Follow Paige on her grueling adventure to get away from her abusive parents and find someone who will take her in.
*Warning: Story may contain abuse, cursing, etc. If any of these things trigger you- please exit and enjoy your day.*
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[Last we saw, Paige and Mark met and Mark managed to put up a facade in order to trick her parents. Seeing her injuries- he drove off with her back to his home. We pick back up late during the day, the sun setting as he drives home.]
"You'll like Matt and Ryan, they're pretty cool." He chuckled as the female watched out the window, wringing her wrists in her lap as she attempted to focus on something other than the trouble she would be in. Eventually, her parents would find her and she would see them again only to- "Don't think about it too much." The girl tensed and looked over with large, confused eyes. "I'm going to make sure you're safe. I promised didn't I?" She didn't remember any promises, but she believed him none the less. "Sir... How can you help me, when you barely know me?" Her voice had taken a questioning tone and her expression changed to one of worry and hurt, his brown eyes glancing to her before focusing on the road once again. "Well, I guess I'll just have to fix that first." She could see him smiling reassuringly.
"Oh no..." The male seemed to metaphorically facepalm as he pulled into a driveway beside a white and blue Yamaha motorcycle, running a hand through his hair he let out a sigh through his nose as to not be dramatic. "Looks like you get to meet someone else today." He opened the door before sliding out of the seat and jumping out, turning to shut the door and watching as Paige mimicked his movements flawlessly. This child seemed more shy than anything to Mark, but he could only imagine what type of trauma she had endured that she wasn't sharing. In the back of his mind a nagging feeling remained, and he knew he would have to call the police first thing in the morning.
"Paige? Before I introduce you to my friend, I should warn you, she can be a bit affectionate."
"That's definitely a change from my normal company, I'll make sure to not have a heart attack if she touches me."
Hearing the little girl joke made a bright smile form on Mark's face, the male laughing and unlocking the door; softly shoving it open so that Paige could walk in with him trailing behind her so that he could shut and lock the door.
"Mark? Is that you?" A tired voice echoed through the halls and two shadows drawled behind the figure in a zombie like fashion. "What took you so lo..." The woman stepped into the hall light, crystal eyes inspecting Paige as she ran a hand through her maroon hair. The shadows behind her emerging, Matt: a blonde male with caring blue eyes, and a sleepy expression, and Ryan: a raven haired male with a dismissive look in his chocolate eyes. The male's seemed to have just woken up, but the girl between them seemed to be playing it off pretty well.
"MARK. Why do you choose to do these things at night?" Ryan let out a grumpy huff which as a result forced a deep chuckle from Mark.
"Aren't you just the cutest! My name's Ladia, that's Ryan, and that's Matt!" The female spoke as she jerked her thumb towards each in a point, "What's your name cupcake?~"
"I'm Paige. It's a pleasure to meet you all." She forced a believable smile, it feeling natural now considering how much she had to feign joy.
"So, what's up with the kid Mark?" Matt asked softly as he stood by Ryan a bit away.
"She needed help, ran into me in the parking lot outside my panel. I had to help her- her parents..." He trailed off, and when the female child wasn't looking he softly hit his fist into his palm making the male's gape in horror. "Those sick-"
"Language!"
Ryan tensed as he glanced to Ladia who was covering Paige's ears and looking at him with a stern glare. She had already gotten attached to the respectful, and from what she had seen so far, obediant child. The woman's crystal blue eyes softened and she stood, offering her hand to the female with a sympathetic smile- which quickly faded when a small trembling hand took her own. "You can sleep in Mark's room tonight if that's okay? We can get the guest room ready for you tomorrow." Ladia moved her hand to pull down the white crop top she slept in, her mouth opening as she yawned.
Paige glanced to Mark and as he noticed her panicked expression he smiled reassuringly, "Don't worry. I don't mind." The girl relaxed and nodded silently as she released Ladia's hand slowly and instead grabbed the large hand of Mark, who smiled softly as she did so.
"Why are you guys sleeping anyway? It was just turning to actual night as we walked in, isn't that a bit early?" The deep voice of Mark resounded in the halls as he spoke to the three.
"Actually, after getting our two videos up each we were a bit tired." Ladia started as she moved her hands to her hips, blowing some hair from her face. "BUT, what made us really tired was finishing helping Sean plan his trip. So we all decided ta hit the hay-"
Ladia froze seeing how Paige had begun to hide behind Mark's leg at the word choice.
"I MEANT GO TO SLEEP." Her voice was raised and worried, but not enough to be a shout or a small yell. However, Paige had made up her mind to stay behind the red-head's (literally) leg.
"Oh no... I completely forgot that was this weekend." Mark muttered as he ran his free hand down his face looking to the little girl, that was about as tall as his stomach when she stood up straight. "Who's Sean?" Her voice was soft, her intent being for him to ignore her if he so pleased. "He's an Irish friend of mine, he works with me a lot."
"Guys? I'm pretty tired, since we handled everything can we just head to bed?" Matt weakly made a motion down the halls with his pale hand, and once everyone agreed he stalked off. Mark led Paige to his room, which was next to Ladia's; the female opening her mint green door and bidding them goodnight.
Looking back Paige noticed something horrific, Mark, the man that had practically saved her, was putting a sleeping bag on the floor for himself. She knew it was intended for him because he had sat down on it and motioned for her to get onto the bed with an encouraging smile.
"I don't mean to argue, but..." Think of a good reason, think- that's it! "I don't want to sleep in the bed alone, I'm scared." Her voice lowered and the male chuckled lightly. Softly pushing himself up and walking over so that he could scoop the female up in his arms, watching as she clung to him afraid to be thrown. Before he moved to lie down on his side in the bed, holding her close as she snuggled into his stomach with her small figure balled up against his chest and stomach.
"Thank you, Mark." She weakly smiled before nodding off, Mark humming and letting out a soft sigh holding her close to protect her. He had uploaded his videos early so whether or not he was tired, he was going to sleep, for her sake.
Paige could actually sleep soundly considering she sensed he was good, sure it was faint considering she was just a human child, but she could feel the good energy surging through him.
For the first time in years, she slept peacefully.
