Utterly Shocked Part 2

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As they argued back and forth whether I was worthy of hearing the truth I started planning. I knew this city quite well and did know the safe combination. Wait. What was it they’d said about money? “Others would have left him outside after they got the money." What money? If I was rich all this time, why have I been treated like garbage? Ow. Something skimmed the top of my head and landed with a bang. That got them to shut up. I glanced up at their faces and realized how scared they were. “Hey, Cole, get in front of me,” James said. I would no longer call these awful people my parents. When I didn’t move, he grabbed my arm, nails digging into my skin, and threw me at the door. POUND. POUND. POUND. Someone was kicking the door down, I realized. Chaos ensued, James, yelling, Jenna trying to hide Clarice away. I just stood there. Utterly shocked, as I had millions of times before. 

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I watched as James, Jenna, and Clarice were detained. I saw they get shoved in the back of a police car as they sped away. I stayed still and silent as an officer strolled over to me. Keeping my eyes on the floor he started talking. “Hey, kid what’s your name?” 

“Cole,” I whispered, just loud enough for him to hear. 

“Ah, the infamous Cole. Do you know what happened here today?” 

Wait what does he mean by the infamous Cole? “Uh, no sir I don’t.” 

“Your case is pretty famous around the station.” He said. He then went on to explain how my parents were murdered and I was kidnapped as a baby. Turns out I had tons of money in my name. Which is why I was kidnapped. James and Jenna who were actually named Ryan and Kayla had adopted me under fake names and couldn’t access the money until I was 5. They locked me away in the attic and tried to live their normal “happy” lives, using me as their servant. God, I feel like Cinderella, but with no happy ending. As I rode in the back of the cop car to my new foster home, I couldn’t stop thinking about why they didn’t just leave me on the streets. Maybe, I was worth something. Probably not. 

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After I met my foster parents I got bored of them quickly. They were everything Ryan and Kayla tried to be. Boring house, always happy, smiling family photos. I hated them. They were perfect. I had a new sister too, she was 7 and named Jenna. How convenient. Ugh. As I wandered their 3 story mansion I couldn’t help wondering how Ryan, Kayla, and Clarice were. I felt disgusted by myself. Why would I care about them? All they did was toss me aside, day after day. I tripped over something on the floor and landed with a thump. “Ughh.” I groaned. I glanced up and saw my old room? That was weird the attic was way bigger than Ryan and Kaylas but set up in the same way. 

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I couldn’t sleep that night, I kept thinking about that cop who approached me. The infamous Cole. I snuck up to the attic and fell asleep in the bed which looked way too similar to my old one. I awoke to a series of blood-curdling screams. I scrambled out the attic door letting the latter slam u behind me. When I entered the room panting and out of breath, everyone was sitting at the table having breakfast and joking around. Confused, I asked, “Who screamed?” They looked at me strangely. “Cole, honey, are you feeling okay?” Laila asked. “I'm fine.” I stammered. Alex had dropped the newspaper he was reading and offered me his chair. “Come sit down, Cole.” I accepted the offer. I must have been really tired, but that didn’t explain the weird behavior of my new family.  

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“Penny for your thoughts?” Jenna asked me. I smiled. She was pretty, with blonde hair, hazel eyes, nice skin. “Just thinking about how grateful I am to have you now.” I lied. She smiled sweetly and sashayed away. Laila came over to me and asked excitedly, “Did you mean that? Are you happy here?” I responded enthusiastically, “Yes! I love it here. Thank you, Laila.” No, I do not love it here. I hate it here. I miss Clarice, and Ryan, and Kayla. It's awful, and I can never tell anyone how I feel. They would be disgusted by me, just like my other family. 

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One year later...

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All night I kept seeing them in my dreams. Clarice saying how disgusted she was by me, Kayla tossing me aside like garbage, and Ryan barely acknowledging me. I felt sad, sorry, and alone. When I should have been the happiest I’ve ever been. I made some arrangements and decided to go after what I truly wanted. My family. I snuck out the door, feeling no remorse at leaving Laila, Jenna, and Alex behind. Racing down the block I went to the nearest house and asked to use the phone. I called the number I’d spent most of my life memorizing. (770) 777-8843. I punched the call button and someone picked up on the third ring. “Hello?” I knew that voice anywhere. Excitedly, I said, “Jenna, it’s me, Cole.” “Oh, honey. I thought you’d never come to your senses. Where are you? We're on our way to pick you up.” 

“I’m at the crossroads between 6th and 8th street.” 

“Bye, honey see you soon.” I hung up the line. I waited anxiously for them to arrive. 

They pulled up to me in one of their old cars. “Hop in,” Clarice told me. “So, you passed the test, huh? Just in time for your 11th birthday.” I nodded. “I am so glad to finally be one of you guys.” “We know.” They all said. So yes I'm sorry. That I ran away from the nice couple who drove me crazy. But it had to be done. It was the best for the entire family.

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Hey everyone! This is part 2 of the collab I did with Laila Lavender! Go check out part 1 on her page, I had so much fun working with her! <3