The Life Changing Vacation

~Chapter 197~

Joanna's POV
It was August 17th, 2023. Dory's birthday. She turned 18 that day. ''Happy Birthday, sweetie'', I said when she came downstairs. ''Thanks. You know, this makes me think of something. If you suddenly go back to being the old you, then I'm totally free to run away. To movie out. Get my own apartment'', she told me. ''You might be old enough to make your own decisions, but you're still kidnapped. So you still kind of have to wait until I give you permission to leave'', I explained. Dory sighed. I looked at Kristina. ''At least one of you two is still not legal. You have three months left, my dear'', I giggled. ''You don't have to remind me'', Kristina said.

For Dory's birthday, I made tacos and then we had cookie dough ice cream for dessert. We had spent a long times making the gift for her. We gave her a big box full of photos and some kind of string lights to hang them up in her room with. We also gave her a nice basket filled with candy and snacks. She had tears in her eyes when she saw the photos. ''I told you it was a bad idea'', Kristina whispered to Alex and I. ''I'm sorry if the pictures made you upset. You see, we understand that you've been through a lot these past three years, so we thought it would be a great idea to show you the positive things too. By handing over these memories'', I told Dory. ''Don't be sorry, I love them. You just made me realize all the exciting times. It's actually funny to think of everything that has happened to us'', she laughed. She pointed at one of the pictures. ''Remember the time you scared the shit out of Kristina and I on Halloween?'', she asked. ''Like it was yesterday. What about the time we thought about starting over with some kind of kid, but later end up murdering it?'', Alex laughed. We all looked at him. ''Alex, that's not funny'', Dory said. ''You're right. But anyways, did you like the gift?'', Alex asked. ''I really did, thank you so much, guys'', Dory smiled softly.

After a few hours, Dory came and asked if she could please go to a party that night, since she turned 18. ''I'm technically an adult'', she said. ''Okay, but you better be home before sunrise. I wouldn't know if you were going to the police station or not'', I explained. ''I would never, you know I love you. This isn't 2020. I wouldn't even leave if you let me'', she told me. ''Doesn't matter, in this house you're not an adult before Alex and I say so'', I sighed. I kind of felt bad, but I would never know if Dory was lying or not. For all I knew, she was just pretending to like it here to have a higher chance of escaping. I realized Kristina was gone. I went upstairs and I found her in her room. She just sat on the bed. ''Hey, how are you?'', I asked. ''Can I go to the party too? I was invited'', she said. ''I'm sorry, honey, but I think you should stay home tonight'', I was about to leave the room, but she stopped me. ''Please, I can come home early'', she said. ''A no is a no'', I said. ''This is how it's always gonna be, isn't it? Are you always gonna deny me fun? I've been listening to you for years now. This time it ends. And you're not gonna stop me, otherwise I will make sure you regret that one way or another'', she said. ''Are you threatening me?'', I asked. ''Maybe. I'm just saying that this time, I win'', Kristina said and disappeared out the door. ''Looks like another mistake was made'', I whispered to myself as I went to get Dory to run after her.