The Dark Heirs Volume 1

Chapter 18 (2): Safety

Tw: abuse, emotional manipulation, insulting, cult

I think that's it:3
_______________________________________

Gudrun took the children to the banquet, making sure to carry Jude carefully. It was something they did every weekend. It was like always. The prayer to begin then banquet. Then they ate. Nothing unusual.

Jude looked at all the cult members as they eyed him weirdly. Gudrun put a hand on his back.

Her father spoke up. "How's the hunt for the angel going?" He asked teasingly. "Now come on, don't tell me the only normal child I have is useless as well..." He groaned.

Gudrun looked down. She'd gotten close to Mai... But no step closer to the angel. That goddamn angel, if she never existed, maybe their father would be different. She was close to crying but had to hold it for her siblings...

"No I haven't." She said blankly. "Sir, I the angel knows who I am. She despises you and me. We have no chance of getting her... Just let that damn angel be." She yelled harsher than it was supposed to. Her father looked at her shocked and angry. Her father stood up.

"Excuse me? Leave that damn angel alone? Feeding her our blood is the only way we'll ever get salvation... You'll understand soon enough... Just keep doing what I say, otherwise I will forbid you to go outside again." He yelled and then sat back down clearing his throat. "Now eat..." He ordered.

Gudrun was scared. She didn't want to lose Mai or her contact to the world. She had to find a way to get Viktoria to get here. She was so deep in thought that she didn't even realize she started to cry. Nele tugged at her cult gown. "Gudrun, don't cry..." Nele said almost crying along. The last thing Nele wanted was to see her sister so sad. She was the only person left for her besides Jude.

Gudrun wiped her tears away. "I'm sorry Nele... It's nothing, I'm fine... No reason to cry..." She muttered instinctively pulling Nele closer. All she wanted was to keep her sister save, no matter what.

Gudrun went to school the next monday at night. She was taking Nele and Jude along. She wasn't supposed to but she sneaked them out at with her. She couldn't stand them being near her father anymore. Even Robin cane along following close behind them. "Gudrun, we will be punished by them if we leave... Don't you think the children can wait until they're as old as you to go to school?" Robin asked.

"I'm not taking them to school... I'm taking them away. Away from the dangers they're facing in the cult. They deserve a life... A childhood..." Gudrun mumbled. Robin slowly nodded. "I've known you three since birth, I will stay by your side...no matter what..." Robin assured her.

Gudrun went to her dorm with the both of them. She luckily got no roomates and had 2 free beds and a couch. Should be enough for all of them to sleep on. She put her siblings on the free beds. "You two should sleep... It's been a long night." Robin said tugging them in while Gudrun watched. "Tomorrow I'll show you the sun, Jude." Gudrun made a pinky promise with Jude.

Robin and Gudrun decided where to that Gudrun can keep her bed while Robin will take the couch and they soundly fell asleep. Sadly not without fear. Gudrun was full of worry that they're gonna find the 4 of them and punish them badly. She also knew they couldn't stay in her dorm forever.

At daytime, Robin took care of the children while Gudrun went to school. She wasn't concentrated at all today and Mai noticed. "Hey Gudrun... Are you alright?... I'm worried... You're off today." Mai remarked concerned. "It's fine Mai... It's just... The cult... I ran away with my siblings and their caretaker.. I'm just so worried.. I don't know where to take them and if they get found we will be punished.. i just want them safe.." Gudrun vented and started tearing up.

Mai's features softened and she hugged her empathetically. "I might have an idea..." Mai said. "I've lived in an orphanage... The mother of my friend Kate works there! She might help you and keep them there." Mai suggested. Gudrun's eyes lit up. "That's actually perfect...Yes let's do that!" Gudrun agreed.

Mai took her to Kate's dorm after class. "Hey Kate.. I know I promised to not come here again with Gudrun but she needs help." Mai said pleadingly.
Viktoria hid behind Kate. Kate sighed. "What is it Mai?" She asked calmly.

Mai held Gudrun's hand. "Gudrun has 2 siblings. She fled from the cult with them and their caretaker and they need a shelter. They can't stay in school and will probably be searched for. We don't want to know what happens then.." Gudrun looked scared. Viktoria seemed relieved. "Wait so you wanna leave the cult?... Does that mean you don't want to hurt me anymore?" Viktoria wondered. "Kind of... I don't want to be anywhere near my father anymore... If I need to leave to keep my siblings safe, then so be it." Gudrun stated determined.

Viktoria nodded. "We can help..., right Kate?" Kate nodded as well. "We can take them to the orphanage. Nanako will understand.." Kate said and smiled.

And so they did it. Gudrun's siblings were taken in the orhpanage by Nanako, who promised to keep them safe from the cult and stay near them. They were even shown the sun for the first time. Gudrun felt relieved knowing both of them were in good hands.

"Thanks Kate... I couldn't be more thankful... How could I ever repay you?.." Gudrun asked hugging Kate tightly. "There's no need for that. It's about the lifes of children. As long as they can have a childhood, I'm happy." Kate explained to which Gudrun smiled. She didn't want to hurt Viktoria anymore, in fact she wanted to never hurt anyone again. She looked over at Robin who befriended Nanako because they were in an age range and Robin decided to stay in the orphanage as well, as a thanks for letting them stay.

Gudrun was truly happy and felt safe.

But she still couldn't help but wonder how long that happiness and safety will last...
_______________________________________
JUDE OUT:3