Ryan's POV

   I couldn't believe what the doctor just told me. That lady did not have the right to poison such an innocent girl. I didn't know who this Alex fellow was, but all I know is that I need to keep them both away from Lucille. "Would you like to see her?" The doctor then asked me. "Yes I would," I told him and he led me to her room.

   I saw a nurse in there checking on her and she smiled a little. "Hello Mr. Stiles, we just did a quick check-up on her and she is feeling just fine," she said. "Thank you," I told her and made my way to Lucille. "How are you feeling?" I sat down beside her. "I'm feeling pretty good," she smiled at me. "You're very brave, the doctors were afraid you wouldn't make it at first, but I never gave up hope," I said.

   She looked so tired, yet she also seemed pretty healthy now that the poison is out of her. "When we get home later, I'm going to make you something very special," I said. "Pinky promise?" She wanted to make sure. "I promise," we linked pinkies and I chuckled. I knew I made the right decision to get her out of that orphanage, but now I don't feel the other children there are safe. Something has to be done.

   "Ryan?" Lucille than spoke up. "What is it sweetheart?" I looked at her. "I was wondering, who gave you that card?" She was curious. "A little girl who looked like she was maybe 5 or something," I answered her. She then looked away from me with a sad look. "Samantha.." she mumbled. "Was that the little girl who came up to hug you after the show?" I remembered. "Yes, she's basically my little sister, but Caroline never did anything bad to her, at least not that I've ever seen," she explained.

   "I'm sorry to hear that," I then felt bad. If I would've known,  I wouldn't have given her the envelope with the poison in it. She would've still been in better health if it wasn't for me. I think I let a tear slip because Lucille looked at me again. "It's not your fault Ryan, it could never be, You didn't know was all, I should've been more careful," she reassured me. She then came in for a hug and I returned it. It was probably our best hug yet.

   As soon as we ate lunch there, Lucille was able to come home. Once we made it outside, Lucille was looking around confused. "Where's your car?" She wondered. "Oh, I got a ride from somebody, and there he is now," I waved as I recognized the car coming. "Need a ride home Mr. Stiles? Your chauffer has arrived," Jeff laughed from the drivers seat and put on a hat. Lucille chuckled when she saw him and was very happy.

   We both climbed in and he drove us home. "Jeff, I need your help with a couple of things," I whispered to him. "Sure," he responded. When we got home, Lucille was quite happy to be back. Jeff held her hand as we walked in. Apparently though, we weren't the only ones here. "Welcome home!" Colin came over excitedly. Him, Wayne, and Brad were sitting at a table waiting for us.

   "Colin, how many times do I have to tell you to stop coming in here whenever you want to? I knew I shouldn't have given you that spare key," I face-palmed to myself. "You know you love me," he nudged my sides, forcing me to grin. "We wanted to see Lucille again, so Colin wanted us to come too," Brad got up and gave her a hug. Wayne did the same thing. It seems that Colin is no longer sick as well, since he sounds a lot better and wouldn't come here if he were still sick.

   "Anyway, what's for dinner? I'm starving," Colin joked and went to the kitchen. Everyone else followed him, but I stayed with Lucille. "I'm sorry about them, I didn't even know they were here," I told her. "Don't be sorry, I love it when the crew is together, we are a family after all," she remarked and it made me smile. She really is sweet and accepting. I really am a lucky guy. I kept my promise and prepared something very special and there was just enough for everybody.

   Of course now there was a mess in my kitchen, but everyone pitched in to help clean. Once the mess was clean, I pulled Jeff aside to another room for something. "Will you help me call the police?" I asked him. "What for?" He wanted to know and grew concerned. "The lady who runs the foster home where I got Lucille literally tried to kill her, there needs to be justice, she shouldn't hurt anyone ever again," I stated. "You're right," he agreed. We silently made the call.

   A couple of hours later, everyone left. It was just me and Lucille. But then, the phone started to ring which ruined the peace. "Mr. Ryan Stiles?" The voice on the other end said. "Yes?" I answered. "A Miss. Caroline Mitchell you reported in, it seems that she has gone missing and everyone who was in that foster home she ran are missing as well," the cop told me. I wanted to drop the phone. "Hello?" I couldn't say anything, so I immediately hung up. I had a spooked look on my face and Lucille noticed.

   "What's wrong? Who was that?" She asked me. "All the kids from the foster home are missing and so is Caroline," I told her. She was surprised. "What!?" She yelled. I saw tears coming down from her eyes. I then knelt down on my knees to her level and put my hands on her shoulders. "Do not worry honey, we will get them back and bring Caroline to justice," I stated. She smiled through her tears and I kissed her forehead. "Now get to bed, we'll start searching first thing in the morning." She nodded her head and went upstairs.

   I decided to step outside for some fresh air, when a boy looking about 18 walked up to me. "Hello Mr. Stiles," he stated slyly. "Can I help you?" I asked him. "Yeah, I would like to speak with Lucille if you don't mind," he said. "Yeah no can do there, I'm afraid she's not available to see anybody at the moment, now never come back to my house again," I had a feeling who this kid was. I think it was the other accomplice who poisoned Lucille.

   "Sorry Ryan, but you can't stop me from seeing her," he tried to get around me, but I made it difficult for him. He was starting to get frustrated. All of a sudden, I felt something whack my head and I fell over. The last thing I saw was the boy smiling at me and I feared he would go in and find Lucille.

A/N: Hello everyone, I just want to apologize (like I often do) for not updating this book recently, but I really hope you like this chapter and I promise to keep being active as best as I can!