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❝glued up, sometimes it's too much i'm fucked up and clueless i'm stuck in the vortex, stuck in the vortex❞
-glued, melanie martinez
❀
chapter forty nine, THE CARETAKERS
Rafe Cameron simply should not have been surprised to find Angelia Montgomery's body in the exact same spot where he had last seen her. A freshly emptied bottle to her left and her right hand clutching the necklace resting on her chest. He couldn't look at her and not want to fix all of her problems.
Since finding out about the cross a week prior, it was as if Angelia was no longer checked in. The girl lost in her own mind, clinging to her memories.
"She won't eat" Wheezie was at her older brother's side, the pair watching Angel with sad eyes, worried glances shared between them. If Angel could hear them she didn't show any signs.
"I'm worried about her too Wheez" He patted his sister's shoulder lightly before leaving the plate of food on the dresser and shutting the door but never fully.
"We have to do something" The youngest Cameron demanded, looking into Rafe's eyes with desperation.
"I don't know how to help her," He paused, looking down the hallway and making sure the coast was clear before continuing. "the only option is to get her out, off the island. Then we can start searching for the pogues, otherwise, I don't think she'll move or get any better"
"What about Macy? Can't she help you? Can I?"
"Wheezie, you can't tell anyone. If Ian catches wind, we probably won't see her again. Remember what I told you he did to her, he'd do worse"
"not even Mace?"
"No, not Macy either. You can't tell anyone." He ruffled her hair slightly. "but, I'll need your help" Wheezie couldn't agree faster. The girl ready to do anything. The thought of getting her big sister back not even dawning on her mind.
"for now, stay with her. I'll handle the plans" Rafe instructed the girl before disappearing behind his door, shutting the rest of the house out from whatever he was hiding.
Wheezie returned her eyes to the girl she'd known her entire life. A deep dread filled her young mind. If the pogues were gone- she didn't even want to think about it.
"Ang" The girl's soft voice rang in Angel's ears. She didn't stir, she didn't move, she barely breathed. Angelia wanted it all to go away. She wanted to wake up in some forged paradise her mind came up with in the early hours when she'd finally drifted off. Soft white sand covered her feet as she stepped, JJ starting a fire, Pope and Kiara getting food, Sarah and John B collecting water. Their community, needing only each other to live.
