Chapter 3, Part 3
1405 Words
Eric Sampson POV
I hurried after Valeria and saw her stop on the sidewalk, looking around frantically before falling to her knees and burying her face in her hands. I heard her scream into her hands as she seemed to realize that she had nowhere to go.
I walked up to her and crouched down next to her.
“This wasn’t your fault, Valeria.” I said softly. “They don’t blame you. They’ve been worried sick for the both of you.”
“I don’t know what to do.” Valeria cried. “They knew Master Myers. They knew things about my powers. They will never stop coming after me. I just… I would never forgive myself if anything happened to them because of me.”
“Hey, nothing’s going to happen.” I said. “And even if someone comes after them, I have no doubt that you could protect them. You protected Aidan today, and based on the reports I’ve been getting from Southwark Bridge, you did it brilliantly.”
“You think so?” Valeria asked.
I nodded and smiled encouragingly.
“Do you want to go back inside?” I asked. “I think there are some people that want to give you a hug.”
Valeria bit her lip and glanced at the house.
“You really don’t think that they are mad?” She asked.
I took her hands and helped her up.
“I’m positive.” I replied. “Annie was actually more worried about you than Aidan. She trusts that you can protect him, but she was worried that it would be traumatic for you.”
Valeria dried her cheeks with her sleeve.
“Okay.” She whispered.
I led her back into the house where Annie, Lucas and Aidan were waiting. When we entered the sitting room, Aidan threw his arms around Valeria’s waist.
“You came back.” He grinned.
“I did.” Valeria whispered and looked at Annie and Lucas hesitantly.
Annie started crying again and hugged Valeria too.
“Thank you.” She sobbed while Lucas joined in on the group hug too. “Thank you for protecting him.”
She caressed Valeria’s hair and smiled gently.
“And thank you for coming back.” She added.
Stood back and watched the wholesome family reunion.
“I’m hungry.” Aidan said.
Annie chuckled.
“I’ll go get you guys something to eat.” She said.
“I’m gonna take my leave now.” I said and took out my phone to call off the search.
“Thanks.” Valeria whispered.
I smiled.
“No, thank you.” I replied.
*
London, United Kingdom
April 30th, 2137
Eric Sampson POV
I leaned back in my chair and sighed. It was almost 3.30 PM and I was almost finished for the day. Yesterday’s shenanigans made me tired and I could still feel the exhaustion lingering.
The intercom buzzed, waking me from my thoughts.
“Valeria Adams is here to see you.”
I frowned.
“Let her in.” I replied and Valeria walked in a moment later.
“Hi.” I said. “Please, have a seat.”
Valeria sat down in one of the chairs in front of my desk and fidgeted with her sleeves.
“Is everything alright?” I asked.
Valeria nodded.
“I’ve been thinking about what you said.” She said quietly. “I like living with Annie and Lucas. The adoption is almost complete. But with everything that happened yesterday, I’m afraid that they are going to get hurt.”
“There is always a risk.” I admitted. “But you did wonderfully yesterday, so I’m not concerned for their safety. I can look around for some security details if you want to.”
Valeria gulped.
“I appreciate that.” She replied. “Maybe you can help me with something else?”
I frowned slightly.
“What’s that?” I asked.
Valeria looked up, and I saw the determination in her eyes.
“I need to practice.” She said. “If anyone ever tries something like this again, I want to be ready. But I can’t just train anywhere, especially with my powers.”
I started to understand where she was going and stood up from my chair.
“Follow me.” I grinned.
“We have training facilities in this building for our operatives.” I explained as we waited for the elevator to arrive at our floor. “Most of the people working here was involved in the operation where we rescued you, and they have all been sworn to secrecy. You can use this training facility and also confer with the tech department if you want to. I’m sure there are a lot of scientists there that would love to help you out.”
Valeria frowned as we got into the elevator, and I quickly added.
“They are experts in physics and chemistry. You don’t have to be worried that they would experiment on you or study you. I was just thinking that they can help you learn how to use your powers in the best way in different scenarios.”
Valeria relaxed slightly and the elevator dinged when we arrived at the lowest floor in the building. There were two gyms, two gymnasiums and a science test hall. I showed Valeria around and told her that she was allowed to use anything she needed. She followed me quietly, staring at the sophisticated facility in awe. When I was finished, I chatted with an engineer in the science hall that managed to give Valeria an access card and full clearance. She looked at Valeria with interest, and Valeria gave her a shy smile back.
When we walked back to the elevator, I handed her the key card and was surprised when she wrapped her arms around my waist.
“Thank you.” She cried.
I hugged her back and chuckled.
“I’m here to help.” I whispered. “Anything for Paul’s little girl.”
Valeria looked up at me with tears in her eyes, but the gratitude shining in them made everything worth it, and I hoped that she was going to be a lot more comfortable with her powers if she had a safe space to train.
*
Hamilton residence.
May 1st, 2137.
*
Valeria POV
The strong smell of hair dye almost made my nostrils burn as Annie stirred the small pot of hair dye. I was sitting on a chair in the bathroom with an old towel wrapped around my shoulders while Aidan had perched himself on the toilet to watch. He pinched his nose and scrunched his face up.
“It smells like hand sanitizer mixed with some donkey’s ass.” He muttered.
“Language.” Annie scolded him while I tried to hide my chuckle.
“Are you really sure you want to dye your hair?” Annie asked.
I nodded.
“I can’t stop my eyes and hair from glowing every time I use my powers.” I replied. “I can regulate how much, but it never really stops. I hope that maybe a darker hair color can tone the glow down a little.”
“Yeah, you kinda looked like Rapunzel when the car went dark.” Aidan said with a nasal voice since he was still pinching his nose.
Annie chuckled while she started to coat my locks with the smelling concoction using a brush.
“I’m sure your hair is beautiful, no matter the color.” She said. “And you’re a secret Disney Princess no matter what.”
Lucas walked in the bathroom.
“Who’s a Disney princess?” He asked.
“Valeria has glowing hair, so she’s a real live Rapunzel.” Aidan grinned.
“Well, it seems you’re right.” Lucas smiled and patted Valeria on the shoulder.
Annie smacked his hand away when he almost touched the dyed parts of my hair.
“You wanna dye the hairs on your hand too?” She scolded. “Hands off!”
Lucas held his hands up.
“Maybe I want to be a Disney princess too.” He joked.
We all laughed, and I felt a warmth in my chest as I looked at my newfound family that somehow managed to just completely accept me no matter what.
There was nothing more precious than that.
- Writer
