Line Of Fire •L.A•

33. Letting It Out

"Having you here makes this a whole lot more bearable." She whispers.

Luke swallows and whispers." I'm sorry you didn't have someone when you were younger."

Silence ensues his words. She's completely still in his arms, and for a moment he wonders if something is wrong. But suddenly he hears her exhale. "I survived."

"Im proud of you for it."

"It was my fault." She whispers after a few seconds.

"What was?"

"Everything. If I had just been normal, I-I..." she stops as a small sob escapes her lips." I acted out and got sent here. I should have just been better."

"You lost your sister, Felicity. You acted out because that's the only way you could cope. It's your parent's fault for being shitty and sending you here."

"They weren't always shitty. They were nice before my sister died. I guess they blamed themselves for failing as parents, so why even try on me?" She stops but continues after a few seconds, Luke lets her speak. Allowing her to let out what she'd bottled up for so long.

"I came here and the industry was fine for a while. I mean as fine as an industry could be. I hated the hard work and religious studies they put me through. So I ran back home. I was only home for a week before my parents called the industry and I was picked up. They brought me back and immediately put me in here for a few hours."

Luke imagines a young Felicity sitting in this hole, deprived from anything for a few hours. The thought made him angry. No child should go through that.

"It was the first time. But definitely not the last. They made me work harder and told me if I ran away again, God would punish me through them. So I didn't. I got thrown back in here because I tried to defend other kids as I got older. I think sometimes Cussler just enjoyed putting blame on me. He knew I was claustrophobic."

"I can't wait till the cuffs are slapped on him." Luke mutters.

"I'm going to be the one to do it. I'm going to make sure he pays for what's he's done. He made my life hell before I was even an adult. It's hard to recover from that."

"How'd you get away?"

"Mr. Chase. He came along when I was 17. He spent months just talking to me. About anything. I wouldn't have made it if he hadn't been there. He told me God loved me and Chase believed He sent him to help me. I believe the same. Coben gave me a train ticket and helped me escape to his house far away from the industry. I didn't see him again until today."

"Why did you agree to come here?"

"I needed to help. I ran away once. I wasn't going to do it again." She whispers leaning her head against his chest. "How long have we been in here?"

"A couple of hours."

"I hope they get here soon."

As if they hear them, there's a suddenly sound of footsteps above them. They both look up. Luke bangs on the hatch. " HELP!"

"WE'RE IN HERE!"

They scream until their voices disappear, and finally there's the sound of scrapping and the hatch is pulled open. Luke isn't sure he's ever been happier to see familiar faces. "Guys?"

"Matt, Spencer!" Felicity yells through tears."Thank God!"

Matt reaches down and pulls Felicity out first. Then him and Spencer pull out Luke.

Luke is immediately pulled into a hug by Matt. When they pull apart, Luke is pulled into another by JJ. "Thank God, you guys are okay."

Luke glances over at Felicity. Shes being hugged tightly by Spencer." I thought we'd never find you guys."

When they pull apart, Luke receives a hug as well. "How did you find us?"

Then he notices a man standing a few feet away. He hugs Felicity. "I'm sorry I wasn't faster."

She's crying." You were fast enough."

He suspects this is Mr. Chase. They shake hands. No words are exchanged but he would forever be someone that would have Lukes undying respect.