I woke with the sound of the rain from the outside. My eyes wandered around the unfamiliar room before I felt a hand squeezed my own from under the blanket. Perplexed, I looked at the space beside me and was relieved to see Tamara sleeping soundly, despite the tight hold she has on my hand. I brush her hair back from her face before slowly tugging my hand away from her grip. She groans and grips my hand tighter before loosening and going back to sleep.

I looked at the window and prayed that the rain doesn't get any louder than it is now. I would hate to see Tamara stuck in one of her nightmares.

"I love you baby girl." I whispered to her before dropping a kiss on her cheek.

I gently got out of bed, careful not wake up Tamara from her deep slumber. I tucked the blanket around her tighter, making sure she is warm and comfortable before leaving the room altogether.

As I have expected, Dy is waiting for me. I found him in the dining table with a box of pizza in front of him. I watched him watch me approach him with a calculating gaze of his. I stayed silent and took the seat next to him with a tired sigh.

I have not had a good night sleep since yesterday. My mind refuses to let me rest until I know who tattled to the media about Mara and Dy's trip to that flower farm. I refuse to let myself be fooled by the thinking that Mara is home, safe with Dy. If I let myself be comfortable with that thought, I'm scared that I might get the rug pulled beneath me.

I don't think I can still live if I see Mara in that state ever again. Her fearful eyes. The way she flinches when people unintentionally raise their hands around her. The way she got suspicious of everyone around her. The way she trembled in fear when some unknown person touches her without her permission.

I don't think I can watch another episode of Mara breaking down. I don't think I can bear the sight of her crying and begging me to save her despite being beside her.

I won't have to if I act right and prevent anyone from triggering such a reaction from Mara.

"You okay?" Dustyn's question breaks me out from my reverie. I can feel his eyes on the side of my face. But I refuse to look at him. If anyone could read me, it would be Dustyn. He would know what I was thinking if I let him see every reaction I have. He would know.

"I guess." I said, my eyes focused on the box of pizza he put in front of me. I didn't find it appetizing despite the growling hunger I have. "Can I have some water?" Dustyn stood up and grabbed a glass of water that I asked for without saying a word. "Thanks, man."

"I heard about Amelia. Does Jack know?"

I sagged back against the chair, my eyes watching the rain as it falls harder as the seconds pass. Does Dad know? That's a good question. I have that question myself and as the memory of him always siding with Amelia plagued my mind, so did the possibility that he might know. What even bothers me is that he might not even believe me even if I tell him. "I haven't told him yet. I think... I think Dad might not believe me."

"He will. Jack will believe you, no matter what." Dustyn said with conviction. He truly believes that Dad would. How can he be so sure?

I trusted Dad to take care of Mara while I was away to university. I thought he would take care of her the way Mom wanted us to. I thought he would always be there for her despite being newly wed to his second wife. Although I had second thoughts with Amelia, I trusted Dad enough to know that he would protect Mara if Amelia did anything to my sister.

That didn't turn out the way I imagined.

Mara was abducted. Kidnapped right under his nose and he didn't even know until days have passed. Two days. No one knew where Mara was. No one knew what to do. No one knew where to look for her. Where to start looking because its been two days.

I didn't know what to do. All I knew is that I failed Mom. I failed Mara. I failed to protect her despite all of my efforts. I failed.

I think my trust in him started to wane when that happened.

I shake my head, denying Dustyn's claims. "Dad was never one to be swayed by any woman except for Mom. She always had the guts to call him off or even pinch his ear." I said, recalling the memories I had when Mom was still alive. I was young but I always envied the love they had for each other. "But I've never seen Dad close his eyes to the truth so many times."

When Amelia came into our lives, it was like Dad became blind. He believed Amelia, even when people told him not to. He chose her side too many times rather than our side. He keeps on doing it that I've come to a point where I've started to doubt him. Can I really trust him? Or has Dad become the person who would come after Mara because of her future inheritance?

"Jack will never abandon you or Mara. Specially Mara. May made us all promise we will protect her." He said, reminding me of that time when Mom was in her death bed. Entrusting us with the baby in her arms.

Mom died from the injuries she incurred from a car accident on her way home. She was a well known photographer before she married Dad. She was coming home from a seminar she did in a school to encourage those who wanted to pursue photography.

I still remember Dad frantically telling me to get dressed while he gets Mara ready. I didn't remember the ride to the hospital. But when we got there, the doctors looked at us with pity. They couldn't save Mom. They told us she only has at least an hour to live before her body gives up. I remember Dad crying while hugging Mara close to his chest. The pain and heart break written all over his face. We didn't waste a second on arguing and pleading with the doctor to save her. We ram straight to Mom's room. And despite the situation she is in, she welcomed us with a smile.

The last memory I had of her was of her smiling as she tells me that I'm going to be the best big brother who would protect his sister.

This would be the first time I heard her name from another person since Amelia married Dad. She erased every memory of Mom in the house. At least tried to. It was one of the reason why I had our space protected with password and fingerprint despite Dad's protests. I wanted to protect Mom's memory for Mara. She didn't know Mom. She has no memory of her except for pictures and things that Mom left behind.

I did everything so Mara could at least get a grasp on how awesome our Mom is.

"You don't know how many time he let Mara down. I don't think I trust him anymore Dy." I felt the weight of my words. The reality finally crashing down on my tired body and mind. I don't trust Dad anymore. That must be the most painful realization I have had so far in life.

How can a child not trust their own parent?

I have made Dustyn at a loss for words. I know he envies my family, at least what it used to be. I know there's that gap between his mom and him. I could easily figure out is going on inside Dy's mind as my words do their impact on him.

"I just.. I don't want to fail Mara again." I sighed. The heaviness in my heart that I have been carrying since that day seemed to get heavier. "I have to do it right this time, Dy. I have to."

Right after I said that, a loud thunder after a lightning filled the room. Then that loud scream that made my whole body react like it was a normal occurrence happened.

I felt the hair on my neck stood up as I heard her scream. Racing to the room, we found her at the far end of it. Sitting on the floor, hugging her legs tight to her and rocking herself. I could see the tremble in her shoulder, the way she shivered as memories plague her mind, bringing her back to the day we both know would pull her into the darkness even more.

"Baby girl.." I muttered in despair as I watch as she tries to crawl back up to the wall further despite already leaning on it. Away from the half opened window and away from the door. Her shaking continues even more as her eyes widen at the sight of us.She is quick to avert her gaze, as if she couldn't believe she is letting herself be seen by others like this.

Dustyn stood far behind me, too shock to move or say anything as he watches everything unfold in front of his very eyes. He suddenly approaches Mara which made me raise up my hand to stop him. Any closer and Mara would fall deeper into her memories.

Before I could say a word, another loud thunder was released by the skies. The rain getting louder and heavier with every drop. Followed by the familiar scream of Mara which made me jump.

"Don't come close yet. She needs to be calm or she'll fall deeper into her memories." I warned him in a low voice, my eyes stuck on my sister.

Whenever it rains, Mara would be visibly shaken. She would try her best to hide it, but I saw through everything she went through. She would shake, be cautious of the people around her. She tends to walk near a door for a clear exit. Tends to wring her fingers a hundred of times. She just seemed panicked, like someone would jump at her from nowhere.

Slowly, the memories of that event succumbs her consciousness. Stuck in a daydream with no way out.

"Shortcake.." Dy calls out to her.

She seemed to be fighting with her self as she tries hard to stop her shaking. I can see her mouth move and hear her whispers. It seemed to work as she stopped shaking but I could still hear her crying to herself.

No matter how painful it is to watch her like this, I couldn't do anything. I could only watch and bring her back with my talking. I could only guide her back to reality before it gets worse. That's the only thing I could because I failed to protect her in the first place. I failed and I have to endure this painful sight in front of me.

I feel like closing my eyes or looking away. Even better, punching the man who did this to her. But I can't. I can't do any of that. I'm useless.

"Baby, I'm right here." I choked the words out. Feeling the swell of tears in my eyes as I crouch down to her level from where I was standing. "Dy's here too."

Dy seemed to jump at the mention of his name. I motioned for him to crouch next to me. I feel it's going to take the both of us to pull her away from her memories this time.

"Shortcake." He choked as he called her. "I'm here. We'll protect you, okay?" His voice softer. Just like how he talks to Mara when she gets scared when we were younger. He did that best. Protect her from things that scared her. I was never cut out for it.

Tamara looks straight at us. She's still caught in her memories but her eyes aren't so dull as it was earlier. She's fighting it. She always has. "Dustyn?"

Dustyn was quick to respond to Mara. "I'm here shortcake. Take my hand?" He asked as he lays out his hand for her. Mara stares at it. Looking like it could be a bait for her to take.

"Alec.. Alec?"

I sighed. She might be fighting but her mind is still lost in her memory. I watch as tears suddenly fall from her eyes. "I'm here baby girl. Always."

"You weren't there." She said, in a whisper. "Al. Save me."

I hold back my tears at her words. I want to tell her how sorry I am that I wasn't. I want her to know that I did everything I can to save her, to take her back. "I'm sorry baby. I really am."

"Shortcake, Al did everything. Didn't you tell me you trust him?" Dy said. He's talking like he's done this a hundred time while I'm fumbling for words to calm her down.

Mara nods her head lightly before looking Dy's hand once again. Slowly, she releases the hold she has of her knees. She crawls closer to us but still puts enough distance. She reaches out a shaking hand and places it on Dy's hand. And we both released a sigh.

"I'm sorry Al." She says before Mara completely losses her consciousness. Dy is quick to catch her head before she hit the carpeted floor. I watch Dy pick her up and place her on his bed.

"She'll be out for a while." I said in a whisper.

Mara's grip on Dy's hand is tight. She doesn't want to let go that hand. It might take all night before she finally does. Despite having pulled her out of her memories, I know she could still be experiencing the side effects of having that episode again. Having a tight grip on Dy's hand should comfort her enough so she could sleep the rest of the night without any worries.

"Stay with her." I ordered Dy softly who hasn't made a move to leave her side. His eyes stuck on the tear streaked face of Mara.

"I don't think I can leave, Al." He said.

I know he has questions. Hundreds of them. I know he's confused and suspicious of what could've happened to make Mara this way. I want to tell him but the story is not mine to share. Mara would tell him when the time comes.

"Good." This time, as I leave the room, I know I can trust him to take care of her. I have done my best to do so and failed. But this time, this time I would make sure to make everyone who is responsible for that accident pay for the crimes they did against my sister.

Don't ever leave Mara, Dy.