Stolen

Stolen
             
Bec Botefuhr

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

For this Book, all acknowledgments go to my mum; it was always her favorite, and she reminded me often to finish it. It is the only in depth, emotional book I have ever written, and so many of the characters remind me of my loved ones. Blade’s mother, I based her on my own loving mother, who made this book real. This book is a massive part of me.

So, this one is for my beautiful mum.

PROLOGUE

What does the word family truly mean? To some people it is a bond that runs so deep, it’s nearly impossible to break. To others, it is just the simple and mere fact that they are related to somebody. It could be
a partner, or a child, perhaps
a close friend that has been in the family for a l
ong while. The word family means
many different things; I thought I knew what it meant… turns out I did not.

I have an easy life; no heart ache, no pain. My family give me everything I want; everything I need. I do as I please, and I never thought twice about it until I met a real family. I honestly thought I had found everything I needed. Love, happiness and money. It turns out I was wrong; I had no idea what love was and I certainly did not know the meaning of family and happiness. Everything had been so easy for me, too easy it seemed.

I don’t give a second thought to the less fortunate; it isn’t that I’m selfish; I just never have to think about it. I never realized how hard some people struggle to get a meal on the table, or to get a child to a doctor. I didn’t know the lengths they would go to, to make sure their family were well. I didn’t know that,
I
would be the key to freedom and happiness for one family… even if it was done in the completely wrong way….

CHAPTER 1

Hands clasp my mouth; I can’t breathe. I can’t think. I can’t move. A heavy body flings over mine crushing me into the mattress. I scream; nothing but a muffled sound comes out. His hand is pressing too hard over my mouth. Mummy, where is mummy? Dad? Someone? Help me.

“Shut it, if you scream I am going to kill your family.”

My family. Not my family. I love my family. I whimper and clench my eyes shut. It is the only way, the only way to deal with this. To take myself to a world where it isn't real…

“Emerson, wake up.”

I shift in my bed and peer up at my brother; he is leaning over me grinning. His green eyes bore into mine; I moan and roll over.

“Go away Mark.”

“Come on! I had to come up here and get your lazy ass out of bed, so you better do me proud by going down there.”

“Yeah yeah.”

He shoves me once more before walking out. I roll from the bed and whine. I hate mornings. I plod down the stairs and see my family sitting around the breakfast bar. It brings a touch of a smile to my lips.

“Morning princess.” Daddy smiles as I walk over and kiss his head.

“Morning daddy.”

“How did you sleep Em?” My mother smiles.

“Um, fine. I am going into town with Caleb today. He will be here soon.” I mutter, picking up a piece of toast.

“Oh where are you going?” My mother asks with bright eyes and a smile that knocks most men dead.

“I don’t know.”

“Don’t be snappy, I was only asking.”

I huff and chew on my toast.

“So that boy isn’t trying anything still is he?” My father asks looking up from his newspaper.

“No daddy, he knows I don’t want that.” I cringe.

“He better know it, or I will make sure he knows it.”

“I am eighteen Daddy. I can make my own choices.”

“Fair enough, but it doesn’t mean I want him doing things you don’t want.”

“He won’t, I won’t let him!” I mumble.

“Good girl.”

“I’m going to get changed.”

I turn and walk back up the steps, shaking my head at my family. They are casual…too casual. I dress in a light summer dress and pull on some sandals before heading out front to wait for Caleb. I sit on the steps of our massive house in Los
Angel
es. I have lived in this house all my life; it is all I have ever known. It is huge; three stories high and made of white panels. It has an enormous balcony running around the entire length of the ground floor. Beautiful gardens surround the base, with blooming
colorful
flowers.

I peer over the road at the ocean and sigh, letting the salty wind wash over my face. I love walking out to this every morning. Enjoying the rich, salty air. My blonde hair blows around my face, and I push it back huffily. Damn hair. I fiddle with my fingers as I wait for Caleb, my current boyfriend. He and I have been dating for a few years now, but things are rocky. They always have been.

Caleb's car zooms around the corner, pulling up with a screech. It is a little red
Ferrari
. His parents are also exceptionally rich. Caleb is a handsome man, he is only about two years older than me. He is the captain of his football team. He has broad shoulders and light skin. His eyes are a light blue, and his hair is blonde, though he keeps it quite short.

“Hey beautiful.” He grins, getting out of the car and sliding around to kiss me.

“Hey.”

“Come on, let’s get out of here.” He smiles and opens the passenger door for me. I get in, and he walks back around to his seat. Getting in, he guns the car and speeds off. Typical male.

“So, what is on the agenda today? I know a little haven where no one can see us.” He hints, grinning at me.

“I told you no Caleb, why do you keep pushing?”

“Aww, come on Emerson. We have been together so long. Don’t I do anything for you?” He complains.

“It’s not that, and you know it. I…am not ready.”

“Everyone else is doing it.” He mutters.

“I am not everyone else.”

“Clearly!”

My heart throbs at his comment. He has no idea what I have been through, no idea why I don’t want to go there with him. He is so pushy, so harsh. I glare at him; he doesn’t take any notice. I come up with something to side track him for a few days at least. Until I could come up with a better plan.

“Okay, I will make you a deal.” I say, and he glances at me.

“What?”

“I will do it with you on the night of our big party, only if you stop pushing me.”

“Deal!” He grins.

“Great, now let’s stop this talk. Where do you want to go?”

“Beach?”

“Cool.”

We drive to the far town beach and make our way onto the soft sand and lay out our towels. I lay back and moan as the sun kisses my skin. I am naturally olive, so I brown up nicely. Caleb lays beside me, and we soak up rays, together we must look like a stunning couple. My Blonde hair, brown eyes and olive skin and Caleb’s jock look. We laze in the sun for a few hours, before I roll and face Caleb.

“I better go, or I will never be ready for that party tonight.”

“Who
s
e
house is it at?” He asks sitting up.

“Summer
’
s.”

“Right, let’s go, and I will drop you off. I will go get ready and come back to fetch you.”

“Alright.”

We make our way back home. After I kiss Caleb goodbye, I walk into the house. Mum and Dad have not even noticed how long I have been gone. No one is waiting for me, in fact no-one ever waited for me. They just let me stay out as long as I want.

“Mum?” I call.

“In here Em.” She yells out from the kitchen.

I walk in to find her shuffling about trying to cook something. I have no idea what, she truly cannot cook.

“What are you making?”

“I am trying to make a sponge cake, your father loves them.” She mumbles and wipes flour onto her apron.

“Why don’t you just get Josie to make it?”

“Because Josie is having a day off, I am cooking tonight.” She snarls, insulted.

I giggle, and she glares at me

“Sorry, mum I need to talk to you about something.”

“Shoot.”

“Caleb has been…a little pushy about having sex.”

She drops the wooden spoon she has been holding and turns to me. Her brown eyes are exactly like mine, so I can read her expression. She is horrified, and I know why. She tucks a loose strand of mousy brown hair behind her ear and pats down her apron with flour covered hands.

“Em, don’t you let him push you into doing something you are not ready for.”

“I have to do it someday, I can’t…I can’t…”

“Emy, if you are not ready, you are not ready. You need…time and if he isn't giving it to you...”

“He doesn’t know. He doesn’t mean to be pushy.”

“Maybe it’s time you tell him.”

My face pales. “No. He never needs to know.”

“What if you stay with him, and have one of your nightmares or…”

“Mum, I will deal with that later. For now…I am not ready to tell him.”

“Maybe we need to see Dr Robert’s again.”

“Mother, we are not going back to counseling.”

“I am worried about how this will affect you. After what…”

“Don’t,” I hiss. “Do not say his name around me.”

“Caleb has a right to know.”

“No, that is my right, not his.”

“Ok,” She sighs. “Just think long and hard about what you want to do with him.”

“Right. Thanks.”

She pats my hand, the only affection my mother knows how to show since…since him. I smile and pick up my mobile phone from the desk.

“Well, I am going upstairs to get ready. Summer is having a party tonight.”

“No problem love.”

I walk out sighing. My parents have never questioned where I go or what I do. I am allowed to do as I please; when I please. It kind of bugs me. I run up stairs and quickly have a shower. It is hard to get out; the warm water makes my skin tingle. When I do finally drag myself out, I fix my hair and flick through my clothes looking for something to wear. I find a short black dress; it is very revealing.

Once I am ready; I make my way downstairs, again I can’t see anyone. I walk into my
father’s
study; he is typing on his computer.

“Hey daddy, I am going now.” I say, interrupting him.

“Okay.” He says without even looking up.

“Don’t you want to know where?” I murmur.

“Where?” He asks, looking up. His face hardens at my outfit.

“Summer’s party.”

“Dressed like that?”

“Yeah…”

“Alright,
well
be careful princess. Call me if you need a lift.” He smiles, turning back towards his computer.

“Alright daddy, bye…” I sigh and walk out. Another empty reaction from my parents.

I wait for Caleb out the front. When he shows up, I quickly jump in the car. He looks downright handsome tonight. He is wearing his football shirt; it is white and fits snugly around his shoulders. He smells yummy, and he is clean shaven. I have to admit it is hard sometimes to resist him.

“Wow Em, you look hot!” He grins, putting his hands behind my head and pulling me in towards him. We kiss for a long moment.

“Thanks, you too.”

“Let’s go!”

Summer is my best friend. She lives over the other side of town, in the richer area. Her house is massive, at least twice the size of mine. When we arrive there are loads of people pilling into her house. Some are on the balcony, others in the pool. We get out of the car, and Caleb rushes off to a group of his footy mates, nice.

I w
alk inside, looking around for S
ummer. After bumping into about five drunken girls, I finally see her talking to a girl we go to school with. Summer is gorgeous, the kind of girl that stops men in their tracks. She has long, thick brown hair and brown eyes. She has skin like a china doll and legs to no end. She is without fail, one of the prettiest girls around.

“Summer!” I smile hugging her.

“Hey beautiful! I thought you weren’t going to come.”

“Sorry, Caleb took his time getting ready.”

“Where is he?” She smiles looking around.

“Outside with the boys. So come on, give me a drink.”

She pours me a vodka and orange, and we all sit around talking and drinking. It is always fun to come to Summer
’
s parties. She does throw a good bash.

“I can’t wait for your party Em. I can’t believe your parents are throwing such a huge party for you.” Summer laughs, excitedly.

“Well they didn’t give me one at graduation, they owe me one now.”

“True that!” She agrees.

“So who are you bringing?”

“I don’t know; there are no good looking men left, You got the good one.”