LIVING FAMILY: Yes
STATUS: Cleared for trial
SELECTION: Selected for round two of trials
NAME: Kylie Tam Wilkinson
DOB: 19/12/2040
WEIGHT: 29lbs
LIVING FAMILY: Yes
STATUS: Cleared for trial
SELECTION: Selected for round two of trials
They both arrived at the same time, within a week of each other. We were told they were found on the street like me and Bella. We were all told we were homeless, that our parents were dead. But everything was a lie.
“I don’t…I don’t know what to believe anymore…”
Cayden’s answer is so simple, yet so complicated. He pulls away just far enough to wipe the tears streaming down my face with his thumb. The touch is comforting, but even he can’t take away the pain consuming me right now.
“Me, love. Believe in me.”
I lose track of time. I have no idea how long I end up sitting here in Cayden’s arms, or how long I’ve known the truth, but I can’t move. Even if I tried, my body wouldn’t cooperate. I feel the little girl inside of me screaming, demanding answers, demanding the truth, but I can’t manage to form the words to get them.
Bella isn’t much better off. She’s clung to Marcus, and hasn’t let go since. The two men we’re supposed to kill are the ones comforting us. It’s a cruel twist, but there is no one else I would trust to be here in this moment other than Cayden.
“I’m going to carry you to the car, love.” His voice is barely a whisper like he’s not asking, but he just wants me to know what’s going on before he does anything. He’s trying to make me comfortable, but all I feel is confused and scared.
Cayden stands, taking me with him. I don’t fight his grip or tell him to put me down. I lean in closer to him, clinging to him desperately like he’s the only thing that can ground me right now.
“I’ve got you, love. You’re safe with me.” And for the first time, I believe him.
He places me in the passenger seat of the car, making sure I’m buckled in before getting into the driver’s side and starting the engine, pulling out of the warehouse.
Cayden places his hand on my thigh, his thumb gently caressing the fabric of my pants, but he doesn’t say anything, doesn’t offer any false reassurances. He lets me sit with what I’ve learned, letting me process.
“I meant what I said, Darlia. I’ll answer any questions you have.”
But my mind is a mess. I can’t form an idea of what to ask, let alone manage to get the words out. My entire world went from black-and-white to colour in an instant. Everything I’ve known, my entire life, is crumbling down around me.
And my walls are going down with them.
“Cayden, I can’t go back,” I finally manage to whisper, my voice choked with all the emotions I’ve spent the last decade pushing down completely. He nods, moving his hand to mine as our fingers intertwine.
“I know, baby. I know.”
The rest of the drive is only filled by the sound of the car’s engine, the hum of it becoming a comforting sound. When we arrive back at Cayden’s house, he doesn’t expect me to do anything. He walks around, picking me up in his arms again and walks me inside straight to a bedroom, laying me down on the bed.
“Do you want something to change into love?” I nod.
He doesn’t go for my Academy bag, instead he walks into his wardrobe, pulling out a soft silk nightgown, a type of luxury I’ve never been allowed to have before. “Here, this will be more comfortable than your standard uniform.”
I don’t argue, letting him undress me until I’m just in my cotton bra and underwear. Cayden doesn’t look at my body once as he slips the nightgown over my head and down my body.
It’s longer than I thought it would be. The fabric drapes just below my knees, but there’s a small slit in the left slide making it so that I’m still able to move around freely. It’s unlike anything I’ve worn before. The Academy would never let us wear something this comfortable.
