Seduced by My Childhood Sweetheart’s Brother
Chapter 196

Strings of Fate

196- Rescue and retreat

Darrien is the closest to her and he sees her at the same time I do. He takes a step towards her andshe whimpers in fear. He freezes and backs away slowly, trying not to startle her. I gesture for everyoneelse to stay back and take a few steps closer. I stop a good metre away from the little table and thenslowly lower myself to the floor. Kneeling down so that I can see her properly. Kiara is covered in sootand I can see little trails of tears smudging around on her face. She is still crying and whimpering. I amcareful to keep my voice gentle and calm.

“Kiara?” I call her name. She doesn’t answer or look up, but her whimpering quiets a little and I can seeher tensing up like she’s listening carefully.

“Kiara sweetheart. You’re safe now. You can come out. We can get some something to eat, you canhave a nice bath and some clean clothes. How does that sound?” I try to sound soothing. Her cryingstops and she looks up at me with wide, teary, red–rimmed eyes. She doesn’t speak, but she doesmeet my eyes. I keep going.

“You know what else sounds really nice? A warm blanket and a hot chocolate. I bet we can replace someof those little. marshmallows somewhere too. Do you like hot chocolates?” I prompt, Kiara gives a tinynod, so small that I can barely

see it.

“Me too. I don’t know if you remember my name, but I’m Ryann. I’ve been looking everywhere for you.We’re friends, remember?” I tell her gently. She gives another nod, stronger this time. I hold out a handto her.

“Would you like to get out of here sweetheart? You can come home with me and we can get youcleaned up. We have

this

super nice bathtub, I bet you’ll love it.” She doesn’t move right away and I stay still, holding my handout to her. I don’t want to rush her. She’s been through a lot. She’s had no control over her life forweeks now, I won’t force her to move. I can stay here all night if I need to. Luckily, that doesn’t seem tobe necessary. She slowly inches out of her hiding place. She hesitate

a second and looks at my face. I try to give her a reassuring smile. In a second, she launches herself atme and clings to my hand with both of hers. So tight that it’s painful, but there is no way I’m going tocomplain. I start to get to my feet and pull her up to hers–But she sways and her knees buckle a little. Idon’t know if it’s due to her physical condition being so poor from her captivity or because she’s scaredand in shock. She tumbles towards me and I hold her securely. She releases my hand only to wrap herarms tight around my waist while she hides her face against my stomach. Despite the recent fire, she isfreezing and shaking.

“I can carry her.” Bellamy offers. Kiara instantly whimpers again and presses her face into me. I strokea hand through her knotted hair as carefully as I can.

“Shh, it’s o

to her.

okay. This is Bellamy. He’s been working really hard to help me replace you.” I explain. I lean down andwhisper

“He’s also my boyfriend. I promise he is super nice.” I assure her. This seems to be enough to convinceher to turn her head just enough to peek out at him with one eye.

“Hello Kiara. I am really glad to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you. Ryann told me that you are a verybrave little girl. It is really smokey in here still. You don’t have to go anywhere you don’t want to go, butwould you like to come outside with us to get some fresh air? It might make it a bit easier to breathe.”He suggests. Kiara looks up at me and I nod encouragingly. She gives a small nod of agreement.

“Okay, Kiara I’m just going to let you know that there are more people out there. The other Shifters whocame with me to rescue you. They are all good friends and you are safe, but if you want I can ask themto give us a bit of space. Would you like that?” I offer. Kiara nods again.

196- Rescue and retreat

“Good girl. Would you like Bellamy to carry you for a bit? I promise I will be here the whole time. Youcan even hold my hand.” 1 offer. Kiara looks very hesitant and I can see fear in her eyes. She bites herlip and stares at the floor for a second before nodding again. Bellamy checks that the towel on his waistis secure, then slowly steps forward. Kiara swaps back to clutching my hand instead of

my waist.

“Okay. I am going to put a hand behind your back and one under your knees to pick you up, okay? Youjust let me of Ryann know if you need me to

put you down.” He

tells has

as he slowly moves to pick her up.

With Kiara safe in Bellamy’s arms, we turn to the door. Darrien and Megan are hovering near thedoorway. I can see pain and sympathy in Megan’s eyes. I know she wants to g

Kiara in a huge hug but she is restraining herself.

“Kiara, this is Bellamy’s sister Megan and our friend Darrien. They’ve been helping us look for you.Kiara squeezes my hand tightly and tucks her chin into her chest, avoiding their eyes. I use my freehand to gesture for them to lead the

way out.

“Megan, can you please let the others know to give us a little space?” She nods and darts off to warneveryone.

“Darrien, has someone gone to get the cars?” Bellamy asks, keeping his voice low and gentle to avoidspooking Kiara. Darrien speaks similarly.

“Yes. Aaron, Rio and Shaun went for the cars. Shaun also called Alex to

to update him and Alex called the police to keep them in the loop. They are sending someone to ch*ckthings out here but we advised them that we would be moving the little lady back to your place as soonas reasonably possible so I think they’re going to meet us there. Alex is arranging it.” He assures him.Bellamy gives an approving nod. Kiara gives a dry, painful sounding cough.

“Can someone contact Dr Dae and have her stop by too?” I ask with a pointed look at Kiara.

“I’ll take care of it.” Darrien promises.

“Thanks.” I tell him with a slight smile.

I thought that everything would be okay when we found Kiara, but I’m still stressed out. Yes, it’sdefinitely better. But she is clearly not okay. She looks pale and unhealthy, not to mention she still isn’ttalking. I add it to my mental to do list to make sure that Kiara is put in contact with a good psychologist

or something. When she is ready to talk, she is going to need someone to talk to. Bellamy continues togently narrate all his actions to Kiara as we make our way out of the building and into the dimly litstreet.