The Aria Within the Rhapsody **ON HIATUS**

Chapter 12: The Runaway

*I know that this song came out way after Freddie passed but it fits the chapter. Feel free to have a listen. Now. . . On with the story!*

Aria's POV:

I can't sleep. No matter how hard I try, sleep just does not come. . . All I can think about is what happened and how disappointed in me Papa will be when he finds out what I did . . . I mean it's no use he's going to find out some day, but I don't want him to find out now. She was right. God. . . I hate when that happens! She said not to let him get too close and that's exactly what happened tonight. I roll onto my back and look over to see my Papa sound asleep. I sit myself up and find that he is holding Ash tight in his arms closely to his chest. While admiring the sight, I realize that I sort of feel bad for rejecting Papa, but I can't face him. Not now if ever. God. . . I am so stupid! How am I worthy enough to be Freddie Mercury's daughter? He doesn't deserve me for a daughter. Ash is the perfect one and I'm. . . I'm the broken one. . . I'm the broken one and I don't know if I will ever be fixed.

"I'm so sorry, Papa." I whisper to the man next to me before I make my way out of the bed. I tip toe back to my room and pack a small backpack. I put regular clothes on and make my way to the front door. Shit! The alarm. . . Hang on! Everyone is home so I should be ok. I make my way to the front door leading out to the walk way to the wall so I can hop over it to get away before everything blows up, but not with out my red and black plaid button up cape. Mimi made it for me this past year for Christmas. I don't go anywhere with out it. It keeps me hidden from the world. I climb over and hop the stone wall on my way to freedom. Freedom. A word that I will soon learn isn't really free. 'Is this what the outside world looks like?' I think to myself as I take in everything. Golly! The city is so beautiful at night. I never had the chance to really look because when I and my brother would go out in public with Papa, we were always hidden. I remember a time back in 1983 where Ash and I were so hidden that no one could place who we belonged to. I was nine and Ash was only two and oh my. It was such a struggle to get anywhere. It was deep into winter time so Papa could wear his long coat as I hid behind him as he carried Ash on his back with another blanket covering him. Every time I think about that I always wonder how he was able to breathe. Well, that is all in the past now. Now, it is time for me to start over and begin again. "Aria?" I hear an all to familiar voice call out to me. "Where are you?" I call back into the darkness. I look all around until I spot her. "You!" I look right at her. "Aria! What are you doing out here? You should be. . . " I quickly cut her off, "I could be asking you the same question. . . But um. . . I did something awful." I couldn't hold it in anymore. I start breaking. I feel an arm wrap around my shoulders and I quickly jump away. No! No one is allowed to touch me. Wait. . . She was just across the street not a moment ago. . . "How did you? . . . You were. . ." I stutter, but am cut off, "Aria what happened?" I fall to my knees holding my face in my hands feeling the tears on my face as I cry out, "He got to me! Paul fucking Prenter got to me! You said not to let him, but I did and, and he. . . He took control over me! Oh god Papa is going to be so disappointed in me!" She looks at me in confusion. "Don't you see! I ran away! I can't take the thought of my father being disappointed in me!" I begin to calm down and finish with, "I just need to get away for a little bit so I can figure out what my next move is." She helps me stand up and makes me face her. "I understand. Come with me. I know a place where you will be safe. No one will find you until you want to be found."

*The Next Morning*

Where am I? Please tell me that all of this was just another nightmare and I am in bed next to my Papa and my brother. No? I didn't think so either. I look around my "room" and am startled out of bed and find myself in an unfamiliar house with unfamiliar people. I gave down the stairs and end up in the. . . kitchen? "Good morning to you too. Aria." says a man that looks like my father smiling. I know this isn't him but damn! How does he look just like my father? "Papa?" I say hoping that maybe just maybe this is all really a ream. He looks up from his cooking over at me confused then realizes, "No, sweetheart, I'm not your Papa. I'm. . ." "Adam!!" someone cuts him off, "Adam! Have you seen my ring? I have looked all over but I can't find it!" says a boy that looks quite handsome if you ask me. Wait! Get a grip, Ria! You have more important matters to deal with! God! I feel like a girl version of Oliver Twist! I mean who the hell are these people? But the important question, where is the girl? God I wish I knew her name!! Hang on! The man has a name and it's NOT Fagin. Good to know. Adam. A name I soon learn is a name not to be trusted, at least not at the time. "LUNA!!" Adam yells. A few moments go by and, "LUNA!!" he yells again. This time. . . Wait! That's her! That's the girl!! She finally has a name! Her name is Luna! "What?!" she asks being sassy. She looks over at me and smiles, "Oh! You're up!" I stand beside Adam pretty much shell-shocked. Both Adam and Luna look at me concerned before she asks, "Aria are you alright?" I get out of my daze by shaking my head and nodding, "Yes. Sorry about that. I just. . . It's a lot to take in that's all." I smile at her. Adam looks away not convinced but goes back to Luna, "Any ways. . . Luna did you hide Gabe's ring again?" She looks at him shocked, "No! I haven't seen the damn thing! Why is it that when ever something goes missing around here it's always my fault?! I swear, Adam, you never cease to amaze me." Adam has that look Papa gets when Ash or I shout or a bad word slips, "You better watch your mouth young lady. I don't care how old you are and I will take you upstairs and wash your mouth out with soap." Shit! He is just like Papa. "Adam, we have a guest. Don't make a scene." Luna play whispers. I can't help but think of my relationship with my father. It's just like this. Father. Papa. God, I miss home. I miss him, I miss Ash, Jim, the guys, Pheebs, Joe, and auntie. They won't want me back. Not after what I did. . .

*Time Skip*

I didn't think I could do it, but I surprised myself. I mean do miss home a little bit, but not enough to go back right now. A whole week has gone by and I am still here. Oh my god! I am just soaking this life all in. Luna is the only one who truly knows who I am and has promised to keep it a secret until I was ready to tell them. But that all changed right under my nose. While walking down the stairs, I heard voices behind a closed door. Stopping to listen, I knew who they were in an instant. "Luna, I just cannot believe you! I mean what the hell were you thinking!" I heard Adam yell to my friend. "I - I - I didn't think it would be a big deal! She's just a kid. Like. . . Like. . . Kira! I wanted to help her!" Luna spoke up, "She told me everything, Adam! Her mind is a mess right now! If you had been there to see her in distress, you wouldn't have hesitated to. . . " "That was before I knew who she was!" Adam shouted. "What does it matter?!" Luna began, "It doesn't matter who she is. She is a kid who needed help. She need to get out of a bad situation and I did just that! You and I both know that no one will find her here! Our secret and hers is safe here." Secret? What secret? "Luna, you brought Freddie Mercury's daughter into our house!! I heard on the street that he is turning the whole country upside down in trying to find her!" Adam states. How does he know who I am? Luna promised me she wouldn't tell! What the hell is going on here? Who are these people? If they are even people to begin with. . . 

'Papa is really looking for me? Wow! I mean he really does care!' I think to myself and smile. I listen a little bit longer to the conversation and what Adam says next sends a shiver down my spine. God I think right now I am in my own version of Bohemian Rhapsody! 

"Luna, sweetheart, you have to bring her back home." I throw open the door just like Papa did and stand there with a look of betrayal on my face. "How could you?" I begin, "I trusted you! Both of you!" "Aria, wait. . . I . . " Luna tries to cut in, but I stop her, "No. Don't. I thought you were my friend." With that, I turn on my heels and I run. I run so far away and I don't look out. "ARIAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!" I hear Luna yell as I keep running. I don't know where I end up, but all of a sudden a see a face I don't expect to see. "Olivia?" 

*OOOOOOHHHHH I just love a good cliffhanger!! I wonder who Adam, Luna, and they're family really are?? JK!!!! I do!! I wanted to get this finished last night in honor of Lie Aid Day but alas it didn't happen. I hope you enjoyed this chapter of The Aria Within the Rhapsody!!! Please Like and comment if want to know what happens next! Lots of love ~ Freddies_Misfit Happy Be-lated Live Aid Day!! We love you Freddie!!*