Broken

Chapter Twenty Two

I smell pine trees all around me. I look up to the forest which was once so familiar. I'm home again. I turn to see my old Maine cottage to my right. The stones slabbed together and the chimney working hard to keep the house warm. I walk inside to the front of the house. My dad, who looks much like Marcus, sits in his arm chair asleep. My voice quivers as I speak "Dad?" No response. I repeat it several more times, screaming. "Daddy! Please wake up!" This time I get a response. His eyes open but it's not his usual bright blue eyes that praise me. They're pitch black and I can see my reflection in his eyes. My blonde hair pulled back in a high ponytail and my gray eyes surrounded with scars left to right. I look like I've been beaten. A dark hollow voice speaks from my father, "Save me from him. Save me from him..." he repeats over and over again. I start crying, "Daddy? What has he done to you?"
I wake up crying through my gagged mouth. My hands are tied as well. I cry because my father might be hurt... or worse and I cry also because I am frightened as I've always been in these situations, but this isn't Parker so I can't get out of this as easily as my last time. I check my surroundings. Meg is passed out in a cage, with weird spirits I have never seen before guarding her cage. Parker is by my right side, awake, and staring at the ground like he's seen something that won't leave his mind. Then, there is Marcus who is on my left side, he who is also passed out, and I wonder if he's dreaming of something similar. I try to speak Parker's name through my gag and he notices me. He turns his head and he does something I would never think possible. He removes his gag. I look at him as in asking.
"My dad," he speaks in a soft whisper, "taught me strategies for these kind of situations."
I nod in response and think of a spell, a spell I've used before to talk to people telepathically, cogitare.
Parker? Parker are you there?
Marvina. I wouldn't think you would ever use this spell.
I've used it before, but that doesn't matter any-
Liam?
It doesn't matter anymore, okay?
Okay. Yeah. So do you have a plan.
Er- well no. I was hoping you did.
When he comes back, you need to speak to him.
Why me?
You have a very persuasive voice.
Really? Most of the time I'm winging it.
You do. Just distract him. Then- well I hope you know what to do after that.
I do. Thank you Parker. I love you.
I love you too. Now go, he should be back soon.
As if on cue, he appears out of the shadows. An evil smirk on his face.
"Hello family- and Parker."
"I feel so welcomed, thank you." Parker smiles.
"How did you- nevermind that. How are you Marvina? Oh, and how's your father? Is he doing well."
I muffle him to take off my gag and he listens. I want to scream but I have to play cool.
"I'm doing great, for your information. I have a loving brother and a great boyfriend. And a long lost cousin who is now my friend also."
"Yes. Good to know my daughter finally has made a friend who she can talk to even tell secrets to." At that Marcus wakes up and coughs through his gag. I know he will be listening so I have to be careful.
"Uncle Max? I don't want to fight family. I'm not going to fight you because you're my uncle." I smile softly and he is taken aback a bit.
"How sweet of you. Would you fight with me? Can I trust you?"
"Of course. You can always trust family."
At this he unties my ropes around my wrist. I look over at Parker and he nods in approval. I stand and face my uncle and smile. But before he can say anything I kick him and knock him down. He lays on the ground, but he hasn't lost. He just laughs.
"I knew I couldn't trust a little girl. You shouldn't have down that Marvina. Quaerere!" He shouts and points to the rock at my feet.
The rock starts to crumble and all I see is a blue and purple hole swirling beneath me, I grasp at the edge of the rock and take deep breathes as Parker and Marcus watch in horror.
"Have fun where you're going. Oh and I'll take very good care of your father." is all that Max says to me before disappearing.
I feel the portal sucking me in, but I try so hard to hang on. Parker yells my name and uses his pocket knife to rip his ropes off his wrists. He grabs for my hand and I scream. Pain sears my leg and I start to cry. Where am I going?.
"Marvina! I'm not letting you leave without me," he falls next to me in the portal, "we have to let go or we'll die."
He pulls my hands away from the rock and hugs me as we fall through the portal. I hear him whisper in my right ear as we fall through and I see images of different places and different memories, "This is time travel."