Journey Home

Chapter Nineteen

I lay on the be- couch for what seems like hours, releasing and holding in tears. Then I start to lecture myself, Zoey, it's fine. Austin will be here, he'll help you. He promised, and if not you'll find another way out. It will be fine.

I think about my bag probably still in the woods sitting there lonely like me.
I shake my head, because I think I've gone crazy. I look at my cast and remember how concerned Austin was about it...I shake my head again.

"Come on, Zoey, get your head in the game," I whisper to myself, knowing that I'll be fine as I starve here. I get up and walk/hobble around looking for something to do. I find a old book called Shattered Pieces and decide to read it.

Around chapter fifteen, Miss Flavrin comes in with the most angry look on her face I have ever seen. "There are some people here to see you," she says through gritted teeth.

I nod but in my head I'm like thank God! I follow her down the creaky stairs and pray they don't break, as we reach the waiting room I don't see Austin or his dad. Instead I see a woman and a man both around their thirties, I would say. The woman gets up and hugs me, but I just stand there surprised by what's happening. The man comes over and taps the woman's shoulder and she releases me.

"Who are you?" I ask them, very confused.

"Well Zoey, we're you birth parents," the woman says smiling, but I frown and just stare at her and the man (who I'm guessing is my dad) for a long time till I say something.

"So are you here to adopt me?" I ask them, not really knowing what else to say.

"Yes! so why don't you get your stuff while Miss Flavrin helps us sign the paperwork," my mom says with a smile as big as the moon.

I nod and head up to the attic, when I get up there I start packing but when I finish I take a sticky note that I found somewhere and an old pen and write a note:

Dear Austin,
My parents came to pick me up. Here is the address I got online before I met you they live in a white house on Oakland St. I hope you find me because umm...because we still need to talk about...stuff. Anyways hopefully I will see you soon.
Sincerely, Zoey.

When I finished the note, I stuck it in my pocket, grabbed my bag, and walked back downstairs the the main room.

"Oh, great timing, Zoey we just finished the paperwork," she says, smiling and thanking Miss Flavrin who is faking a smile. She starts outside with my dad by her side and we all go out to the car, but before I go out, I stick the note on the door.

I run out to the car, get in the back, and buckle myself in, and as we pull away I whisper three small but meaningful words.

I love you.