in pain and I use my leftover strength to push him off of me. I get up and stumble towards the wall.

Just then there's a knock on the door.

"Housekeeping! I've brought the new bedsheets that you wanted Miss Lydia"

There is silence as Zack and I look at each other.

Then I whisper "Leave"

He says nothing but glares at me while holding his bloody cheek.

"Or does the headline 'Officer Zack Edgar found assaulting a high schooler in her own home' sound fun to you?" I smile at him. The cleaner at the door knocks again.

"It's Ok, Milton. I don't need them. Sorry to bother you!" I call out through the door. My voice still cracks as my throat aches in pain.

"It's alright. Call me whenever you need me." I hear and then he's gone.

Zane gets up and grabs some tissues to clean his wound.

"This isn't over yet. I won't rest until I've sucked the life out of both of you" he threatens and exits the room.

Once gone, I lock the door behind him.

I stand there, dazed, in silence as my whole body throbs in pain.

The bedroom door creaks open and a sobbing Liam stares at me in horror.

"Lydia!" He cries, runs up to me, and wraps me in a hug. He is basically hugging my legs.

I smile and ruffle his hair "You did a great job. That was very brave of you."

"He was hurting you! why did you let him in!?" He asks as he looks up at me with a face covered in snot and tears.

I don't answer him. There's something I have to do first.

I move him away from me and walk towards the bedroom.

"He said he was looking for a boy. Was that me? Did he hurt you because of me?... I wanna go home" he follows me and starts sobbing. But I can't pay attention to that at the moment.

I enter the bathroom but don't bother to lock the door. I can hear him wailing outside.

I look at myself in the mirror. Purple bruises on my neck and one on my face. I walk over to the shower and turn it on. I don't take off my silk pajamas or wait for the water to get warm.

I want to wash it all away.

And then, finally, the tears start flowing.

Every part of my body that was touched. Wash it all away.

My tears flow uncontrollably and I fall to the cold wet floor.

The memories come back like a flood.

I sit, bringing my knees to my face, and run my hands on my neck.

As each memory plays in my head, I shout. I cry, wail, yell and let it all out.

"MAKE IT STOP! I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY!"

It's when the shower is closed do I realize that Liam had entered the bathroom. Guess I was more of a baby than him. He had long stopped crying. He hugs me tightly until I calm down a little.

After afew minutes, I stop shouting and sob quietly.

The sweet boy then places a dry towel over my head and sits down on the wet floor beside me, leaning on me.

We sit like that in silence as I calm myself down.

"Do you miss home?" I ask him.

"Kinda, yes" he answers as he looks at his fingers.

"Want me to take you back?"

He stays quiet for a few seconds

"I don't know. But...I know by now that you're not my cousin."

"And you still don't want to go?"

"Home doesn't feel like home. My sister is rarely around, mom drinks a lot and it's not good to be around her when she does. And dad...well...he makes me uncomfortable. It's more fun with you." He says as he plays with the water.

"You do know I'm not a nice person right?"

"...You are nice though," he says innocently and gets up.

"Come on! It's my medicine time and you take yours too. Then we'll cartoons." He continues as he pulls my arm.

I steadily get up and rub my head with the towel. He is already running outside.

"Wait, let me get changed first. Take your meds and then I'll pick out clothes for you too." I call out to him. He yells ok in reply.

At this moment, right now, all I feel is peace and calm. I don't want this moment to ever end.