The Plague

Chapter Twelve Special

I guess he saw me, because he started walking towards me.
"Hello?" He asked, then he found me. Oh no. No, no, no, no, no.
"Hey, are you okay? What's your name?" He asked, looking at me with concern. At least he's nice, right? And good looking with his light brown hair and blue eyes.
"Mary," I whispered, and I realized I was shaking.
"Um, why don't you come to my place to get you back to your parents," he suggested, and I shook my head.
"You can't just stay here in the woods, you're just a little girl. Please, come with me?" He asked again, and I reluctantly nodded.
"My name's David. How old are you, Mary?" David asked, that name suits him well.
"13," I whispered, slowly getting up as we started walking.
"So, any reason you don't want to see your parents?" He asked gently, and I didn't even realize I was crying until he wiped my tears away. God, he's just like Cole.
"I... they're my foster parents...and they wanted t-to s-send," I stuttered, more tears coming out, "to the S-school."
His eyes became wide, and he looked shocked, and like he understood.
"Look, I understand. I will help you get away, that place is horrible. My brother has been that since..." He said, lowering it to a whisper, "since he was five. He has psychosis and is bipolar. It's been ten years since my parents have shipped him there. I've hated them since then, and I'm lived alone for four years, after I turned eighteen," he explained, so he's twenty, still young. Says the thirteen year old...
"Well, I've recently gotten a roommate, his name's Thomas. He's probably at the gym right now," he said, as the brush got thinner and I could see a house. It looked like your average two story house, with a khaki exterior and black door.
"Home sweet home," he sighed, and I chuckled. I looked around at the new surroundings, everything very neat and clean. With two guys, I'm was expecting a pigsty, and I was impressed. As soon as we walked in, there was an open area with a couch, recliner, a television, coffee table, and bookshelves on either side of the television, and a fireplace under the TV. To the left of that looked like a sun room, with lots of windows, a back door, and a dining table for four people. To the right of the living room is the kitchen, with a big marble island in the middle with stools, with lots of cabinets, and the obvious refrigerator, stove, microwave, pantry, and sink. And then the stairs leading upstairs once you make a left.
"You hungry?" David asked, and I nodded.
"Uh, I have fruit, granola bars, frozen pizza, cereal, leftover spaghetti, chips... What sounds good?" He asked again, spaghetti sounds good.
"Spaghetti please," I said, pulling my best innocent look. After two minutes in the microwave, it was ready and I was ravenous.
"Careful, it's hot," David warned me, and I blew on it then ate some.
"So... I'm just curious, how long am I staying here?" I asked, taking another bite.
"As long as you want to. I'll provide everything, if you're okay with that," he said, making himself cereal.
"What?" I asked, shocked, "that's too much."
"Look, I know it's weird, but you're like a little sister to me. As soon as I saw you I knew I had to take care of you," he admitted.
"Why? I'm nothing...special," I muttered.
"Yes, you are. I guess you remind me of my little brother, but I know I need to protect you, keep you. I know it sounds creepy, but, I just know you're special."
"You know, you can adopt me. But, we'd have to do everything legally, but not really. I can change my name and appearance. But, even being here is too much," I said, a tad disappointed if he said no.
"Good idea! Mary, can I adopt you? Not officially of course," He grinned, and I nodded. Wow, that was fast. In an hour he wants to be my dad. Wow... just wow.
"Are you ready to take on responsibilities as a parent? An actual parent, to love, nurture, provide, and protect me?" I asked, if David was my father, he needs to be a good parent.
"Yes. I am responsible, and capable of raising a child. You seriously thought I didn't really consider that?" He asked, giving me a puzzled face. Taking a deep breath, he said something I'd never forget.
"Do you remember the man that was following you home?"
My jaw dropped, my world spinning.