Mama Hale

1.9.9

Hey guys! I'm SO sorry that I didn't update sooner. It has been a hectic week and I was going to update yesterday but I got my music for my first year in high school marching band, and I needed to work on that. But on the bright side, my last day of school is Tuesday, so I will definitely be updating more frequently. Until band camp starts, that is. But that isn't until late July. Anyway, I hope you like this chapter. Enjoy!

-Recap-

"Go to sleep, Honey." Derek says, running his hand up and down my arm.

"Okay." I whisper before falling into a deep sleep.

(Derek's P.O.V.)

Lyrica quickly falls asleep and I sigh, carefully crawling out from under her. She stirs but doesn't wake. I gingerly lay her back down and leave the room, going to the first floor, where Isaac is standing in the kitchen, playing on his phone. I walk into the kitchen and lean against the doorway.

"I take it you like your new phone?" I ask, making Isaac jump about a foot into the air.

"Jesus Christ, you scared the shit out of me." Isaac says, leaning back on the counter.

"Sorry kid." I say with a laugh. "Didn't mean to scare ya."

"It's fine, Derek." Isaac says before sneezing loudly. "Whew. Thanks for the phone, by the way."

"You're welcome. When Lyrica feels better or up to it, we can go get you some more clothes and paint for your room. Or the two of you can just order clothes online. Whatever you feel like doing."

"Thank you. For everything. I mean, I'm sure you weren't expecting kids anytime soon, especially adopting a teenage boy."

"Well you're not wrong about that." I chuckle. "But I'm honestly glad that we have you now. You're already a huge help."

"I am?"

"Yeah." I laugh. "You're already helping so much, especially with Lyrica."

"Well you guys took me in and gave me a second chance at a normal life. It's the least that I could do."

"Still." I say. "Anyway, I should probably get going. Keep an eye on Lyrica, please. I'll be back soon."

"Will do, Derek. See ya." He says, going back to playing on his phone.

"See ya, Kid." I say before heading out the door.

(Lyrica's P.O.V.)

"WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU TWO?!" My fourteen year old self screams at my parents. "YOU REALLY THOUGHT YOU COULD GET AWAY WITH TRYING TO SELL US OFF?!"

"Oh shut up, you idiot. You have no idea what you're talking about." My father says. "We are both in perfect health. We just don't want you or your brother anymore."

"So." My mother says. "We sell you as a sex slave, and your brother goes to the highest bidder. It's a win win. We get you two out of our hair, and we get money."

"No." I seethe. "You're not getting any money. I'm going to call the cops."

My father backhands me in the face. "You call the cops, and we'll kill you AND your brother. Understand?" I shakily nod my head.

"Good." My mother says. "Now get out. Go to your room. You two leave in a week." I quickly run to the room that Hunter and I share, locking the door behind me.

"Hi, Sissy!" Hunter says when I enter. "Your cheek is red." He giggles.

I reach up and touch my cheek, wincing at the mark from where my father slapped me. I quickly walk up to Hunter and crouch in front of him. "Hunter, I need you to listen to me." I whisper. "Can you do that? You need to be very quiet too."

"Okay, Sissy." He whispers.

"Hunter, we are gonna go on a trip." I start. "But we're gonna go without Mom or Dad. And they can't know. Do you understand?"

"Yes." He whispers. "Where are we going and when are we going?"

"You know that little town that we visited that one time?" He nods his head. "We're gonna go buy a house there. We're gonna live there. And we're leaving tonight when Mom and Dad go to sleep. So I'm gonna get out a couple bags. Pack only the things you need."

"Okay Sissy." He says, standing up. I get up and quickly get both our book bags, my large purse, a drawstring bag, and two duffel bags from our closet. I give him one of the duffel bags, the drawstring, and his book bag.

"Okay, Buddy. Put a blanket and a pillow in the drawstring. Put a bunch of clothes in the duffel bag. Okay?" I say, opening my bags on my bed.

"Okay." He says, putting his clothes where I told him. I quickly get my clothes gathered and I load up my purse with my laptop and its charger, phone charger, glasses case, deodorant, and other necessities. I put my blanket in my book bag and pick up my wallet. I check inside and see that I have about $800. I sigh in relief. I look across the room at Hunter, who is almost done packing.

"Okay, Hunter." I say, catching his attention. "We have enough money to get a taxi so we don't have to walk. Then we can find a motel or something to stay in until I find us a house."

"Sissy, are we ever coming back?" He whispers.

"No, Buddy. We're never coming back here. Bring anything you want to see again. Put those things in your bookbag." I say sadly.

"You'll stay with me, right? You'll never leave me?" He asks.

"No, Hunter. I'll never leave you. I promise." I say.

-Time skip-

I'm fifteen and living in a small house with Hunter. I'm getting ready for work while Hunter sleeps. I slip on the small dress that acts as a uniform at the diner I work at. I brush out my hair and pull it into a high ponytail. I quickly apply minimal makeup before walking out of the bathroom and to Hunter's room. I open the door, walking over to his bed. I crouch down and brush his long hair from his face. I'll have to trim it soon. I gently shake his shoulder.

"Hunter. It's time to get up and head to the diner." I say, his eyes fluttering open.

"I thought I had school." He mutters.

"No, Buddy." I chuckle. "It's Saturday. You get to come to work with me and meet all of my work friends."

"YAY!" He screams before jumping up and running to his closet, pulling out a random shirt and jeans.

"Hurry up and get dressed. We'll fix you something to eat when we get there." I say, leaving the room. Hunter and I moved here just under a year ago. I quickly enrolled him in public school and began taking online classes myself. I go to the living room and pick up Hunter's bookbag, putting all of his coloring books and crayons in it. Hunter comes out of his room, his favorite teddy bear, Henry, held tight in his arms. I chuckle at him and hold out his bag. He quickly puts it on and I grab my wallet and keys.

"You read to go, Bud?" I ask, walking towards the door.

"Yeah. I can't wait to meet everyone." He says, running to the door.

"Well let's go." I laugh, leading him out the door.

"You won't ever leave me, will you?" He asks, looking up at me with wide eyes. I bend down and pick him up, resting him on my hip.

"I promise you, Hunter, my baby brother, that I will never leave you."

I gasp and bolt up out of bed. I jump off my bed and collapse on the floor. I realize that I'm sobbing and gasping for breath, and I can't seem to fit any air into my lungs.

Edit: May 8, 2020. Holy crap, I started this book when I was in 8th grade. I'm a Sophomore, almost a Junior, now. (For those who don't know, Sophomore is 10th grade and Junior is 11th.)