Run Away (An Academy Ghost Bird Fan-Fiction)

Chapter Nine

Sang

"According to our research, you don't exist."

       The words bounced around in my head. Mr. Blackbourne explained to me what they found, or what they didn't find. He told me he had theories for why but he couldn't confirm anything unless we talked to my parents. But one thing we did know for sure was that my parents never reported me missing. Not one single call had been made or report filed. I had been missing from my parents' house for over 48 hours and they really hadn't called or tried to find me.
I could hear my mother's voice again in my head, "...you're on your own!"

       I should be shocked. I should be sad. But some of the things she said now made more sense. When she yelled at me, it wasn't about my safety, it was how it would effect her. How my hypothetical kidnapping would be a burden to her. I felt more resolved. Only one question currently came to mind.
       "So, what do I do now?"
       "That would be entirely up to you." Mr. Blackbourne replied.
       "What are my options?"
       "First, you could choose to return home to your parents." I nodded, urging him to continue. "Second, we could find a temporary home for you, away from your parents. We have contacts that could find you a new home with a foster family. It would be like witness protection; New town, new name and identity." I nod again. "Third, if you'd like to stay here we could contact our school. They have resources that could help you. We may even be able to get you enrolled." some of the guys murmured to each other at this. "With your unique situation, the Academy may be eager to have you join. But this is entirely your choice. Whether you choose to join the Academy or not, we will still help you." He says. "I want to be absolutely clear, Miss Sorenson. Until you tell us to stop, we will be here to give you aid in anyway we can." All the boys nodded at this. The each wore a serious expression, all determined and ready to help in any way they could.

     "You given me a lot to think about. I don't know what I want to do just yet. Everything you've done for me was so kind and extremely generous, I don't know how I could ever thank you all." I said. "Would it be okay if I thought about it, about what want to do?"
     "Of course, Miss Sorenson. Take all the time you need." He nodded. "I believe Dr. Green wanted to keep you here over night but, if it's alright with you, we'll take you to one of our residences in the morning."
     "That's right, doll face. You're a bit dehydrated so I'd like to set up an IV with some fluids. If you'd like, I can run some blood tests to make sure everything else is okay too." Dr. Green tells me.
     "Sure, Dr. Green. Whatever you think is best. I've never been in a hospital before, this is all new to me."
       "A few of us need to go run some errands. Will you be okay for a few hours, Sang?" Kota asks me.
       "Of course." I smile, "I'm used to being alone." I meant it to be reassuring, but a few of their faces fell. Sadness coloring their eyes.
       "You don't need to be alone anymore, Trouble. You've got a bunch of friends now. You'll never have to fucking be alone again." Gabriel says and I smile at him.
       I believe him.

       The boys file out to run their errands. Some mentioned something about getting ready for school. Dr. Green sets up the IV and pulls a few samples of blood to test for various things. When he wasn't running things to the lab or answering phone calls he stayed at my bed side. He was a terrible flirt, constantly making me laugh or blush, but it only put me further at ease, never uncomfortable. Eventually Mr. Blackbourne returned with Luke, who was carrying my backpack over one shoulder.
     "We found this in the new build when we were looking for you. We thought you'd like it back." Luke told me with a wink. "You might want to make sure everything is there. We picked up everything we found but the room was a mess."
     "Thank you for saving it for me. I didn't have a lot in it, mostly clothes. Like I said before, I only planned to be gone for one night" I pull everything out of bag. They had laundered the clothes and folded them neatly before packing them back inside. I pull out my torn and battered journal. Torn pages were placed gently back inside and a rubber band wrapped around the cover to help it stay closed. My eyes watered with emotion. These boys didn't know me but they took such exceptional care of what belonged to me. I rearranged some misaligned pages, putting them back in order. Mr. Blackbourne walked to my side, observing my actions.
     "You mentioned before that you knew the Korean alphabet. Is that what's written here?" He asks, pointing to the journal.
     "Yes. This is a journal I kept. My sister, Marie, and my mother like to snoop. When I was younger, I would write in a journal, mostly about what made me angry. They would find it and read it, and then I'd get punished for whatever I wrote. I started writing in this code. I don't actually know any Korean"
     "Do you use a key?" He asked, studying the pages.
     "No," I shake my head. "It's just the Korean alphabet, but English words. If Marie tried to use the Internet to translate it would just be gibberish." He reaches in the inside breast pocket of his jacket and pulls out a pen.
     "Would you show me?" He asks and I nod, "Write: The five boxing wizards jump quickly." I blinked at him for wanting such a random phrase but then shrug and turned open the book to find a blank page. I starting penning in the circles and lines of each letter, handing both the paper and pen back when I was done. He studied the new words. "You have a very interesting and unique set of skills, Miss Sorenson." I raise my eyebrows in confusion but he says nothing more.

     Setting my backpack aside, I try to readjust myself in the bed, pulling the blankets higher on my legs.
     "Are you cold?" Luke asks
     "Just my legs and feet really." Luke goes to the shopping bag Gabriel left behind and starts searching through it. Suddenly he starts laughing and pulls out a pair of soft, fuzzy pink socks.
     "I have a feeling Victor snuck these in when Gabriel wasn't looking." He says with a chuckle. He hands me the socks and I grin while slipping them on my chilled feet and then wiggle my toes with a giggle. My feet started to warm instantly. "Gabriel also got you some pants if you want to change." He says, holding up a pair of black pants.
     "Do you think the pants would rub against my stitches too much?" I ask.
     "These are yoga pants, so they're pretty soft and stretchy. I think it'll be okay."
     "Alright." I take the pants and hobble-shuffle with my IV stand to the restroom to use the facilities and change into the pants. When I returned, only Luke remained in the room. I climbed back into the bed and settled back under the blanket.
     "Better?" He asks and I reply with an excited nod of my head and he laughs. "Go ahead and try to get some sleep, Sang. I'll be here when you wake up." I shyly smile my thanks and close my eyes.

I dream of being chained up in a dungeon. I call out, hoping someone will hear me and come, but my cries are ignored. I am there for days, months, years. I cry out until I no longer have a voice. I have been forgotten.

     I'm being shaken awake, I take in a deep breath and open my eyes. Kota is standing over me with Luke next to him. Both wear a look of concern on their face.
     "Sang? Are you alright? You looked like you were having a nightmare." Kota tries to read my face.
     "I'm okay." I shake off the remaining trickles of fear and remember where I am. "Sorry. Yeah, it was just a bad dream."
     I'm safe.
     My new friends are here with me.
     I won't be forgotten again.

* * * * *

      I ate, slept and then ate again. Each meal as big as the first. The boys laughed at my surprised expression but always reassuring me that I didn't have to force myself.
     Just eat as much as you can.
     I don't think I've ever felt so full in my life.

      Dr. Green changed the bag on my IV with a full one and told me that all my blood work came back clear and with a good nights rest I should be good as new in the morning. The boys all took turns sitting with me, asking me questions about my likes and dislikes. What was my favorite color, music, flower, subject in school? Do I play any instruments? Do I play any sports? What did I want to be when I grew up?
     I don't think I'd ever talked so much in my life.

      I got to know them as well. I found out Dr. Green was fluent in Japanese and liked paper crafts, Victor played the piano and loved to travel, Silas loved sailing and anything to do with the ocean. Luke also loved chocolate chip pancakes and could speak sign language, he taught me a few words. Kota loved all things Science and Math and had a younger sister named Jessica. Nathan knew martial arts like Jujitsu and Taekwondo as well as some others. Gabriel loved all things art, including fashion, and he desperately wanted to take me shopping. North liked working with his hands, like building or fixing cars. Mr. Blackbourne was more reserved, mostly asking me questions, but he did mention he played the violin and enjoyed classical and jazz music.

     I enjoyed visiting with them but I had been putting off deciding what I wanted to do. I needed to make a decision. If I stayed, I could try to get some answers from my parents. I didn't have a birth certificate or a social security card so I could easily relocate and start again. If I stayed and went to this Academy, I could stay with my new friends. Mr. Blackbourne said with my "unique situation" they would welcome me. What kind of school was this?

     Stay, Go, School. I needed to make a choice.