The Secrecy✔

Chapter 33

Liz Collins

"I'm sorry for everything that had happened." Sophia whom I used to call her, Sophie, while we were in Colorado, said.

"It's not your fault. I can't believe a guy I truly loved and had a crush on would do such a cruel thing to my family and the others."

"The thing I know is that your family has always been very suspicious of him since the day he arrived at our residence." Sophia began. "And that's why Alex, Tori and I became so distant ever since. When he came, your father had always kept the three of us away from him in order to hide us, so that he wouldn't know that we are close to you or we're important to your family."

Tori nodded as I tried to keep my posture and mind straight when the painful memories were resurfacing.

"Sophia moved out several months before Alex. After that, your father sent Alex. Sophia has helped him and that's when I started to become distant from you as well. I usually went in and out, but mostly out after he came." Tori told me and now I know the reason why I barely saw them and when the incident happened, Tori suddenly appeared.

"I don't know why they did this to us. I still can't find that reason." I couldn't figure out why they had to eliminate my family and the others.

"His father wanted the building." Alex came out of nowhere and said.

"What do you mean?" The three of us turned to him as he took a seat, not before making sure the door was securely closed and nobody could hear us.

"It is a very hidden building, Liz. It is almost like a camouflage." Alex explained. "I know that because it's now turned into their warehouse where they secretly keep the illegal drugs."

"What?!" I can't believe this.

"You know that the residence is a hidden place and they took this opportunity to find somewhere to store their drugs." Alex told us.

"So... The building is still there?" I asked him as the girls listened intently.

"Not really. They did some more constructions. That's where they hide the source of the drugs and the sole reason why they have become very wealthy and powerful. They do their normal business in the daylight and their ugly and awful activities at night. The police would never ever find the place if they store everything in there."

"Yes! That's why our place only had about ten to fifteen people living there including your family." Tori spoke out.

"I still don't know why my parents chose to reside there. They have always kept everything from me." There are tons of questions I want to get answered.

"They kept everything from you because you were still young back then and he might ask you for details of the place and about everything if you know. Your parents knew you loved him, Liz." Alex told me.

"So, the only people who survived are only the four of us?" I asked them and they nodded.

"We just need to have enough evidence to reveal everything, but I don't think it is the right time because we aren't strong enough to go against them." Alex informed.

"They must've known that I'm still alive, right?" I sighed with every single detail of the incident came rushing back to my head. "Why don't they let me go after everyone?"

"That's the reason I'm trying to figure out." Alex told me. "Your father gave me some evidence and told the three of us to keep you secured every second, but I still don't know why though."

"Can we see the building again?" I asked out of nowhere as their heads turned to me in disbelief.

"No! Why would you do that? It is very risky and dangerous." Alex said sternly.

"I was thinking we could report the place regarding their drugs." I voiced out my thoughts.

"I don't think so. Maybe one day, but not now." Alex gave us a serious statement.

"So, the way to the building is still the same?" I asked him.

"Yes. I think only them and the four of us know the way. I'm quite shocked that your parents built the place in the middle of the forest, not to mention, made it into a camouflage, so that nobody can discover it."

"Yeah. Only a few special people discovered that place and your father gave an offer to them to move in."

"I seriously don't know why my parents turned it into an institution."
My parents have been keeping everything from me and I'm still clueless as ever.

"They taught everyone there to help each other and be loyal to one another. We have learned a lot from them and we're very grateful we were there. We learned self-defense, fighting skills, self-descipline and many other important skills." Tori said as the engaged couple nodded. "We would prefer living there rather than living in the city that is filled with many various crimes and other dangerous and cruel people."

"But... Why wouldn't they kill me? I should have been in Ethan's place, not him." I spoke out. "I'm sure Ethan has every answer, but why would they kill him instead of me?"

"I can't answer all of the questions, princess. Ethan is many years older than all of us. He must have known things before you were born or before Tori had been adopted or even the time I moved in to the institution." Alex sighed. "There are many mysteries lying behind all of this."

"Don't you guys all wonder why I'm being addressed like this?" I asked each one of them as they all were shaking their head.

"No. But the thing I know is that it is in your blood. I'm sure your parents pretty much don't allow anyone of us to call you like this, but some people who might know this answer, usually let that slip out. That's why we kept addressing you like the others."

I sighed. My brain couldn't even process every bit of the information I receive today. The reason why I don't cry is because my parents have always taught me to be strong, confident and independent. They always told me to control my emotions. I have always failed doing many things since I was born, but I always hear what my father has told me whenever I wanted to give up.

"Don't cry over spilt milk, Lily!" My dad advised and encouraged me to keep trying. "It won't make any changes."

"Let's discuss about this later. And from now on, since we moved here, I'm going to have one of my teams to watch over you. We can't be careless or unguarded. I'm sure one day, we will face them again and even though Liz has her disguises, they will figure everything out sooner or later." Alex commanded as we all nodded in agreement.

"Keep yourself safe and alert, princess." Alex told me. "We have to find out all the answers before it's too late because I'm pretty sure they already know something we don't."