The Chance of Freedom (REWRITTEN!)

I hope we're still friends. Yeah, I hope you don't mind

Zynair bonded with the group fast. They were nice, funny, and very welcoming. He's grateful that he met people like them. They were comfortable talking to and understand that you can tell them anything without judgment.


[Are you sure that they won't judge your problems?]


Jae looked at him with a sad expression as her eyes observed him, "Did somebody hurt you?" she asked him. Zynair's eyes widened as he looked at Jae. His hands began to shake and his breathing became irregular as his eyes just stared back at Jae with fear.


The group looked at each other with concern and sympathy. Mary placed her hand on Zynair's back gently, "Kid, can you follow my breathing?" she asked him and he looked back at her with tears rolling down his sunken cheeks. He nodded and Mary grabbed his hand gently and placed it on her chest as she started instructing him to breathe with her.


Arii slapped her hand on Jae's shoulders, "Why did you ask that?!" she hissed at her. Jae took in a deep breath, "I- I didn't mean to hurt him.." she softly respond as her hands started to shake, "I didn't m-mean to scare him." and her eyes were filled with tears but she didn't let them roll down her cheeks.


"Alright but please don't cry." Arii sighed and gave Jae a reassuring smile, "I'm sorry for attacking you like that." she admitted and scratched the back of her head, "I didn't mean to snap." "It's ok." Jae replied, "It's my fault that he cried."


The black-haired kid followed Mary's breathing exercises and eventually returned to his regular breathing. He thanked Mary and looked at the others, "I- I'm so sorry.." he apologized and lowered his head down to look at the floor, "I didn't mean to cry in front of you all." "Kid, you don't have to apologize."


Zynair nodded and gave the group a small smile which made its way through their hearts. They have to protect this kid, "A-Are you comfortable to share how you got those bruises?" Jae asked once again and Zynair looked at her. Intense emotions circled the air as the group went back to silence.


He looked down and nodded, "I guess you guys deserve to know my story." The group gave him a comfortable smile, "Tell us when you're ready." Jade said. Zynair nodded and took in a deep breath.


"It started in my father's house..."



———————————⨝————————————



After hearing the kid's story, everyone's anger started to boil towards the father. How could he do this to an innocent child? How long has he suffered consequences like that? It just makes the group wanna kill his dad.


Jae curled up her fists, Arii frowned, Jade furrowed her eyebrows, and Mary comforted the child as he cried in her arms. The group can't just bring him back there. Who knows what's gonna happen to him once he returns?


The group doesn't wanna know.


Mary coughed to break the silence and looked at her friends, "We all know what we're thinking about." she said and gave them a sad smile. "I'm gonna kill him." Jae hissed while Arii placed her hand on her shoulder again, "Same here." "But we don't want to go to jail for that." Jade blurted out, "But we have to alert this to the police-" "DON'T!" Zynair yelled and interrupted Jade.


Jade looked at him sadly, "Why not?" she asked, "He's the one who hurts you." "I- I have nowhere to go." he softly replied, "I don't wanna go to the foster homes!" and panicked, "I- I just c-can't!" "Alright kid calm down." Jae said as she left the counter to walk closer to Zynair.


She placed her hands over his shoulders and he flinched a little, "You're not going anywhere." she told him with a reassuring tone, "But we have to tell the police about this." "T- Then... Where am I gonna go?"


Arii jogged up to her with an excited smile, "You're gonna live with us!" she replied, "Jae and I are roommates and we don't mind having another." Jae nodded, "Plus you're going to be safe with us and we'll give you a better life."


Zynair can't help but cry. No, it wasn't sad tears or tears of fear, but it was tears of happiness. He stood up and hugged Jae, "Thank you!" he said, "Thank you so much!" Jae hugged back, "You're welcome."


Mary sniffled, "Oh god, this is too much." and smiled. Jade let out a breathy chuckle, "What a cry baby." and received a soft punch from her, "Shut it, Jade."


Zynair smiled as he wiped away his tears and looked at the group. If he didn't decide to run away, he wouldn't have met them. He wouldn't have met the people who are willing to help a teen like him. The universe isn't as cruel as he thought.


"Oh yeah, I forgot to ask," Jae said and looked at Zynair, "What's your name kid?" "Um... Zynair." he replied with a small smile, "My name's Zynair." The group smiled back at him in return, "Nice to meet you Zynair." Jae replied, "I'm Jae." then introduced her other friends to him and he loved them already.


They are the family that he's been looking for for so long.



———————————⨝————————————

YOOO I FINALLY FINISHED IT :DD

Thank you for the people who read this story first! Thank you for the early reads and votes! I appreciate it so much.

I'm happy how this book turned out and I am proud of what I wrote.

Thank you for reading and see you soon!

BAIIII

Soul signing out ~♡