In Love With My Step-Brother

under his care

Ashlyn POV

It was hard for me to survive the cold night in an under-construction building. There were big pillars, a concrete floor and roof, but there were no walls or partitions to divide it into rooms. Most of the concrete was covered in green moss indicating the site was abandoned. Thankfully, it provided me with shelter when everyone left me.

When the early morning light fell on me, I sat leaning on the cold pillar. I was shaking like a leaf, but my forehead was hot like lava. The fever was hitting every part of my body, and I was feeling very uncomfortable.

Taking my cell phone out as I checked it, I found numerous missed calls. They were from my so-called best friend, ex-boyfriend and my mother. All the betrayals' caller IDs were flashing on my screen all at once. It made me sick to my stomach.

I couldn't hold back the fuss for long as the hunger strangled my stomach. A long time ago when I was under my mother's second husband's care, I, experienced this hunger. My mother had promised that this would never happen again, but it turns out she was just good at lying.

She got another husband even after saying she would not remarry. In addition, she abandoned me even after her promise to never leave me.

More I thought about it, the more I felt blood boiling, but it was not helping with my present situation. Lastly, I was left with no other option than dial a number that was still engraved in my memory.

The number which I had never thought I would ever call was on my dial screen. After I pulled it near my ear, the more I heard the ring, the more my heartbeat rose. A part of me wanted it to be answered, and another part was there which wanted the opposite.

When the person finally answered, I got victory for myself and, as a celebration, I whispered, “Dad!”

My high hopes were dropped hard the second I heard him say, “Why are you calling me? Didn't I make it clear that I have nothing to do with you?”

“But dad–” before my sentence got period, he hung up on me.

“No! No! You can't do this to me.” Burying my face on my thigh, I cried out. “Why would you even bring me into this world when all you thought of doing was to abandon me? Why?”

Suddenly, I heard something around me. Lifting my head, I looked around. There was nothing. Thinking it was just my illusion, I reached out for my luggage.

However, I saw a big rat clinging to its handle. I screamed in terror, stepping back. Stumbling on my feet, I fell hard on my butt.

Soon I found out it was not alone. All their kinds were around the building, and now they were coming towards me.

I was taken aback by the story that my second step-dad had narrated when I was just ten. The story was about rats biting a man to death. However, my musophobia hadn't kicked in until I was locked in a storeroom as punishment by him. The rats running all over the place, including my feet, had me imagine being killed by them.

Since that day, I have prayed not to be encountered by rats ever again. Since destiny was playing games with me, I didn't think I would encounter them at that moment.

In the moment of panic, only one person came to my mind as my rescuer. The person who had rescued me from that storeroom as well. Hastily, I reached out for my cell phone, watching all the rats coming closer.

My heart was beating out loud and chills were running down my spine. My tears had already found their way down to my cheeks.

The moment she answered, I cried out, “Mom! Mom! save me! Please! Mom, they are gonna kill me. Mom, please–”

The phone died, not allowing me to talk for long. "No! No!" I tried to turn it on, but it was futile.

With no option left, I found my way out of the building. I kept on running. Time and again, I looked across my shoulder to check if they were following.

Abruptly, I ended up stumbling on a car and falling on my butt.

“Hey! Hey!” a familiar voice approached me. “I am here for you!”

Looking up when I saw Xavier, I got up at once and hugged him tightly.

“Xavier, Xavier, save me! They are gonna kill me!”

He gently rubbed my back, saying, “Shh! Don't worry, everything is going to be fine. I will not let anyone hurt you. Shh!”

When I was a little bit calm under his care, I pulled away. The sense of awkwardness which was nowhere a while ago was there. And I had no other way to tackle it than lower my head. I don't know if it was me shaking like a leaf or his genuine concern which made him wrap me in his warm jacket.

I was taking in the solace of warmth and his mint scent from his jacket, when suddenly he grabbed my arms, and asked, “Tell me who it was?”

I glanced at him. His eyes were not cold like the previous day. And his tone was filled with concern. My heart was finally heated by his warmth. I could finally see shelter above my head and food on my plate.

“The rats they were–” before I could complete my words, suddenly he shoved me, yelling, “What the hell?”

Pointing at me, he grumbled, “You!” He paused and took a deep breath. I was not able to process what happened or what wrong I uttered.

“Unbelievable!” he grumbled before returning to his car.

As he drove away, I was once again all alone.