Stranger Yet

Chapter 7: The Cover Up

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I realized that part of the reason I hadn't been able to write anymore was because I hated my own pace. It wasn't good. And because of that, I have rewritten from chapter 7 on. Sorry for those of you who just finished this chapter. I hope you continue to read my story, and that you find it to be better, like I have.

I appreciate your support and love. Constructive criticism is welcome!! ENJOY!!!

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Chapter 7

Ayra Walked the distance home in the mid-day sunlight. She took the long route, avoiding roads and people as much as possible, ducking and dodging, hiding behind whatever she could to avoid any car that did pass by.

She stopped along the way to dig in her purse for Mer's knife. She was surprised that they hadn't searched her bag- for how well-trained they were as a group, they seemed a little careless when it came to searching her. She used the knife to cut the wiring, nicking herself a bit in the process, but freeing herself from the remainder of the chair. Her wrists were bleeding and swollen, but it didn't seem like she had cut anything major. She felt weak and exhausted, an aftereffect, she realized, from the silver and the fighting. Her muscles ached. Her dress was gone, so she was forced to stay topless. She was grateful she hadn't lost any of the items she'd retrieved from Em's house.

It wasn't exactly a smooth trip but she did eventually make it home. She looked around before darting through the streets of her town. Luckily, her house, while in a cul de sac, was still surrounded by trees. It wasn't covered by thick greenery, like she would have preferred, but it was enough to hide behind when someone was passing by.

She stood in the forest outside of her house, behind a tree, looking around for people, before finally darting to her door. She threw the bag behind a large shrub in front of her house, then she barged in. Her mother was sitting with a police officer at the kitchen table. Both sets of eyes were glued to her.

Ayra threw her arms across her chest and stared and them like a deer caught in headlights.

"AYRA! OH MY GOD, MY BABY!" Sarah leapt forward, pulling her daughter into a tight hug. Tears were streaming down her face.

"WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU! WHERE ARE YOUR CLOTHES?! OH MY GOD, YOUR WRISTS!" Sarah was sobbing uncontrollably, but anger was soon taking the stage. "WHO THE HELL DID THIS TO YOU?!!!"

After putting on a shirt and going to the hospital, where she was looked over and then promptly interrogated about her kidnapping, and after her mother had wept a few more times, Ayra was finally home. She just wanted to shower and go to bed.

"I'm so- I'm so s-sorry!" Sarah cried, blowing her nose in a tissue loudly. "I thought you ran away! I hadn't even considered..." She cried louder, sorrow and shame thick in her voice. "My poor baby..."

Sarah was a mess. She had cried though the whole thing and Richard had had to drive. He looked exhausted. He had said so little during the process, but Ayra knew what this was doing to him. She had heard him ask the police officer if she had been molested. She had heard him crying in the other room. Ayra had a tough time looking him in the eyes after making him fear for her. Richard wasn't one to cry, so that fact that he had cried tore her to shreds. He hid his worries well now and was acting as Sarah's knight in shining armor.

"Honey, why don't we go inside and make you a nice cup of tea. Let's let Ayra get some rest, okay? She's been through so much." Sarah nodded, sniffling, and he took his wife into his arms and looked up at Ayra. "I know you just want to go to bed, but can I bring you anything? Would you like some hot cocoa or tea?" Ayra looked at his face, all worries hidden behind a side smile.