Paying the Price ORIGINAL UNEDITED VERSION

Chapter 70: June

I woke up dizzy, hungry, confused, and covered in hives.

Not my favorite way to wake up that's for sure and definitely not something I planned.

The last thing that I remember was attempting to eat with my family.

Oh, that's right, I remember now.

Guns, banging, shouts, screams, gas. It was all rushing back to me.

I had been put in a new outfit and I did not appreciate that at all.

Who changed me? Why did they change me? And where was the dress I was wearing? I liked that one.

Where was Janae?

I knew that was the reason for the hives as soon as I woke up alone.

Even our bodies knew that we were not supposed to be apart.

I wanted my brothers badly.

At least I wasn't hurt. I hope none of my siblings were either.

The twins... They were so little, they didn't deserve this.

Who wanted to take us? Who did this to us?

I looked down and my hands were shaking. I was too nervous to stand.

It was no secret that I had anxiety. Even worse when I was alone on rare occasions.

My whole body was shaking.

I wanted my siblings. Even just one of them here with me would calm me I think.

And it would make the hives go away. Or at least make them calm down some.

I was a Princess, I didn't deserve to be in a cell. What have I done wrong? Who would want me?

I was crying. I hated being alone more than anything in the world. I avoided it at all cost. Sometimes I think my siblings get annoyed with how clingy I could be.

Janae especially knew how bad my separation anxiety could be. There were many nights when I couldn't sleep alone and had moved myself into her bed for the night because of how nervous I got.

I'm not sure where the anxiety stems from.

I wasn't beat like Oakley and Oliver and I was never shoved in a closet and starved like Janae.

I think that I was arguably my parents' favorite child. Both Mother and Father were kinder to me than my other siblings.

I think it's because of my obedient nature. I would do just about anything asked of me. No arguments.

My other three siblings were better leaders. They could take charge and would question authority.

I would just nod and say okay. A total pushover.

"June?" A voice said from outside of the cell.

Not just any voice.

My brother!

I looked up and I couldn't tell at first which one it was.

But one look at the arms to see matching red spots everywhere told me exactly who it was.

"Oakley!" I tried to stand and go up to him but I collapsed against the wall.

A tall girl opened the cell and let him in. He ran up to me and caught me.

"I-" I couldn't even get the words out. I wrapped my arms around him and squeezed so tight.

"I know Junie, I know. I've got you, you're okay."