A Long Way From Home

Chapter 4

"Wake up," I heard, slowly opening my eyes. Matt was shaking me softly. The car was parked.

"Where are we?" I asked, gazing out the window at a beautiful house, sitting on an empty beach.

"Home, Aris," Man-Bun said, putting his arm around my shoulders, "You're finally home."

"C'mon," Matt yelled, running across the beach towards the house.

I was confused, but it felt right. I can't explain how, but for some reason, standing on that empty beach in the middle of nowhere, watching the sun set over the waves, it all felt perfect. Like it was meant to be.

I laughed and took off after Matthew. When I got closer to the house, I could see a faint orange-ish glow from behind it. Slowly, I crept around the side of the two-story building to see a bonfire. 

There Matt stood, beside two other strangers.

"Who-" I began, being cut off by the taller, older man.

"Welcome home, sweetie. We've missed you."

"Who are you?" I asked.

Man-Bun and Driver appeared behind me. "Perhaps you should sit," Man-Bun said, motioning to a lawn chair beside the fire.

"No. No more sitting. No more waiting. I came here willingly, for the most part anyways, and now it's time you tell me why!" I demanded.

I had this strange feeling in my gut. Like, even though they kidnapped me, maybe they were the good guys. I felt as if I could trust them, but I couldn't explain why. 

"My name is Dylan," whispered the driver of the van, "Dylan Fortescue. 

"Lennox Adams," said Man-Bun.

"I'm Evan," said the older man, "His dad." He pointed at Dylan.

The man beside him stayed silent. "And you?" I asked.

"Toby," he said, almost inaudible. 

"I'm Matt!" yelled Matthew excitedly. We all shot him a look and he glanced at his feet.

"Aris," Evan began, "I don't really know how to tell you this."

"Spit it out, damnit!" I was growing impatient. 

"I'm your dad."