Stockholm Syndrome

25. Tunnel

ARIA'S POV:

Mum helped me change my clothes after a bath. I looked at her quizzically so that she answers my questions.

"Mom, how did we escape h--him?", I asked worriedly. Before she could answer, Ryan barged into the room of this big penthouse, whose owner I still don't know.

"Aria..ARIA...", He shouted happily and hugged me tightly.

"Ryan....", I whispered as we both hugged each other after so long. He is my brother but he has always cared for me like I was his daughter even though we don't have a much age gap between us.

"You're fine. I was so scared.", He whispered to himself and swayed me from side to side in his embrace making me giggle softly. I missed him.

"I missed you Ri.", I told him and he hummed, not irritated by the nickname that I had given him when I was four.

"Did you find Iris?", Mom asked him and he nodded finally pulling away slowly.

"You found her?", I asked eagerly. The day on which I had to take the flight was the day that I was going to meet Iris. But our plan failed and I couldn't meet her.

"Yes, she's safe.", He said pecking my head making me smile.

"I will protect you baby Ari..", he whispered making me laugh. When I was a newborn, he used to say this line always. I sniffled as the memories hit me like a truck and then my sobs became full blown cries. Mum and Ryan hugged me in between them as they whispered soothing words in my ears.

I could finally breathe. I was away from his clutches. He won't come back.

"Dad?", I asked when I felt slightly better.

"He is making sure that your kidnapper doesn't come near you again.", Ryan said angrily and for the first time, I saw that much rage and hatred in his eyes.

"Ry--an, call dad. He.. he's very dang--erous. He will hurt daddy. P--lease.", I cried and he shook his head and rubbed my back.

"Shh baby..he will be fine.. there's a lot that you don't know right now. Dad is a strong man and he will keep you safe.", He said and mum nodded smiling at me.

"N--o..call him p--lease.", I pleaded. They don't know what that monster is like.

"Hey, hey..look at me Aria..breathe...come on....I'm calling him..calm down.", Ryan whispered rubbing my back as I tried to breathe through my nose. The stress was suddenly too much and I just want my father safe and away from that monster.

"Hello dad....yes..I know...yeah talk to Aria.", He said after having a small chit-chat with dad.

"Dad, come back home please. D-don't go near h-him.", I said taking the phone.

"I'll handle everything baby. Why don't you sleep? I'll be there when you wake up, I promise.", He said and then I heard a voice, his voice.

"D--ad, is he t-here?", I asked shivering in fear.

"I'll be there soon baby after finishing this piece of shit.", He said and ended the call. Mom laid me down after I gulped my medicines which the new doctor prescribed.

"Sleep baby. I'm here.", Mum said kissing my head and holding my hand tightly and I nodded feeling tired and worried about dad. What did he mean by 'finishing'?

"Stop thinking Aria. Dad will be here when you're up.", Ryan said from the other side and I finally went to sleep.

HADES'S POV: