Novela: Cristopher (SL #1) English Version

 

 

 

Cristopher

Sanctuary of Love

First book

© 2020

English version

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cristyal Crast

 

 

 

Edited by CRISTYAL'S INC.

HC 3 BOX 7587

Barranquitas, PR 00794

 

Sanctuary of Love

First book

Cristopher

© 2014 M. Rodríguez

© 2014 cover Nomar Maldonado

 

    All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, or recorded in or transmitted by an information retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether mechanical, photochemical, electronic, magnetic, electro-optical, photocopying, or any other, without the prior written permission of the author.

     This book contains topics that may be offensive, or unpleasant to some readers. Any resemblance to reality is pure coincidence.

Cristyal.Group@yahoo.com

 

    

 A story, where the loss of a child it is the starting point... for the pain of not being able to protect him and the confusion of not seeing him anymore, in those who at the time had promised to protect him. Now they would come together to create a new order.

These events are about to destroy the legacy and work of the creators of the Adoption Home: "Sanctuary of love". A place where reality, the past and its chains, will destroy or make stronger all those who live there.

 

 

Dedicated J and his baby

 

Chapter 1

The conference room was heavy with silence, broken only by the broken sobs of five women who did not know whether to be sad at the loss or furious at the events that provoke it. Plus, the glow of helplessness in everyone present was a vile evidence of the pain that accompanied them all of them sure of having failed.

“Armatos, this cannot happen again. One time is too much.” The newspapers with the news, the file that had never reached their hands in the search for information on the future father. All this made up a group of truth and lies, which seemed more like a nightmare.

The couple had arrived two years ago to the small town, looking for a child to love, that could complete their family. Finding the Adoption House: Sanctuary of Love, with new formats of adoption. They had ten years of experience, five homes with children of different ages and until that moment one hundred percent of happy and healthy homes, each charged with the support of the Sanctuary administrators. When Cristopher had requested that the couple adopt him a few months ago, they had all taken a leap of faith. The couple had to move again in a few weeks. The eleven-year-old boy was ready to go with them, he had even given a talk to several of the administrators about the reasons why he should go with them.

One of the requirements of the adoptive home was that every child had to be under the supervision of the mothers of the homes for one year, the couple received direct support in the process of acclimatizing to a new family composition. They even participated in activities and group workshops for new parents according to the ages of the children.

With Cristopher the procedure had not been followed, they had been thoroughly investigated, but Paul's truth was never reached, he was an abuser and Laura a passive victim. Two sick beings, who had hide it very well from everyone. The alarm had come late, a sealed file in Paul's life in which as a young man he had murdered a puppy for being the focus of his girlfriend's attention. Which he had raped and left for dead, after killing the puppy.

The information didn’t was disclose all because of the damn bureaucracy, perhaps they should have waited longer, but they never imagined that the information sealed by being a minor of fifteen when he committed the facts, would cost them the life of one of their children. The law had denied them the file. Before the law there was no way to judge the adult for acts committed in his adolescence. The data on the death of Laura and Cristopher were unclear, according to the news, a jealous man had killed his wife and son. This had been days before two Sanctuary mothers and a lawyer were going to visit them.

“How was it that when moving, we lost the visitation rights on Cristopher?”

“According to the laws of the Department of the Family, at being in another state, that state office had to make the visits. But Cristopher was one more on their lists ... so the visits were never made.” Reymund said with a hoarse voice, he seemed not to have slept in several nights, which was shared by all the fellow lawyers of the Sanctuary. No one recognized what rest was since Cristopher's loss. Everyone was looking for answers, everyone needed answers, after that nightmare.

“Then explain to me why our first visit was canceled.” Katty's loud cry of anguish made many jumps. A fifty-six-year-old woman used to work with delicate, sick, and addicted children never screamed.

“Katty, remember that Cristopher was the one who asked us not to go that week. Since they had planned to make a trip to visit us and he wanted to see us all. The visit never happened. I think it could be an empty promise from the parents, within the outcome. What I do agree with Veronica is that this cannot happen again. Our children cannot get lost in the bureaucratic system. On a legal level, the extra time allowed them to get us out of the process. The mother requested the process, so they had something to hide from us.” Armatos had his fist was white for the force he was doing.  

“How did they pass the background check?”

“Paul's parents paid a small fortune for their son to be completely clean of a criminal record. The file that is on the table was obtained by one of the investigators in a non-legal way.” Armatos had a piece of himself made into pieces, but he had to be there. Cristopher deserved to review everything they did and look for the mistake. He was more than in agreement with Verónica, this could not happen again. He had accompanied her to recognize the boy's body, had seen her fight with the authorities to recover the body and be able to take it home. During the burial, a wild fire flashed in the female eyes, which had never happened before. Now the pieces had to be picked up, but she seemed ready to make war on whoever wanted to take any of her children.

Veronica had always been a calm port in the storm, the safe haven for all those who had gotten hurt. Even when she was a teenager stuck to her grandmother, she was the one who had managed to heal the wounds of all the children who were sent to those places, tagging them as lost. Where a Doña Carlota, with a genius of a thousand demons, with a heart the size of the universe and eager to love as the ocean had welcomed them, her grandmother made the first house, a real home. In that moment, Veronica was more like her grandmother at the time, with a murderous look and a mind capable of destroying the system that had taken from them Cristopher's life.

“I want this to be known, I want the Supreme Court to find out what they have done. I don't care how or how long it takes, but I want our homes and adoption centers to have the green light to peer into the damn panties and briefs of potential parents. It is clear?” The voice was not loud, but it gives some of them goosebumps. The problem some of the mothers were affirming and looking to the lawyers as if they must make it possible.

“You're going to go against the system.” Raymund say with a little scare in his voice. That could provoke a lot of problems.

“I'm going to take God himself, the devil, the system and even the president through the middle if they dare to put them self in front of us. I repeat it to all of you, this cannot happen again. This case is one of hundreds that we have worked on, but this damn crap must be happening by thousands elsewhere. We know very well that they did not easily took Cristopher out of this Sanctuary. They were investigated, they were evaluated by different professionals. They even had to work at the homes until a boy or girl chose them. What about places where adults choose children. These homes are not a damn kid’s supermarket!” Veronica's voice had nothing to do with screaming and hysteria, so it was much more intimidating. What guided her was a silent fury. “I want to speak to the investigator who found this file.”

“I don't know if it's possible. He is a lone wolf. I got him to work for us on this case, because I promised not to give his information.

“I don't give a damn, give him my number, my address and tell him he has work to do. I want him to be the one to investigate the future parents. I want to know even the brand of toothpaste they buy.” Armatos did not know what to think, violations of the laws would not be the first time. But Veronica was obsessed with the subject, so there was no way to refuse.

“Ok, I give him your info. I do not promise anything.”

“Armatos, I'm going to put it clearly for you. Literally, tell that detective that I want him by my side working with our children. I will pay what is necessary, if he do not accept and one of our little ones suffers from lack of information, I will keep take out intestines and put them in his hands.” Veronica looked around without any compassion and speaking very seriously. “Is it clear?” Everyone in the room whispered, hands raised. No one was going to contradict a piss off angel.

Veronica walked out the door with her heart pounding, to enter her office as if a thousand demons were chasing her. She had no idea how she was going to get all this back on track, but she refused to lose one of his babies for lack of information. Veronica was sure it would have been enough to have visited Cristopher a few days before, to be able to save his life. Maybe one day would have been enough to save her baby. Hell, why they had been left out. She had failed her grandmother, the children who trust her to protect them, but most of all she had failed Cristopher and she couldn't help feeling without of power.

 

Chapter 2

“Derek, we need your help.” Armatos heard the voice of his old friend and..., he did not know how many times he had hesitated to call him. But he had no other choice, Veronica was not going to accept half measures with this point. “I know it was a onetime thing, but Derek, we lose him. Cristopher is dead, stabbed seventeen times by a sick bastard. According to his diary, it can be understood that he was raped by his mother and Veronica still does not know that part. What I'm saying is that you have a job. Quoting Veronica's words: money is not a problem, if you say no and we lose another child, she will go through your guts. As I saw it today, I don't doubt it. She is looking for a culprit and wants heads to roll. Now it is against the system for obstructing the process, both that of acquiring information and avoiding the visit to our children when they leave our jurisdiction.

“Why should I worry about a woman who doesn't know me.”

“I'm going to put it this way. Veronica is an omega who has been wounded deep in her heart, by the killing of a pup in her pack. One of her cubs has been cruelly murdered by those who swore to protect him, believe me, you don't want that woman behind your neck.” Armatos smile a little, thinking of Derek face at that moment. He understood unfairness, they were fighting it from ten year ago in the places Derek had to go to live.

“I knew it was bad news. Why did I take that damn call?”

“You had to run again from the place where you were, you had no job and it is a job in which you are excellent. Just let her know you, I don't think there's much work. She will be watching those around us and have not seen in more than a few months. I would text you the contact information. It doesn't matter when or how but call her. It could be that you find that you are not as unwanted in the world as you think.” Armatos whispered more to himself than to his friend who had hung up when he told him about the text. He sighed again looking at the place each adoptive son or daughter of Doña Carlota had help to grow, create, and evolve. The mission was to give the children who came to those homes a chance. It was beautiful, it was a rose bush with its thorn, like any system created by humans. Imperfect, but it was the first time that these imperfections cost the life of one of the children. The fowl flavor in his mouth was link to them failing Cristopher.  

 

Chapter 3

How many days had passed? Veronica could not believe that Cristopher was not by her side, that she would never hear his musical voice again. All of that must have been a nightmare. She had reviewed the case more than a dozen times, nothing indicated that the future parents had not been fit to have a child.

The possibilities were slowly killing her, raising doubts about the future parents. His children had not seen her in weeks. How was she going to face them, if she still did not know what they had done wrong?

A knock on the door took him out of her place looking at papers, she already knew them by heart, which made her even more mad. He went to the door looking at the hour marked on her old grandfather clock.” Two in the morning, shit, another night without sleep! She murmured to herself, her heart pounding as she approached the door. If someone was visiting her at that time it had to be important. She opened the door, remembering the call a month ago, where they had given her the news of Cristopher. When she opens the door she found a stranger she had never seen before. For a moment she thought that she had gone crazy, what was in front of her was a mountain of pure muscle, dressed in black leather, see him more in a bar than a visit to the Sanctuary.  

“Good evening Miss Veronica. Armatos told me that I should stop by as soon as I got there. Sorry I'm late, problems with the truck.” Veronica could not understand the conversation. The gigantic man was looking at her with fear, as if she were going to tell him that she was waiting to hit him, trample on him and then throw him out.

“Derek?” He nodded jumping from one foot to another, seemed to want to be anywhere else, except there. “Come in, I wasn't expecting you today. I'm glad you're here though. I need you to tell me what we need to do in the future in the parental reviews. You have to review the entire procedure and where we can look to know what the adults who want to adopt may be hiding.”

“Well, Armatos show me what the current procedures are, they are very complete, they follow the demands of the adoption process beyond what is provided by law and they are much more complete than other adoption agencies. Within what is the legal world they comply with everything. The only thing that could contribute are illegal elements that are not… recom…” His voice drowned before her gaze.

“That's exactly why you're here. I want to know everything about the possible parents. I will not make one of my babies victims for lack of information again. It’s clear?” He gives her an affirmative answer with his head.

“What you want is to violate the rights of future parents... are you sure?”

“And?” Hell, Armatos was not wrong in thinking that she was losing the civilized mantle. She looked more than a she-dominant-wolf protecting the pack, than a omega. More like an angry mother bear guarding her cubs. “At the legal level, arrangements are being made so that those who ask to be part of the program, "Adopting my mom and dad", know that all kinds of research will be done. What I need is for you to help me see every gap that is being hampered by the legal system.

“Adopting my mom and dad? I don't understand: aren't they in a place to adopt children?”

“No, our homes are places where children adopt their parents. Everyone interested in being a candidate has to share with all the children, they will share in small groups and in activities where the five homes come together. It is the children who decide whether an adult can be the parent they want.” Derek looked as if she had grown a second head.

“I don't understand very well. But I know there isn't much I can help with.”

“Of course, not today. Tomorrow we will all meet, then you will be visiting the homes with me and you will know the dynamics. I still don't know how Cristopher's adoptive parents were able to fool all the children, mothers, and other team members. The filters to go around are not little.”

“They didn't fool anyone...” Veronica who had been walking calmly towards the rooms to show where Derek would be sleeping, stopped abruptly, turning so hard that it looked as if she was going to hit him. To which he reacted strangely, exposing his neck and tensing, as if waiting for the blow. Veronica knew that form, the waiting for the blow expression anywhere, he had come from a dark place, he had been as abused as any of her babies. Which meant that she wouldn't let him return there. Seeing such a big man waiting to be hit by something he said broke his heart. Why couldn't she have found it when she was a child? She knew it was illogical to want to change the past but seeing him ready to be abused hurt her soul.

“Derek, no matter how angry I am, I'm not going to hit you. Relax, please explain to me everything what you said means.” He nodded after muttering something like alpha, but she was not sure she had heard him right.

“As I was investigating, Cristopher's adoptive mother Laura. She had been sexually abused as a child. At 18 because of changes in the law and according to the notes in her file for "nightmares" she underwent hypnosis treatment. Then she began to live a normal life. Instead Paul was a victim of his parents. Those who had an obsessive relationship with one another. Supposedly he received treatment and that is why the case was closed at age fifteen. However, it was with family friends since they were interested in protecting what was happening at home before society. They were supposed to be fine. According to the data we received from Cristopher's journal, something happened with Laura that changed her from one moment to another. That event was what caused the loss of the family group's life.” Derek not looking at her directly, he knew he did not have to tell her all that, but it was part of his personality. He always followed orders, that's why he kept away from everyone, especially strong alphas.

“What journal?” Derek tensed, he knew that a storm was coming, and it was he who had given her the "GO". “Armatos, damn...”

“I... well... it's what...

“Take a bath and have a little time, I would talk to Armatos.” Veronica raised her hand to avoid the sea of nerves in which Derek was turning. “Your room is the first door on the right, in the bathroom little closet you would find clean towels.

Derek watched her take the cell phone off the table and walk out the door. He wished he could follow her, but he had received an order and had to follow it. Armatos had said that she was an omega, to hell if she was one, she was as sweet as a deathly sneak. He could thank the heavens that she had no claws and fangs, because the blood would be rushing. With his back hunched, he headed for the bathroom, wishing he had never come. He knew very well that with her controlling everything, it would be very difficult for him to escape. But yes, it seemed that at last he would be safe.

Veronica understood what Armatos had tried to do. But this one had to learn that she was no longer the girl he once knew. With a mission in her stand she let the phone ring several times.

“Are the children well?” Armatos hoarse voice put a lump in her throat. She was not the only one who was still hurt by the loss of Cristopher. Waking up early in the morning to a call, it was reason to expect the worst.  

“Everyone is fine, you are the one who is about to die. Where's Cristopher's diary?

“Shit... Derek arrived.” He has been traying to be present when she met with Derek just taken a different connotation. “The journal is with me. Please don't give Derek any more orders. He is... well he is... shit, I don't know how to explain it.”

“Did you know that he has been abused since childhood?”

“It is difficult not to know when we really see the characteristics in each child who arrives injured.” Armatos wondered once again because he had not been able to protect his friend. “Veronica, he is... it's a special case. He is not going to deal with adults and his work he prefers to do it alone. In most cases he is addicted to computers, from which he does not move. I really don't know how he take my call, or the reason why he listened to me when he came to visit you. He doesn't trust adults, that's the truth, he and I haven't talked for a long time, due to certain differences. What I can assure you is that in the few cases where he has mixed with people, things have not turned out well for him.”  

“Are you adopting him?

“I really think so... I'm still not sure what to expect. But if you allow me, I want him to stay with us. He is someone, well... we'll talk about it later. For now, please, do not order anything else... for him it is difficult not to follow an order, not to say that it is impossible.”

“I will try not to give orders; you know it would be difficult. I want him to stay with us for a while, but I won't expose the boys to danger.”

“Adults are the ones who will be in danger with him. The only reason he is in your house right now is because there are children involved. While he is soft with adults and he is afraid of them, the truth is that a child brings out all the good that is in him, all in favor of protecting them. The few times I have seen him go against his nature, it has been for defending a child.”

“I'll take your word. I want the diary tomorrow morning.

“No.” One word, it wasn't the first time in that week that she felt like murdering someone. But Armatos had been safe until that moment.

“What?”

“When you read it, you would not be able to avoid exploding. I need you to be prepared, it is something horrible knowing Cristopher, in the last months he used the journal much more, you can’t imagine that he is very descriptive in his language. You haven't cried for him yet, you're not ready to read this. I've been waiting for you to go through the mourning process. But you have not dropped down your guard.” Armatos knew her well, there was no way to deny the accusation. But that didn't mean he had to choose when she was ready for something like that.

“I want to see the journal. If you have it, you're going to bring it to the office tomorrow. That is final!”

“Only if you promise not to read it in the office.”

“Is it so bad?”

“Yes, trust me... when you react like I did, you will want to be alone to scream, cry and everything else I wanted to do.” If Armatos had reacted in this way to what was write it down, she had no choice but to follow his advice.

“Okay, but I want it in my hands. Anyway, I was thinking of visiting the cabin.” She did not tell him that her desire to escape had started since she received the phone call, with the news about Cristopher, that was not relevant at that moment.” See you tomorrow, remember Derek is going to need a place to stay. While I am outside you can stay at my house with him, the true is a don’t see that big body of him in your tiny house. But when he comes back, he can't be in my apartment. As controlling as I am, he won't feel comfortable and in peace.

“Okay, I have been down some movements to this moment. I had already thought about what he needs.” With those enigmatic words both hung up and Veronica went to her room to prepare a light travel bag. The cabin was always ready for one of her visits, but it was the first time she would use it to heal. Her grandmother had barely kept her. That place had been the passion of her son and her husband, whom she lost in a traffic accident. It was there that her grandmother had brought her to heal at the loss of her father and her beloved grandfather, it was there that they both cried, laughed remembering the antics of both men. Even more in that place was where each one of the boys she had adopted had begun to heal. In short, it was the ideal place to confront the truths of Cristopher's diary.

 

Chapter 4

“Katty, you're in charge. I will be back at the beginning of next week. Armatos, you've thought about Derek's house. I don't want him away from everyone, he needs to be in the middle of the houses, you would take him to visit each one.” she noted that Derek in a corner of the room, just behind Armatos, gave a jump. After her trip she would have to ask what the story was between those two was. “Derek do not know what to expect arriving here. But I tell you one thing, while your priority is the safety of each one of our babies, I swear that each one of us in this room will ensure that you are well, that you have a place to live and that no one hurts you.”  

“I... I'm an adult.”

“We know, honey, but you have to learn that here we all take care of everyone. It is the only way to protect ourselves and grow.” Katty knew very well how to approach without being offensive. A talent that Veronica wanted to possess, but with her direct personality it was almost impossible.

“How many boys do we have left to visit?”

“Seven, they are scheduled for the rest of this week. All parents have understood the visit and the policy change. They agree that we should take care of all the boys in the same way. Armatos has worked with the new contract for the future parents and Jazmine has crossed references with three states that have stronger adoption policies as ours, to confirm the legality of the practices.” Katty was standing next to Derek, stroking the back of his like a child. Veronica nodded in her direction, both for what she had explained, and accepting the need to protect Derek. She had no idea who had screwed up the adult he had become so much, but she was sure those nightmares would not be easy to put to rest. Derek would be a long-term job, with his clothes and withdrawal personality it would not be easy to integrate him into the group. She was glad that everyone seemed to have accepted him, the silence had been charged with apprehension. Until when entering through the door with its large size, he had hit the door frame with his forehead, at that moment removing the negative impression that his great height could cause. Since then Katty had flown around the young man and Armatos had not left him for just a moment, the latter had not noticed the glances that occasionally escaped in his direction from Derek. However, Armatos seemed to have found his place in the world.

“I will be accompanying Derek on his visit with the younger ones. Derek, you need to know what your reason is for working with us. I know that you had agreed to go with him, but the truth is that I believe going with a mother of one home, it will be better for him to understand this new vision and your dear, you need time alone...” Luz look to Veronica, all her brothers an sister new she haven’t cry yet.

Veronica nodded again; she had no voice to contradict those words. Her heart was elsewhere, all her attention was there as well as elsewhere, yet that dark part of the world that was hidden was in Cristopher's diary. That notebook full of drawings and truths was causing a fire in her brain, the weight in her backpack was not strange, but it seemed today unlike always, that she carried with her a house with several families living inside.

“I already put the Cristopher file in my office. As much as I searched where we could have failed, I can't find where.” The first tear was on the verge. She knew that if she started crying it would never stop. With those words she went out the door about to explode. She did not want to hear words of comfort; she was sure that she had failed her baby. She didn't deserve comfort until she knew where they have failed, were they did wrong, it was the only way they could survive this storm. She had already read Paul's file, about her sick father and the violence against everyone who approached her wife. Including her only child. Similarly, Paul's obsessive reactions to his high school girlfriend. Without forgetting the way in which the information of the abuses to which Laura had been exposed had arrived, which made Paul a much more protective being. So, what the hell had gone wrong?

 

 

Chapter 5

March 14, 2012

I don't know why they gave us these notebooks. Log for boys and diaries for girls, I really do not expect to write anything. I like to draw more, so I'll see what I can think of.

After that first page all there were drawings and cartoons. Some could be identified by their relationship with activities carried out for the children of the Sanctuary. Karla's adoption, Luis's return from university. And the annual dinner for all the members of the Sanctuary, both those who had been adopted, the community that provided shelter and even more so for the parents, both past and future who would be in the adoption process. For that activity it was the entrance of Laura and Paul Frank's, Cristopher had drawn the couple next to him and everyone else around them. He had always been sensitive and had a soft spot for those parents fearful of being rejected. A brave boy who never ceased to shine and take care of everyone around him.

Veronica closed her eyes once more, trying to resist the urge to cry, remembering all the beautiful things she had forgotten after the loss. Wondering once again how it was possible they had lost that child. With trembling hands she took a drink from the wine glass next to her, just as she returned to serve a little more from the bottle. Wishing he didn't have to need it, but trusting Armatos word, it was not going to be pretty. She had no doubt that she was going to wish she were taking something stronger.

November 3, 2013

Mrs. Laura was playing with all of us today. She taught us to work animal figures with clay. I made a bear, she a rabbit. The truth, she was very nice to him. Best of all, when she finished she gave it to Tamy and promised to make a clay rabbit for all the girls in the home. I prefer bears.

Cristopher's drawing of the bear was next to a small rabbit that was seen between the bear's front legs, waving with confidence.

November 9, 2013

Tamy went to stay this weekend with Laura, both are going to have what is known as a weekend for girls. What do girls do when they are alone? They are so strange, but I think Paul is super cool ... I never thought that an adult could jump and do tricks on a skateboard.

After several more drawings that referred to Christmas, farewell to the year and even more so to the day of friendship, Cristopher had not written anything else until reaching the decision that changed everyone's life.

March 5, 2013

Tamy chose her parents and it was not Mrs. Laura, I know that she did not cry when she found out, but she was sad. Tomorrow I will go to ask Veronica if some of the boys have already asked Laura and Paul as parents. I hope Laura doesn't mind having a boy instead of a girl. But I think they really want to have someone to love, I would like to take care of them too.

March 8, 2013

They say that, speaking people understand each other, I don't understand. Laura could not believe that I loved them as parents. She seemed happy and Paul was smiling from ear to ear. This week I will visit them and they will go with me to buy materials for one of Mrs. Katty's drawing workshops. I hope everything comes out fine, I think, well... that.

March 11, 2013

Today we were shopping, we were not alone, but Mrs. Laura did not leave me alone all day. Several times she was looking at me in silence, when I asked her if something happened, she smiled and stroked my head. Veronica explained to me that Laura had originally asked about me, but since I had never shown an interest in any parents. Laura had prepared herself not to be chosen by me.

Beneath the comment was a question mark with a confused face. Which made Veronica smile, even as her mind filled with doubts as she continued reading.

 

March 30, 2013

Paul was talking to me after a day of group fishing. He invited me to an ice cream, I ordered pistachio. Paul asked me the reason why I had never chosen someone before. I explained to him that I had never found someone that other children did not want as parents. He was silent for a long time, but when he did, he nodded as if he understood something. He didn't say what, but I didn't ask either. I wish to have better words to explain myself.

 

April 2, 2013

Laura was helping out at Katty Sun house, they made changes to the nest. The baby's room now features a beautiful forest, with bears, wildcats, wolves, birds, and some dreams. Laura was painting a long time, between Paul and I we brought her food. But if we didn't stay with her, she forgot to eat. I learned a lot and best of all she likes to paint as much as I do.

 

April 7, 2013

Writing in this notebook is becoming a habit, today I was helping Paul while fixing a swing. I think Veronica is looking for us to spend time together, the problem was that neither Paul nor I knew how to fix a swing. Armatos had to arrive to help. But at the end the swing was fixed, I tried it and I gave a jump that neither Paul nor Armatos could win over. I’m the champion…

The drawing of the swing next to three figures made Veronica smile, but not without tears. The pain from the loss was an open wound. She closed the notebook and left the small cabin, her watery eyes moving a little towards the forest that surrounded her.

She did not get very far, between tears and a growl that came from the shadows, she decided that she was safer in the clearing that surround her home. She sat on a fallen tree and let the sobs escape from her chest. At the end there was no one to listen to her. She still did not understand what had happened to Paul and Laura but reading what Cristopher had written made it clear to her that something had happened after moving. The image of a couple who loved each other and with the capacity to love a boy as special as Cristopher, had not stopped haunting her since his death. In what way she was wrong? How could they fool everyone in the home? If it had only been her, it could have been justified as an error of judgment. But it was not only she who had agreed to the adoption. The five attorneys always discussed the possibilities with the caregivers. Children for the most part were good at judging people. Laura and Paul had never been rejected; they had even become an essential part of the community. No other boy had asked for them as parents, not because they dislike them. The big kids had notice how Cristopher look at them. Many had seen Cristopher's face when he learned that Laura was a plastic artist. Recognized for her works nationwide. No one had said anything but notice how Laura was always on the lookout for what the preteen created in her art classes.

She had to admit, as she tried to wipe away her tears, that she feared what the journal would reveal. The idea of ​​the diary had always seemed good to her. It had often been the only way her grandmother had been able to communicate with the newcomers to the home. She even remembered that one refused to speak for a year and a half, asking for soda, water or food was a list of notes and written conversations between himself and his grandmother. Who would say that this boy would end up becoming a lawyer, the memory of Rey's suspicious gaze, made her smile at today's comparison? 

While enjoying the memory, she heard the bush move behind her, natural sounds when she was surrounded by animals, but still she jumped up expecting to see some wild animal about to take a good piece of the silly human that had invaded his home. She sighed with relief that there was nothing to make her run, but she knew they were watching.

She took a deep breath, trying to convince herself out loud, that she wasn't crazy. However, speaking alone was a bad sign to confirm sanity. An unnatural vibration and sound made her jump. Her phone warned of an incoming call, the real world had arrived in less than forty hours, on the other hand she wanted to hide deep in the forest, where no one would find her. While she had an excuse to run away without seeming to be afraid of the eyes that looked at her from the shadows. She decided to be cautious and walk slowly to the cabin. Then she would talk to the boys to see if they had noticed anything unusual in the place.

“Tell me Luz, what is going on.” As she spoke her gaze did not move away from the shadows, but her steps were slow and safe towards the protection of the cabin.

“Sorry to bother you, there was an ugly case. Adriana called us from the hospital.” Veronica did not know what to think. Luz was the only one who had never reacted quickly. She could feel in her voice that she wanted to run to that hospital.

“What happened Luz?”

“The case looks like... well it looks like mine.”

“Shit! Okay. Call the boys, tell them to start investigating the case. Derek must confirm the girl's electronic trace. I return tomorrow morning and we leave with everything ready to see how we can help. If Adriana has a chance to talk to the girl, just tell her that she is not alone. Tell the boys who do not approach her. While this happens, you leave everything ready.  As soon as you can go, move ahead.” She heard her write down and repeat some things, she hoped that nothing had been forgotten.  But really, everything was part of the procedure to follow in these cases. The only new thing is that they could see much further, thanks to Derek.

“Thanks Veronica.” Veronica cut the call, she knew that everything she had ordered she could do. Luz would soon realize it was so, but she had needed that time and orders, so as not to feel useless.

“Cristopher, I'm sorry, I can't spend all the time your words deserve. The world has claim other girl, and she would need us.” Veronica said to the wind, her life always was putting one fire off, after another. She entered the cabin, sat in the old chair, and took the boy's journal to continue reading after taking a deep breath.

 

Chapter 6

It couldn't be, she didn't even know how she had gotten to the place, the tears were choking her. The pain in her chest was a mixture of shortness of breath from everything she had run, by the words written on Cristopher journal and the pain of three people injured by a rotten society that forced her to run. It was useless, you could never escape your mind, your memory, your injuries, but that logical thought could not stop the despair in her chest. Despair for Laura who had tried to save him even from herself, for Paul who never received help, never learned to care, protect without obsession, but who had a soul as wounded as Laura's, had given all of himself to keep her safe for years.

The balance had been very precarious... the cry was stifled by the boy's words that danced in her brain without stopping, where it was clear that he wanted to protect them and love them to the end, even with the monster that society had created, even the woman wound him with the hidden illness created by a sick society.

 

January 5, 2014

The house is very nice, I have my own room for the first time. Paul went with us to buy all the art things that we would be needing. He even surprised Laura with a visit to the gallery who is interested in exhibiting some of her works. She accepted, only if they made a space for one of my paintings. That one wouldn't be for sale, it was so we could all be together.

January 2014

After several days we have already visited some schools that may be interesting. I miss my friends, but the truth is that the art classes offered here, I could not have taken elsewhere. Today something strange happened. Laura took me to eat at a family restaurant and a man who was entering stopped her before leaving the place. The strange thing was that he followed us to the house. Laura began to cry as he knocked on the door. Paul came and kicked him off the property and helped Laura take a bath. I made a chicken soup and brought her a glass of milk. Paul made me promise that we would protect Laura from anyone who came near her. I nodded without understanding.

The next day Laura eyes were without light, she didn't want to leave the house, but she was leaning out of the windows. She was calling Paul to tell him that they were there, that they had not left. On several occasions Laura began to cry as if she were Anita, at the age of five.

 

February 2014

Paul stopped eating at the house, was late twice in a row and exhausted. It looked like he was looking for something. When I asked him what was going on he refused to tell me. I left them alone, what could I do. Nothing at that time. I do not understand! Veronica how I wish you were here; I know you could help us...

 

February 2014

Today I woke up when it was still night with Laura's screams. Paul was with her, but she kept screaming. She is afraid that she is going crazy, she is afraid that everyone will find out that she is not well and they will take me away from her. Paul just hugged her and nodded, but occasionally looked at the window with something dark. In the afternoon Laura was lying on the sofa, exhausted from crying, looking at the ceiling. When Paul arrived at the house with a group of papers they went to the room to talk. After a few minutes what was heard were Laura's screams asking him to return to the Sanctuary. Let them return to the home they had previously had. I don't know what to do, Veronica would surely have called everyone to help. But what can I do when everyone is so far away?

 

March 2014

Today Laura got up late, it was my first day of class at the art school, which we chose. Paul took me to school. But I did not feel well and asked permission to return. At school nobody knows who I am, so I told the teacher that I would go to the infirmary and I left the school without anyone stopping me. When I got home, Laura was locked in the room, knocking, and asking to be let out. When I opened the latch, I was surprised to see her face swollen from crying and a few blows. I couldn't do much, as soon after Paul came and locked her up again. He told me that Laura was losing her sanity, that she could be a danger to herself.

 

March 2014

Laura told me that we would be visiting the Sanctuary, that she could not stay in that house. When I arrived in the afternoon, Paul closed in on her again. I don't know what happened, but when I got to the room Paul came out screaming that she wanted to leave him alone and that he wasn't going to allow it. That she couldn't break his promise.

I entered the room and Laura was lying on the bed with her body full of blows. Quickly I went to the bathroom and with several wet towels I tried to clean the skin. Just like Mommy Luz did. I dare not say what happened. But Laura only apologized after it was all over. It wasn't my first kiss, but everything else was… not what I expected. She screamed that she was crazy, that she should never have touched me like that. she asked for forgiveness many times... I just kept quiet without knowing what to say. We need our home.

 

May 2014

Today at night we return to the Sanctuary, Laura is determined not to “hurt me”. So she hopes to speak to Veronica so they can get help for what happened. I am not going to leave Laura and Paul, no matter what happens, because of what they have yelled at each other and said… they, like my brothers at Mammy Luz's house, are all broken. Laura and Paul, they may not be my parents, but I love them the same and I want them to heal. As Vero says: The only way to grow, learn and laugh again is to fall, cry and get up again with scraped knees next to a battered ego. My parents are going to be fine. I know it, we only need to go back to the Sanctuary.

Veronica felt that Cristopher's words had caused more than one blow to her chest. In desperation, she kept running as if she were being chased by the hounds of hell. She felt long after she was moving aimlessly in the forest, that her feet lost ground, her body fell into the void with several blows, then she stopped. She tried to hold on to anything, but she couldn't see anything because of the tears in her eyes. She could only feel a deep pain in her wrist that held her in the air, whatever was stopping her fall had her trapped with great force.

She didn't know what it was, it had her trapped and possibly safe, but she could feel a wet, dog-like mouth, trapping her skin between sharp teeth, the animal's growls were a good clue. She looked up, but in order to see clearly she would have to wipe his tear-filled eyes or not have them so swollen, which was impossible since with her free hand she was holding on to everything she could while that mouth sustained her in middle air. She managed to finish propelling herself with her knees and lay down on the damp earth. At that time she used her shirt to clean up all traces of crying. Even with the pain on her wrist from the bite, she could feel pain in other parts of her body, where she had received blows when falling. She turned at the sound of human-like grunts.

There in the shadows was a wolf with white-gray fur, walking away slowly, walking decisively towards a small child, a boy about five years old, waiting for him, he fallow growling in the direction the wolf was moving away, she was undoubtedly was crazy, she could never think of a child growling at the place where she was. Veronica wish she could go after them, but as she tried to get up, her legs trembled, and she fell back onto the ground. Where the darkness swallowed her mind and the body lost all its strength.

 

Chapter 7

The voice that reached her ears caused hell in her head, the stones on her back were driving her crazy. When she thought of the stones, she remembered the accident, the wolf, and the boy. She tried to remember the boy's features, but the main features seemed blurred to her, she had seen him in the shadows. Dark skin and dark eyes in a white cloak with white teeth. That was all she remembered; the shadows had protected him well. 

She remembered his teeth and was sure it was only because of the sounds escaping from that mouth and the look of ferocity. When she tried to sit up, she couldn't, her head was pounding and there was nothing she could do to stop it. Within that state she knew that if she moved, her entire body would break into a thousand pieces.

“I found her, but it smells like a wolf. Armatos, there are no wolves in this area, right? That is the main reason why I chose to follow your advice to live in this area.” The voice trailed off for a moment, as if listening to something. “No, I can't keep track. This whole place smells like a wolf. It might be a lone one, like me. She has some skin wounds, but nothing serious. She had in her wrist a bite, you have to keep an eye on it for infection, but only a lycan can turn a human into a wolf, so we are safe... but the smell is strange.” The silence for the moment as if you will hear a question. “Those do not remain, if they survive, according to legend they are always close to a pack. It only smells like a wolf here. Yes, I will take her to the cabin. Get ready to explain how we found her. Why if she asks me, all is going to hell.” There was a little silence, but he opens big his eyes.

“Right, but first you will have to explain why you are naked.” Veronica was looking at Derek from the ground, she could not believe everything that could be lost under the clothes, he turned around jumping and she understood the phrase "Pale as death." She tried to say something else, an attempt to reassure him, but again she lost the ability to speak. Maybe she had hit her head when she fell.

“Shit...” That was the last thing she heard Derek say, in that world of unconsciousness that swallowed her.