To The Sky (An Owl City Fanfic)

Chapter XXII-This picture paints a thousand words

We reached home and all of us jumped out of the car. Mom was standing by front door outside and she was crying still. Jasper consoled her while Breanne, Gabriel and I went inside and looked around. I scanned my surroundings. The living room was to our left, the hallway to our right and in the middle of the wall in front of us was an open area with the piano and to the left was the kitchen. I rushed down the hallway and into my bedroom which was unpacked. I saw my bed, desk, closet, window by my bed, and my pink circle chair. The walls were pink. I sighed and went out of my room and ran into the den. I brought out the photo album and looked at the pictures with Breanne and Gabriel. I saw a portrait of dad, mom and I. I was a baby and my parents were young.

Then I saw a few pictures of me when I was growing up. Then I saw another portrait it was with Austin this time, something was off. But what? I looked at the others in the album. While we looked, I was getting frustrated. Then we looked at one just of Austin. He was holding up a bag. Breanne was going to turn it when I noticed that a piece of the picture was up. I stopped her and picked at it. It opened up and I saw a smaller picture. It was a picture of the hallway and a piece of wood. I stood up, walked into the hallway, and found a picture. I took it down and saw the piece of wood in the photo. I looked at Breanne and Gabriel. They nodded their heads and I took it down. My eyes grew wide at what I saw. There was a old rusted metal box the size of a bread box. Gabriel got it out and we walked back into the den and set it down on the coffee table. There was an outline on the top. It was the shape of a tree. Where have I seen that before? Then I realized. It's the necklace!

Slowly, my hands took it off and I carefully placed it in. I heard a click and a hissing noise. The box opened loudly and I peered in. In it was....nothing. There only was a velvet cover on the bottom. I frowned and picked it up. Then I heard gears move. I looked closer and placed my hand in. Out of no where, a small sharp metal object flew out and knocked my arm. It landed in my lap. What the heck? It looked like a tint toy dagger. I placed it down and examined my cut. It was barely visible but bleed like crazy. Gabriel got mom and Jasper inside. She went to get the first aid kit. Breanne lifted the bottom out and I saw money. My brow furrowed in confusion as I thought about it. Suddenly, it clicked together. My head pounded in my skull and I fell to the floor. My vision went black.

I saw me as a child. The younger me was crying in Austin's arms. I remember this. This is when he is leaving. Why would this help? I closed my eyes and looked around to see if I missed anything. Of course! That's why Austin left! He knew Adam will come back sometime and he needed to get away! I also remembered the way he smelled. Like he was using drugs. No. No. No! The reason he left was that someone wanted him dead! After he left, strange men and a girl came and asked for Austin. The girl was named AnnMarie. When she saw me she frowned. Mom had me hid the her room until they left. Then my vision went black.

My eyes flew opened and I shot up. Mom started wrapping fabric around my arm where I got cut. Jasper asked what was the matter. I told him what I saw. When I finished, moms eyes grew wide. She yanked me to my feet and told everyone that we need to get to the police station. When we were near the car, I asked why. Everyone stopped dead in their tracks and stared at me.

"Because if we don't, they'll put your father in prison, and Austin will still be out there," mom told me.

I blushed. Duh. Then we got in and once we were buckled Mom sped towards the station. As I rode, I was wondering where Austin was. Then my phone buzzed. It was another text from Austin. He said that he'll tell me where he is as long as I don't tell anyone else. I told him I wouldn't. He then told me that he was in Iowa and that he wants to meet with me in two days at the border of Minnesota. I sighed and replied saying that I would. I put my phone in my pocket. We reached the police station and all of us ran inside. A police officer led us to where they kept Dad. When we reached it, I saw him sitting against the wall hugging his knees. The police officer opened up his cell. Dad looked up and ran out. Everyone gasped. Dad was covered in cuts and bruises. His clothes were torn and he was filthy. Dad saw Mom and they made out. I averted my eyes and made eye contact with Gabriel. He pretended to gag then smiled. I smiled as well. I glanced over and saw that they were done making out. He held his arms opened and he got down on a knee. I blinked away tears and ran to him. His arms wrapped around me, stood up, and spun me around. Dad set me down and looked me in the eyes.

"I'm glad your safe," Dad whispered as he pushed a strand of hair out of my face. Tears fell off the bridge of his nose.

I smiled and buried my head in his shirt. I wanted to say "I'm glad too." But I couldn't. I'm not safe. I'm meeting Austin in two days and I don't know what he'll do to me. I let go and sighed heavily. I turned around and made eye contact with the police man. I began to tell him everything and that Dad was innocent. When I finished telling him, he just laughed and said I was making it up since Adam is my Dad. I glared at him and stormed out of the room, down the hallway, and out the front door. I plopped down on the steps and hugged my knees to my chest. I started crying. I sat there crying for a few hours until Mom, Jasper, Breanne, and Gabriel came out. I was too weak to stand so Jasper carried me to the car. We got in and I rested my head against his shoulder. He looked at me and said he hoped that Dad was innocent. I said the same. I saw the clock and it blinked 8:30pm. Wow. I yawned and closed my eyes. I ended up falling asleep.

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I felt someone pulling the covers over me. My eyes opened and I saw Mom smiling at me.

"You had a long day. In fact, we all had a long day. I hope Adam will be able to come home soon," Mom told me.

"Yeah."

She kissed my forehead and turned off the lamp. She walked out and closed the door. I looked out the window and saw the moon. I also saw a shooting star. I smiled and made a wish. Then I closed my eyes and fell asleep.