Collided Worlds

Chapter 8

“Calia?” The woman trembled, coming closer to me. “Calia, is that you?”

I didn’t know how to react, and Cylak didn’t either, because we both froze.

“Calia!” The man exclaimed as he pulled me away from Cylak and wrapped me into a suffocating hug, and the woman joining. “I can’t believe it’s you!”

“Mom, Dad, hi…” I trailed slowly as tears broke from their eyes, waiting for them to let me go, or for Cylak to get out of his trance and help. Thankfully, they let go.

Except it wasn’t my parents. It was the Marojas, my adopted parents.

“Where have you been?” Mrs. Maroja asked me. “We’ve had the whole world looking for you!”

“I’ve been here…” I trailed, looking at them both, still with their shocked expressions.

“Just… thank God.” Mr. Maroja said as he gave me another hug. Then he let go, but still kept his hands on my shoulders. “How’d you get to Disneyland?”

“Oh, I just thought I’d visit.” I explained. Not a lie. “You know, I haven’t been here in years.”

“Yeah, we know.” Mr. Maroja replied. Mrs. Maroja still had tears in her eyes.

“You’re just, here, and… wow.” Mrs. Maroja sighed in relief. “You’re safe.”

“I’ve been safe, Mom.” I nodded as they finally let go, slowly, like I’d run off again. I will, just later.

“Did you enjoy your day?” Mrs. Maroja asked me, getting rid of the awkward moments.

“Yes, Mom. I did.” I replied, ready to back into Cylak’s arms to get the hell away from them.

“That’s good. Wish we could’ve spent it with you.” Mr. Maroja said.

That’s when they noticed Cylak.

“Tristan! It’s that guy!” Mrs. Maroja exclaimed, pointing at Cylak.

He examined Cylak for a moment, and his eyes grew wide. “You’re right!” He shot his arm in front of me. “Britt, call the police. No, get security, something!”

“No!” I yelled, making them both turn toward me.

“Calia, what are you doing!?” Mr. Maroja started worriedly. “This is the guy who-”

“He’s my fiancé!” I exclaimed, making them both go speechless… for a while.

“Calia…” Mr. Maroja trailed slowly, softly. “You can’t be serious.”

“You can’t love this guy!” Mrs. Maroja yelled, grabbing me by the wrist with the famous death grip. “And you’re seventeen! You can’t get married that young.”

“Ow, ow!” I yelped in pain, jerking to get away from the grip.

That’s when Cylak lost the trance.

“Hey!” Cylak yelled, lunging at Mrs. Maroja and I, grabbing her arm and almost launching her back. “Back off.”

“Oh, he can speak?” Mrs. Maroja asked, rubbing her wrist.

“Back. Off.” Cylak ordered, more emphasized.

“Back off from our daughter.” Mr. Maroja ordered, and I knew things were gonna get ugly.

“Mom, Dad, just please leave.” I pleaded. “I live my own life now.”

“Calia.” Mr. Maroja started. “We’re not going to lose you again. You will come with us this instant. You’re not gonna run off again, either.” He held out his hand for me. “Come on.”

Cylak stepped in front of me. “Over my dead body.”

“That can be arranged.” Mr. Maroja murmured furiously, and I remembered what he did to Ezami.

“No!” I screamed at them. “You hurt Ezami, you’re not hurting Cylak!” That made them all stop talking.

“You said his name was Colton.” Mrs. Maroja pointed out. Oh crap, wrong name… oh freaking well.

“No, it’s Cylak.” Cylak replied, not moving his gaze.

The Marojas stepped closer to each other. “No wonder the police couldn’t find him. Wrong name.” I heard Mr. Maroja whisper to her.

“Calia, come on.” Mrs. Maroja ordered. “Come home.”

“Her home’s very far away.” Cylak shot back, and I thought he was going to spill.

“Cylak, no.” I whispered, wrapping my arms around his arm and resting my head on his shoulder.

“Relax.” He whispered back. “I got this.”

“Cylak, step aside.” Mr. Maroja ordered. “We’re taking our daughter home.”

“She’s not your daughter.” Cylak snapped.

“Yes, she is.” Mrs. Maroja’s eyes narrowed. “Legally.”

“But not biologically.” I felt Cylak tense up. “Somewhere, her real parents are out there. Don’t you want her to be happy with them?” He sounded passionate at the last sentence. “Don’t you want her to be happy?”

The Marojas stopped and glared at him for a second.

“What have you done to her?” Mrs. Maroja asked. “You changed her.”

“No, you did that yourself.” He shot back.

“This is insane!” Mr. Maroja finally had enough. “Our daughter is coming with us whether you like it or not. You two aren’t getting married, and never see each other again. You-” He pointed to Cylak. “-are going to prison for kidnapping for a very, very long time.” His anger was so strong I couldn’t believe it. “Now step aside this instant!”

I didn’t want him to share the same fate, or worse, of Ezami. “Do it.” I whispered.

“Calia, no.” He whispered back. “I promised Aaron I’d protect you.”

“I don’t need protecting. You do.” I stepped around him and approached the Marojas. “Fine.” I told them.

“We’re just glad you’re being safe about this.” Mrs. Maroja breathed. “Besides, we weren’t going to legally let you marry him, anyway.”

I let them walk away with me, famous death grip and everything. I glanced back and watched Cylak disappear back at the castle, and slowly faded away from him, and I knew the great life I had was over, and I was going back.

Back to the life I knew and hated.