Back Where I Belong

Chapter 5

Zoey's pov

Michael, Ashton, Calum, and Luke were all standing there behind me. None of us speak.

"Are- are you really there? Or have I actually lost it?" I ask softly, scared of the answer.

"We're here, Zoey," Calum assures me. I stand up, then run into his arms. The others crowd around us, hugging me tightly.

"Do I have to go back to the orphanage again?" I whimper, almost positive that I would be dragged away from my boys again.

"No Zoey. We swear, never again. You're ours for good now. The lawyer is already working on the paperwork," Ashton promises me. I bite my lip, then hold my pinky out. He smiles and locks his long pinky with my shorter one.

"Who was she?" Michael asks timidly, pointing to Cindy's lifeless body. Just then, a team of doctors and nurses walk in. One sends us a sympathetic smile, then sends us out of the room.

"That was my little sister," I say softly, looking at the ground, "Cindy."

"Biological or..." Luke trails off after I shake my head no.

"He did this to her," I say, getting angry, "Tim killed her!" I clench my hands into fists at my sides.

"How did Tim kill her?" Luke asks me.

"He gave her chicken nuggets that were cooked in peanut oil. She's severely allergic to peanuts. If he didn't give her those damn nuggets, then she would be alive right now!" I yell, getting worked up all over again.

"Zoey, calm down. Look at me," Michael instructs. He bends down in front of me and holds me shoulders, forcing me to look him in the eyes.

"This happened for a reason. I know that you're mad about it. Hell, I didn't know her and I'm still pretty pissed off at Tim. But would Cindy really want you to hold a grudge?" Mikey asks. I slowly shake my head no.

"It's just not fair, Mikey. She was only thirteen. If Tim wasn't such a douche, then she'd be alive," I complain, throwing a tantrum.

"I know," he mutters. He wraps his arms around me, holding my against his chest. I start to cry. My emotions were all screwed up at the moment. I was angry, sad, and happy all at the same time.

Eventually, I feel Michael pass me over to someone else's arms. My eyes were getting droopy. I was exhausted, mentally and physically. I couldn't take much more.

"It's okay, Zoey," Luke mutters. I realize that I was being held by him now.

"Go to bed. We'll be right with you when you wake up," he promises. I nod, then lean into his chest, falling asleep almost  instantly.