"𝘋𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘺.. 𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦.."

His words keep on repeating in my mind.  Why do all these people have to be so cruel? I trusted him. I feel like he just stabbed me right in the chest. When I was already drowning in my hardships. I knew Mr. Chad was just exaggerating when he said, I was so special for him to waste his 7 hours on me, This was his plan all along to hand me over to Jack Williams. I feel betrayed! All he cares about is money.

As we reach his car, Mr. Lincoln is smiling. The audacity of this man to smile at me while giving up on me. I won't forgive him for this.

"Come on... Leo we will have so much fun going back home. I have brought your favorite comics as well." said the old man which made me cringe.

He even opened the door for me to act like he is a caring grandfather..he grab my hand and try to make me sit in the car. He is acting so clingy. I HATE HIM.

" I will handle it from here thank you for helping. Gilbert." said the old man. noticing that Mr. Lincoln is still holding my hand.

"He won't go," said Mr. Lincoln making eye contact with my grandfather. What?

I am so confused, why the sudden change of plans?

"What do you mean he won't go.." he asked

he paused for a second  "Is it about payment? Didn't I pay you enough? " said the old man, Mr. Lincoln rolled his eyes. He looks mad.

"I don't want anything... The kid is not going anywhere with you.. " said Mr. Lincoln grabbing my hand and pulling me aside. Is he reconsidering his plan? What are his intentions?

"What exactly is your problem... Do you always treat your people like this?" said the old man angrily.

"No sir you are special," said Mr. Lincoln smiling at the old man.

"HERE! have some more money now let my son go," said the old man, forcefully handing some cash to Mr. Lincoln.

"Okay. You may go." said Mr. Lincoln smirking at the old man, "But" he continues "I didn't give you permission to take him. You are leaving alone because your freedom is over now.!" said Mr. Lincoln,

After a few seconds, I hear a police car coming towards us. Two men got out of the car and one of them handcuffed Grandpa. The look on his face is priceless. I don't know what is happening but I like it.

" WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?" said Grandpa while fighting back.

"I am assuming either you are blind or deaf because you are getting arrested for child abuse," said Mr. Lincoln in his raspy voice. He sure is angry right now.

"He is a liar! He is framing me." said grandpa almost coming at us.

"Framing you? Let me show you if I am telling the truth or not" said Mr. Lincoln, he grabbed my arm and pulled my sleeves up to show my scars to the police officers. "Ouch.." I let out a cry, that kinda hurt because he did it all of a sudden not that it wasn't hurting all this time but I wasn't paying much attention, I guess it won't hurt me if I don't think about it. Although no scars should be forgotten like this. Sometimes speaking up for yourself can save your life.

"NO! He did it to himself. I didn't do it... Gilbert doesn't listen to him... I even paid you a lot of money to get him back to me because he was gonna hurt himself.." said the old man let out a fake cry... My ears hurt hearing his voice! Mr. Lincoln slapped him hard. I flinched because of how loud the slap sounded.

That was the best way to shut him down. I am trying my best to hold my laugh.

" DID YOU JUST-" said the old man almost throwing hands.

"Yes I did.. You are annoying," said Lincoln not letting him finish.

"Just remember one thing Gilbert. I know where you live so keep an eye on your daughter" said the old man who is now holding the collar of Mr. Gilbert's shirt while smirking.

"Ha. doesn't even think about it, she can defend herself because she is MY daughter. You don't stand a chance against her. Keep dreaming old creep"  said Mr. Lincoln proudly releasing his collar from his grip and taking me toward his car. Does he have a daughter? come to think of it. Mr. Chad did mention his only daughter. I wonder if she also looks like him.

"Where are we going?" I asked as he made me sit in his car.

"You will know once we get there," he said in a serious voice. we are passing by I am watching grandpa through the car window getting pulled into the police car. Looking at his helpless expression makes me so happy. He sure deserved that slap earlier as well.

"I have a few questions if you don't mind?" I said concerned.

"Okay go ahead, I am all ears" he replied making a serious face. He is scary, I get chills just even looking at him.

"So um- let's start with this one question I have.." he cuts me off mid-way.

" Why are you so nervous?" he asked, Is it that noticeable?

"No, I am not nervous... Actually, I am a little but that's not the point here my point is-" and he cuts me off again.

"You can talk freely, I don't bite I promise," he said smiling. This man sure has mood swings.

"Why did you save me back there.?" I asked sternly. I want to know.

" I have several reasons for that," he replied simply and smiled. Why is he smiling now?

"Reasons such as..?" I asked trying to look at him. We made eye contact and he noticed that I am dead serious. He looked away and took a deep breath.

"I am gonna tell you, just give me some more time. I will tell you when I think you are ready for it" he said and took a turn toward my neighborhood. Why did he bring me here? How did he even know that I live here..? Why is he not being clear with me..?

"Why did we come here? I thought you said my house was under observation." I asked. He looks more confused than me.

"Your house? Where? " he said looking around. Is he doing this on purpose or does he have no idea that this is my neighborhood?

"Over there," I said, pointing at my house a few miles away.

"That's great. But I didn't bring you here because of that, don't worry I won't leave you alone" he said, I don't believe you!

"Just trust me this time" he added, did he read my mind or something?

He stopped the car in front of Noah's house the fat kid in my class.

" You know these people," I asked in concern.

"Yeah, Noah works for me" He signaled me to keep sitting inside the car as he got out and knocked on Noah's door.

Does work for him?!! that fat kid who gets bullied all the time is a detective?!

Noah opened the door and I can see two other kids with him.

"Tell the others to get in my car. We have a really important business to take care of" he said and came back inside the car.

"Okay, Sir I am on it. Oliver, Olivia get to work" he ordered them, I am assuming they are identical twins. I have never seen them around. Maybe they live somewhere else and not in my neighborhood. Noah looks completely different today not much like at school.

"Leo, If you want to know the truth. Just trust us okay? " said Mr. Lincoln softly which brought me back to reality. We are heading to somewhere I don't know about.

"Where is Alex?! " Mr. Lincoln asked furiously. Does he always talk like this to the people who work with him?

"I tried calling him several times, but he wasn't picking up. I assume he is still mad at us," said Olivia scrolling through her phone.

"Okay I want you to call him right now, put him on the speaker and tell him we have Leo with us," he said and Olivia started to dial his number.

Who is this Alex? And how does he know me? Am I the only one who doesn't know anything about these people?

He picked up immediately after Olivia messaged him about me which is shocking because I am hearing his name for the first time yet he picked up the call after knowing I am with Mr. Lincoln.

"Is Leo really with you guys?.. Let me hear his voice once please just once!" he said excitedly over the phone.  That voice... Not sure where I have heard that voice.

"We are heading towards that old building come over and we can sort things out. Believe me, Alex, I can't lose a brilliant kid like you," said Mr. Lincoln smiling and giving a signal to Olivia to end his call.

"What about us.? We aren't brilliant? " said Oliver he is being sarcastic.

"You all are special and hold a place in my heart, I can't even imagine losing one of you," said Mr. Lincoln smiling. At least he is nice for a moment.

Shortly we reached that old abandoned building that was once a grocery shop. Is he obsessed with this place or something?

Everyone got out and Noah held the door for me. I instantly remember how Mr. Chad was holding the door for me, the same way at this same place.

I got out of the car and saw a brown-haired boy standing. I can only see his hair and not his face. I assume he is Alex.

"He is here Alex... I fulfilled my promise to you so don't just quit on me," said Mr. Lincoln tapping his shoulder. He turned around and... I can't believe my eyes...

"LUCAS?! you are Alex??"  I said in shock. He came running towards me and hugged me until he started crying.

"You are an idiot. I knew you weren't listening to me when I told you my name is Alex Lucas Wilson, you only heard my middle name and started calling me Lucas, All the kids at the school thought you were weird, I was there for you, when you were alone, when your father died, when you had a hard time with your so-called grandpa, I was there during your ups and downs and all you did was to write me an apology letter saying you were going to die. What did I even do to deserve this?!" he said sobbing as his hug got tighter. I am still in shock while he is letting his anger out on me. After a few minutes, he is done.

"It's okay. I am alive I had a change of plans. Thanks to Mr. Lincoln and Chad. " I said tapping on his back making him calm down.

" If you are done sobbing around your best friend, mind handling my reports on that mysterious boy who stole Chad's car," said Mr. Lincoln. Lucas stood up and handed him some files.

" Leo you can call him Alex for now, if it's okay with you? Also, could you call me Gilbert, Lincoln sounds weird, please work with calling names" he said observing the files.

"You can call me, whatever you like Leo," said Lucas smiling.

"Mr. Lincoln? I mean Mr. Gilbert. You didn't tell me other reasons why you saved from the old man" I asked. I really wanna know everything. I have a strong feeling about this. something is off.

"I will tell you later," he said trying to change the topic. see this is why I want to know it so badly I am nervous now.

"Please tell me I wanna know now," I said nervously. Mr. Lincoln is still hesitant.

"I think this is finally the time you tell him. Sir" said Lucas and the others nodded in agreement.

"Okay I want you to sit down on that same couch over there," he said pointing at the brown couch covered with dust.

"Okay, I am all set now tell me," I said sitting on the couch. Mr. Gilbert took a deep breath.

"Your grandfather is the one behind the plane crash. One of the pilots was set by him to crash the plane. We all know your loss is big, but I want you to stay calm and think about it. We will help you get revenge on him, we are with you." said Mr. Lincoln while trying to console me.

" Did you know about this? " I asked Lucas and he nodded.

" I tried to tell you that day but you were mad and closed the door in my face," said Lucas with a sad expression.

"It's okay... I figured it out when he didn't care less about his death, I am still shocked he did that, but it wasn't unexpected of him, he is heartless after all, I will not cry because of him now, I want revenge... I can't show any weakness now, I wouldn't rest until my grandfather gets his Karma!" I said clenching my wist.

"If you are done with your reunion and stuff would you mind coming here Leo," said Mr. Lincoln. I nodded my head and we both got a little far from everyone. The others tried to listen to our conversation but Mr. Lincoln scold them so they ran away.

"What's the matter?" I asked.

"Aren't we forgetting something important Leo? " he asked... This reminds me that I also have a feeling something is off. we thought for a while and then it hit us, and we gasped.

"MR. CHAD" we both said at the same time and looked at each other.

"We are SO in trouble," said Mr. Lincoln walking around intensely. He is in trouble?

"How are YOU in trouble? I thought you were the bossy one." I said sarcastically.

"Don't you know he is older? I was setting a trap for your grandpa not him. He is gonna toast me alive! " he said nervously this is the first time I have seen him scared of someone other than that he is always bossy.

"Don't be shocked but Mr. Chad is scarier than Mr. Gilbert can ever be"  Lucus whispered in my ear.

"Really?!" I whispered back. He nodded. Now I am scared!

Mr. Lincoln grabbed my arm, said goodbye to everyone, and pulled me inside his car.

"Why didn't YOU remind me," he asked. Driving nervously.

"How was I supposed to know that he is scarier than you? I am a human too so I forgot okay? Eyes on the road and drive faster or else we both are so dead" I said nervously, when did I end up like this? Lord, please save me from these grown-ups.

"You thought I was scary? At least we will die together," said Mr. Lincoln laughing.

"NOOO!" I screamed as if I wished Lucas was here to save me.

ᴡʀɪᴛᴇʀ'ꜱ ɴᴏᴛᴇ: In the previous chapter when the teacher referred to Alex as... 'Lucas'. in reality, she was calling him Alex, and since it was Leo's POV he heard what he wanted to hear. In case you are confused :)

End of chapter 5