Without you

Finally home

Emily's P.O.V.

"So how is your new foster family going?" My best friend asked.
"Eh...it's good. Better than Joe and Brittney, that's for sure " I replied. A few moments of silence passed. I haven't talked to her in so long. Carrie was my best friend in the foster home. She was the one I could always depend on. Carrie and I are the same age.
      "How's the foster home?" I finally asked.
"Good. We got a new person today. I call her unicorn."
     I managed a small chuckle.
"You call everyone Unicorn, Carrie ."
"Emily! Time to go!" I heard Moriah call from downstairs.
   "I have to go Carrie...talk to you later ok?" I shut the computer before she could answer. I returned the laptop to Uncle Joel's desk and walked down stairs with my things.
       The car ride was full of  Casting Crowns and Skillet. We all sang along no matter how out of tune we were, it was all part of the fun.
We pulled into the driveway of my house (it was easier calling it my house). I grabbed my things from the trunk and said 'goodbye' and then walked into the house.
       "Luke....Courtney... I'm home!" I called into the abyss.
"We are in the kitchen!" I heard Courtney's voice call out.
    I dropped my things on the stairs and then walked back into the kitchen.
     They were sitting at the (informal) table with dinner all ready. I had the slight feeling something was up and it wasn't a good feeling.
    "Come sit down sweetheart." Courtney said softly. I sat at the table. Thoughts were racing through my head. Luke prayed and we started to eat dinner. It was pasta with lemon chicken, one of my favorites. We sat in silence for awhile. I kept seeing Courtney and Luke exchanging looks like the were talking telepathically. Finally, Luke spoke up.
   "So...erm...Emily..."
'Oh here we go...the talk of how they are returning me to the foster home.'
"Courtney and I have a question for you." Luke continued. I nodded trying to hide my disappointment.
"How would you like to become a Smallbone?" He asked.
"Excuse me?" I asked in disbelief. I almost choked on my pasta. "Seriously?"
"100%" Courtney replied.
"Yes! Of course I would!" I cried. I could not have been glowing more with happiness.
    A knock at the door came.
"I'll get it..." Luke sighed. He walked out of the room and I heard the door open. A distant but familiar voice came. Courtney walked out of the room and I stood in the doorway of the kitchen. I could see a haunting figure of my past. A tall, skinny man with black hair and and piercing green eyes.
"Why are you here?" Luke sterned.
"I want my daughter!" He slurred.
"I told you the foster system legally put her in our hands. If you want her you have the court to argue with." Luke stated.
"Fine! See you November 3rd." He stammered.
He looked at me.
"You will be mine Emily Mackenzie. You don't belong here. And none of this would of happened if you weren't a selfish little——"
Luke closed the door before he could finish.
I was so horrified I didn't know what to think. I felt arms hug me.
   "Are you alright Em?" A distant voice asked. I just nodded. They let go and walked into the dining room to clean up dinner.
   On impulse, I ran up the stairs and into the bathroom. I took a pill bottle and swallowed at lease 20 pills and sat on the floor. I did not want to take the risk of being with my father and getting Luke, Courtney, or anyone else get hurt over me. The room became blurred and then went black.
                             LUKE'S P.O.V.
There was a thud from upstairs while Courtney and I were cleaning up dinner.
"Luke? What was that?" Courtney asked.
  "I'll go check" I responded. I went upstairs and checked Emily's room. Nothing. The bathroom door was closed and light shone from under the door. I knocked.
"Emily? You ok in there?" No response. "Em?" Still nothing. The door wasn't locked and I opened the door. What I saw next was the most heartbreaking thing I have ever seen.

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Howdy!
So this has been awhile. I'm really sorry it's been such a long time. I am SO EXCITED that I decided to bring this back to life. I've been waiting all week just to publish it on a Wednesday! On that note, I'm going to vigorously try to update on Wednesdays (Without you Wednesday. 😉) I thought that would be ok. Thanks for all the support! Love you peeps!
-Em ❤️