My Torment

Chapter 18 – Your Secret to Keep

Lips trembling, it was like Madison was looking at a ghost. Her heart thumping away, it was as if her whole body was running an electric current. “Mm…mum.” Emily bridging the distance between them, her tall lithe body wrapped around Madison’s holding her ever so close. With her two sons right behind her, they stole Madison from the warmth of Byron’s body each trying to get their share. Holding each other for what felt like forever, Madison was full of anxiety knowing… waiting for the questions to come, but they didn’t. Love, security, warmth and safety, that was all she felt, all she lacked the last 5 and a half years in captivity. Deprived of it for so long, the sensation ran through her like a stream overwhelming her every molecule.

Passed around like a doll, it was oddly similar to what had happened for the past five years. It was exactly the same, pushed, held, and controlled. Yet it was completely different at the same time, it was pleasant, consoling and without an ounce of need for a substance to take the edge off. “I… I…” Wanting to explain before the questions came, Madison was at a loss of what to say. What or how could she describe the last five years of her life. Her insides churning, it had been years, yet she knew if they knew, they would never forgive themselves for not looking, for not finding her.

“Shhh.” Her mother as sharp as ever, Madison heart swelled as her fingers took Madison’s chin in hand. “Now listen hear Madison, whatever happened has happened, you don’t need to say anything if you don’t want to. I, we are happy that you are back, and for now, that is more than enough.” Everyone silent yet seemingly agreeing with her mother, the heaviness on Madison’s chest seeming to lift. It was now a burden she knew she did not have or want to share, not with anyone.

Madison’s mind clear and churning with the brief thought that she could try and block it all out. She knew that would never be possible. The only issue still pressing clearly in her mind, the face of little Darius staring up at her with his big green eyes full of innocence. Was he safe? Was he okay? Did he get home? The whole getting out and escaping part still extremely fuzzy Madison rose her hand to her head searching for the pain throbbing lightly.

“I need a favour.” Her voice weak, Madison broke away from all contact needing to sit on the bed feel more then fatigued with a dizzy spell oncoming. Looking to her big brothers, she could not believe how tall and handsome they become. No doubt strong warriors she thought in her mind as they smiled wildly at he just like in the past. “I know I don’t have the right to ask, but...”

“Anything.” The twin’s voices sounding in unison, their gaze slightly intensified as they looked down upon their tiny malnourished sister. The idea that they could do anything for her sparking their interest immediately, they dove hard for the opportunity.

“There was a boy, a young boy who was with me. His name was Darius, I don’t know if he got back to his pack safely.” A sudden possible insight to what had happened to their sister leaving them more then eager to complete the task and locate the boy. They could both already sense the warning glare from their mother behind Madison. Caleb taking a step closer and placing his hand around Madison bony shoulder, “we can definitely follow that up. What pack was he from?”

Looking down to the floor, Madison recognized her emotion as embarrassment. She had not even bothered to ask Darius where he was from, of for a last name. “I don’t know.”

Ardon stepping forward with a warm smile. “It’s fine Mads, just tell us what you do know and we can work it out together. We will find him.” His hand lightly squeezing they took in every detail Madison could give from height, to hair and eye colour.

An hour passing in what felt like minutes, this whole experience was other worldly for Madison, yet draining to say the least. Her eyes dropping to her hospital gown, Madison felt so unclean. The urge to scrub away everything that had happened flowing heavily, she eyed the bathroom greedily. Emily smiling knowingly, she watched her daughter with thoughts, or more so a hope that whatever she had been through recently, it had not changed her. Not wanting to force anything upon Madison too quickly, or upset her Emily prepared to end the visit.

Taking another look upon her baby, her only daughter, her heart almost palpitated knowing she had always thought that she would never see her again. Deeply set in her was the want, more so the need to keep Madison at the pack, to keep her safe and happy. The idea that she may want to leave again racking her with fear, Emily would silence anyone in the way of that. “Byron can stay and give you a hand, I’ll go organise some clothes for you while you shower. Then maybe later if you are up for it, we can talk to the doctors about a release date so you can come home, only if you want.” Rushing her last words Emily turned in a heartbeat diverting her attentions to her sons. “Don’t you both have some pack business to attend to.” Sheepish looks covering their faces, they did not want to lose a second of time with their beloved sister as Ardon finally piped up.

“Yea we have to set up a building for the children they found at the warehouse.”

Emily’s eye narrowing, “what warehouse?”

Having not realised they were yet to mention that building in particular to their mother, their eyes darted to Madison realising Byron was already helping her toward the bathroom. Not wanting to bombard, upset, or traumatise their sister when she had only just awoken. Ardon continuing in a low voice, “the trafficking ring operation, there was a warehouse of children found as well as a few other houses. We agreed to take the children in, find their homes hopefully. Possibly take some in permanently, but we won’t know the full situation till they get here. Atticus the Beta from Lasha pack is bringing them tomorrow as far as we are aware.” Emily’s hand raising as if saying she had heard enough, Ardon paused as Emily eyes darted to the paused Madison hanging in the doorway to the bathroom.

Hey guys I hope you enjoy the chapter. Just letting you know if you wish to read ahead and support me further, My Torment is over 10 chapters ahead on my Patreon

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Recognition to my Support Me Harder  Tier

-Vanessa Larson

-Making memories in Angela’s Kitchen

-Kaylee Rutledge