Last Chance

21.

Simone stood in the doorway. "Hello, I'm coming to pick up Sam." Josh started. "Zoey!" The woman had no eyes for Josh at all. Simone walked out and she wanted to hug Zoey. Startled, Zoey took two steps back and Josh quickly moved in front of her.

"I'm here for Sam." Josh repeated. "Yeah, I heard that too." Simon snapped. She looked at Josh for a long time. 'Wait a minute. You're Prince Charming.' She immediately took a different stand. "Um yes." Josh frowned. "Too bad you're not that charming in real life." Simone noted.

'Well. Just call Sam." said Josh. 'Why would I? It's the middle of the night.' Simone looked annoyed at Josh. "Get Sam now. Otherwise I'll call the police.' Siste Josh. Simon sighed. "Give me a moment."

Five minutes later Simone came back and Sam walked behind her. 'Josh? Zoey? What are you doing here?' Surprised, Sam looked at her foster father and sister. 'Get you. Pack your bags. We go.' Josh said directly. 'What? It's the middle of the night.' Sam looked at Josh in surprise.

"Sam and Zoey aren't going anywhere. They stay with me.' Simone grabbed Sam's wrist. 'So I didn't think so. They're both coming with me.' Josh said calmly. Simon laughed. 'They are my daughters. I have the right to keep them here.' She glared at Josh. 'You have forfeited that right. See how you stand. I think you've had too much to drink.' Josh noted. Sam tore himself free. 'I'm going to pack my things.' Sam walked away upstairs.

'Sam? Why are you leaving?' Simone asked. "Because..." Sam was silent. Did she have to tell the truth? That her mother was disappointing and that she had imagined everything differently. "I'm going to pack my things." Sam walked up the stairs. "Should I help?" asked Josh. 'Yes please.' Sam nodded. 'Okay.' Josh followed Sam upstairs and left Zoey downstairs with Simone.

Zoey looked anxiously at Simone who was grinning at her. "What's up Zoey?" She walked over to Zoey. Zoey took a step back. 'Go away.' Tremble Zoey. 'Did not you miss me? Certainly not. My whole family has fallen apart because of you. You have caused me all this misery.'

Simone lunged and she punched Zoey in the face. Zoey immediately felt her cheek. Simone didn't seem to care because she immediately kicked Zoey in the stomach and she fell backwards to the floor. Zoey cried and Simone kicked Zoey's stomach one more time.

'Bad child! Because of you I lost everything. I hate you.' shouted Simone. Difficulty Zoey got up and Simone slapped her in the face. "Zoey!" Josh came running downstairs. Simone turned and Zoey saw her chance to run.

Zoey started running. She had to get out of here as soon as possible. Somewhere behind her she heard Josh and Sam calling out, but she didn't want to go back. She had to go. She was terrified. Her mother had always done this to her and she had never told anyone. Her face, stomach and knees hurt so much, but she didn't care.

After ten minutes of running, Zoey stopped exhausted at a playground. She sat down on the bench and cried continuously. She was in pain everywhere. She couldn't anymore. She wanted to leave. She was so scared. Zoey made herself as small as she could and tears streamed down her cheeks.

'Z..o..e..y.' Josh came running up, panting. Zoey immediately jumped up and took a step back. 'Hey, calm down. it's just me.' Josh tried to reassure the girl. 'Go away. Leave me alone.' Zoey shouted panicked. "Zoey, I won't hurt you. Not really.' Cautiously, Josh took a step forward. Terrified, Zoey looked at Josh. "She's done this to you before, hasn't she?" Josh looked at the girl sadly. 'Only. She always mistreated me when Sam wasn't looking.' A tear streamed down Zoey's cheek. 'Oh girl. And you never told anyone...'

Zoey started to cry and she fell into Josh's arms. Josh put his arms around her in comfort. 'It's okay. You are safe now. I will never leave you alone.' Josh reassured the girl. "Well, now and then you can give me some privacy." Zoey laughed through her tears. Josh smiled. 'It's fine Zo. Shall we just go back to the car? Sam is waiting alone in the car.' said Josh.

"Yeah, but my knee hurts so much." said Zoey. Josh looked around for a moment. "Climb on my back." He said. 'What?' Zoey looked at him in surprise. "Get on that bench and climb on my back. I'll lift you.' He said. 'Okay.' Carefully Zoey climbed onto the bench with Josh's helper. Josh got ready and Zoey sat on Josh's back. "Let's go see how Sam is..."