PROLOGUE
Someone was shouting downstairs. Again. And it was never a good sign
My body still aches from the last beating my foster father gave me. I grabbed my torn teddy bear and hugged it to my chest to comfort myself.
I whispered when a loud bang echoed through the house. What is even happening?
I was curious to peek down but my ankle was already throbbing at the prospect of walking and eventually getting myself hurt again.
I hope it's not one of Mr. Lance's friends. They are very very bad. They keep staring at me, making me feel uncomfortable and sometimes they even touch me which I don't like at all.
I tried telling Mr. Lance that but he slapped me so hard that my lips started to bleed.
Taking my teddy bear, I dragged myself across the small room, climb into the closer and shut the door, praying that by some miracle, a superhero will save me.
I tried running yesterday but he caught me and twisted my ankle so that I wouldn't dare to do that again.
Tears gathered in my eyes. Please, God. Let a superhero save me.
There were more bangs downstairs followed by screaming.
A minute passed by and I could clearly hear someone running up the stairs.
No. Please, no. Not Again.
My room door always creaks on being open and closed so when it did, I shut my eyes firmly, tears falling on my cheeks. Please, let it be a superhero.
But even then I knew my prayers were pointless, no one had ever saved me from the moment I got to know that my parents died in an accident and having no relatives, I was shoved into the foster system
It must be Mr Lance himself or his friends. Both were scary and bad.
I could hear someone shuffling outside in my room, probably searching for me and a sob escaped my mouth making me slam my palm over my mouth. He's going to hurt me again.
The footsteps stopped outside the closet, and I sighed in defeat, accepting my fate.
The closet door was pulled open harshly and I brought my knees closer, waiting for the shouting and hitting.
But there was absolute silence except for someone's steady breathing.
I cautiously opened my eyes, biting back a gasp when I found an unfamiliar man standing in front of me.
He didn't look old like Mr Lance's friends, instead he was a boy, older than me.
His head cocked subtly and he regarded me with a blank look, his dark hair messy and his eyes had the prettiest colour of green with a hint of brown in it.
Blood was sprinkled over his face and his white shirt, small cuts around his cheeks. Did someone hurt him too?
He looked scary but then he didn't stare at me creepily, nevertheless, I pressed myself further against the wall.
Sylvia || FL || 10yrs
P-please...
Sylvia || FL || 10yrs
D-don't...don't...hurt me...
He dropped down to a crouch, eyes scanning me from head to toe, his jaw clenching when he focused on my neck where a black-blue imprint of Mr Lance's fingers was. My whole body was littered with bruises and scars.
He slid his eyes to mine and he looked even more angry than earlier making me whimper.
Very slowly, he extended his hand towards me making me flinch but he didn't hit or touch me, his hand remained suspended in the air. He wanted me to take his hand.
I glanced between his palm and his face.
Sylvia || FL || 10yrs
You are going to hurt me.
He shook his head and reached out his hand further.
For some reason, my heart and brain screamed at me to take his hand.
He didn't shout at me when I remained still. He was patient and waited for me.
Sylvia || FL || 10yrs
W-where's... Mr... Lance?
With no emotion at all, he replied coldly, "Dead."
My eyes widened in shock but relief coursed through me. He is dead. Does that mean I am free now?
Sylvia || FL || 10yrs
Did you...
He can kill me too but I wanted to trust him
Hesitantly, I reached my hand out and placed it on his palm, his fingers wrapped around mine firmly and he gave me a gentle tug.
I dragged myself out of the closet, holding my teddy bear with the other hand. I winced loudly as I placed my foot down on the floor which didn't go unnoticed by him.
I expected him to shout and tell me to be quiet but he simply stared at my ankle for a moment before scooping me up in his arms.
I yelped at the sudden movement but silenced myself when he started to move out of the room.
His body was so warm and comforting. When was the last time someone touched me to comfort me?
The only physical touch I got was extremely nauseating but this...
He didn't seem angry anymore so I placed my head on his shoulder, relishing the comfort of it.
He placed his hand on the back of my head and pressed it further against his shoulder so that I was not able to see anything and he started to climb down the stairs.
A pungent smell reached me and we reached downstairs.
A minute later, it was gone and I could smell the fresh air so I opened my eyes slowly and found that we were outside where a few men were gathered.
Sylvia || FL || 10yrs
Who's that?
Someone who looked familiar to this man approached us, he was like an older version of himself.
He didn't reply and let that man inspect me though he looked angry as he took in my bruises before looking at me.
？？？
Are you Lance's foster daughter?
I nodded slowly, scared as I unintentionally pressed myself closer to the boy who held me.
？？？
We can't leave her like this.
The man muttered, scratching his brow. He thought for a moment before glancing around.
His eyes settled on a middle-aged man standing at a distance, near one of the black cars and he gestured for him.
The man immediately ran towards us, he looked less scary, he looked...kind.
Sylvia || FL || 10yrs
What's your name?
I whispered to the boy once the two men walked away, talking.
The boy glanced down at me, staring at me blankly but didn't say anything.
Sylvia || FL || 10yrs
I'm Sylvia
I offered, hoping he might tell me his name in return.
He nodded before looking away just as the two men approached us again.
The one who was an adult version of my hero asked me my name before telling me his. Silas.
Silas pointed at the man next to him, explaining softly
Silas Atticus Blackwood || ML's Father
This is Richard and I can assure you, he is a hundred times better than Lance which means he will keep you safe.
I looked at Richard who watched me warmly which was different from how Lance did. It made me feel...safe.
Sylvia || FL || 10yrs
Is he going to be my new...foster father?
Silas Atticus Blackwood || ML's Father
*nods* Yes. You don't have to be scared of him.
Seeing my hesitation, Silas said
Silas Atticus Blackwood || ML's Father
If he ever hurts you, you can always complain to us.
Silas Atticus Blackwood || ML's Father
We will check on you regularly.
Richard offered me a warm smile.
Richard Darko || FL's Father
I don't have any kids of my own but my wife and I always wanted kids. I would love to adopt you, I promise you a better life, Sylvia.
Tears gathered in my eyes. After my parents died, I just wanted someone to keep me safe but that never was possible but it feels like it is finally happening.
Sylvia || FL || 10yrs
Okay
I croaked making Richard smile widely. Maybe it was stupid to trust a random man again but I had no choice and my gut told me to just go with him.
My hero was about to give me to him when I grabbed his neck, refusing to let go yet.
Sylvia || FL || 10yrs
*whispers* Thank you
He only nodded in response and since I didn't have anything else to offer him, I pressed my teddy bear against his chest.
Sylvia || FL || 10yrs
Please take this
Sylvia || FL || 10yrs
Please
I would always remember him but I wanted him to remember me too.
Richard took me from his arms and since my hero didn't take the teddy, it fell on the ground.
My new foster father turned his back to him and carried me towards a car.
I glanced back at him and found him staring at the teddy bear for a long moment before he bent down and picked it up making me smile for the first time in forever.
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