Who to trust

Chapter 7 Home

Our dad had come to pick us up. Unfortunately, Alessia has left without saying goodbye. Maven said she'd try to visit me when she's allowed. I don't know what's keeping her from doing it but I didn't bother to ask. I played with my ring as I look outside the window.

"Hey, I know you're nervous about coming home, but it's going to be okay. I'll always be right next to you." Maven whispered to me, sensing that I'm all tense. He knows I really haven't grasped the idea of these people being my family. I'm still hesitant and aloof, especially to our parents. I haven't even tried to call them mom or dad. The uncertainty only got worse when I heard Maven and Alessia's conversation yesterday.

But what Maven didn't know is I was thinking about something else. My mind still lingers to my conversation with Dr. James.

I still gave Maven a small smile, "I'll leave everything to you then." I tried to joke.

***

When we got to the house Maven assisted me to carry my stuff while the old man.. my dad, lead the way. I looked at the bricked house from outside. It looked neat, and the size was decent to fit all four of us. The lawn was pretty too, there were some pots of flowers at the front.

I tried to inhale everything, sense some familiarity or remember anything, but I didn't feel anything while looking at it. It felt.. empty. It didn't feel like home at all.

But I guess I spoke too soon. As I walked at the living room and scanned the place I saw my.. uh, mom walk down the stairs coming to welcome me home. She opened her mouth to say something, but I couldn't understand.. because I saw another flashback.

"Mom!" I searched for my mom as soon as I entered the house, but Maven was the one who showed up.

He was running down the staircase. "Maven!" I greeted as I saw him.

"Mia! What brings you here?" He asked, giving me a hug as soon as he got close.

"Well, mom called the other night. Where is she?" I simply answered, not giving too much away. Like I was hiding something.

"She asked help for the bills didn't she?" I was shocked when I learned that he knows I paid the bills for them. "I know." He said.

"I'm sorry, I thought you didn't know. It's better if you didn't."

"Yeah. Well, I'm a very curious cat." He joked.

"Tell mom I already paid the bills for her when she comes back from the shop. I have to leave right away." I said, apologetic for having to leave early.

I opened my eyes and saw three people hovering over me to my aid. I realized I was sitting on my heel and was pulling my hair.

"Mia! What's wrong?" Our mom asked.

"She's having an attack again" Maven answered for me. "Should I get your medicine?" He tried to ask me. I tried to shake my head no. I never liked that so-called medicine.

".. try to calm down by taking deep breaths, clear your mind.."  I remembered what Dr. James' had said earlier. I tried to do just that. After some time I started to feel better.

"Room, please," I asked them, and they gladly took me there.

I lay down on the bed and closed my eyes to rest. I never really slept properly last night.