Path-to-Freedom (version 1)

(19)

I nodded and left with her to the station.

"Oh no, we're supposed to meet with a client today."

"Right. Just call Justin and tell him to meet them with Lena, I think they can handle it."

"Ok." I sighed.

I grabbed my phone and called Justin.

"Hey Justin, today there's a meeting with a client and me and Raelyn can't make it. Can you and Lena meet with them instead?"

"Um yeah."

"The files are in Raelyns office, they're the black ones."

"Ok, thank you Ashley."

"Just do your best."

"We will."

I said goodbye and then we hung up.

On our way to the police station, my heart wouldn't calm down. We soon reached and went inside to see detective Melbrow.

"Hello ladies, if you could follow me." She spoke walking to the same room we were in yesterday. But instead, there were two other people in here. The woman I saw at the grocery store and a man.

"Have a seat please."

We nodded and sat down on the other side of the table, across from the other two.

"We got the test results and they came back positive. You are Brooklynn Williams."

I was shocked and it seemed that everyone else was too. The way she said it was too calm. Too easy. It's as if she didn't just give me life changing news but rather that she was hungry. Instead of her telling me that my life has been just a lie, she told me that her favorite food was pizza.

How am I supposed to feel about this?

"What?" The lady said in a whisper.

"She is your daughter." Detective Melbrow spoke looking towards me.

Tears welled up in my eyes and I turned towards my 'parents'. Parents. More than one. Not Tony. Tony wasn't my parent. They were.

I looked towards them only to see they were already staring at me.

"How- how is that possible?" The man asked, still staring.

"We don't know that yet, we'll be having a talk Ashley- I''m sorry, Brooklynn later." Melbrow said softly.

"Can- can I hug you?" The woman asked, there were tears in both of their eyes.

I couldn't speak so Raelyn answered for me.

"She doesn't let anyone touch her, I'm sorry."

"Why not?"

"That's not for me to tell." 

The woman nodded brokenly and some tears fell from her eyes.

"Would you follow me Ms?" Detective Dane asked, coming into the room.

I nodded and stood up, following him out.

We went into another room but this looked more like an office.

"Please have a seat." I felt numb.

"Ok, please answer my questions to the best of your abilities if you may."

I gave him a nod of acknowledgment before he started.

"What's your name?"

"Ashley Abriel." But- isn't it really Brooklyn?

"Ok, who gave you that name?"

"The man who I lived with all my life named me Ashley."

"And what is this man's name?"

"His name is Tony Abriel." My father.

"Why did you live with him?"

"I don't know, from as long as I can remember he's had me."

"What was he like?"

I stopped for a moment. What was he like? He wasn't kind nor was he caring. He was, "Abusive."

"He abused you?"

"Yes, from the day I've known him."

"Where were you all these years?"

"Uhm, in Florida but I recently just moved to London."

"Where's Tony now?"

"I don't know. The last time I saw him, he was in FLorida. When I left, he was unconscious."

"What was he unconscious?"

"I knocked him out and then stabbed both his legs?"

"You stabbed him?"

"If I hadn't, then I would have bled out. He was stabbing me and that was the only way to leave, if he was unconscious."

"I see, do you have the doctor's reports of your visit?"

"No, a friend of mine had a doctor friend and he stitched me up. Before, Tony had never taken me to the doctor, no matter how bad the injury."

"Ok, do you think you would be able to see a doctor so we could have the report on file?"

"Is it necessary?"

"Yes."

"Ok."

"Would it also be ok if we took some pictures of your wounds or scars?"

I sighed. "Ok."

The next hour or so, was spent on him asking questions and me answering them.

"If we have any more questions, we'll let you know. We will also keep you under watch just in case he comes back."

"Thank you."

I went out the door and saw the two people again. My parents.

I looked around and saw Raelyn coming towards me.

"Hey, you ok?"

"Yeah." Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the woman coming towards me.

"There was a reason why you looked so familiar this morning."

I didn't say anything. I couldn't trust my voice not to betray me right now.

"You grew up so beautiful."

I didn't know what to say so I just kept quiet. No sound, no words.

"How are you?"

I still didn't say anything.

Then she started crying again.

"Um, my name is Amelia and this is my husband, uh Kenneth."

"Those are nice names." I whispered.

Upon hearing my voice, her face brightened up a significant amount.

"Um, do you think I could hug you, please?"

I hesitantly nodded and she immediately hugged me. Then after a while, so did her husband. My father.

When they leaned away, she wiped her tears.

"Would you like to come over for dinner? You could bring your friend along with you. There are other people that would like to see you again, please."

I looked towards Raelyn and she gave me a small smile and nod.

"Ok."

She smiled and looked towards her husband.

Raelyn came over to my side and spoke up.

"Um, could you give me the address and the time to be there?"

Kenneth nodded and brought out his phone.

"Um, could you put in your number? I'll message it to you." He sounded so broken but there was some happiness to his voice.

"Yeah." Raelyn put in her number and then we were on our way.