Time Skip: Three Weeks Later

Mark's kindness, compassion, humour and hospitality had saved my life.

I had never felt more welcomed and at home anywhere I had been fostered into. Mark had become almost a father figure overnight, having long conversations, watching movies, playing video games and allowing me to help cook with him. After two weeks, we had become very trusting if each other, despite us being total strangers before the point.

After application, a police check and a speedy 2 week course due to the circumstances, Mark had been entered as a foster legal guardian under the system while Ben was thoroughly investigated for domestic abuse. It was easier to sleep at night knowing that Ben would never be allowed to hurt another young child again.

I woke up to voices, two familiar voices.

'Two?'

One was Mark's, the other a strong Irish accent which I certainly recognised from somewhere, it seemed so familiar.

"Good morning Hannah!" Mark chimed. I smiled and leaned up, muscles protesting.

"Good morning Mark!! Do you have a guest? Would you like me to move to another room?" I questioned curiously.

"No it's alright sweetie, you can stay in this room, not a problem at all. I have my friend Jack staying with me for a week-"

"Jack? As in 'Jacksepticeye' Jack?" I gasped.

"Yes that would be the one!" He giggled.

"Awesome! Would I be allowed to say hi? Is that too much to as-"

"Of course you can darl! JACK!" He called up the stairs, causing me to jump from the sudden change in volume.

"YEAH!" Jack all but screamed back playfully.

"COME HERE, HANNAH WANTS TO SAY HI!" Mark yelled back up. Jack jumped down 2 steps at a time like

"Hello Hannah" He giggled playfully.

"HELLO JACK! I'm a such a big fan of yours!" I giggled in return.

"Wow that was loud, you've watched my videos on full volume then?" He joked, giving me a warm hug. I laughed in return and my heart stopped when he smiled and sat next to me on the couch, cereal in hand and legs crossed as we began lengthy conversation.

We talked for a long time while Mark recorded a video upstairs, intent on finishing early so he had more time to spend with us.

I told him about that night and Ben, explaining how Mark had practically saved me from what could have quiet possibly been the end of my sorry life.

"That's awful, I'm so sorry that happened to you Hannah. How badly did he hurt you that night? If you don't mind me asking, of course" Jack asked sympathetically. I rolled up my shirt very slightly and showed him the mass bruising and also the large scar on my leg, which remained wrapped in a bandage. "Holy sh!t."

"It was t-the final straw I g-guess" I recovered, a fake half smile making its way across my features.

The quietness which had laced his voice and the room was daunting. Keys rattled from behind us, followed by footsteps stopping behind the couch.

"Hey guys, I have to go out for a little while, will you two be alright?" Mark asked, red flannel shirt, jeans and sneakers accenting his 'Influencer' aesthetic.

"Yeah it's alright, go, have fun" Jack replies, smiling. Mark laughed and waves goodbye. "Would you like to watch a movie?" Jack asked.

"Yes please! I'm okay with any movie you're happy with" I replied, adjusting my blanket.

He smiled and turned Mark's tv on, fiddling with the controls. We decided on unfriended, a horror movie which takes place over Skype.

I thought it was a fantastic film, but when Jack was ever so slightly terrified and I could see he was about to jump, I started a conversation.

"Where do you think Mark got off too?" I asked out of curiosity. He turned to me and smiled, glancing at me excitedly.

"I'm not quite meant to tell you "

"I can vibe with the super secret thing" I chuckled softly.

"He wanted you to know this week but he wasn't sure how to tell you that he was applying to be your legal guardian-"

"WAIT" I jumped up. "Really?! Like really really?!" I squealed, overjoyed. My excitement was short lived as logic swarmed. "Wait, Ben. He'll just come and take me back-"

"He mistreated and abused you, which means under the child protection system that you can be taken out of his care by another person with the correct documentation, in this case, Mark will apply to do that" he explained calmly.

"I'm scared Jack" He stopped for a moment to listen, another sympathetic look on his face.

"What about, may I ask?"

"Ben coming back, he would hurt you guys, he wouldn't hesitate." Jack put his hand on my shoulder and smiled reassuringly.

"Mark and I will protect you no matter what," He spoke softly. Impulsively I hugged him and was comforted when hugged me back warmly.

" Sorry" I laughed, pulling away.

"It's fine! You are part of Mark's family now and he's kinda like my family, so I will see you a lot more often. And trust me, I love giving hugs, so you will get lots of them, most of them bone crushers-" He replied playfully.

The door swung open on squeaky hinges, Mark had returned and he looked ecstatic.

"Hannah! I have permission from the courts. I am now your legal guardian!" He almost screamed with excitement. I jumped over the couch and hugged him wordlessly, tears cascading from ocean blue eyes, desperately searching for the words.

"Thank you Mark, thank you thank you thank you thank you!"

"I am going turn the guest room into you room, what do you reckon?" Mark giggled.

This was it. This was my second chance.

'Let's turn life around.'

((This book is currently going through editing :D))