Young Guardian Trilogy by Lady Adellandra Dratianos (read aloud .txt) 📕

it up and began delicately writing her thoughts in it.

Dear J, Day One
I purchased you to write my life down on paper. I thought it would be smart to keep track of all that happens to me without my darling Derrick Reading by my side.
I miss him so much! Will I ever see him again?
Ariana Sister

She closed the journal and put it away once she saw her food coming from the corner of her eye. Ariana ate hungrily, for she didn't know where her next meal was coming from, or when for that matter.
After eating and paying the bill, she grabbed her backpack and again was on her way back to the solemn, lonely streets of Hill View.
She soon found a place to curl up in a dark, decrepit alley. She fell asleep, wishing for her Dream Realm Balinese friend Katherine to come and comfort her. Sadly, she cried herself to sleep, afraid for her life.

II

At that same moment, Derrick laid himself on his old bed, recalling the past few hours' events.
Derrick James Reading spotted his house on Maple Tree Lane and took a deep breath before marching onward.
Should I knock or just walk in? Derrick mused to himself. Just in case, I'll knock.
Derrick closed his eyes and knocked on the door nervously. He heard the familiar creak of the opening door. Derrick looked up to see his younger sister Kendra.
How beautiful she had become! Derrick thought.
"Derrick!" Fifteen-year-old Kendra squealed. She turned away and yelled. "Mom! Daddy! Derrick's back! He's okay!" She gave Derrick an excited hug. "Where have you been all this time, big brother?"
Before he could open his mouth to speak, each of his parents appeared in front of him.
"Derrick James Reading," His father began sternly. "You've returned to us."
Derrick's first words out of his mouth were, "Hi Mom, hi Dad." He cleared his throat. "May I come in?"
"Of course, son." His mother replied sweetly. "Would you like something to eat?"
Derrick shook his head. "No ma'am. Thank you anyway." He was surprised his mother was being so polite.
He set his bag down on the footrest and sat on the couch.
They sure have changed, he thought happily. Mom's being sincere and polite, and Dad, I must say, looks like a human being again. Where were Jake, Brian, and Alex?
Derrick's mother sat down across from him on the love-seat next to his father.
"So, Derrick," his mother started. "How have you been?"
"Fine, fine." He stammered. Why was he so nervous? "I've been in California, studying to be a detective at the Academy of Criminal Justice in Los Angeles."
He still had a hard time lying to his parents, but this time, he had no choice. He couldn't tell them about the System; for it was a secret he always had to keep to himself.
Besides, he thought to himself. They just wouldn't understand about Ariana Moon, the best thing that ever happened to me.
Quickly, he outlined what he’d done for the past couple of years, stretching the truth.
"It all sounds wonderful, sweetheart!" His mother praised, clapping her hands together. "We have been doing a lot since you left home."
His father looked at him with respect and explained. "Son, we were so into ourselves here, we didn't notice you were gone until two days later. We went on a search for you, but came up with nothing. Your mother and I grew frantic, so we went to the police. They were no help, either."
"After about a month," his mother continued. "We still hadn't any luck, so the family held a meeting to find out what would make you leave. We looked long and hard at ourselves and our past behavior, finally deciding that we needed help."
"Soon," His father replied, interrupting her. "Your brothers, sister, mother, and I were attending therapy, in hopes that you would someday return home on your own."
With a tear in her eye, Derrick's mother clapped her hands. "Here you are, back with us. I hope you can forgive us, Derrick."
Derrick looked at his lap. After what he'd been through, and hearing their story, he nodded slowly. "Yes, Mother. Yes, Father. I forgive you."
From over his shoulder, he heard a voice. "We never gave up on you, little brother."
Derrick turned to see his older brother Jake smiling at him. Jake, too, had changed. He stood up and hugged his brother.
"Welcome home, Derrick." Jake told Derrick, patting his back. "Welcome home."
"Thanks, Jake." Derrick whispered in his ear.
Within a few hours, the revised Readings were up to date and Jake led Derrick to the room both now shared. The brothers had talked for nearly two hours until Jake announced it was getting late, and he had to be going back to school.
Derrick lay on his bed still, now thinking of his Ariana as he fingered his necklace. It felt warm and comforting. He was beginning to miss her dearly already. Remembering what she told him before she left, he closed his eyes and imagined his dear beloved.

III

Ariana heard his thoughts and dropped the Bang-ball to the ground, starting to rush to him, but Katherine stopped her.
"No!" Katherine told her, grabbing her arm. Ariana turned. "You must not leave here. Not now, not yet."
Katherine released her.
"Why not?" Ariana asked her Balinese friend.
"You just cannot, Young Guardian." Katherine supplied, looking to the ground. "I am sorry."
Ariana sighed, picking up the Bang-ball and continuing to play with her.
If only I could see my beloved's face again! She thought sadly.

Morning came in the Outer Realm and Ariana waved good-bye to Katherine before returning.
She awoke to a loud, clanking noise. A train was coming on the tracks yards behind her, and she was frightened. Ariana found only her ring as comfort of a better place and a reminder of her mission.
Ariana stood, gathered her backpack and again was on her way.
About an hour went by with people passing by and staring at her. She wasn't comfortable at all. She was lost, scared, and most of all: she was alone.
While people crowded her, she heard someone whisper, "Now!" She felt a hit on her head, and she dropped.
The world around her went black.

IV

Luna couldn’t wait to go home. Granted, she’d miss Shannon and the other agents terribly. Especially Shane. They’d all been like family to her, and now that she was going back to Hill View, she wouldn’t know what to do without them. Then again, she had her real family here. She’d been writing to them off and on for years, and finally, it was time to reunite.
She still didn’t understand why Shane couldn’t come with her.
Heaving a sigh, she creaked open the door. “Hello! Anybody home!”
No answer.
“It’s me: Luna.” Luna supplied. “Hello!”
“You don’t have to shout, little sister.” She heard a young male voice cry from behind the door. As she shut the door, her eyes met those of her elder brother Kevin.
“Kevin!” Luna cried, hugging him. “I’ve missed you! How have you been?”
“Peachy. What about you?”
“Pretty cool.” Luna said. “Shannon sent us on our own.”
Kevin Woods shook his head and laughed. “That’s Shannon for you.”
“No, you don’t understand.” Luna tried, shaking her head.
“Well, come on in. Make yourself at home.” Kevin said, pushing her inside, and closing the door behind them. “Housewarming now, stories later.”
Luna paused, grinning at him. She raced upstairs, crying. “Who else is home?”
“Mother’s in the backyard with her garden.” Kevin told her, following. “Anna’s in the kitchen, fixing lunch, and Andrea is here, too.”
Luna turned to meet her brother’s eyes. “Andrea Richardson? Your girlfriend?”
“The one and only.” Kevin said, blushing. “Enough about me, how have you been doing, Squirt?”
“It’s not a matter of how, it’s what.” Luna said. “We found Ariana.”
Kevin’s eyes widened. “The missing twin? I’m sure you’ll tell me more about it later.” He paused, closing his silver-blue eyes and listening to the air. “Mother knows you’re here. Go say hi.”
“Yes, sir.” Luna playfully teased, kissing his cheek as she raced to the garden.
Boy, it was good to be home again!


Chapter Fourteen:
From a Living Nightmare. . .

Ariana Sister awoke in a familiar environment. Taking a deep breath, she looked around. It was dark, so she could hardly see anything. The only thing she noticed was that she was bound and gagged.
Why? She thought. Why aren't I blindfolded as well?
From the darkness, a sinister voice spoke. "Well, well, what do we have here?"
Ariana gasped, recognizing her old orphanage mistress, Mrs. Helen Gertrude! She screamed, and even tried to gnaw the gag off, but had no luck.
"My, my, my little runaway from Californ-I-ay." Mrs. Gertrude remarked snidely. She walked over to Ariana and pulled the gag from off her mouth. "Now, why would you want to leave your friends and family in Shore Point, eh?"
She didn't answer, so Mrs. Gertrude cracked a whip. "Answer me!"
With a frightened voice, Ariana said softly, "Because of the abuse. I wanted to live to be a mother."
"That's right." Mrs. Gertrude crooned. "You were impregnated by, oh who was it, Aaron Theodore, correct?"
"How did you know?" Ariana whispered, surprised.
Mrs. Gertrude placed a hand on her cheek. Ariana couldn't move, so she held her breath. "My dear Ariana. It wasn't that hard not to notice." Mrs. Gertrude looked her over. She fiercely faced Ariana, nearly scaring her out of her wits. “The way he stared at you, his eyes revealing his love for you. It was enough to make me sick. Maybe that was why you ran away? Because you couldn’t love him back?"
"I ran from the abuse, and you know it." Ariana spat out. "It was the only way the baby and I were able to survive."
"Ah, but the only way you would survive, you little tramp, was on the streets." Mrs. Gertrude pointed out. "Isn't that right?"
Ariana gulped, not wanting to tell her about the System and all she'd been through the past five years. "What do you want with me now?" She asked. "I'm too old to sell, and too smart to be beaten to a pulp."
"Why, I need you to be my slave." Mrs. Gertrude replied. "You are to keep an eye on the kids and follow my every order."
"I won't--I won't--I won't!" Ariana's screams ran together in one denying word. "I won't do it!"
Mrs. Gertrude whispered in Ariana's ear. "It's either that, darling, or you're back out on the streets."
As much as she hated Mrs. Gertrude, she gave it some thought.
At least I'd have a roof over my head and food in my stomach. She mused. She thought of Derrick; how he’d lovingly brought her out of her shell and taken away all her personal demons. Thoughts of him gave her courage. This time, it’ll be different. I won’t be a victim.
Loathing Mrs. Gertrude's true intentions, Ariana closed her eyes, took a deep breath and said. "I'll do it."
Mrs. Helen Gertrude turned on the light then, making Ariana squint her eyes in order to reacquaint them with the light. She shook her head, the Empathy telling her the same story it had for years. Mrs. Gertrude was still abusing innocent children.
I’ll not let her get away with it. Ariana thought to herself. Not while I’m an Ancient Mystic with great powers!
She didn’t know where the courage was coming from, but it was well earned.
"Poor, pitiful Ariana Moon." Mrs. Gertrude smiled spitefully at her.
The name reminded Ariana of her past,