Lions ~~~ An Adopted by Skillet Fic (COMPLETE)

Locked In A Cage

🚨Trigger Warning: Abuse situation mentioned🚨

By lunchtime the Cooper's had been approved and I had been told to go pack my suitcase.

I didn't have a lot, just enough outfits to last me a couple weeks and some possessions I had gained in the last few years of me living here. I made sure that my IPod, a gift to me when I turned 13, was fully charged before John got here just in case.

I couldn't shake the feeling that I had heard those names before. They felt so familiar. I checked my entire room for the third time to make sure I had everything packed before going to get dinner.

The kids were told earlier that I would be leaving, and as expected they all cried. They cried for a solid hour, and Sarah had been my tail since. She grabbed my hand as I was walking down the hallway, and I could feel her trembling as we reached the kitchen.

"John will be here in an hour Aria," Mrs. Cordona said, giving Sarah and I food.

"Okay, thank you," I said, leading Sarah to the table. I helped her into her chair and placed her food in front of her. She ate slowly, like she thought the speed of her eating would control how fast time went. I pitied her in that moment, I'm probably never going to see her again. I felt sick suddenly, but ate anyway. I didn't want her to feel bad for me either.

Sarah and I finished eating and went to my room again. I placed my stuff by the door, and unplugged my IPod, placing the charger neatly into my suitcase. I saw my stuffed animal popping out and paused for a second.

"Ari this stuffed animal will keep you safe," my mother said, handing me the small cat. It had some sort of scented stuffing in it that lost its smell a long time ago. 

"Thank you momma," I whispered. 🚨My father was asleep in the next room, and if he had heard me he would hit me again. 🚨

"Go to sleep now," She sighed, running her hands through my hair. I fell asleep soon after. 

I shook my head and zipped the suitcase. After thinking for a second, I unzipped it quickly and grabbed the animal. I held Scratch close to my chest as I re-zipped the bag. Sarah looked at my curiously, and I shook my head, silently telling her not to question. I sat down on my bed and looked at the cat, remembering when it had been most important to me. This was the only thing I had brought in my home. I remembered my mother snatching it from me one day and giving it back smelling like something else. 

I was lost in thought when I heard the door jingle. That must be John. I stood and grabbed my suitcase, Sarah following behind me silently.

When I walked into Mrs. Cordona's office, I saw that she was about to come get me. She smiled warmly at me and let me step inside.

The man that stood there was tall, just barely taller than Mrs. Cordona, and had black hair that was spiked up. His button-up and black jeans revealed that he had the money to be formal but either didn't want me to feel uncomfortable or didn't feel like going the whole nine yards. When he saw me his face lit up and he held his hand out, "Hey, I'm John, it's nice to meet you."

I didn't like that he held his hand out, but I shook it anyway. It made the fact that I was now legally his daughter all the more uncomfortable. "Nice to meet you too."

"Aria," Mrs. Cordona spoke up, "I'll keep in touch with you, okay?"

I nodded, and she came and enveloped me in a hug. I breathed in her scent one last time, and pulled away. I heard a sniffle from Sarah, so I knelt down to hug her. I could hear small sobs coming from her mouth, and it took all my will-power not to say "No thanks, I'll stay here."

I eventually stood and turned to John, "You ready to go now kid?"

I nodded, grabbing the handle of my suitcase. Mrs. Cordona picked Sarah up and walked with us to the front door. John's car was parked in front of the orphanage, and he used his key to unlock it. I gently put my suitcase in the trunk, and made sure I had my IPod and Scratch before closing it and getting in on the passenger side. John talked with Mrs. Cordona for a second before coming to the car and getting in. I waved one last time to Mrs. Cordona and Sarah before we pulled away.

"So, Aria, it'll be a while before we get to the house. I have an aux cord if you want to connect your IPod, and we'll stop somewhere for dinner in a few hours. But by then we should be close to the house so the rest of the family will come up to meet us," John explained, turning onto the highway.

I nodded, taking the cord and plugging the small device in. I scrolled through until I found my favorite band, for KING & COUNTRY. Once John heard what was playing, he laughed a little.

I immediately felt defensive, "What?"

John looked at me from the corner of his eye, "This is for KING & COUNTRY right?"

I nodded, a little confused.

"I know the guys in this band," John explained, "We went on tour once."

"You're in a band?" I asked, fully interested in anything John had to say now.

John laughed, "Yeah. I sing for Skillet."

I had heard of them before, but I hadn't listened. Mrs. Cordona said that it would rot my brain. 

"I've heard of you guys before," I said. "Mrs. Cordona wouldn't let me listen to you though."

"What? Why not?" John asked, sounding a little offended.

"She said it would rot our brains," I replied. 

John laughed, "I promise I will try to not rot your brains out."

🚨 Just mentioned how Aria's father would punish her occasionally