Betrayal

Chapter One: Utah

The only photo I have of me and my biological parents is with my dad just hours after I was born. I didn't know the story around the photo but I inferred. He held me against his bare chest with a knitted white blanket across me. Tattoo's covered a decent portion of his arms. Every time I looked at the photo I found a new clue to what my old life could have been. In a reflection, a man looked towards the door in a black suit with his hands folded in front of him. He didn't look to be savoring the moment. A name is written on the whiteboard to the side. Aza McGrath. That was the name I was born with and still have. Never stuck around enough to get a new one. To most, a name is a part of their identity. Mine meant nothing to me. It was just a way to not get lost in the system. They could've given me a number and I wouldn't have cared.

"Aza?" An officer walked up to me sitting on the edge of the ambulance next to me. The red lights still lit up the road as neighbors flocked out to see what was going on, "You mind if I take you down to the station for a statement?" I simply nodded. 

He opened up the passenger side door to the patrol car. As we left the flashing lights and turned on to the dead road, I watched the street lights pass and pulled into a bustling little police station. It was a small town. Not much happened. But a double homicide would certainly break up the monotony.

"Alright Aza, can I get you anything?" 

"No," I whispered. 

The officer sat down across from me and pulled out a notebook, "Let's start from the beginning." 

"Alright Aza," My foster dad, Ryan, said coming in the door behind me. Tired and worn out I put my bag on the ground and threw my cleats next to it.

Ryan tossed the water bottle at me from the fridge, "Did you have to make us run so much today?" I whined.

He laughed, "I am the coach for a reason," I sat down at the island and slowly sipped on the water, "I saw the way those girls were playing against you, wanna tell me why?"

"You're playing me in the championship, and they think you did it cause I'm your kid. So I guess they're trying to take me out."

"I'm playing you in the championship because you're a phenomenal player. You deserve that spot." 

A small grin formed on my face. I had been living with them for a couple of years now and was actually enjoying it. They took me to Hawaii for my 18th birthday where my foster dad, Ryan, grew up. He was a college soccer player who was supposed to go pro but tore his MCL his senior year. He instead followed his backup plan and become the high school soccer coach. 

"Hey, hun," My foster mom, May, walked through the garage door giving Ryan a small kiss before walking over to me, "I got you something," She handed me the small bag. Inside was a sweatshirt. 

"I live my life a quarter-mile at a time," I muttered the familiar saying to myself as a bright grin formed on my face. 

May and I bonded over the Fast and Furious series as she had 3 older brothers growing up who loved cars, as did she and I. We use to joke about how she should be glad that she didn't have to buy a minivan and give up her '93 Supra.

Ryan's phone dinged on the counter and he grabbed it before I could look, "Nice try kid," He laughed. He read the text intensely, "I've gotta go to a meeting, I'll be home for dinner." 

He put his phone in his pocket and walked over to me. Looking down for a moment he then pulled me into his arms, "I love you kid," He kissed the top of my head. I was a little confused. Not by nature but of the action in general. He seemed worried.

"I love you too," I said unsure. When he pulled away I saw the anxious look on his face but he turned to walk out the door.

I grabbed his hand, "Dad," I caught him off guard, "What's going on?" 

May looked at me worried then back at Ryan, "Nothing kiddo, I'll be back," He walked out the door and I looked at May. She quickly came up with an answer. 

"They're having budgeting issues with the team, he's just stressed Z," She nodded, "Hey how about you and me binge Fast and Furious till he comes home?"

I nodded with a grin putting on the new sweatshirt and sweatpants coming back down to sit on the couch. We watched them with the same intensity we did the first time we saw them. Finally, I saw the sun setting outside just as Ryan pulled into the driveway. 

He looked a little less stressed than before, "Hey kid," He smiled putting his hand on my shoulder. 

"Hey." 

We sat down for dinner, "Alright Aza, if you could move anywhere in the US where would you go?" Ryan asked me out of surprise. 

"Uh," I had to think for a minute, "Depends do I have a money restraint?" 

"Nothing outrageous." 

"Okay... Utah."

"Utah?" 

"Yeah, we went there last summer, it's kinda fun." 

"Alright, I can deal with Utah."

We sat down to watch the rest of the movies as I started yawning, "Hey, I think we should-" 

"No, I wanna keep watching," I interrupted.

"Alright," May laughed. 

I laid my head down on Ryan's shoulder, "You sure you don't wanna go to bed?" He asked again. 

"I'm sure." 

I had fallen asleep not too long after reassuring I wanted to keep watching the movies, "Is she..." 

"Dead asleep? Yes," Ryan looked down at me where I curled up next to him, "I'm gonna take her up to bed." 

Picking me up like I weighed nothing I woke up a little but not enough to care, "Night kiddo," He pulled the blanket up and over my shoulder. 

"Night dad," He grinned eagerly before kissing the top of my head. 

It wasn't long till I heard a couple of crashing noises and then some shouting, "Where is she?!" I got up slowly and opened my door a little bit to see their bedroom across the hall. The room was dark but I could still see two shadowy figures. One visibly held a gun to Ryan and May's head and they both stayed on their knees. I put my hand over my mouth but they heard me. 

The man started walking towards my door, "Come out," The man said. 

"Run Aza! Run-" Two gunshots went off and I screamed but ultimately listened to Ryan's last words and took off running. 

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