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T h e   H o l l o w s   I n
O U R  F R E E D O M
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"I have a question," Sapphire announced as she approached me, giving the group the first conversation in about twenty minutes.

After I nearly had my throat torn apart, Richard welcomed us inside—and apologised for the violent confrontation earlier. Since, Jace has been pestering me, noticing the red marks growing around my neck, constantly asking if I was okay.

Elle, on the other hand, couldn't keep her hands off the Beau to her Fort.

Sky seemed less than amused by the scene in front of us—PDA from her parents.

I barely turned to look at Sapphire as I responded. "Please enlighten us." It was sarcastic, but she continued anyway.

"If you're such an amazing Guardian, then how did this dollop manage to get you on the ground." I watched as she gestured to Richard as the 'dollop'.

I threw her a wink. "He's not the only male that's ever wanted to get me on the ground." I watched as Sky, who was beside Sapphire, scrunched up her face in disgust. Bria seemed scandalised, and Sapphire faked puking.

"That's disgusting." She commented.

"At least it was only verbal—that is real." I noted, nodding over to Elle and Richard.

After a few moments, they finally welcomed us to sit down in what was a weird sitting room. The whole place was some warehouse turned house and so was very strange, but I could support the weird interior.

We hesitantly took our seats, eyeing the couple. Jace sat next to me, peering at my neck once more. I ignored him, since I didn't want to throw my death glare at the man I actually liked.

"Welcome to our home," Richard said, pouring out glasses of water.

I think we all just blinked.

Jace cleared his throat, never forgetting his manners. "Thank you." Was all he said, but the smile on his face didn't leave his manners out in the cold.

Richard nodded, passing around the glasses of water.

"I'll introduce everyone." Elle announced, sensing that a wave of silence was about to hit.

Richard nodded, confirming it as a good idea.

"So we have Bria, she's the youngest M.F.T.R.W in the mission but–"

"What did you just say?" I asked, leaning forward, "what did you call her?" I reiterated.

Elle frowned, faltering at the interruption. "M.F.T.R.W—it's what she is."

I shook my head, frowning. "She's a Special One—an S.O." I told her, watching Richard's face contort into disgust.

"Devil raised children," he muttered, "you guys are the unlucky ones, I'll let you know that now." He told us, before taking a sip of his drink.

Elle placed a palm on his knee, probably trying to calm him.

Despite the fact that I was mildly offended by his devil comment, I continued to frown.

"What does it mean?" I asked, particularly to Elle, "the M.F.T.R.W thing."

"It means Missing from the Real World, but it can be shortened to M.R.W." Elle explained. Despite our earlier argument, I shared a glance with Sky. M.R.W? This is new.

I shook my head. "Special One is all I've ever known, and I've been doing this for seven years now."

Richard shared a short laugh. "Seven years is hardly a long time. And there's nothing special about being hunted," he shrugged, "so M.R.W fits well."

I clenched my jaw. "I couldn't agree more to the latter. It's just, I never said that seven years was a long time, sir."

"Feisty." Richard commented, placing his glass down. "Are you good in battle?" He asked.

"If I wasn't good in battle, would I really be here right now?" Was my response, and he seemed to enjoy it.

"As I was saying," Elle continued, "Bria, Sapphire," she paused, swallowing, "Sky, Alexi—the girl you strangled—" I waved, seeing Richard look sheepish, "and Jace—he's not actually a Guardian, or an M.R.W."

I watched Richard frown at Elle. "Then what is he? A leprechaun?" He asked, chuckling to himself.

"He wishes." I retorted, making Jace glare at me. Richard's chuckle elongated slightly, before Elle continued.

"He's a therapist." Richard frowned at Jace.

"Not a Guardian not an M.F.T.R.W. Interesting." He acknowledged, before he turned his attention back on me.

"Why do you have him on the mission?" He asked.

I stumbled slightly. "Because he believes in the end goal." I answered.

Richard smiled. "Which is?" He asked.

"Well," I began, picking up my glass of water, "the Academy isn't exactly a nice place." I said, taking a sip of my water.

Richard's eyes lit up, and then he rose. "I believe in your cause too, Alexi Abbot."

I furrowed my eyebrows, looking up at him. "You know my name." I acknowledged.

"Well, of course, we're the ones that funded the search for the best Guardian the services could find for our daughter." Silence fell upon us.

Stunned, I too rose. "You were the one paying me, it wasn't Sky's foster parents."

Richard smiled. "Well, not exactly. We paid them to pay you."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Suddenly feeling exposed, I ducked my head. "Can we–can I speak with you privately?" I asked him, seeing him frown in surprise.

"Yes, of course, you can follow me to my study," I nodded, seeing him grab his glass, I did the same, seeing Jace look hesitant at the idea. I shook my head at him and smiled to reassure him.

"Did you need Elle there?" Richard asked. I glanced at Elle, seeing the confusion almost visible in her expression. 

I shook my head, "that's okay." Richard nodded, and then he led me to his study.

"Did you have any questions?" He asked as he closed the door. I walked into his study in silence, looking around at the room that awaited me. It's walls were coated in books upon books, the ceiling held one large chandelier and then a few ceiling lights.

It was grand, especially for a warehouse-type living space.

I cleared my throat, setting my drink down on the coffee table in the centre. "Did you know my parents?" I asked.

Richard seemed taken aback by my question. "Of course, I had to in order to finance your training."

I nodded, rubbing my palms against my legs. "What did you know my father as?" I asked him.

He frowned, "Fred Abbot."

My heart sank.

I felt tears well up, but I didn't let them come out.

"He wasn't my father," I told Richard, "he was my mum's boyfriend."

Richard seemed surprised. "This is unbeknownst to me—he must've fooled us. But why?"

I sniffed. "Probably for the money."

Richard shook his head. "You must've had an incredibly dark childhood to assume that."

I smiled with no happiness behind it. "The funny thing is, my theory seems entirely possible."

Richard's face suddenly overcame with sympathy. "Did you want a tissue?" He asked.

I shook my head, realising my tears were about to spill.

"I know that Sky is seventeen, but you shouldn't let her childhood turn out like mine did. Please talk to her. You and Elle. Tell her everything—and if you love her, tell her that too." With that, I turned around, twisted the door handle, and left the study.

I had to walk back through the sitting room to escape, and so I was greeted by both Elle and Jace, who got completely ignored as I continued to walk, and past them.

I heard them both call my name in confusion, but as the tears fell, I knew I didn't want to turn back.

The truth is, I am hurt, and vulnerable, and a child without loving parents.

And you carry that weight.
You carry it forever.

To never be loved as a child, to never be held, you begin to wonder what that kind of care even feels like.

I used to hold myself, comfort myself.

I found a nook in what looked like their back garden and collapsed into it, tall grass and fencing surrounding me.

I sobbed and shook. Then I wound my arms around my torso, and held myself, comforted myself.

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Well then

That's dark

And bitch even said she's scared of the dark so idk what she's playing at

Also, I totally didn't make the wattys longlist :(

Maybe next year
I can enter the sequel and this book, but the first book has had its reign :(

Anywho, there'll be a new book out early next year to take its place anyway ;)

Enough about future endeavours

How are y'all finding Richard?
Richard and Elle? Nay? Yay? Get a room??
Jace's concern for Lexi?
Richard and Elle paid for Lexi to be Sky's Guardian and not her foster parents???
Lexi and her loveless past..? :(

Until next time,
Please don't forget that this series is good no matter what the Wattys thinks

(At least I hope)

-keep on dreaming

FABULOUS SONGS

Songs that played when I was writing this chapter (in order):
Symmetry - Wolfie
Mercy - Duffy
Keep It from You - Glades
Home - Ellie Goulding
TALK ME DOWN - Troye Sivan
I'll Hold My Breath - Ellie Goulding
Earned It - Bootstraps
Only Love Can Hurt Like This - Paloma Faith
Stand By Me - Florence + The Machine
Here With Me - Susie Suh
Low Light - Aquilo

END OF FABULOUS SONGS

Date written:
03/04/18

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Next update: Monday
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CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR SPOILER:

A light finds Lexi, brings her out of the darkness and into a room covered with moon dust and sunbeams.

We all make our own religions sometimes.