Alicia's POV
The first thing I did after I got into my brother's jeep, was to turn on the radio. I hadn't listened to anything but brutal lashes and painful screams for the past 4 months.
"We are one, tonight, and we're breathing in the same air, so turn up the love, turn up the love, we're turning up the love..." As much as the song was pumping with energy, I couldn't bring myself to dance in my seat like I used to.
It was a peaceful silent ride, except for the music blaring. Julian always knew how to keep the atmosphere under control. The drive to the new house they - we- moved to was awfully long. I couldn't wait to see my parents.
"Julian?" I asked suddenly.
"Hm?" He acknowledged me, not removing his gaze from the road. I turned the volume down a bit, enough to hear him.
"How come we moved houses so quickly after my... kidnap?" Flashes of memories went through my mind.
The brutal beatings.
The muscular men towering over me that screamed danger.
The sound of the metal swooshing through the air before connecting with my back.
I shook my head out of the memories that seemed would haunt me for awhile. Julian turned his head towards me. He was pretty tired, too. The bags under his eyes held longing, sadness and lack of sleep.
"Honestly," Julian sighed as he took the moment to run a hand through his disheveled hair. "I don't even know. One day we were in our old house, the next evening, we're in a house that I didn't even know we were going to move into." He then shrugged. "Trying to get rid of bad memories, I guess."
I nodded, understanding immediately how true his words were. Before I knew it, we were pulling into a large driveway, that, no surprise, we unfamiliar to me.
We walked up to the door. There was a different air to the house. So different from the house I grew up in. Our step-mother opened the door.
"Oh, you're here." She slurred, a glass of Scotch no doubt in her hand. Scotch being her favorite drink always hit her hard. I smiled, nonetheless, walking through the door.
"Here I am!" I cheered with open arms. By now, I would've expected a hug or something. Instead, our foster mother, Brenda, turned around and walked towards what looked like a living room.
Julian stood by me and looped his arm with mine. She's drunk, I assured myself.
"John! Alicia's home." I heard Brenda's faint calling from the room she walked into. Shuffles were heard along the hall as John made his way towards me. And yes, you guessed it. He had a glass of his own as well.
"Alicia! Welcome home!" John side-hugged me. He reeked of alcohol but it was a hug. It was a hug nonetheless and I would take what I could get. I always liked John. He always treated me like his own. He treated me like his baby girl. Like the princess he made me believe I was.
"It's good to be back." I smiled genuinely.
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John was a true delight even though he clearly drank. He showed me through the house, to my room he decorated himself. When I got through the double doors that opened to my new bedroom, John came in and closed the door behind him with a click.
"Sit down, why don't you?" He asked. I did as told and sat on the rug, across from the bed. Placing himself on the end of my bed, John looked up, suddenly grown serious.
"Alicia, your mother and I, have been trying to track you down for months. We were so worried for your being and health. We never gave up on looking for you. That house we used to live in brought back bad memories every day. I somehow felt like I was responsible- " I cut him off. He thought he was responsible for this!
"No, dad, come on! You're not responsible for any of this. You couldn't have possibly hurt me on purpose. You're the last person on Earth to harm me." I interjected and got up to hug John. He pulled back a bit after a moment.
"Let me finish, Alicia." I nodded and sat back down. "So after you were kidnapped I couldn't stand it anymore, everytime I passed by your bedroom -or purposely went in anyway- the guilt was more intense than ever. Staying in that house, Julian was a complete wreck. It was bad for his health. So we moved. I didn't even give it a second thought. But I never thought once that you would somehow try to contact home. So, I'm sorry. Please forgive us." John lastly begged.
I silentliy got up and hugged the man I called my father. It was just good to be home, I'll tell you that.
I was ready to put this even past me. And I intend on doing so.
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"Hey, Julian." I knocked on his door, debating on whether I should walk in or not. He lifted his head from the bed, he seemed awfully exhausted. I didn't blame him. Even though I was asleep the whole time, let's put it that was, I was as torn up as he was.
"Hey, Ali." Julian smiled at me. He finally looked in peace. He was finally happy. He had finally gotten me back and home. No amount of exhaustion could avail his cheer.
"How're you holding up?" I asked, lazily walking into the room. I took my place on his bed.
"I'm doing quite awesome, tad tired but it was so, so worth it." He picked up his t-shirt from the side of his bed and sat up, slipping it on. Julian just looked at me as he slid me onto his lap and hugged me. I was never going to get enough of this. I had missed him for too long. My brother was my rock. He was my everything. God knows where I would've been if it weren't for the existence of my brother, Julian.
We just stayed liked that, hugging the life out of the other sibling. For awhile, the peaceful affect went on until I felt Julian's tears on my shoulder. I pulled away at once. With my thumbs, I wiped his shiny eyes.
"Hey now, I'm here aren't I? You're supposed to be happy." I raised my arms, one still in a cast, giving my brother a muscular pose. "All macho."
Julian let out a laugh, shaking his head. "I'm just crying because you're so heavy! Damn girl, you weigh a ton! You're crushing me under all your fat!" He said dramatically, pretending to die as he threw himself on the bed. I rolled my eyes.
"I'm not afraid to use this." I threatened him, showing him my cast and knocking on it, just giving him a teaser of how hard it was. This backfired of course, when Julian started laughing.
I patted Julian on his chest, kissing him on the forehead, I bid him a short goodnight before shuffling back to my room.
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Sorry guys, this was kind of a filler. Don't worry you get to see Liam soon! :) For what reasons, I can not tell you Muhahahaha :D
Keep Tuned! xx
Lex
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The Lucky Stranger (One Direction Fanfiction)
Mystery / Thriller[*AUTHOR'S NOTE* The story includes 1D as characters, it doesn't focus on them] Alicia is kidnapped. Has been held hostage for 4 months. She has been through torture everyday. Her time is almost up. In desperation for help, when an address mix-up...
