Trial 6: What I was missing in the Past version 1.0

I stop my struggles against Dashiell and seem to have spaced out, thinking, "It's mama. Mama's really alive like what papa said. But to think that mama's here with this Dashiell guy. Could it be that Dashiell is a part of her new family now? But the way she looks at me doesn't seem to say so. Besides, I don't think that mama will exchange me for someone like this Dashiell. I bet Dashiell and his minions kidnapped her and took her as a hostage. Whatever it is, I need to save mama. We need to run away."

As Dashiell noticed I have stopped struggling against him, he gets off of me.

He starts, "Good, you've calmed down. I think you're ready to listen then."

Without a warning, I did the unexpected; I stepped on Dashiell's left foot causing him to scream "OUCH." I then went to mama's side.

"Mama, let's get out of here while he's still in pain. He must have been the one who kidnapped you. He took away our time together as a family. When we get out, let's turn him into the cops."

Mama just gave a shocked look on her face and said, "No, we don't need to. This place is safe. Alaine, calm down."

"Mama, what's wrong? Did he drug you too?"

"No, no. Alaine, listen to me."

"Did the antihistamine did a big number on you for real that you've lost your common sense or are you just a plain idiot? Like seriously, what the hell, woman? After all the hell I've gone through just to get you safely in this bunker, this is what you're doing in return? You're obviously the unbelievable one," interjected an exasperated Dashiell.

"What? That's so rich coming from filth like you who dragged an innocent person like me into this mess," came a riposte from me.

"Shut up, idiot! You never listen when it's needed yet you don't take a grain of salt to whatever some sugarcoated words you hear from other people. Just because someone's acting all friendly, you can already trust that person fully. That's why you always get dragged into some mess," continued Dashiell.

"It's exactly as you said so why should I listen to you? If you brought me here for some creep games of yours, thanks but NO thanks! You can go around and play with them by yourself, for all I care! Have fun, you nuts!"

"Oh! I'm the one who's nuts now? Well, whatever you say, IDIOT! I'm out of here!"

Dashiell turned away from me and walked out of the room.

Mama just shook her head and let Dashiell go causing me to ask, "Mama, why aren't you doing anything against him? He needs to pay for his crimes. Let's send him behind the bars so we can live a peaceful life together."

Again, Mama shook her head, "Alaine that's not it. You don't get it at all. You got it all wrong. Dashiell isn't our enemy. Please listen to us first."

"Mama, what are you talking about? That Dashiell drugged me and used chloroform on me. How can you say he's not our enemy? Is Dashiell a part of your new family now? Is that why you left me and papa?"

"Alaine, no, that's not true," denied mama.

"Then what, mama? You left me when I was just a little girl. You made me believe you were dead for years. Did you possibly, order Dashiell to do what he did to me? I guess I was wrong about you. Papa probably lied to me to cover up for you and prevent me from hating you. Don't worry, mama, I get it now; you choose a family with that nuts in. I'm leaving. I wish you happiness."

Mama keeps shaking her head, denying every speculation that I threw at her, all the while shedding tears.

I start to walk away from her.

On the other hand, mama follows behind and pleads, "Alaine, don't walk away. It's dangerous outside. Please listen to me one last time."

I ignore mama's pleading and continue walking while mama follows behind, still pleading. It didn't take that long until we reached the living room where Dashiell is seated.

At the sight of us, Dashiell guffawed then, voiced out a snarky comment, "Whoa! Aunt Mari can't make her listen too! I'm not surprised here. I just can't wrap my mind around the fact that she's your daughter though, Aunt Mari."

The last 2 words from Dashiell are what stopped me in my tracks.

Dashiell didn't fail to take notice of it so he asked, "Oh! What made you stop? Did your body stop functioning just as your mind did?"

"What did you just say?" I asked.

.

"I just said the truth, didn't I?" came a sarcastic reply from Dashiell.

"No, that's not what I was referring to. What did you just call mama?" I inquired.

"I called her Aunt Mari out of my RESPECT for her. Do you have a problem with that?" answered Dashiell.

Just then, two men came into view.

A man with a mustache commented, "Son, don't talk like that to a lady. She's Mariangelise's daughter. It's been forever since they last saw each other so it's only natural that the lady is confused right now."

The other man added, "Good grief, Dashiell, you really need to fix your way of talking to ladies or you'll never win the heart of the lady you like. More importantly, you don't use to be like that; not until you turned 12. Sometimes, I wish you just remained little."

The last remark caused the man with a mustache to speak again, "Now, now, doctor, don't randomly wish for something crazy."

The other man apologized. The next thing is both of them laughed.

Dashiell stood up from the sofa and said, "Dad, you're both late. I thought I am done facing hell after retrieving this LADY but it turns out it's the other way around."

I'm flabbergasted due to the turn of events so I gave the newly arrived men a questioning look.

"Oops doctor, it looks like we made the lady even more confused than she already is," noticed the man with the mustache.

The other man nods and starts talking, "Pardon the late introduction, young lady. This man with a mustache here is Thomas Klein, Dashiell's dad. I'm Dr. Alois Harlow, at your service. Call me Dr. Al, for short. It's nice to finally meet you in person."

"It certainly is nice to finally meet a dear friend's daughter. It's Alaine, right? By the way, you can call me uncle or whatever suits you is fine with me," continued the man with the mustache.

After their introduction, Mr. Thomas nags Dashiell, "Now son, why don't you introduce yourself again? Make it proper this time."

Dashiell hissed and reasoned, "What's the sense, dad? This idiot won't even listen. I bet a lifetime isn't enough to make her see eye to eye with any of us here."

"Dashiell, watch your mouth. Respect the lady just as you respect Mariangelise. She's Mariangelise's daughter so she'll warm up to us for sure," scolded Thomas.

Dashiell just clicks his tongue.

Mr. Thomas turns to me and apologizes, "Alaine, I apologize for my son's behavior. He isn't what you think he is. I know you're confused right now but please understand that we were out of options and time's running which is why my son did what he did to you."

I remain quiet, trying to think things through.

"Tch! See that dad. I told you, it's no use. Even after Aunt Mari's pleading, it didn't work. She can't even listen, let alone understand. Let her be, dad. I bet she wants to tell us that she's better off with that lunatic Dr. Quack Quack Foley," remarked Dashiell.

After a fleeting moment, I turn to Dashiell unexpectedly, grab his hands, and begin, "Dashiell, I'm sorry. I didn't think enough. Sorry, I must have hurt your feelings. It's just what Mr. Thomas said; I'm confused and shocked. I didn't know who to trust. I didn't know who my enemy is. I just don't know anything at all."

Dashiell only turns his head away from me with his eyes closed.

I continue voicing my apologies. This time, I address my apologies to Mr. Thomas and Dr. Alois as I turn my attention to them while still holding onto Dashiell's hands.

Lastly, I look at mama, "Mama, I'm so sorry for falsely accusing you. Please forgive me for hurting your feelings and for losing my faith in you."

Mama smiles gladly in between sobs, "It's all fine now. I understand why you acted that way. I'm sorry too, for leaving you and papa Loic. You can't imagine how I lived for this day to arrive."

Dashiell interrupts our conversation, "Now that you admitted that you're an idiot, I accept your apology. So, how long are you going to hold my hands? Did you find them to your liking?"

My face flushes in embarrassment and I release Dashiell's hands then apologize, "I'm sorry for touching your PRECIOUS hands. And, I'm not an idiot!"

Dashiell only snickers in amusement, "Sure, whatever you say."

The other three people in the room couldn't contain it anymore so they laugh audibly.

I'm not amused with it so I clear my throat, "Um, so once again, it's nice to meet you all. I'm all ears now so please tell me everything that you have to."

"Heh, are you sure you can follow through," taunts Dashiell.

"Gosh! I already apologized to you. Do you have to imply that I'm an idiot," reacts a discomfited me.

Mr. Thomas steps into the talk, "Son, don't tease the lady that much. Now, why don't we all go to the dining table and eat a late dinner together? I think Alaine must be really hungry now."

I confirm Mr. Thomas' assumption when my stomach elicits a soft but audible stomach growl which causes everyone to laugh.

"That's what I meant earlier," says Dashiell in between laughs.

My face flushes again.

Mama goes to me and takes my hand, "Let's go, Alaine. I prepared a meal for us."

I nod and let mama lead me to the dining area. Everybody followed suit.