Ari

I watched from my bedroom window as seb left. Charlie is napping and I'm just standing here staring at the gates he drove out of.

It's easier to believe that we never actually loved each other. It's easier for me to think we were just stupid kids, but I know that's not true. I told charlie those stories since the day she was born. Stories of a prince named sebby. In our stories seb wasnt a normal prince. He didnt ride a horse, he rode a motorcyle. He didnt wear shinning armor, he wore a leather vest. He wasn't fighting a dragon , he was was fighting the masked men, that made Charlie's mommy cry.

I don't know how many stories I told her about prince sebby, the last one I told her was the day we escaped. My stories much like the original fairytale versions are simply not reality. There are no prince's coming to save the day, they are too busy moving on with their lives.

I can feel the panic setting in as my chest gets tighter and i slide down the wall to sit on the floor. I have had panicked attacks since the day I was taken. Even before I was taken I have always been pretty anxious, but that's nothing compared to now.

Knowing that Marcus and his men are still out there, they can still get me, they can get charlie has me spiraling. My breathing becomes labored I feel like I'm being choked. "Your safe, charlie is safe. They can't get you" I repeat to myself over and over again trying to calm myself down, but it no use. I'm too far gone now. I'm shaking uncontrollably, my vision is bluring, and my legs feel numb my heart and lungs feel like thay are being twisted I can feel the hot tears streaming down my face.

I pull my knees to my chest and rock myself back and forth trying to calm myself down and regain control of my breathing.

"Ari?" I think I hear a voice in the distance say but I can't find the strength to look up I need to breath but it hurts so bad.

My head is moved up but not from my doing, peyton has hands on either side of my face staring at me in shock. "Listen to me ari okay? Try to breath with me sweetheart. Come on in and out"

I try but can't and start shaking my head "ari tell five things you see"

"Y-you, bed, your shirt, floor, window"

"Four things you can feel?"

"The carpet, your hands, my pants, the wall" I start to feel mnyself coming back.

"Good job tell me three things you hear?"

"Your voice, lawn mower, charlie snoring"

"Two things you can smell?"

I smell the air before answering "Your perfume, cookies"

"One thing you can taste?"

"My tears." I breath

"Are you okay?" Peyton asks me pulling me into her arms

"Yeah, I'm fine"

"Okay, ari you know I'm here for you right? You don't have to do this alone. I was kidnapped too. I know it wasn't for nearly as long as you but I know what it's like to have those things happen to you" she tells me

"Thank you peyton."

"You're welcome sweetheart. Is there anything I can do for you right now?" I can see the desperation in ger eye to help me, but I also know there's only one way I'm going to get any better.

"I just want dad to find him."

"Ari your dad is going to find him and make him pay I promise."

I nod my head "im sorry peyton. I'm sorry I have been shutting everyone out. I'm just trying to process everything. I'm scared I'm really scared he's going to come back for me and charlie."

"Ari your dad has men staying in the guest house and a couple at the gates at all times. You and charlie are safe. Even when he's here there are extra memebers here too making sure nothing happens."

"Where's ellie?"

"With locklynn at hers and elis house for the night"

"Do you think you could tell me about the things I missed while I was away?"

"If you're ready for that"

"I want to know."

"Umm okay well, your dad spent allot more time at the club the last few years even after he thought you were gone he never gave up trying to find who did it to make them pay, I'm now chief of medicine at the hospital I went back a couple years ago I'm on vaction right now" She gives me a smile. "Locklynn and Eli got married last year. Eli joined the club on his eighteenth birthday. Locklynn is in her second year of nursing school, they insist on keeping ellie two nights a month since they have moved out. Ellie goes to preschool now she loves it. You can ask me anything ari, what else do you want to know?"

"Was there a funeral?"

"We held a memorial for you" she nods solemnly

"Was my mom there?"

"No, we haven't heard from her since before you went missing."

"She didn't know?"

"Not to my knowledge, I don't think that's something your dad would keep from me, but we can ask him." She tells me trying to give me a sliver of hope that my mother isn't the peice of shit I know that she is.

"No, that's okay. I know she didn't want me not really."

"I'm sorry ari. If it's any consolation she's missing out, not just on you but your little girl too. I'm so greatful for both of you. I know Charlie's coming of existence isn't how any of us would have wanted but she's here and she's a blessing."

"She's pretty great." I smile at peyton.

"How did your talk with seb go?"

"Fine. We're not the same people we used to be. He not my sebby anymore. I think we both just needed the closure."

"You know I'll support you no matter what right?" I nod my head because I know she's telling the truth. "I don't want you to go. I don't want you or charlie to leave. I understand why you think it's the best thing for you both I really do. And if after everything is settled you still want to you I'll make sure you get set up wherever you want to be, I'll get you a house you'll have your credit card, I know you can do it. I just really don't want you to. I want to see charlie grow up. I want her to know her grandma peyton and her aunt ellie and her grandpa and her future cousins. We're family ari and I want you both here."

"I'll think about it."

"Thats all I can ask for. Now what do you say to some chinese?"

"I say please" I laugh.