We'd found her. We'd finally found her.

We heard her screams of agony, and we ran like hell. But we were too late; he'd already ruined her. She's still perfect, don't get me wrong. I still love her with every part of my being, and I'd never give up or turn my back on her. But it wasn't hard to see; she was broken -- completely shattered. And it physically pained me to see it.

After we'd found her, Xavier hastily wrapped her up in his arms and covered her with his jacket. And Cole and I gave that monster what he deserved: a good, hard beating.

We punched, kicked, and tore him apart until he was on the brink of death. But we didn't kill him. We didn't want to give him the relief and satisfaction that came with a quick death. We wanted to make it as slow and painful as possible.

And, as much as I hate to admit it, we needed the fucker. We still didn't know where that backstabbing bitch, Sarah, was.

And it pains me even more to think that she could hurt our angel. That she would betray her trust and kindness.

It's been two months, and we finally have a lead. After we rescued Avelyn and abducted Ian, Sarah never showed up for school. I guess she realized we'd taken her little boyfriend for questioning, and knew that it would somehow trace back to her.

And it did. Finally.

After the two months of torture we'd been putting the leech through, he finally talked. He refused for a long time, not wanting to put Sarah in danger. But sooner or later, even the monsters will crumble -- just like the rest of us.

He fessed up to Sarah's possible whereabouts yesterday, and Xavier and Cole left to find her soon after, leaving me with Ava.

Ever since the incident, she didn't talk to us for two weeks. Two fucking weeks.

For two weeks, she didn't talk, eat, let us touch her, or leave her room. We tried to get her to eat, but it was all a pointless pursuit. We would've force-fed her, but we were afraid that she'd begin to resent us. And even though we knew she'd be alright because of her fast, angel, healing thing, it didn't make the sight any better or easier to witness. But finally, we had a breakthrough.

She cried.

And I know that sounds terrible -- that we'd be happy that she fucking cried. But after her not even showing the slightest bit of emotion, we were happy with anything.

Now, she's speaking. She's eating. She's welcomed our touch once again. And she's finally come out of that damned room. Though she doesn't say much, and we still haven't talked about what happend, but it's still enough to make my heart swell in joy and relief.

She'll never be the same again -- not completely. That much is obvious. But she's beginning to go back to her old, wonderful self.

Right now, I'm laying with her on the couch watching a movie, Beauty and the Beast. Both of our legs are stretched out and tangled along the length of the couch. My back is against the back of the couch, and her back is pressed against my chest. My left arm is draped over her waist, and my right arm rests under head, being used as a make-shift pillow.

The movie is at its end, and we're at the part where the beast gets stabbed. I can hear soft sniffles coming from in front of me, and I immediately forget the movie.

I turn it off and turn Avelyn's body so that it is now facing mine. Now her back is to the television, and her face is clear for me to see. I swiftly tuck the hair that fell in her face behind her ear, and I gently wipe away the tears that are cascading down her angelic face. Her ocean eyes are leaking like waterfalls, and I slowly lean in to kiss her cheek where another stray tear escapes.

She jerks back immediately, and I realized what I've done wrong. My eyes widen, and I hastily try to apologize.

"Shit! I-I'm so sorry, Ava, baby. I forgot, and I wasn't thinking," I begin to ramble, but she stops me by shaking her head.

"It's okay, Ash. I know you didn't mean to. It just took me by surprise. That's all," she reassures, lifting her right hand up to graze my cheek soothingly.

"Baby, why were you crying? Was it because of the movie?" I ask, having a feeling it wasn't. She shakes her head 'no', confirming my assumption.

"Tell me, babygirl. What has you so upset? We can talk about it. I promise, I'll never judge you."

She sighs. "I-I," she stops for a moment, as if she can't find the words. "I just... I'm sorry," she whimpers, more tears forming in her beautiful eyes.

"What? Why? Babe, what could you possibly be sorry about?" I question, confused as to what she's referring to.

"It's my fault," her shoulders slump.

"What's your fault, Avelyn?"

"I'm broken," her voice cracks, and another tear falls. I instantly sit up and look down at her to convey my serious expression, and she looks up at me, surprised by my sudden movement.

"Stop," I say sternly, my voice leaking soft authority. "It's not your fault, Ava. It's ours. We're the ones that failed you. We couldn't save you in time. Hell, we couldn't even protect you from getting kidnapped in the first place. Never blame yourself for things that are out of your control. And don't ever think so low of yourself. Yes, you may be broken. But we will fix you. At first, I thought it might not be possible. But anything is possible with you, Avelyn. You're the strongest person I know, and you can handle anything," my voice holds nothing but finality and adoration. But still, she begins to cry, and I rush to comfort her.

"Baby, why are you crying?"

"Don't worry," she sniffles, wiping away her tears. "These are happy tears," she reassures, giggling softly. "I just can't believe that I was ever blessed with someone as kind as you, and it wasn't your fault, either. None of yours."

Before I get the chance to reply, Xavier's voice is unexpectedly filling my head.

his voice rings through my thoughts.

I ask.

He answers.

is his only response.

he starts.

I'm nodding my head, indicating for him to continue, even though I know that he can't see me.

He informs.

I ask slowly, not sure if I want to know the answer. I look down at Ava to see her curious eyes peering back up at me. But what Xavier says next has me completely dumbfounded, and I jerk back in shock, causing Avelyn to worry.

~~~

My sister, my poor sister. I've found her. After all this time, I've finally found her. It's been years since I last saw her. Seventeen, actually. Ever since she was taken from us when she was just a baby. My family -- our family -- was devastated at her disappearance. And we've been searching for her ever since. Well, we were, until our parents died last year. They were murdered ruthlessly by vampires. So for the past year, it's just been me, and I've been searching relentlessly for her.

But the search is over. I've officially found her, and she's with a pack of wolves. Three, to be exact. But they seem to care for her and her well being, so they don't seem to be a threat -- right now, at least. Which means they get to live, unless they ever hurt her. Then they're in for a world of pain.

During my quest to find my long lost sister, I also found out that the people who abducted her seventeen years ago were mere humans. Humans whom abused and tortured her because she was "different". Apparently, they wanted a child but were unable to conceive, so they stole Avelyn away from us -- from me. I was so furious that anyone would dare to lay a hand on my dear sister, but when I went out to seek vengeance on them, I'd found that they were already dead. They were killed by a vampire; one that wanted to kidnap Avelyn once more for her blood.

I found said vampire, and I killed her, brutally and mercilessly. I even left a message with the leech's blood.

Nobody fucks with my sister.

And if they do, they'll soon taste my wrath. But all is well now, because I'll be meeting her soon. Very soon. I'll show her what it feels like to be in a real family -- to be loved by a brother who cares for her. And even her dogs can join us, if she so desires. Because I'll give her anything she wants, just to make up for lost time and her horrid, undeserved life. To make up for what should've been, but never was.

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Sorry for the short chapter, guys. But I thought that I should get something out. It's unedited, but I hope that it will suffice. Thanks for reading! And as always...

Until next time...

Sincerely,

The Annoying Author Lady