Me? - Adopted By Phan

8

A few days later Dan decided it was time to have a talk with Phil and I. We were going to talk about all the things we've been hiding. Dan wanted to go first.

"About what happened that night. I was scared when you left so I wanted a drink. One drink turned into a couple more. Until I was drunk. I didn't know what I was doing. I'm sorry." Tears formed in his eyes. And tears cascaded down my face.

"Dan. I have problems with yelling. And drinking. And people in general. Phil. Bad things happened at the orphanage. People hurt me. That's why I flinched. And why I hid in my room. And why I ran away. I know you aren't like that.... But being around evil for so long.... It messes with your head." Phil was crying too now.

"I'm sorry for what I said when you came back. I didn't mean it. I was just so worried about you and mad that you were all alone. And terrified about what could've happened to you." Phil looked at me with teary eyes.

Dan wanted another turn. "Kristen. Your shirts have all been long-sleeved since you came back. I want to be wrong. But... can I see your wrists?"

I pulled my sleeves up fearlessly. I would never cut my wrists. "I wouldn't cut my wrists because I was sad Dan. Never." "Good," Phil said and petted my hair.

"Ah, Fin needs a haircut. Me and Phil are gonna take him. Stay here okay." "Alright." Dan kissed my forehead and left the flat. As soon as the car sped away I began crying. My perfect facade crumbled. I wish I could tell them my smile was only there to hide my pain. I wish I could tell them I was in agony.

Things had gotten better at home but I was still falling. I went to the bathroom. I took out my hidden razor. I pulled down my pants. And I saw the cuts that littered my thighs. It started when I got back from the warehouse. It was just scratching at first. Then one night I grabbed a razor and it became an addiction. Whenever I was sad and alone I did it. I technically didn't lie to them. I would never cut my wrists but my thighs. My thighs were a different story.

I placed the razor a few inches above my knee and sliced upwards. I gasped. It was my relief. It made the emotional pain hurt less. I know it would kill Dan and Phil so I suffered silently. I hadn't made a video in so long. I haven't skyped Mikey in a while either.

I was distancing myself from everyone. It would hurt less if they hated me.

Before I knew it I had made too many cuts to count. They were bleeding bad. I wrapped my legs in bandages and slipped my pants back on.

I exited the bathroom wobbly and expected the flat to be silent. I heard the door shut and one set of footsteps echo throughout the flat. I hid behind a houseplant that was luckily large enough to block me from them. I heard the footsteps coming towards me. When they were almost right in front of me I jumped out and made myself seem as large and frightening as possible.

The person didn't even flinch. They grabbed me and carried me out the flat."No!" I tried to worm my way out of their grip but another person grabbed me as well. "Please! Let me go!" I was shrieking. I was kicking. I was thrashing. I suddenly stopped moving. "I would put me down," I said calmly. They were perplexed, to say the least. "Why? You're worth a lot of money a boy like you. Why would we let you go?" I laughed. It was frightening really.

"Because. I'm. Not. Afraid. To. Die." I smiled wickedly. "I will gladly die fighting you. And I'm not going out alone. Put. Me. Down!" They dropped me and one got out a knife. The other ran.

"Come on then mate!" He charged at me. I grabbed his wrist and snapped it. He cried out in pain. He slashed my chest with the knife. I kicked his shin. He got me again but on my upper chest near my shoulder. It was deep but I was used to the pain. I punched him in the sternum leaving him breathless. I punched him in the stomach and he fell to the ground. As his knees fell I kicked his chest and he fell backward. I zipped my sweater closed. I couldn't have anyone seeing the cuts.

"Kristen Lester! What have you done?! I'm calling the orphanage right now!" I turned and saw Dan standing protectively in front of Phil. And Phil holding Fin, shielding my little brother's eyes. Dan got out his phone and reported the incident. Apparently, the orphanage called the police because soon enough police officers were dragging me away. I let them. I didn't struggle. I was in so much pain internally.

He didn't even ask what happened he just assumed I was in the wrong. I knew they would never truly love or trust me. I knew that no one could. But it still stung.

The officers forced me out of the car and slammed me into an interrogation room. But before the man could open his mouth I asked a question. "After this, you are taking me to the orphanage correct?" "Yes. They don't want someone as dangerous as you around their family." His words cut deep. Deeper than any blade could ever reach. They cut my soul.

"Why did you attack that man? If there was a reason at all." I sighed. "Everyone thinks I'm the bad one. The man had an accomplice. They broke into the house and took me. They dropped me after I threatened them and one ran. The other pulled out a knife. That's how I got these," I unzipped my sweater and showed him the bloody wounds, "then Dan and Phil came. Dan immediately called the orphanage and you guys came and picked me up. That's why I attacked that man. He was trying to hurt me and sell me. He told me I was worth a lot of money."

The officer looked at me with disbelief. "Is there any proof to support your claims?" "The cameras in the street and they had to get in through the front." He nodded and wrote something down. "Now can you take me to the orphanage?"