~Beyond Midnight~ ((Story))

[Anastasia Rose Seraphym]

My name is Daciana Marquez, I am eighteen years old and I am afraid. I had been kidnapped when I was eleven by a man named Alizian Frank. He is not human and there really is not anyway to describe him. I am scared; I along with five other girls and one boy are trapped in the basement of his home. But I fear we will not make it, but I pray that we will, and this is our story.

Daciana:

I groaned as I opened my eyes and glanced around in the darkness. I saw the other five girls lying down on the ground still sleeping. I was the oldest and the first taken. It has been seven long years since I last saw my mother.

“Are you awake?” I heard the child like voice of Alina Taka and I glanced at her with a weak smile.

“Just about,” I responded as I stretched as far as the binds would let me. “Now, go to sleep, I’ll keep watch.” Alina nodded as she snuggled up to my leg as I watched her sleep, I thought of all the things I had done when I was younger before I had been taken, I had been an orphan and what I left behind was my foster mom and a little sister named DJ. I sighed softly as I watched over the girls; the youngest girl was a girl named Bella, Bella Naria, and the second youngest would have been Alison Mann, then Madeline Frank then Eva Naria then Alina Taka. Then me, Daciana Marquez, I sighed before I heard footsteps at the door to the basement, “Alina,” I whispered harshly though she did not stir. “Eva, Madeline,” I whispered sharply, both girls groaned in protest but lifted their heads to stare at me.

“What?” Eva spoke softly.

“He’s coming,” I said, “Get everyone up.”

“What?” Madeline said as she rubbed her eyes.

“Get the others up.” Eva snapped softly at her.

“Okay, okay.” Madeline grumbled and nudged Alison while Eva woke up her young sister,

I looked down at Alina, “Alina come on girl wake up.” I whispered softly, Alina muttered something that I did not understand. “Alina, baby girl, come on, he’s coming,” with that the door slammed open and a dark figure appeared, we all turned to face it, before long something was shoved down the stairs and the door slammed shut as something tumbled down the stairs. Alina jumped and crawled away as something landed near her. I blinked as I tried to pull away but a hand grabbed my leg and I stiffen, the thing pulled itself up right and glanced my way. “A-Alina,” I stampered softly and Alina clutch my hand as we all stared at the figure that now sat beside me.

“Where the hell am I?” A male voice sounded to close to me and I stiffened again.

“Hello,” I muttered softly and I felt his eyes on me.

“Who are you?” He asked me and I sighed.

“I’m Daciana,” I said and stared, “Alina Taka is next to me, and Eva Naria and her younger sister, Bella is ten inches away from you and next to her is Madeline Frank and Alison Mann.”

The boy’s eyes glittered like emeralds in the sunshine, I became very aroused and I hated it. “My name is Derek Manson.”

“Well, Derek Manson, I think we are in luck.” I sighed softly as I spoke. “You might be able to get us out.”

“What do you mean?” Derek asked and the door opened again, Alizian Frank stood there, glaring down at us.

“Well, keep my sister safe. I’m going for a little ride.” I growled as Alizian strode toward me and yanked me to my feet, ripping the binds from the wall.

“Daciana!” Alina shrieked as she crawled toward me but Derek held her back, “Daciana!”

“Alina, just stay with Derek,” I said as Alizian tugged me upstairs. “I love—” Alizian slammed the door close as I was about to finish my sentence. “You.” Alizian shoved me onto the couch and I stared up at him.

“Listen to me girl.” Alizian snarled, “You will give me what I want.”

“And if I don’t?” I questioned him as I stared at him blankly.

“Your little dear friend, Alina, will die.” He stated coldly.

“What do you want?” I asked quietly.

Alina:

I stayed in Derek’s arms, I was staring at the closed door, tears threatened to fall, and I had a lump in my throat that refuses to go away.

“Alina?” Derek’s voice was soothing; I did not look away from the door. “Alina,” he said again, I finally manage to glance away from the door and stare at his green eyes. “Your sister will be fine, I’ll make sure you all will.”

“How?” I demanded as I stared at him.

“She was right, I’m here to get all of you guys out of here. Alive and safe.” Derek said as he glanced around, he started to get up, I glanced away and stared at the door, tears sprang to my eyes as I imagined what terrible things that man was going to do to her. The door opened and there he stood, Daciana was next to him, her head bowed so I could not see her face.

“Get. Up!” the man ordered and we all did and stared at him. “Get yer skinny assess up here now.” We did, two girls at a time though I was stuck with Derek. As we climbed the stairs, I noticed that Daciana had been crying, her clothing were torn and she was bleeding from her neck. I gulped down my rage as I stared at her. When I passed her, she glanced up slightly, her eyes were blood shot from crying but other that small sign she did not show any other emotion. The man grabbed her arm and yanked her forward; she stumbled and caught herself before she fell. “I got a mission for you brats. You are going to rob a bank.” We didn’t reply, knowing if we did we would either die on the spot or worse.


As we set out that morning, I kept staring at Daciana, she was unusually calm and silent, by now, she would have fussed about me and tried to tell me that everything was going to be alright, but right now, she just stared in front of her, nothing else mattered. We reached the bank and stared at it. Everyone slid their masks to cover their face and got out, we each had an AK-47 automatics and a large black bag to put the money in. Daciana got out, her mask in place and didn’t have her gun with her. Most of us had a power or two but Daciana, she was one of the rare ones that almost no one knew what her power was though I did, since I had the same power as hers. We rushed in and rushed towards the counter, it was Daciana who spoke up. “Get down!” Daciana shouted as we entered. My hand lifted slightly and the doors locked behind us and so did the doors for the security personal closed and locked. “Get. Down!” Daciana shouted again, we strode towards the counter, Alison stood by Daciana with her gun aimed at the bank-teller. “Give us all of yer money.” Daciana stated coldly as her hand twitched ever so slightly, at that instant with out anyone’s notice, the camera’s turned off and the security system failed. “I said; give me all of your money.” We could see that the bank-teller was shaking with fear; the others had their hands up since we had aimed our guns at them. The girl trembled and did as ordered, Daciana started to stuff the un-marked bills into her bag with out a second thought. My heart hammered in my chest as I stared at the young bank teller, she might be twenty-seven. “Reine.” I heard my code name and I glanced at Daciana, she was holding a bag to me, I stepped to take it but the stupid teller b***h pulled out a gun on us and was going to shoot Daciana, that I just reacted first, half a round later the gun wielding bank teller was on the ground with rounds of bullets in her chest. I took the bag and set it beside me as if nothing had happed. I kept my gun trained on the bank-tellers; we got all of our bags full of cash and one by one we started to head out. Daciana was the last one to go, once out side, we saw the cops had gotten there, along with the SWAP team.

“Drop your guns and put your hands up!” they shouted at us. Daciana glanced at me with a fine smirk.

“Don’t.” I whispered sharply at her. She shrugged and reached for her mask.

“Don’t move!” they shouted again. But Daciana kept going for her mask.

“Vi, smog, now!” I shouted and Eva raised her hands and a shower of bullets started towards us, just as soon as she smog covered us, Daciana put up a protective shield around us as she laughed.

“Did you really think that I was going to do something foolish?” Daciana said softly as she rubbed the back of her neck, when the smog cleared, the shield was put down, the cops and SWAP team stared at us shocked, we started moving towards the van.

“Stop!” they shouted at us again. “Or we’ll shoot!”

“Rie, shields up now.” Daciana whispered to Madeline, who nodded and put up shields.

“Stop! Now!” I heard my brother’s voice and it caused me to freeze.

“Reine, what are you doing?” Daciana stood by my side as she whispered to me.

“Ben is here.” I said sharply at her. “If he finds out that we are criminals…”

“Vero!” Alison shouted, “Reine, come on!”

“Go Alina, go and get in the truck, I’ll meet you back there, okay?” Daciana said and shoved me towards the truck. She took my gun and aimed it at them.

Suddenly shooting started, and I just saw bullets flying each direction. “Daciana!” I shouted and tried to reach her but Alison held me back, tears poured down as Derek drove off with out Daciana.  

[Anastasia Rose Seraphym]

Daciana:

I stood there firing rounds after rounds of bullets, hitting a few SWAP members but always missing the cops. Ben was standing next to one SWAP member and I aimed for him, but I couldn’t let myself shoot him. I struggled to shoot him. I heard Alina shout my name, my actual name. And I froze as I saw Ben stare at me. Suddenly he raised his hand and called over at everyone to stop firing. A stray bullet grazed my shoulder but I didn’t react, I just stared at Ben. I yanked my mask off my head and the wind picked up, blowing my dark curls around my face. Ben’s eyes widen as he saw me.

“Daciana!” he shouted and ran towards me, but he fell and I shrieked and whirled to see Alison holding a nine-millimeter handgun, which was aimed at where Ben had been. I closed my eyes that’s when I felt arms wrap around me, when I opened my eyes I saw blue eyes staring at me, tears shimmering in those eyes.

“B-Ben?” I stampered softly as I dropped my gun and hugged him back, Alison wasn’t anywhere near us. Ben hadn’t been shot; it was all in my imagination.

“Baby girl.” He sobbed as he held me tightly.

“Vero, its time to go!” I glanced over and saw Derek.

“Okay, Wolf.” I said and pulled away from him. “I’m sorry, Ben. But I have to go.”

“Don’t go!” Ben said as he caught my arm as I was turning away. “I was worried about you!”

“Ben.” I pleaded and frowned, “I’m sorry!” I yanked away and strode toward Derek. “Lets go.” I said as I got into the black van, and drove off.


As we drove, Derek kept glancing at me from the corner of his eye.

“What where you thinking?” Derek questioned me as we turn right and headed to that home.

“I wasn’t,” I stampered softly as I stared on ahead. I made no noise after that. He parked the van and got out as I did so I groaned in pain and fell to the ground. Derek rushed to my side and noticed that not only my shoulder was bleeding, so was my side and my chest. He picked me up in bride style and rushed me inside.

“What happened to her?” that sarcastic voice belonged to Alizian and Derek laid me on the couch.

“Multiple shot wounds.” Derek said as he tugged my shirt over my head and I winced as he fingered my wounds. Alizian stared at me with a harsh glare.

“Take her jeans off as well.” Alizian ordered and Derek’s gaze shot towards Alizian. “Do it!” Derek gulped as he unzipped my jeans and eased them down. I panted heavily as I winced; there on my thigh was a wound that’d been missed. “Make love to her.” Alizian ordered harshly as he took a seat. “While I watched.”

“But she’s hurt!” Derek snapped at him.

“Do I bloody care!” snarled Alizian as he stood and his hand went to his back pocket, I knew he had a gun.

“Just do it.” I mumbled softly. I wasn’t scared at all; I just wanted to get this over with. Derek glanced at me with a frown. “Fallow orders.”

“Now…make love to her!” Alizian said as he took his seat again and tilted chin slightly. “Do it now.” Derek gulped as he tugged his shirt over his head, my eyes widen as I stared at him. He was very muscular; he was fumbling with his belt. I knew Alizian was watching, that’s how he got his kicks, he would watch me do things to my own body, while I withered in pleaser as I sank two fingers deep with in me, he would rub his own c**k and masturbate while watching me. I knew this was different, something was off, I was hurt, well bleeding on his couch and he wanted Derek to make love to me. Derek finally tugged his jeans down and stepped out of them, he was watching me carefully, and he knew that he wouldn’t if I wouldn't let him, but I had to do this to keep us both alive. My breath caught in my throat as I studied him. Derek slid his boxers down and stepped out of them, he was, well big, my eyes widen as I stared at him. He knelt beside the couch, his backside to Alizian as he stared at me, his hand trembled as he touched my bare skin, I sucked in my breath, and everything around us dissolved nothing else around us mattered much to us now. His hand trailed down my stomach to my panties, and he slid them off slowly, his eyes never leaving mine. He was trembling as he slid my panties off and dropped them beside him, his finger tips trailed upward and I shivered in anticipation, when I felt Derek’s hand on my v****a, I had to close my eyes and gulp softly, his finger touched my c**t lightly and I bit my lower lip, as he started to stroke it slightly harder, I let a soft whimper out as he did so. His other hand slipped behind my back and un-hooked my bra and he slowly pulled it away from my body, that’s when he looked away from my eyes and studied my body, his fingers deep with in me, stroking my c**t, my chest that rose and fell as I struggled to keep my breathing even. His breath came out a groan when he saw my face, mix of pleasure and need.

“You’re so beautiful, Daciana.” He murmured as he stared at me before he forced himself into my entrance, I arched my hips to meet his, and bit back a shriek of pain.

Alison:

I was sitting, my back pressing against the wall, my knees were drawn up and I pressed them to my chest as I hugged them tightly. Tears slid down from my eyes, I heard the cries of Daciana right above us. I could only imagine what Alizian and Derek were doing to her. I clapped my hands over my ears as I started sobbing; Daciana was like an older sister to all of us. I could hear the muffled cries of Daciana, then someone standing up from a chair, I shut my eyes tight as I continue to sob, I felt someone slide towards me, when I opened my eyes, Eva’s younger sister, Bella was sitting next to me, her big child eyes, staring at me, with fear and sadness, I pulled her into my lap as I held her, she gave me a small smile, but started crying and clung to my shirt as she cried. I held her the best I could, Eva was out getting food for all of us. Alina and Madeline were making beds for us tonight, it was my turn to stay up all night and guard everyone. And to make sure that Alizian didn’t take Bella away. A shriek sounded from upstairs, and I held onto Bella as she went stalk still.

“Do you think Daciana, will be okay?” Bella asked me as she looked up at me. For a thirteen year old, she was cute. I nodded slightly I myself was only fifteen.

“Yeah, I think she’ll be fine.” I responded with a wan smile. I lifted my head to stare at the ceiling with a frown, Bella snuggled close to my warm body and she fell asleep. I looked down at her with a slight smile, wishing she wasn’t taken like the rest of us. Alina walked up to me as she held out a Butterfingers towards me, I took it and smiled. “Thanks.”

Alina sat next to me, unwrapping her own Butterfingers and took a bite out of it. “No problem.” She responded after swallowing her piece of Butterfingers. “My sister is strong, I know she is.”

“I hope she can get us out soon.” I said softly as I munched on my Butterfingers. “I’m sick and tired of livin’ here.”

“Me too,” Madeline said as she sat on my other side, she was eating a gram cracker. We stayed silent as we ate, each of us had a story and a slight power that we could use to get out, but we all lack the courage to do so. “Daciana should help us.”

“I heard that Derek was the one to get us out.” I said shallowly, I didn’t especially liked Derek, I didn’t know anything about him and he was up there with Alizian and Daciana.

“He is here to give Daci enough courage to escape.” Alina said softly as she stared at her half eaten Butterfingers. Tears were rolling down her eyes as she stared hard at it. I stopped eating and sighed.

“I don’t trust him.” I said softly and placed the half eaten Butterfingers in my pocket, the door suddenly opened, Alina and Madeline sprang to their feet and stood in front of me, hiding Bella. Alizian shoved Daciana down the stairs; Alina took all her might not to move. Derek slowly walked down as Daciana landed at the bottom step she tried to get up but she looked to hurt.

“Filthy woman.” Alizian snarled as he slammed the door closed. Derek helped Daciana up, but she wretched her arm away and got up on her own. Tears were clear in her eyes but she refused to cry. Derek gulped and was about to speak when she beat him to it.

“I don’t want to hear it!” She snarled at him and stomped away. Alina moved towards Daciana and tried to comfort her. Derek sighed and sat at the stairs, Madeline took Bella from me and I walked towards Derek, timidly.

“Hey.” I said softly as I stood in front of him, he glanced my way, his green eyes glittering with self-hate.

“Hey.” He responded but didn’t move from his spot.

“What did you do to her?” I asked him. It wasn’t a harsh question I just wanted to know.

“I held her while Alizian raped her.” Derek said and hung his head down, I felt a pang of regret crush into me, and my heart hammered in my chest, as I stared down at Derek.

“Did you eat already?” Daciana’s voice caught me off guard and I turned to see her. “Well?” her voice wasn’t harsh or anything it was just as soft as silk, as it usually was.

“I only had half a Butterfingers.” I replied and took it out to hand it to her, she shook her head.

“Eva has come back with food.” Daciana said, I looked over at Eva, she’d had come back threw that window with food. “Don’t worry, she brought some healthy food too.”

“Yeah,” I said softly as I started to walk toward Eva and food. Daciana stayed behind, glaring down at Derek, probably. I stood next to Alina as Eva started passin’ out plates. As she finished giving our portions of food we started eating. It was healthy of course and it was good. We save Bella some food for when she woke. I ate slowly, as I thought. I wasn’t at all sure what to do next, I knew I wanted out but I wasn’t at all sure on how to do it. We each took bout five hundred dollars on each robbery. Just to buy food. And todays would be the fourth robbery we had of a major bank. So we had about half a grand each, I wasn’t that good in math. As I ate I felt a pang in my heart, I stopped eating and began to sob. I missed my family, my home, my dog, my kid brother, my baby sister, everything. I missed it all, and now I’m stuck here and would never see my mom’s face or hear my father’s loud laugh. I missed it all. I continue to sob when I felt arms wrap around me, I looked up to see Daciana hugging me, she rubbed my back softly and murmured something close to It’ll be alright, love. I set my plate aside as I hugged her back, crying into her shoulder.  

[Anastasia Rose Seraphym]

Eva:

I watched Daciana and Alison hug, I knew how Alison felt, I missed my family as well, even my older brother. I had Bella with me, and that should have been enough, but every time I look at her, I am reminded about my mom, her bright eyes and easy smiles. Bella is so much like mom, I ate silently and I stared down at my food. I heard Bella whine as she woke up. Her bright eyes caught me and her bottom lip trembled, as she was about to cry. I bet anything she had another nightmare about me.

“Bella, sweetheart, come here.” I said softly and she crawled toward me, she sat next to me and I hand her a plate of food, she attacked it with hunger, her bright eyes were dulling a lot and I was afraid that she might just stop talking altogether.

“I was thinking.” Derek’s voice broke threw my thoughts and I glanced his way, he was sitting next to Alina and Alison, with Daciana sleeping on his lap, she looked peaceful with out a care in the world. “We should save some more money then we already are. So we can go out and buy a house of our own before we escape.”

“Yeah,” Alina agreed with him. I was not to sure about it.

“That’d be awesome.” Alison said, with a bright smile.

“Also, that could be our club house if you all still want to talk to each other.” Derek said rubbing his neck slightly, as he held Daciana.

“Uh-huh.” Alina glanced at Daciana, with a soft smile.

“I’ll so make sure, you’re parents find you, safe and sound and whole once we get out.” Derek said. “That’s what matters the most.”

“But, what about me?” Madeline asked softly. Madeline was the daughter of Alizian Frank.

“You can run away from here with us.” Derek said as his gaze went to hers. “You can leave all this torture behind and start a new life.”

“How can I? I’m only fifteen.” Madeline said, as she looked away from him.

“I know a guy who can put you in foster care, and my folks wouldn’t mind adopting a girl like you.” He smiled brightly at her, when she looked at him her eyes were shimmering brightly.

“Really?” Madeline said and Derek nodded. I looked away from them to stare at my sister, nodding off again.

“Bella go and sleep again.” I whispered to her, “I’ll be with you in a moment.”

Bella nodded and started to crawl away towards the bedding area. I yawned tiredly and headed towards her. “Eva,” I heard Alina’s voice call to me. I glanced at her with a wan smile. “We’ll get you both home, okay?”

“Okay.” I said and nodded slightly, I pulled my baby sister into my arms and held her while we slept.

Derek:

I watched as one by one the girls went to bed, Daciana stayed in my arms she was already asleep. Alison was the only other girl that was awake. She was staring at me before she spoke up.

“You should really go to bed.” Alison said. “Its my turn to keep watch tonight.” She yawned tiredly.

“How about I keep watch tonight, while you sleep?” I said, “Unless you don’t trust me.” She blushed with embarrassment.

“Its not that I don’t trust you, its just—” Alison stampered trying to find the right words to say, I stared at her with a slight smile.

“Alison, it’s okay, if anything happens Daciana will wake up.” I tried to comfort her, she trusted Daciana over me. No big there, I did as well. But Alison was still reluctant.

“I don’t know. We rely to much on her.” Alison said as she stared at Daciana, who was clinging to my shirt tightly.

“Just trust me okay.” I said softly, Alison stared at me before she nodded and went to where the girls were sleeping. She fell asleep soon after, I held onto Daciana as she slept. Threw out the night I kept hearing footsteps, the wind blowing across the window and the moonlight shining threw the window. I sighed softly, I felt Daciana’s hand tightened its hold on my shirt, I looked down at her, her eyes were open and she was staring up at me, her mouth was open as well, not to open to show of her teeth but a sharp tip of a fang was showing, her body was warm, far too warm for a human. I wanted to say something, but her eyes flutter closed and her mouth closed all the way, and I only heard the soft snores of her as she slept again. I watched her and held onto her, that’s the only thing I could think of doing. I hurt her and I held her while she was being raped. I couldn’t live with myself.

“Where you serious?” I was startled by her voice, her eyes were closed and I knew she was a sleep, but she was talking to me.

“About what?” I responded with out a second thought.

“About getting us out? About buying a home for us mean while we wait for our mothers and fathers?” Daciana said. Her mouth moved slowly as she spoke, but her eyes never fluttered open.

“Yeah, I was serious.” I responded as I stared at her.

“And about Madeline livin’ with you?” She asked, I stopped for a moment and thought, I wouldn’t mind having a kid sister.

“Yes, I was serious about that too.” I responded as I held her to me.

“These girls mean a lot to me.” Daciana said as she tightened her hold on my shirt. “I will do anything to get them out of this hell hole.”

“I know,” I said. “Just sleep for now, okay?”

“Okay.” Daciana said and didn’t say another thing, I laid her down on a comforter that was close to me, and I lay down next to her, she rolled so her head was on my chest and her arm was across my stomach, I wrapped my arm around her while she slept. I stared up at the ceiling and sighed. I wanted to get them out; I wanted to get her out. She shouldn’t even be here, none of them should. I sighed softly and thought of a plan to get them out.  

[Anastasia Rose Seraphym]

Daciana:

I sat up and stretched, yawning tiredly, I glanced down at Derek, he was sleeping peacefully, I glanced around and everyone was asleep. Bella was curled up around Eva and Alina, while Alison and Madeline were in each other’s arms to keep warm. As I stood I heard footsteps, they were heading towards the basement door. The door that kept us in, I stood stock-still when I heard the footsteps stop at the door, I moved and woke up everyone, we hid Bella and suddenly the door opened. Derek stood beside me, Alina was next to me on my right, while Alison stood beside Derek, Eva and Madeline were on the back, still watching Alizian as he came downstairs.

“Morning.” Alizian said as he walked down, we each grunted a ‘good morning.’ “Come up stairs for breakfast.” Eva grabbed Bella’s hand as we headed upstairs to the dining room. Alizian stared at us as we ate in silence. He was up to something and we all knew it. Alizian drank his coffee as he stared at us. “You are all going to school tomorrow morning.”

I chocked on a piece of bacon. “Excuse me!” I said outraged as I dislodged the piece of bacon, Alizian smirked.

“I said you are all going to school.” Alizian said again slowly. “Trust me, none of you’ll run away once there. I know a few people there who promised me that they’ll keep you in school in the morning and won’t release you until I arrive.” I stood up glaring down at him as he calmly sipped his coffee.

“This is an outrage!” I snarled darkly at him. “You cannot keep us trapped here with out food or water!”

“It’s for the best, my sweet.” Alizian said calmly.

“What about your own flesh and blood daughter! You cannot treat her like the rest of us!” I snarled even darker at him. His eyes flashed as he stared at me.

“I don’t care about neither of you.” He said, his voice void of any emotion.

“You should burn in hell for this.” I stated coldly as I sat back down.

“And you should keep your mouth shut, but that’s not going to happen now is it, Daciana.” Alizian said and I stared at him silently. “Good.” We all ate in silence since then. Derek glanced at me a couple of times but I stared at my food.
The day wore on and I was outside, sitting under a big ol’ tree, the sun was warming up my skin. Bella was with Eva playing catch, Madeline and Alison along with Alina were picking flowers, and Derek was looking around mapping out the exits and such. Finally Derek walked up to me and I stared up at him.

“We have a robbery to attend to later today.” Derek said, his green eyes glittering. “With this one, we take as much money as we can and escape.”

“Okay. I’m in.” I said and stood. I whistled to the others, they all came running and I told them about the plan. They all agreed so tonight…we make our move.

Madeline:

We were sitting in a black van, our masks in place, and our guns in hand and our hearts hammering in our chests. I gulped, I was nervous like everyone else. As usual Alizian wasn’t with us. We are on our own; Daciana was calm and looked at the rest of us, unlike the other time, her eyes were full of life and determination, she wanted us out, she didn’t care if she fell behind, but she wanted the rest of us out.

“Y’all take good care of yourselves.” Daciana said, her voice was carefree; I would say she was an angel sent to us by God. I trusted Derek and if all went our way, I was going to be his sister.

“Yeah.” Alina said, she was Daciana’s biological sister, but they were separated after their parents died in an accident. As soon as it hit three o’ clock we moved, Daciana was the first to enter the building, then me, Alison and Alina then Bella and lastly Eva and Derek. We trained our guns directly at the bank tellers. While we kept our powers trained on everyone else.

“Give us all of the money.” Daciana ordered, as she shoved a black bag into one of the bank teller’s hands, “Now.”

“They rest of you, get on the floor!” Alina shouted, they did as they ordered, the bank teller started shoving money into the bag, I went round back with one of the bank tellers.

“Open the volt,” I hissed my order, I was terrified then again, I didn’t let it show, I wasn’t even there. In the back of my mind I knew I was, but right now, I saw myself sitting down watching this as a movie. The bank teller trembled with her keys as she tried to find the right one.

“Please don’t kill me.” She muttered as she fumbled with her keys, “I have two kids at home, there only ten and thirteen, please don’t kill me they need me.” I gulped softly and pressed the gun to her back, she was startled and dropped her keys and she began to cry.

“Don’t cry.” I said softly, my voice was soft and soothing.

“Who are you?” She asked me as she glanced back at me, I was about five inches shorter then her, “Your nothing but a child, aren’t you.”

“My name is Rie,” I said softly, “I’m only fifteen, please fill up this bag of money or I will be forced to kill you.”

“Uh, su-sure.” She said and took the bag from my free hand and opened the volt and started filling up the bag.

“Rie!” I heard Eva call my name and didn’t take my eyes away from the bank teller. “Rie, two feet on yer right!” Eva shouted and I swung my empty hand towards who ever was on my right and blasted them with an energy ball, my eyes still on the bank teller, she handed me the bag back and I took it.

“I’m sorry.” I said softly as I blasted her with a knock out blast and ran back to the others. We ran out side our bags filled with money, once out side we were surrounded by the FBI, CIA, SWAP team, and the police along with what ever other governmental personal they had.

“This will be fun.” Daciana said as she cocked her head aside, her eyes bleed red from their usual brown, she smirked and it revealed what looked like fangs, I was terrified as I stared at her. Alina’s presence was scary as well.

“Vero, attack.” I heard Alina’s voice, distant and cold.

“Aye, Reine.” Daciana said before long she bolted toward the lot while Bella held up a shield. Daciana was bloodthirsty now, she attacked every single person who got in her way, Alina only watched and smirked as they were slain. But the figure of Ben made both of the girls freeze. Alina couldn’t call back Daciana and Daciana couldn’t retreat, her eyes fixed with Ben’s. Suddenly two FBI members tackled Daciana down, while the cops trained their guns at her, Daciana finally started to struggle, snarling and bearing fangs at them. “Let me go!” she hissed darkly, which would have caused fear if only her eyes weren't brown again. “I said. Let. Me. Go.” She snarled once again, and her eyes started to bleed black, they gasped and finally released her so the cops spent round after round firing at Daciana’s body. Daciana’s eyes were wide with terror as she sank to her knees, taking shallow breaths of air. Alina watched in horror as no one moved, Daciana collapsed to the floor, her eyes changing from black to brown slowly. Ben ran up to her and knelt beside her, he watched as Daciana’s eyes dulled.  

[Anastasia Rose Seraphym]

Daciana:

I laid on the ground bleeding from multiple gun shot wounds, mostly around my chest and stomach, I had two or three in my neck a few in my forehead and a couple on both arms and shoulders and thighs, my breathing was shallow and my eyes were dulling from life, I suddenly felt a warm hand against my cooling body.

I glanced weakly up to see Ben, smiling sadly at me. “G-get a-away.” I muttered weakly tears sliding down my cheeks as I stared at him.

“Not by a long shot, Daci.” Ben said as he rubbed his nose. “I’m going to take you to the hospital so the—”

“It’s my time to go, Ben.” I cut him off and couched up blood. “Tell your men to not shoot at us, we are only kids.”

“Daci—”

“No, Ben,” I cut him off again. “Tell them to back off.” Ben glanced up at his comrades and team.

“Back down.” He shouted.

“But sir!” An officer shouted.

“No buts!” Ben shouted back, “Back down all of you! Their only children, the oldest is only sixteen!” reluctantly his men backed down, putting their arms down or away. I lay there motionless for a long moment. To be honest I was already starting to heal. “Daciana, will you be alright?”

“I think so.” I said, “But you must get them out of here. Once I fully heal, I would need to feed.”

“Understood.” Ben said as he got up. He motioned for my girls to go, which they did, Alina was reluctant to go but she did anyways. Ben picked me up and carried me to his car; I laid in his back seat, bleeding still.

“You do realize that I’m going to ruin your car?” I said softly to him and he laughed.

“Baby sis, I don’t care.” He responded as he rushed towards the hospital, my breathing became ragged pants for air. I winced as we flew over speed bumps.

“Dude slow down.” I said as I sat up and winced again.

“Lay down, Daci.” Ben grunted as he slowly slowed down, I sighed as I lay down again and closed my eyes. I felt the car rolled to a stop, I opened my eyes and noticed two other men staring down at me, I didn’t recognize them and I tensed as I stared at them.

“Daciana Marquez.” One of the men said, he wore glasses and had blue eyes. The other one had green eyes and he didn’t wear glasses. I glanced over at Ben and frowned, Ben stood off to the side of them. “Daciana Marquez.” He said again.

“I heard you the first time.” I let my voice carry that snarl.

“She’s feisty.” The second one said and turned to the other. “Henry, I think she’ll make it.”

“Same here, Jeff.” Henry said as he stared at me, Jeff glanced over at Ben with a weak smile. “Get me two guys out here, O positive.”

“Gotcha, Henry,” Jeff said as he rushed in to the hospital. Five minutes tops and Jeff came back out with two large men behind him. “Tim and Berkley.” Jeff said.

Bella:

I stared at the girls, their eyes were watery and no one would meet my gaze, not even the man named Derek. We were safely away back at the basement of Alizian’s house, my sister, Eva crawled towards me and wrapped her arms around me and sobbed. I didn’t know what was going on, I was scared but I was even more confused.

“Eva? What’s wrong?” I asked as I placed my hand on her cheek, Eva placed her hand over my hand and looked at me.

“Daciana, she’s—she’s dead.” Eva said and I blinked.

“No.” I said and shook my head, “No!” I shouted as I felt myself cry. “No, Daci isn’t dead! I know she isn’t, I can feel her, she’s alive!” I started to sob. “It’s not funny, Eva, don’t be mean!”

“I’m sorry, baby sister.” Eva said as she pulled me closer.

“No.” I mumbled as I clung to her shirt, “No.”

“Bella is right.” Derek said as he pushed himself up from the stairs. “Daciana is not dead, and we need to get out so we can find her.” Derek looked around with determination in his green eyes. “Get your things, get your cash and lets get out of here.” The girls rose and started to fuss around, packing and stuffing things into bags. Meanwhile Eva held me tightly and I looked at her.

“Sister, we’re going to go home now.” I said and she looked at me.

“I—” Eva stared and shook her head as she released me and went with the girls, packing stuff into their black bags; I looked at them with a slight frown. Derek walked up to me and picked me up, I wrapped my arm around his neck and stared at the girls. Once done, they each went up to the window and opened it, as they squeezed threw the window, the girls would give them their stuff and squeeze out. Derek and I were the last ones, he lifted me up to the window and I squeezed threw, before climbed and squeezed threw as well. The fresh night air blew around us and I stared up at them. “Where do we go from here?”

“Alizian will find us eventually, for now, we run as far and as fast as we possibly can.” Alison said softly as she looked at us with a half smile. Derek nodded and picked me up before walking east.

“Come y’all.” Eva said as she followed Derek, a few seconds later the rest of them followed us. Derek knew his way around this street, we ended up near a Diner and we stared at it longingly, we each had enough money to get whatever we wanted but we had a limited time to do so.

“Derek,” I said softly and frowned, “I’m hungry.”

“Okay,” Derek said as we headed into the diner. We sat at a table and stared at the menu, before a waitress arrived with a small notebook.

“What can I get y’all?” She asked and I glanced at Eva.

“She looks exactly like Shirley!” I hissed at her.

Eva glanced at the waitress and her eyes widen as she recognized her friend. “Shirley?” Eva said softly as she stared up at the girl.

“Eva?” Shirley said as she stared at Eva. “Oh my gosh, Eva!”

“Shirley, its great to see you!” Eva said as she rose from the seat and hugged her friend.

“It’s been way to long, Eva! You finally came back home.” Shirley sobbed as she tightened her hold on Eva.

“Shirley.” I spoke softly as I rose as well, Shirley’s eyes widen as she released Eva and hugged me as well.

“Baby Bella! May have you grown since the last time I saw you!” Shirley said after she put me at arms length. “Your mother and father are so worried about you!”

“I know I miss them terribly.” I said softly as tears burned my eyes.

“We can’t go home yet.” Eva said suddenly. “There’s a girl we need to find first. And we need to thank her.”

“Uh, I’ll get my father on it.” Shirley said softly as she stared at both of us, our face’s were dirty and covered in grim. “But first, you have to get something to eat and take a bath.”

“Mind if all of us do the same?” Eva asked as she motioned to the rest of them.

“Of course!” Shirley said with a bright smile, Shirley by now was seventeen, the last time I heard about her, she had a boyfriend who worked in his father’s restaurant, Shirley might of gotten a job with him. Shirley glanced over at the counter, “Vincent! Can my friends go up to my room?”

“Sure, Shirley!” The man named Vincent shouted with a huge smile. “Brad is already up there.”

“Thanks!” Shirley said as she ushered us up to the steps and into her bedroom. It wasn’t to small nor to big, it was about average size. On her bed laid a man around eighteen, his eyes were closed and he looked peaceful. “Oh, don’t mind Brad, he’s my boyfriend and he works the night shifts half the time, so he sleep in my room.”

“You moved out from your parent’s?” Eva asked softly as she looked at her friend.

“After you and Bella disappeared, I told my mom and dad that Brad wanted me to go with him to work, I also told them that the dinner was just barely outside of the city limits and that if you and Bella managed to escape, you’d probably be hungry and come in.” Shirley said as tears appeared at her eyes. “It’s been three long years since the last time any of us saw you.”

“They still hadn’t found the one who was taken first.” Brad’s voice wavered and we all glanced over at him, he was sitting up, his blue eyes dulled with sleep. “What was her name?”

“Daciana.” Shirley said and sighed. “Her foster mother is still mourning her. DJ, her young sister says she’s still alive.”

“She is!” I blurted out. “I saw her!”

“Bella?” Brad said as he stood. “Are you—?”

“She’s been helping us stay alive, she’s been hiding me when the bad man would come down the steps of the basement.” I continued cutting Brad off. “She was hurt and taken to a hospital, I’m sure of it! I know she’s still alive.”

“Bella, hush.” Eva said trying to make me quiet.

“No!” I shook my head, “She’s a live! No matter how many bullets she took to the chest and head, she’s alive.” I persisted, my eyes wild as I stared around. Derek cleared his throat and glanced at us.

“Let’s wash up and we’ll talk after we have something warm in our stomachs.” Derek said giving me a warning glance before he shooed the girls into the bathroom. Derek caught my shoulder before I could pass him and into the bathroom, he knelt and stared into my eyes. “Bella, I want you and your sister to go home.”

“But!” I protested.

“No buts, Bells. I don’t want to put you into more danger than you already are, Alizian might already found out that we have ran away. So you and Eva have to go home, I’ll ask Brad to take you home, Shirley should go with you guys.”

“Derek, what about you?” I said as I started to sob and lowered my head. Derek leaned down and kissed my forehead as he pulled me in close.

“I’ll be fine, I promise.” Derek murmured into my hair as he held me. “But this is your chance to go home.”

“O-okay.” I said before he released me and lightly shoved me into the bathroom.  

[Anastasia Rose Seraphym]

Derek:

I watched as the girls washed up for dinner, the man named Brad walked up to me and stood at my side. “Daciana, she was my friend.” Brad said as he stared at the girls and his girlfriend wash up. “I dated her as well, but that was seven years ago.”

“She’s alive, and I’m making damn sure that I find her and take her back home.” I said as I glanced over at Brad. “Can I ask a favor of you?”

“Yeah, what is it?” Brad said as he glanced over at me.

“Can you take Bella and Eva back home?” I asked with a light smile, my heart was pounding, I love Eva and Bella, and they were as close as my sisters as any of the girls.

“I don’t doubt that Shirley would ask me the same thing.” Brad admitted with a bitter smile. “They haven’t seen their parents for more than three damn years.”

I remained silent as my gaze returned to the girls, mainly Bella; I felt her becoming distant even now. Eva walked up to me with a sad smile, “I don’t want to leave your side.” Eva said as she suddenly hugged me. “Please don’t make me go!”

“You have no choice.” Brad said as he stared down at her. “You must go home, Derek will find you and tell you how Daciana is doing, alright?”

“Fine.” Eva said as she released me and sauntered down the steps behind the others. Brad shook his head and sighed as Shirley walked up to him and kissed his cheek before fallowing the others.

“I rightfully miss Daciana.” Brad said as he stared at the stairs. “I brought her up here so we could rumple around in the sheets but she was the only girl who refused to do so. So the whole night we slept in each other’s arms. I felt like a man then, not when I was screwing with other girls while dating her, but I was holding the one girl who didn’t want just carnal pleasure, she wanted more.”

The memory of when I made love to Daciana came crashing threw like a wrecking ball crashing into a building, her eyes were closed as a smile spread on her lips, our hands were entwined as she moved with me. “I—” I gulped softly as I closed my eyes savoring that memory. She’d allowed me to touch her that way. I thought to myself. “I should wash up before dinner.” I suddenly said as I started to walk towards bathroom.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if she denied your advances, Derek.” Brad called after me as he headed down the steps.

“Oh, she didn’t.” I spoke so softly that Brad didn’t hear me. I grabbed a washcloth and started to wash my face when I heard a faint shrike of fear, I dropped the washcloth as I bolted out and down the steps of the bathroom. As soon as I got to the bottom I saw her. I saw Erika, my ex-girlfriend.

“Oh! Derek.” Erika said dreamily as she spotted me. “I haven’t seen you in what, three days?”

“Not enough to get a missing person file, huh.” I grumbled as I backed away.

“What on earth are you talking about?” Erika said as she walked towards me.

“Nothing.” I cleared my throat and shoved my way past her to sit next to Eva. “What do you guys want to eat?”

“Derek.” Eva said as she looked at Erika, mostly eying her as she walked up to us again. “That’s your stalker or girlfriend?”

“Stalker.” Bella suddenly said as her eyes narrowed. “And I don’t like her,” Bella got up and stared hard at Erika.

“Bella, down girl.” I whispered and Bella sat back down but didn’t stop glaring at Erika.

“Why haven’t you been at school, Derek?” Erika said as she stood beside me.

“Why are you still not over me?” I shot back at her as I rose to stare down at her. Startled, Erika took a step back but leveled her gaze with mine.

“Because, you are my boyfriend.” Erika persisted.
“No! I broke up with you three days ago, Erika.” I said slightly annoyed. “Don’t you get it? I don’t love you anymore. I moved on.” I growled angrily at her.

“Derek Manson.” Erika said as she grunted something in the lines of when I see your girlfriend, I’m going to slap that b***h. I ignored what she’d said and sat back down as Shirley walked up to us with four plates, Brad walked behind her with two plates, Shirley set them down in front of the girls and Brad set my plate down in front of me as he set Alina’s plate, Vincent, I presume Brad’s father came by with the drinks as did another younger woman, I think was Brad’s sister. Erika watched Shirley and the other young woman carefully, I picked at my food as I stared aggressively at the plate.

“The food did nothing to you,” Bella spoke up as she stared at me. “Or did that nasty girl make you mad?”

“Bella, sweetheart, just clam down, I can deal with that cynical woman.” I said slightly glad that Bella wanted to get rid of Erika. “Erika, can you just leave me alone?”

“No, not until I see your new girlfriend.” Erika said aggressively.

“My girl isn’t even here.” I stated angrily.

“Psst, Derek, I didn’t know that Daci was your girl?” Alina said as she stopped eating.

“She—I—” I blushed as I stared more at my food. “We—” I couldn’t form the right words, I hadn’t asked Daciana to be my girlfriend before we separated nor did I know that we weren’t going to see each other anymore.

“Well?” Erika grunted as she stared at me.

“You’ll see her soon.” I stated as I started eating again. As we finished eating, I rose and looked down at them. “Listen up. Eva and Bella are going home now, if along the way you find yourself recognizing the street signs or any people stop me and tell me before leaving on your own, got it.”

“Yes.” Every one said as they rose as well, I was about to take out money to pay for the food when Shirley walked up to us.

“It’s on the house, don’t worry bout a thing.” She said as she smiled and wrapped her arm around Eva’s waist, and the both girls giggled as they held each other, Bella glanced at the ground as she tried to hide her tears.

“Bells, I’ll be seeing ya real soon.” I said softly as I knelt in front of her and lifted her chin and kissed her forehead.

“You promise?” Bella said as she stared at me, her eyes wide with fear.

“I promise.” I said as I pulled her in close to hug her.

“We should get going.” Alison spoke up and I let Bella go before I stood.

“Take good care you two, if anything happens, protect yourselves and your friends.” I called over my shoulder as we left the dinner. Bella waved good-bye as did Eva, Shirley and Brad waved as well.

Eva:

Bella and me watched as Derek and the others left the Diner, Erika, Derek’s ex-girlfriend, had left hours ago. Shirley left my side to grab her sweater, Brad stood at the counter sipping a soda, and Bella clung to my side yawning tiredly. “Ready to go?” Shirley said as she walked up to us.

“Uh, yeah.” Brad said. “Yo, dad, I’m going to drop off Eva and Bella Naria at their house, I’ll be back before my shift!”

“Be careful son!” Vincent called back, and after that we were out the door heading for Brad’s car.

“It’s been so long, Eva.” Shirley said as she began to cry. “Three long years!”

“It’s alright, Shirley, I’m back now. I’ll be going to school again.” I said as I patted her back soothingly.

“I know, but I just dread what they have done to you.” Shirley said as her gaze locked with mine, “What did they do to you?”

“Nothing.” I said softly. “Nothing compared to what they did to Daciana.”

“So she is alive.” Shirley said as she got into the front seat, I helped Bella into the back seat as I slid in next to her and buckled her seatbelt before I buckled mine.

“Yeah, she’s been helping us survive the ordeal.” I responded as I wrapped an arm around Bella’s shoulders as her eyes drooped, I remained alert, looking at the signs of streets, we were getting closer to our home, Bella had dozed off, and Shirley kept saying how much she missed us, and how awful it was that we’d been adducted and that she couldn’t believe that we had enough courage to escape in the dead of night. It was around one in the morning when we finally arrived at our house. Brad hadn’t said a word since he started driving, I got out and I woke up Bella, she groaned but woke up, not fully but semi, she got out of the car and closed the door, I picked her up and she fell back to sleep, Brad and Shirley got out and I handed Bella to him, he held her and Bella snuggled into him getting more comfortable, while Shirley held my hand and we walked up the steps of my home, I was tired and I was still dirty. Shirley knocked on the door twice before an older woman opened the door, it took me about a minute at staring at her to make me realize it was my own mother, her eyes dulled with lack of sleep, her face pale, tears still rimmed her eyes.

“Mrs. Naria, ” Shirley wasn’t sure what to say, “Sorry to bother you this late, but—”

“Shirley, Brad.” The voice boomed from inside then a man stepped out, my father, and his face just as pale as my mothers. “E-Eva?” He said as he stared in disbelief at me.

“Dad.” Tears suddenly appeared in my eyes. “Dad, mom!” I said as I released Shirley’s hand and wrapped my arms around my mom and dad. “I’ve missed you so!”

“Eva!” my mother cried as she and my dad crouched down and hugged me tightly. “My Eva!”

“Bella’s sleeping.” Brad said as he stared at us with a soft smile.

“Oh, yes, come on in.” My mother said as she half carried me inside the house, Shirley closed the door behind us. “Three long years with out seeing either of our girls, I thought you were dead.”

“Do you remember the young eleven year old girl that was taken seven years ago, when I was only nine?” I stared at my mother.

“Uhm, Daciana Marquez?” Mother said trying to remember.

“Yes!” I said. “I saw her! She’s alive, the same man who took Daciana took us!”

“Us? Who this us?” Dad questioned.

“Me, Bella, Alison, Alina and Derek, he also kept his own daughter, Madeline in the basement with us.” I said. “Along with Daciana.”

“Derek, isn’t he the football quarterback at your high school, Shirley?” My dad asked her.

“Yeah, he hadn’t been in school for three days now.” Shirley said and sighed. “He just came back with a group of girls, Eva is telling the truth.”

“Eva, take Bella upstairs and bathe, we are so glad that you’ve come back home safe and sound and I have to talk to this Derek.” Father said softly as he kissed my cheek, Brad set Bella down, and she woke up startled, she glanced around not recognizing mother or father.

“Thank you for bringing, Eva and Bella back home, Shirley and Brad.” Mother said softly with a bright smile.

“It’s no problem, Mrs. Naria.” Brad said with a warm smile. “I’ll be seeing ya, Eva!” He called to me as me and Bella headed up the steps.

“Later, Shirley, see ya Brad!” I called back as I helped Bella up the steps.

“Night, Mr. and Mrs. Naria.” Brad said as he and Shirley left. I opened the door to the bathroom and shooed Bella in.

“Bells, get undressed I’ll start the bath,” I said and Bella nodded, she started taking her clothing off, as I reached over and turned the water on, I made it warm so Bella wouldn’t scream if the water was to hot. I left the bathroom to go into Bella’s room, I noticed that it was the same as we left it, I went to get her clothing, that’s when I realized that there were newer clothing still in bags, mom didn’t give up hope, I thought with a smile on my lips, I grabbed the new pajamas and went into my room, the same thing with Bella’s drawer, mine had newer clothing and newer shoes, I grabbed my new pajamas and headed back into the bathroom, Bella was sitting on the edge of the tub, she’d closed the water so it wouldn’t over flow. I set the clothing on top of the lid of the wastebasket and I undressed as well. I helped Bella into the warm water before I went in too, I closed my eyes as I sighed contently, it’d been tree years since we’d last taken a nice bath like this.

“Was that mama and papa?” Bella asked as she looked down on the water to see her reflection.

“Yes, Bells, that was mom and dad.” I said as I opened my eyes and looked at her. “It’s been three years since we last saw them, maybe you have forgotten how they look.”

“They do look familiar to me, that’s why I asked.” Bella said with a smile as I grabbed a washcloth and rubbed my face in it, it was warm with the water, I washed my face as Bella washed herself as well, our hair had gotten darker from all of the dirt and grim, but once we washed it really good, it was the color of wheat. Bella smiled at me as she scrubbed of the years off dirt and grim of her skin, I was happy as well. A knock sounded at the door and I glanced over as the door slowly opened, and there my older brother stood, bright eyes shimmering with sadness, he walked in and I rose as I stepped out of the bath, covered in bath suds. “Emilian.” I gasped as I lunched myself at his arms and he caught me easy enough, he held me tightly, Bella rose as well, timid and afraid, I clung to Emilian as hard as I could as I cried.

“Eva.” Emilian said as he hugged me closer. “Eva.” He repeated my name as tears rolled down his cheeks. “Eva.”

“Emilian.” We sank down to our knees and Bella walked over to us, Emilian opened his arm and Bella blinked as she too walked into his arm and hugged us, she began to sob as I did, as we did.

~To Be Continued~

 

[Anastasia Rose Seraphym]

Alison:

I yawned tiredly as we walked in the night streets; Alina and Madeline were tired, as was Derek. “Can we stop now?” I asked as I glanced over at Derek, he had been looking everywhere trying to find a hotel or a motel for us to stay the night, with no luck.

Derek looked at me as he stopped, Alina and Madeline stopped abruptly as I slowed my pace to a stop. “Alison, you’re tired, we’re all tired, but we must keep moving.” Derek said as he frowned. “Either we find Daciana or we find our homes.”

“I want to find Daciana,” I said slowly, “But I also just want to go home.” I glanced around not recognizing anything. “I don’t remember where I freaking live.”

“Neither do I.” Alina said shallowly as tears began to gather at her eyes, Madeline remained silent, and Derek sighed as he rubbed his face and looked around and spotted a payphone.

“Do any of you girls know your home phone number?” Derek asked as he stared at the payphone.

“I might.” I spoke up as I fallowed his gaze and frowned. “We don’t have change though.”

“There is a liquor story near by.” Alina suddenly said as she stared hard at the street sign. “Hey. I know where I am.”

“You do?” Derek said as his gaze went to hers.

“Yes, I live on the street over.” Alina said with a wide smile. “Alison lives three blocks from my house.”

“No, my aunt lives three blocks from your house. I live about ten or so streets over.” I said as I started to remember.

“I live on the other side of town.” Derek said softly and shrugged. “Okay, we walk to Alina’s house and hopefully we spend the night there.”

“My mom knows Alison’s mom.” Alina said. “You’ll spend the night and in the morning, I’ll call my brother to take you home.”

“Okay.” I said as we started walking towards the liquor store, we stayed silent for a while, we hide in shadows or behind large dumpsters when cars would pass us by. As we reached the liquor store, we were surprised that it was still open; Derek and Alina went in while I stayed behind with Madeline hiding. Madeline fiddled with her dirty shirt, as we stayed put.

“Look at that.” A voice said from behind us, Madeline and me sat stock still, fearful. “Two lovely young birds. Hey, Richard!”

“What?” The other voice that belonged to Richard sounded to close to us.

“We have two pretty young girls in our hands.” The other said as he stared down at us, we glanced up and his eyes seemed to glow under the streetlight.

“Back away!” Madeline shouted as she came closer to me and held my hand. “I’m warning you!”

“What are you going to do?” Richard sneered at us. “Lou, see that, she thinks she can take us on!”

Lou laughed as they walked closer to us, Richard smiled though both males stopped suddenly. “She said; back away.” Derek’s voice wavered and both Madeline and I stood and rushed over to Derek as he stared at Richard and Lou.

“Yo, little boy, what do you think you are doing?” Lou questioned as he stared at Derek.

“These are my friends, and I will not allow you to harm them.” Derek said as he made us step back, his green eyes were hard as emeralds now; his gaze never wavered from the two men.

“Bah! Harm them? Not only will we harm them, we’ll kill you, boy.” Richard grunted as he took a step towards us.

“I will warn you, leave us alone or you will not live to see the sunrise.” Derek threatened.

“Is that a threat? How old are you anyhow?” Lou snarled as he took a step towards us. “You’re nothing but a boy!”

“My age has nothing to do what I will do!” Derek snapped as he took a step back with us.

“Leave them alone!” I could feel that snarl emanating from somewhere behind us.

“Daciana come back!” Someone shouted.

A white flash flew over us, Derek’s eyes widen as he saw her, her hair was slightly longer then the last time he saw her, her eyes were red like rubies. “Leave my friends alone!” Daciana shouted again as she landed in front of us, her nails were razor sharp more like talons. “Don’t! Make me say it again.” Daciana snarled as she took a menacing step towards the men. They stifled a gasp of surprise and fear as they backed away. “Go!” Richard and Lou stumbled over themselves trying to escape. Just as suddenly as Daciana had appeared she was gone again.

“Daci—” We saw that the one chasing her was a female; she panted as she reached us. “Ana. Damn it!”

“That was? Wasn’t it?” Alina questioned the female.

Rebecca! A male shouted over the walky. “Go for Rebecca.” The woman said into the walky. Did you get visual of Daciana? The male said again. “Yes and it was just a projection. Daciana must still be in the hospital.” Rebecca started walking away with out noticing us.

Derek held back Alina before she could confront Rebecca. “No, it’s best that we take you home now.”

“Okay.” Alina said as we started walking again, Derek had bought us something to drink, we finally got to Alina’s street and we walked more and more closer to her house. As we finally arrived at Alina’s house, we saw that there was a missing person’s page stapled on the wooden electric pole, with a picture of Alina when she was only fourteen. “I’m finally home.” Alina said quietly as she rushed up the steps of her home and banged on the screen door. “Mom! Mom!” She sobbed as she banged on the screen door; the inner door opened and there stood an older woman. “Mom!” Alina sobbed harder as she collapsed on the floor before she fainted.

“Alina.” The woman said as her eyes rimmed with tears, Derek picked up Alina as the woman let us in.

Alina:

I woke up abruptly, an older woman sat by my side in a chair, she’d been crying, she was wearing all black, her hair was cut short and it was loose, framing a sleeping face. I looked around and I saw that Derek was by a window looking outside very thoughtful, Madeline was in a recliner sleeping and I didn’t see Alison. Finally Derek turned around and stared at me. “Alina, you’re awake now.” I heard the woman’s voice and I turned to see her. “Alina, my sweet Angel!” she cried as she knelt beside me and hugged me tightly, her tears fell onto my bare shoulder, and I wrapped my arms around her as I started to cry again. “I missed you! I thought you were dead!” It wasn’t more than two or three in the morning.

“Mom.” I said as I held onto her, even though she was my foster mom. “Mom, I’m alive and I missed you!”

“I made some tea, Mrs. Taka, I hope that is alright with you?” Alison suddenly appeared from the kitchen.

“It’s alright, honey.” My mom said as she rose. “I bet you all need a nice long bath and something to eat.”

“It’s fine mom,” I said as I rose and stretched. “Do we still have the bedroom that my brother uses when he comes to visit?”

“Oh, I do think we do.” Mom said as she smiled, “Yes, we still do.”

I turned to Derek and smiled, “There’s a bathroom in there too, so you can take a shower.” Derek nodded as he forced himself to walk to the back bedroom. Madeline continued to sleep on the recliner, Alison brought over three cups of tea and handed one to me and my mom. “Thanks, Alison.” I murmured softly as I sat back down on the couch.

“Alison, you don’t mind sleeping with Alina, do you?” My mom said softly, her eyes watering again.

“Not at all, Mrs. Taka.” Alison said as I got up again. We headed up to the stairs.

“Alina, please bring down a blanket for your friend here,” Mom said as I pushed Alison up the steps.

“Sure, mom.” I said as we walked the steps and headed into my room. Alison sat on the floor looking up at me, as I walked to my closet and grabbed a blanket. “You remember where the bathroom is right?”

“Yeah, I do. Do you have extra clothing for me?” Alison replied and I nodded. “Okay.”

“I’ll be back.” I said as I took a large blanket down for Madeline.  

[Anastasia Rose Seraphym]

Daciana:

I woke up inside of a closet in the hospital; I felt moisture in my eyes, I lifted my hand and wiped my eyes, I’d been crying again. I had left myself dissolve from this place and appear behind my ‘friends’ and save them from, from those bad men. “Daciana?” I heard Ben’s voice and I slid the closet door open and peered out with a small grin. “Oh, there you are, Rebecca and Henry were dispatched out to look for you.”

“I’ve been here the whole time.” I said softly as I crawled out of the closet and stood before walking back to the hospital bed.

“I see that, sister.” Ben said softly, “oh, uhm, you foster mom is here to see you as well as your foster sister.”

“Send them in.” I said with a wide smile, as soon as I spotted DJ, tears sprang to my eyes again.

“Hey, Daciana!” DJ said as she rushed up to me and climbed onto the bed to give me a hug, she was older now; she was around eleven or twelve when I left her she was only four of five years old.

“Hey, kiddo.” I smiled as I kissed her forehead. “Is mama here with you?”

“You bet she is.” I heard my mom say and we turned to see her smiling face. Tears were at her eyes but she refused to let them fall. “It’s so good to see—” mom couldn’t finish her sentence as she broke down and cried.

“Mama had been worried sick, Daciana, she never gave up hope that one day you’ll come back home,” DJ said as she stared at mom. “She always told me ‘Daniela Jones, your older sister Daciana will be coming back, so I don’t want you messing up her room.’ I wouldn’t say anything.” DJ’s voice started to crack, “And I slept in your bed every night for the past seven years. I never wanted to lose that hope that my big sister would come back!” DJ started to sob as she held me close.

“Now, you’re here.” Mom said sobbing still, her brown eyes clear with love and adoration. “But, what happened? Why are you in the hospital?”

“I stood up for myself multiple times, mom, I never just let things happen, he struck me one to many times and the cops were called. They never searched but, but I was taken to the hospital to recover.” I said as I stared at my mom. “Mom other girls, other young girls were taken as well. I got them out, I helped get them out, and they should be arriving home by now. Mom, I missed you!” I started to drift in and out of consciousness.

Ben:

I stared at Daciana while she slept again, her foster mother and sister DJ, stayed seated beside her, watching her, waiting for her to wake up again. “Mrs. Marquez, would you like coffee, tea or anything to drink?”

“Daniela, do you want anything?” Mrs. Marquez said at her daughter.

“I want a doughnut and chocolate milk.” DJ said as she stared at me.

“Coffee would be fine for me, Benjamin.” Mrs. Marquez said with a polite smile.

“I’ll be right back,” I said as I left the room, my mother and father had died in a car accident, leaving Alina and Daciana in an orphanage, I was sent to my grandfather’s, who refused to take Daciana and Alina in, our other relatives didn’t want to take them either, I hadn’t known what became of Daciana nor Alina, until a year or so after they were taken.

“Hey, Benjamin.” Leila’s voice sounded from behind me and I glanced at her with a bright smile.

“Hey, Leila.” I said as I ruffled her curls, Leila was two years younger then me, but she had solved about nine or ten crimes in the last month.

“How’s your sister doing?” Leila said as she walked beside me as I headed for the coffee room.

“She’s doing good,” I said slowly and sighed, “I don’t want to get custody.”

“Oh?” Leila said as she watched me make a coffee for Mrs. Marquez. “What are you thinking, Ben?”

“I’m twenty one, Leila. The last time I saw Daciana was when I was ten, before our parents died in a car accident.” I said slowly as I stared at the coffee, “I haven’t seen either of my sisters for eleven years, they’ve grown. A lot.”

“I’m sorry,” Leila said slowly as she rested her hand on my arm. “My older sister, Jessica, was killed recently, she was only eighteen,”

“We need to stop that man.” I said harshly, I felt my throat tighten as I held back my tears; Leila laid her warm hand on my shoulder and squeezed it tightly.

“We’ll get him, Benjamin,” Leila said softly as I glanced at her. “I promise.”  

[Anastasia Rose Seraphym]

Alizian:

I growled as I turned my basement inside out looking for the girls and that stupid boy. “Where can they be?” I glanced over the opened window and my anger flooded my eyes. “They escaped! How did they escape?”

Alizian, are you that daft? A female voice sounded around me though I couldn’t see her. The boy, you had taken, helped them escaped, plus the one they call Daciana.

“I tried to make her fear the outside world, forcing her to do things she won’t like,” I snarled at the woman’s voice, “I made her fear for herself.”

That plan failed, she didn’t fear anything but losing what’s most precious to her, you made her fear the dangers of you. The woman’s voice closed in on me. You kept her with her sister, instead of keeping her separated from her sister!

“How could I have known that it was her sister down with her?” I snapped at the woman again, suddenly I gasped for air.

Alizian, didn’t you see how much they resemble each other? The woman snarled at me as she released the hold on me, I fell to my knees gasping air.

“I thought nothing of it,” I said as I continued gasping in air. “There are lot of people how look alike though aren’t related,”

Stupid boy. The woman snapped at me as her voice floated about me. Their scents are the same.

~To Be Continued~