They Don't Own Me

Chapter 33

Ivy had tears running down her face as she sat curled up on her bed. She was wearing a large sweatshirt that engulfed her entire body, the hood falling far over her head. She could barely glance toward the door when she heard a knock.

"Ivy? Can we come in?"

The little seven year old nodded even though she wasn't seen. A moment later, the door opened and a teenager stepped into the room, a smaller boy beside him. Both looked like her except while the smaller one had brown eyes like her, the older one had green eyes; a trait he inherited from their father.

Their father. The very thought of him caused more tears to appear in Ivy's eyes.

The two boys ran to Ivy and wrapped their arms around her.

"It's okay, little vine," the teenager said softly, stroking her head over the hood. "I promise, it's going to be okay.

"They're gone," Ivy replied through her tears. "They left us!"

"They wanted to protect us, little vine. You know they wouldn't have left unless they truly thought they needed to. Mom and Dad wanted us to live. If they stayed, we could have died."

"But now they're dead!"

Her older brother quickly shushed her, holding her closer to him. Noticing that his brother was crying as well, the teen wrapped an arm around Ivy's twin brother and pulled him into his other side. He held them close to him, trying to comfort his younger siblings.

"They did it to protect us," he said again. "Mom and Dad knew what they were doing. They didn't want us to see them as they changed. They wanted us to live and take care of each other. And I promise you both that I will do everything I can to make sure you stay safe."

And he kept that promise. He kept Ivy and their brother safe, making sure they had food, shelter, and clothes.

Unfortunately, it didn't last.

Not a week later, men were busting into homes throughout the entire apartment building. Ivy had been helping her brothers cook when they heard screams and cries from the floor below and far down the hall. Ivy's older brother suddenly had a look of panic in his eyes.

"Get into the bedroom," he said. "Quick!"

They quickly dropped what they were doing and did as they were told. The oldest of the three ushered them into the closet. He got behind them and wrapped his arms around them to the point where it was almost painful, yet neither of his siblings said a word. They both feared what was coming.

No one spoke a word. They barely dared to breathe. Down the hall, they could hear doors being busted down, followed by screams and shouts. The teen pulled his twin siblings closer.

The trio jumped when they heard their front door get kicked open. Ivy curled closer toward her brother, fearing what would happen. Her brother whispered reassuring words into their ears, keeping his voice down to prevent being heard. They heard a small group of people enter the apartment and walk around, speaking to one another in harsh voices. The three let out quiet breaths when they heard the people leave. The oldest brother hugged his siblings close, closing his eyes as he said a silent thank you.

Suddenly, the closet door was ripped open, causing Ivy to cry out in fright.

"In here!" the guard shouted.

He reached out and grabbed Ivy's arm. The girl shrieked in fear, trying to pull away.

"No!" she screamed.