chapter 3

Elizabeth's POV:

It felt like hours; I had to clean my hair twice, and my brother showed me a stick of stuff he said was for shaving. But after everything, I felt so clean, my hair was back to its normal colour.

I stood next to the mirror, looking at myself. This was the first time I saw what I looked like. Light blue eyes stare back at me. The good thing was my scars were hardly showing; some of them dried up from all those years I had stayed there.

Letting out a little breath, I walked towards the door and then turned the handle. Looking around Zack's room, I couldn't find him, so I limped towards his bed and lay down. I didn't know if I was allowed to go out or move around freely.

Too busy with my thoughts, I didn't know when Zack came into the room and sat next to me.

"Do you want to meet everyone now?" he asked softly. I gave him a nod and waited for him to move, then I followed slowly because I was still trying to get used to my legs.

I was too busy staring at everything; this was the first time I saw colors and bright lights; it was a little bit disturbing.

"Come on, everyone is in the living room. Also, do you know how to speak?" he questioned. I nodded my head left and right; then he nodded again and let out a sad breath.

With that, we walked into the living room, and then I finally saw their faces. No one said anything, just looked at me like I was a little diamond.

"Princess," my dad whispered, getting up from his seat. I stepped back, feeling like he was about to hit me or something, which didn't go unnoticed by everyone.

"Dad, how are we sure she's our sister? Like, look at her; she looks so tiny and homeless," an older-looking guy said while glaring at me. Two others nodded their heads, believing his words.

Dad didn't say anything; you could tell he was angry, but he didn't want to do anything, just kept on looking at me. Deep down, I was scared out of my mind, but for some reason, I didn't want to run away, so I did something I didn't think I could do.

I walked towards my dad very slowly because of the pain in my legs. Lifting my hair, I pulled a necklace that has been around my neck for a while now. I have always wanted to know why it was there; I haven't opened it before.

On the necklace was a word written on it: "My little star." Looking at it and then Dad, I pointed at the necklace, making everyone's eyes move to me; their eyes grew wide before coming towards me.

"My little star," Ryan spoke softly. "That was what your mom gave you, Princess before she died," Dad said. Nodding my head, my eyes looked around for Zack but couldn't find him.

I looked at the other two who didn't feel like talking to me before looking at Ryan. "Why don't we introduce ourselves, hmmm?" Dad said out loud.

Then all the boys came forward, except Zack. I still don't know where he is.

"I'm Ryan, the last child of the family. I'm 13, and I hope we could be close friends, sissy. Also, can't wait to play all my games with you," Ryan says with a little jump, making me giggle quietly.

"I'm Leo, the first child of the family. I'm 31, and it's nice to meet you again," Leo said, but he didn't look happy.

"I'm Mike, the second child of the family. I'm 28, and yeah, I'm a doctor. Nice to meet you, Eli," Mike says with a little smile.

"I'm Levi, the third child of the family, and it's nice to meet you, Eli," he says slowly but doesn't look at me, though.

Dad looked around for Zack before turning toward me, saying, "He's gonna be back in a minute, okay, princess?" Nodding my head, I walked over to Ryan, then opened my arms slowly.

I remembered I did promise him a hug. He smiled so much I thought his jaw would fall; with that, he walked towards me, then wrapped his arms around me softly before mumbling, "You smell like Zack."

Giggling softly, he laughed too, then took my arms and pulled me to the chairs.

Turns out Zack was in the kitchen preparing food for us. We had maids, but he wanted it to be special since I was back.

We all gathered around the dinner table, sitting down and waiting for Dad to say something or anyone to say something. The boys kept staring at me while I looked at my food in a confused way.

"Don't you like it, Eli?" Mike asked.

I looked at him before shaking my head. The thing is, I have never seen this food before. It looks so creepy, I don't know what it is. When I was in the cell, I got food once a week, and sometimes I didn't get any.

"Do you want something else?" Dad asked.

Nodding my head softly, my eyes roamed around the table before landing on round stuff. It looked soft and yummy to try. I pointed at it, and then Ryan passed it to me. With that, I started eating the food, which was the best thing I have ever had.

The boys and Dad chuckled at me before eating their food. No one said anything, just continued eating. But then after 4 rounds of the bread, I was tired, and my tummy felt like I was going to give birth or something.

"Don't you want more?" Zack says next to me, but I just nod my head. Looking around, I noticed everyone saw I wasn't eating again. They all had confused looks but didn't say anything.

It took a while before Dad stood up and told me to follow him. My eyes snap to Zack with fear; I didn't want to be alone with a large man. Zack looked at me for a while before letting out a breath. He grabbed my arm and walked by my side, following Dad slowly while my head went low.

When we finally got to Dad's office, he sat on a chair and waited for Zack and me to sit, which we did later.

"Okay, Eli, I called you here to get to know you, and ask a few questions, also about the rules we have in this house," Dad says quietly while I give him a little nod.

"Do you remember how long you stayed there?" Dad asked. Shaking my head as a no, he whispers something I couldn't get before asking, "Do you remember any little thing about me and your brothers?" He asked again, but I still shook my head.

"Can you write?" He asked.

You don't even know how to spell, the voice in my head said. Shaking my head again, I heard Zack and Dad let out a sad breath.

"Go get Levi," Dad told Zack, but before he could get up, I grabbed his arms tight, shaking my head no. I didn't want to be left alone here.

"I'll be back, in just a few seconds," Zack said, trying to pull my arm away. Nodding my head slowly, my head dropped down. With that, he walked out of the door. It was quiet for a while before Dad asked a question again.

"Do you think any of us will hurt you, princess?" he questioned, his voice having a wave in it. Looking up slowly, I could see the sadness in his eyes, waiting for my answer. I raised my arms and then did a little move like I was picking something.

"Just a little," Dad says while I nod my head at him. Nodding his head, he moved his eyes away from mine, then ran his hand over his hair.

Zack came in with a confused Levi next to him.

"You called," he said directly to Dad.

"I wanted you to teach your sister how to write, spell, and read," he says. "She will start school next semester, by that time she will be used to reading and everything," he continues before looking my way.

"Do you like the sound of that, Eli?" Dad said to me, giving him a thumbs up. Then smiling softly, "Okay, then, so that's all I need to say. Also, you will start therapy session next week, okay," he said again.

I didn't understand what he said, but I just nodded my head and looked at Zack, who had a smile. With that, we got up and started walking out before Dad said, "We are really happy that you are back, princess, and we could never hurt you," he said; it was little, but I heard him.

Giving him a soft smile, I walked out with my brothers waiting for me.

"Wanna play with my PS section?" Zack asked happily.

What's a PS section, my mind says, but I just nod my head while he pulls my arms