Where I Belong - Ace Merrill

Chapter 25

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~2022~
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Harper spent the whole month in her room. Her parents tried everything they could to get her to talk to them but all they got were the same responses.

"Fuck off."

"Fuck you."

"Shut the fuck up."

Harper watched Stand By Me everyday. The photos she had taken of Eyeball on her laptop were now her background, each one made her smile as she remembered how her and Ace had taken the piss out of him when she made his head huge.

She had spent every day researching time travel, watching every documentary and movie she could get her hands on.

She was currently sat on her bed surrounded by her laptop and papers, books and everything she had found so far.

"Harper..." Her dads voice came from behind the door.

"Fuck off." Harper snapped as he clicked on another link on Google.

"Harper please, it's been a month. I just want to talk."

"Fuck you."

She heard her dad sigh. "Harper I-"

"Shut the fuck up." She snapped as she heard him sigh once more.

"I have something for you..."

Harper sighed as she ran her fingers through her hair, they just weren't getting the hint.

"I don't want your apology crap."

She heard a knock once more as his footsteps were soon heard as he walked away. Harper looked back down at her laptop before turning back to the door.

Climbing off the bed she pushed her suitcase aside, she had refused to unpack it, she was going back and she knew everything in there was clean anyway. They'd only been in Brownsville for a few hours before she'd found her way to Castle Rock.

Opening the door slowly she saw a small cardboard box on the floor. Quickly picking it up she slammed her door shut behind her and walked over to her bed.

Pushing some of the papers aside she sat down, grabbing her replica cobra switchblade from her bedside table and cut open the box. Inside was a letter and another little velvet box.

She put the letter aside as she opened the little velvet box. A small silver ring lay inside, it was adjustable with a little 'A' covered in diamonds and another diamond on the end. Gently pulling it out from the box she held it in her fingers as she picked up the letter and opened it.

'My dearest Harper,
I know you never want to speak to us again and I get that. Your mother believed we were protecting you.

Seeing everything you've been through has torn us apart, more than you will ever know. We tried everything to save you but we failed.

Until I showed you that movie. I never believed a few fictional characters would actually be able to do what we never could. But they did. Harper we have never seen you laugh the way you did with them, smile the way you did with them.

Your mum has no clue I have got this ring for you or that I've wrote this letter but I know you'll keep it between us. Harper if you truly believe you belong there with them then I won't stop you.

You are and always will be my daughter. That little girl who used to hold my hand and cling to me wherever we went. And though it may tear me apart from the inside out I know it's not my hand you need to hold now.

I love you Harper Fleet, but this isn't your home anymore. It hasn't ever been your home.

I've showered you with gifts your whole life, anything you wanted or needed, I got for you. And if you can ever forgive me I look forward to finally giving the last gift I can. Kiefer Sutherland has just been announced at the San Diego comic con for a Lost Boys panel but I'm sure he can write out three small words. Kiefer was here.

Whether it works or not I'm willing to try. If you are.

I love you my daughter. Xxxx'

Harper sniffed as she saw a few tears fall onto the paper. Putting it down she looked back at the ring. A. Ace. Slipping it on her finger she quickly wiped her face and sighed.

Rushing out her bedroom door she ran down the stairs and saw her dad standing there by the door, bags and suitcases surrounded him.

"Harper-" He started but was stopped as she flung herself into his arms.

"I'm sorry." He mumbled into her neck.

She shook her head against him as he held her tight.

"Harper we need to talk." He quietly said as she softly pulled away and looked around at the bags.

"What's going on?" She said as she looked up at him confused.

"Me and your mum..." He started as he looked down at her.

"You're getting a divorce?" Harper managed to choke out. "It's me isn't it? I caused this." Guilt flushed through her as he quickly shook his head.

"No no Harper you didn't! You never caused anything!" He grabbed her head in his hands. "You never did anything wrong. No matter what you never did."

Harper tried shaking her head but he held it still.

"So you decided to fall for someone who technically was meant to be a character from a movie? I'm sure that happens all the time."

Harper laughed slightly and shrugged slightly as her dad took her hands in his. His thumb brushed over the ring.

"You may be an Ace girl but you're also Ace's girl." He took a deep breath. "Let's get you home aye Harps?"

Harper smiled as memories of Eyeball calling her Harps came back. She was going home.