~~~~~~~~Sage's POV~~~~~~~~~

It had been about two weeks since that moment. After I told Noah about everything, we were both afraid to know what Ryan would do to us if he found out, but we couldn't hurt this family.

Not only did they not deserve this, but we grew too attached to them...

I have to say: the times Aiden and I have spent together have been the best days of my entire life.

He was always so kind and caring, and tried to make every moment with me great, and he would always make me feel so special.

Needless to say: I really liked being with him.

I had just woken up to a delicious smell. I went downstairs, seeing a cake along with other baked goods. Aiden turned to look at me, and a warm smile grew on his face. "Good morning!"

I walked over. "Morning...!" He placed a soft kiss on my cheek, making me giggle. I then looked around. "What's all this?"

He chuckled. "You forgot already?"

I tilted my head, but I soon got my answer. Alyse ran down with a bright smile. "BIRTHDAY!!!!"

I let out a small laugh as she ran around in excitement, yelling 'Birthday' on repeat. Aiden rolled his eyes with a smile, Alyse sitting behind the counter.

"Happy birthday, Al." I said, gently ruffling her hair, making her smile brightly at me.

"Thank you!!!" She raised her arms up in joy. "I'm finally ten!!!" she yelled.

She reached over to the cake, starting to slide it over to her, but Aiden stopped her. "Ah-ah, not yet. This is for your party later."

Alyse pouted, huffing before crossing her arms. "Fine."

Iv walked downstairs, blowing a small paper party horn. "Happy birthday, little sis."

Alyse's smile grew brighter before looking at Aiden. "Can't time go any faster?!? I want my party to start already!!! I haven't had my friends over in forever!!!"

Aiden chuckled. "Calm down, it'll be time for your party sooner than you think." He then slid a plate of eggs and bacon over to her. "Now, a special birthday breakfast for the special birthday girl."

"Yay!!!" She didn't waste any time with starting to eat.

I giggled at the sight before feeling Aiden's arm gently wrap around my waist, making me blush. Once he saw me tense up, he pulled his arm away. "S-sorry...!"

I let out a small chuckle, gently resting my head on his shoulder. "It's okay..."

He gave a shy smile, wrapping an arm around me once more. He was so adorable!

I heard someone clear their throat, making me look over. I noticed Noah glaring daggers at Aiden. God, why? He always got so overprotective whenever I was with someone.

Aiden pulled away, looking at his feet, nervous. I hugged him from behind, burying my face on his back. "M-m.."

He let out a soft chuckle, gently resting his head on mine, making me smile.

Alyse giggled. "This is so cute!!!" I felt my cheeks heat up, letting out a huff. I then heard her let out a gasp. "Oh, I almost forgot!" She hopped off the chair.  "I'll be right back!"

She ran upstairs, leaving us. I wonder what she forgot..

~~~~~~~~~Third Person POV~~~~~~~~~

Alyse ran up to her room, excited to show the others what she had recently painted. Walking over to her easel, she reached to grab the canvas, when something glimmered in the corner of her eye.

She looked at her window, the view of the forest outside. Tilting her head in confusion, she wondered if it was just a trick of the light. But there it was again, the same green glow.

She walked over, opening her window and peeking outside, looking out for anything. "Huh." she said to herself when nothing was in view, just the same plants and flowers along her windowsill as always.

"Hello, Alyssa~" The young girl immediately froze at the sudden new yet familiar voice. A feeling around her shoulders soon appeared. She knew who this was, and emotions she had previously felt vanished.

The only one left was fear.

All words were stuck in her throat when the feeling on her shoulders disappeared, the familiar man appearing in front of her.

His red hair.

His green snake-like eyes.

It was all far too familiar. Alyse had met him before a few times, and none of which were good. Whenever they crossed paths, he'd always try to hurt and/or kill her and her siblings.

This wasn't good, she knew that for a fact.

Ryan stared down at the frightened girl, a smirk spread across his face. Alyse backed away, her eyes wide. "H-how did you-?!?"

"Get in? Oh, it wasn't easy. But I managed to find a weak spot in your barrier." He answered, the smirk not leaving his face as he gave a small shrug.

Alyse was about to scream when he placed a hand over her mouth, a sharp green dagger pressed against her neck. "Ah-ah-ah, no yelling, we don't want the others to grow suspicious~" She froze in place, afraid of what he would do if she made any sudden movements.

"You're an important pawn in my game, little Blossom, and I can't let you ruin this for me~" He pressed a finger against her forehead. Alyse's eyes flickered green for a split second before she fainted. Ryan chuckled as his plan took action, disappearing with the young girl.

~~~~~~~~~Aiden's POV~~~~~~~~~

It had been around ten minutes since Alyse went upstairs. The others didn't really seem to mind much of it, but I started to grow a little worried.

She said she'd be back, right?

I looked around before going upstairs, knocking on her closed door. "Alyse?"

No response. I held my breath for a few seconds before speaking. "Alyssa, it's Aiden, is everything okay?"

Still nothing.

I opened the door, walking into the room. The window was open, the atmosphere was strange. I looked around, no sign of Alyse. I felt myself grow nervous, leaving the room.

I searched all over the second floor, trying not to panic. She was nowhere to be found. I ran downstairs, my eyes wide. "A-Alyse is gone!"

The others looked at me in surprise. Iv was the first to walk over. "Gone?!? Gone where?!?"

"I-I don't know, she wasn't in her room, she's not upstairs, I don't know where she is!"

"Calm down, she could just be playing a prank." She replied. "Just take a deep breath."

I did as told, relaxing a little.

"He's right..." We both turned to Sage who was glowing a soft blue. She hugged herself as she stopped glowing, looking down. "She's been taken..."

"W-what do you mean 'taken'...?" I asked.

She remained quiet for a few seconds before speaking. "... Ryan took her..."

My blood ran cold at her sentence. I noticed my sister turn pale as she stared at Sage, eyes wide as fear grew in them. I was afraid too.

We knew what he was capable of far too well...

"Shit, of course he had to!" Iv yelled in anger as she slammed a fist against the counter.

I turned to face her. "Cursing in anger later, we need to get her back before he does anything!"

"How?!? We don't even know where he hides!!!" She yelled back, and I couldn't argue back. As much as I hated to admit, she was right. For eight years, we had no idea where he was.

"We do..." We both looked at Sage once more, Noah standing beside her, both with shamed expressions.

Iv and I exchanged a glance before looking back at them. "What...? How...?" I asked.

"It's... a long story-"

"Which we don't have time for right now, we need to get Alyse." Sage said, interrupting her brother.

I nodded, she was right. "Then take us to him, we can't let him hurt her."

Thanks for reading!!! 'Till next time!!!

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