Wars and Lies

Chapter Ten

"No! I don't believe you. My dad's dead. He died when I was young." Ashton screamed. He's angry but I know this is just a cover up for him being confused and sad. I can feel him shaking. Ashton shakes when he's upset. I grabbed onto Ashton's arm and stroked it to try to calm him down. "He can't be." Ashton whispered.

"Maybe give him a chance. He does look like an older version of the man in the photo so maybe it really is him. I suggest at least hear him out and if he's a lying douche I'll punch him in the face for you." I comforted. Ashton smiled a little.

"Okay. Explain what happened." Ashton ordered.

Christopher began. "You were only six when it happened. It was a normal Friday morning and just like every weekday morning and just like every family in the our tribe we were out fishing. It was your first one. We were out on our boat, The Old Salty was her name, and you were loving it. Your mother was singing as she prepped the few fish we'd caught and put them into ice and I was teaching you how to fish. A fog started to roll in so we started to pack up to head back to shore. We were quite far out and it rolled in a lot quicker than expected. The lighthouse's last bulb had blown the previous week so it wasn't operating meaning we couldn't see the rocks. The boat crashed and started sinking fast. Your mum remained calm and immediately reacted and made sure you're safe, you had a life jacket on so you were okay. I, on the other hand, got my foot tangled in some fishing wire and a net in the chaos. I wasn't able to remain as calm. I got pulled down with the ship. Sinead was passing by and rescued me. I thought I was saved but I was in for hell. Sinead held me captive and forced me to become her slave. I tried to escape and come home but had no luck. I'm so sorry son."

Christopher finished and it's a lot to take in especially for Ashton. Ashton doesn't know how to react; his face is full of shock and confusion. The whole time he thought his dad was dead but really was imprisoned by that psychopath. "We went to our tribe to stock up on a supplies and kidnap people and I was shocked to discover you or your mum weren't there. How is your mum? I miss her so much. I hope she's okay and happy."

Ashton's face dropped. "Guess it's my turn to talk. After you died, well thought you'd died, life became hard. We struggled to get enough food, we couldn't afford a new boat or to build one so fishing wasn't an option. Mum became severely depressed so I was looking after her. Two years ago, we decided it's best to move to another tribe and get a fresh start. We used our savings and bought the cheapest boat we could find. It was rubbish. We picked a random place on a map and picked the Mountain Tribe which is where I currently live. We packed our stuff and left. On the way there our boat crashed into another. I was distracted for only a second. Mum got trapped in the cabin. The door was jammed. I tried to save her but couldn't. She told me to go. I didn't want to but she made me. She died. Mum's dead. I swam to the surface and I was about to swim to shore when I noticed a man drifting out on a plank of wood. He was unconscious. I couldn't leave him so I saved him. Turns out he's Katie's dad, her" Ash pointed at me. "The family took me in to say thank you for saving him. It's my fault we crashed. It's my fault mum's gone."

Ashton finished and began to tear up. I know how much he hates talking about what happened and I know how much he blames himself and I hate he does. What happened wasn't his fault. I quickly wrapped my arms around Ashton and pulled him in close. He buried his face into my shoulder and silently cried. He had to bend down seeing as even sat down he's taller than me. He doesn't like people seeing him cry. "I'm really sorry. I wish I was able to come home. I loved her so much."

"So, you really are my dad?"

"I am son." Ashton jumped up and hugged his dad. I can't believe Ashton's found his dad. Everyone thought he was dead. Out of all the things to happen, it was this that brought them together. Isn't the best time or place but it's still amazing.

Suddenly, Charlie and Charlotte, who were keeping watch, burst in. "Scary lady's coming," Charlie warned. Ashton quickly stopped hugging his dad and sat down.

"Now you lot need to start behaving." Christopher shouted pretending he's been telling us off. "Hello ma'am. I gave the rats a good beating and am about to take them to their cage."

"Of course, it's you again." Sinead said as she got in my face. "Will you ever stop being a pain?" She walked behind me, took a handful of my hair then slammed my head onto the table a few times. Everyone jumped except Christopher, he's probably used to seeing stuff like this. She's quite strong so my head was smashed really hard. My vision went blurry and my head's pounding. My ears are ringing but I can make out Sinead laughing and someone shouting, I think it's Ashton. "Take them back to the cages." Sinead ordered.

We were taken back up to the cage room. I feel so dizzy and faint so Ashton had to help me walk. We reached the cage and I collapsed. My dad noticed and looks over worryingly. Stephanie very quietly whispered, "she'll be okay. Sinead smashed her head in." My dad looks angry. Ashton picked me up and got me to lay on his lap. I feel like I can't move. My head won't stop pounding. I'm struggling to keep my eyes open. Ashton took off his jumper and made it into a blanket for me. He stroked my hair as I slowly lost consciousness.