HOOKED

Chapter 12

"Guess who's here?" A Girl's voice said knocking on my door. She walked in and it Chelsea!

"Oh my god! Chelsea is that really you." I don't think I've ever smiled this hard in my life. She came over and gave me a huge hug. "I've missed you so much!" I said laughing.

"I missed you too girl!" She laughed and kept hugging me. It was kind of difficult with all the cords attached to me. But, I was just happy to see her.

"I love you so much" I said while a tear strolled down my face.

"I love you too. I'm so sorry for everything. You're my best friend. And I'm so happy you're here. Alive!" She said concerned.

"Yeah me too." We let go of eachother and she sat down on one of the chairs.

"And I'm sorry I was going to come in yesterday with your Uncle Shawn but, we got a little held up." She said looking down.

"That's okay, don't worry about. But, what happened?" I asked. Please, don't be about my mom. Please.

"We went to go and try to get your mom from Michigan. But, they wouldn't let her out." She said concerned.

"What do you mean? Michigan? What's everything that happened when I was gone?" This makes no sense. My mind is racing. I don't think she has any family up there or anything.

"When you ran away, your mom overdosed. I went over to your house to apologize and, I found her just laying on floor. There was bloo-"

"Stop. I don't want to know details just get to the point. Please." I said closing my eyes. My poor mom.

"Well she ended up be okay. She's been in rehab ever since. We tried to get her out and bring her up to visit you. But, they wouldn't let her leave. I'm so sorry. We can go visit her if, you want." She said holding my hand.

"Yeah I'd like that" I smiled.

"Hello? Could I come in?" Uncle shawn asked knocking on the door.

"Of course, you can." He came in with balloons and presents.

"Hey! You didn't have to." I smiled

"Oh, yes I did. Here open it." He said handing me the bag filled with presents. I removed the wrappings and it was a journal.

"Oh my god I love it. Thank you so much." I said. He reached over and gave me hug.

"Love you, Nicole." He patted my back.

"Love you too." I smiled. I looked inside the bag there was also a four bags of skittles! "My favorite" I laughed. "Thanks guys" I set all my stuff on the counter next to my bed.

"You're going to released tomorrow." Uncle Shawn said smiling.

"Oh okay." Where am I supposed to go? To my house? It's probably a wreck there. None of my belongings are there either. I guess I could move in with Chelsea but, I don't want to be a burden. Ugh. I don't know what the fuck to do.

"Um Nicole. This might be too soon but, if you want you can move in with me." Uncle Shawn said.

"Wait, really?" I smiled.

"Yeah, we can live in Michigan. Close to your mom. So, then we can visit her." He said sincerely.

"I would love that" I smiled while a tear shot down. I wiped it quickly. "I think I'm going to get some sleep before lunch. Come back tomorrow?" I asked.

"Of course, we'll be here. I'll go buy you some clothes tonight. We'll move to Michigan when you're released." He smiled and patted me on the head. I smiled watching them leave. Grabbing my journal, I decided to write.

Dear Journal,
My life is so crazy. I was kidnapped. They didn't let me eat any food. They abused me horribly. After that experience, I don't even want to live. Damon murdered my father. All of this is his fault. I have no idea how I am supposed to heal from this horrible incident.
When I ran away my mom overdosed and now she's at rehab in Michigan. I'm moving in with Uncle Shawn to Michigan tomorrow. I'm just happy I have him. I'm sure I'll be able to make new friends. And, good memories. Truth is, I love Damon so much. And miss him dearly. I don't understand how something so wrong and feel so right. Being, with him makes me feel alive. Happy. Although, I told him to never talk or see me again. This whole experience has been horrible. I feel like shit. Maybe, the future will have some good and happiness. Maybe, one day I will be able to forgive Damon.
Nicole Taylor

I set my journal down and laid down. I need sleep.

* * *

Today, is the day I'm leaving New York. Today, is the day that I'm putting everything behind me. Damon, the casino, getting kidnapped, bullied, and my dad. It's time for me to move on with my life. But, there's one more thing I need to do.

The hospital gave me some clothes to change into. I gained over 5 pounds. The doctor said I need to keep eating as much as I can. My cut is almost healed. I'm going to get the stitches removed at a doctors in Michigan. My face and body is still bruised up badly. My hair is extremely thin. Dr. Carson said I'll get healthy and better in no time. I'm going to go to therapy in Michigan and also a new school. I'm getting a fresh starts.

"You ready to go? I have your suitcase packed" Uncle Shawn said while pushing me in a wheelchair.
"Yeah but there's one more thing I have to do." I said as he helped me get in his car.

"What that?" He asked.

"I'll show you. First let's get flowers." I said. We drove to the closest walmart and got a couple roses. I didn't tell him where we were going. I just gave him directions. We pulled into a parking lot for a cemetery.

"Let me do this alone. Please." I said. My Dad's gravestone was at the other side. I was okay with walking, though. Finally, I found his grave.

"Hey dad." I kneeled down infront of the gravestone. "You know you weren't the best father. But, I know at the end of the day you loved me." I cried. "I know you wanted to make things right" I choked from a sob. "I love you Dad." I set the roses down. "And I forgive you." Tears ran down my face. "I'm moving to Michigan. I hope it's nice there with good people. I wish you could come. I wish we had enough time to make things right between us. But, that can't happen. And I have to accept that. So, Dad. I love you. And I'm happy I know you love me back. I'm happy you wanted to make things right. Because, I did too Dad. I did too." I stopped crying. I got up and walking back to the car. It felt nice to talk to him one last time. I'm no longer going to old on to the past. The future has good things ahead.

"You ready?" Uncle Shawn asked.

"I am so ready." I smiled. He started the car and drove to Michigan. To a new life. A new future.