Me? - Adopted By Phan

6

"Wait!" Dan yelled after me for what must've been the 100th time. I stopped in my tracks and spun around.

"YOU WANT ME GONE?! FINE! I'M OUT OF YOUR HAIR! NOW LEAVE ME ALONE! GO BACK INSIDE AND DON'T LOOK FOR ME!"

He walked closer to me. I smelled alcohol. Gross. I turned and left.

Silent sobs and occasional whimpers escaped my lips and oceans spilled from my eyes.

My only slice of happiness was now taken from me by the same people that had given it to me. But then again it was my fault.

I headed to an abandoned warehouse and hid in one of its rooms. I fell asleep. I was cold. I was uncomfortable. I was alone. And I was alive. But right now I don't know if that's a good thing.

My days at the warehouse were quite boring. Until one morning I heard a voice outside.

"Hey guys it's Shane and today's video is going to be scary. But before that, I just want to let you guys know that Kristen Lester is still missing and if you have any information whatsoever Dan and Phil would very much appreciate it. Thank you very much and here we go!"

Shane entered the building and I curled into a ball. Do they miss me? Do they care? I started crying quietly.

"This building is supposedly where a woman hung herself after her family died in a fire. Some say they can even hear her sobs to this day."

Slowly the door to the room creaked open and Shane screamed. Tears started falling down even more at his shriek.

Shane put down his camera and walked over to me.

"Hello? What's your name? Come out of the shadows." I slowly emerged from the dark corner and Shane gasped. "Kristen!" He wrapped his arms around me. "I need to take you home." He grabbed my wrist and tried to pull me towards the door. I didn't budge.

"I don't know what you think happened but they don't want me there. At least Dan doesn't. That night he called the orphanage. He wants to return me. So I might as well live here till I'm 18."

"Dan wants you. I don't know why he called the orphanage but he has been going crazy looking for you."

"I'm not going," I said and left the room. "Why not?" He asked following me. "If he wants me gone then I'll leave. I'm not going where I'm not wanted." "What about Fin? He misses his big brother." "Oh Fin!" I gasped. Tears fell down my face.

"Go back. Please." I looked at him. "Fine." He smiled. "Great."

He walked me home and this time it wasn't silent. He talked about Ryland and Uno and Cheeto. It was fun. Finally, we made it to the door. "I regret this. Shane do we have to?" "Yes. They love you." He squeezed my shoulder and knocked on the door.

Phil opened it and he looked so drained of energy and life. "Hey, Shane." He didn't see me hiding behind Shane.

Shane moved out of the way and showed Phil that he wasn't alone. Phil started crying. "Why did you leave? Do you know how hard it has been for us? Do you know what you put this family through?"

His words stung my heart. This family. Not our family. His family. Not my family.

Dan heard Phil crying and came to the door. He froze when he saw me. "You're here." I turned to Shane. "Liar."

There was so much anger in my voice but it couldn't compare to the pain. "You are nothing but a liar!" I walked to the orphanage. I went to Ms. Evans. "I'm back." That was all I said before I went back to my old room.

Only now did I realize how horribly I'd been living. Only now that I'd known better. Only know that I'd known happy.

I heard a knock on my door. "No." The door opened and it was Phil. "I'm sorry." He began but I never once spoke or looked in his direction.

"I'm sorry for what I said and did. But why did you leave? I know we were yelling but that didn't give you a reason to leave."

I looked at him angrily. "Just yelling?! I came back later! I figured I would apologize and make things better! I know what happened! Don't lie to me."

"That was a mistake. Things went downhill after you stormed out. And Dan ended up drinking a bit much. He doesn't want you gone. And think about Fin."

"How about you all stop using him to manipulate me! I love him but come on! It's not like he even misses me. He thinks I'm evil."

"Would you stop hating yourself for one moment? Just come back. We'll make it up to you."

"Fine."

We drove back to Dan and Phil's flat. We were silent. I entered and Dan was nowhere to be seen. I went to Fin's room.

"Are you okay buddy?" He turned to me angry. "You were supposed to be here! You weren't supposed to leave! You left me! I HATE YOU!" He threw a toy at me and turned away.

A thunderstorm started in my head and rain fell from my eyes. "I'm sorry."

I went to the kitchen. I hadn't eaten in days. I saw Dan. He saw me. Tears fell from his eyes. "I'm so sorry." He whispered. "I know. I forgive you." I said softly.

Dan hugged me. It didn't make me feel warm. It felt cold and forced. I pushed him away.

"You are angry. You aren't sorry. You think I should be.." He sighed. "You're right. Do you know what you put Phil through? He was devastated when you left. He couldn't eat or sleep. And that was your fault."

"My fault? I came back that night and I heard you. You called the orphanage. You wanted me gone. I just gave you what you wanted. Do you know what you put me through Dan? I stayed in a warehouse. It was cold. Wet. Scary. And I. Was. Alone. Do you get that? That. That is what you put me through."