I smiled as I pulled the car into my home, happy with what I had accomplished. I might not have Shina with me, but I had our children. I just wish I hadn't had to knock them out. But I would make it up to them. A few moments of pain would be worth all the time we would get to spend together in the future.

I carefully brought them into the house, placing them on their beds before leaving the room, locking the door behind me. I wouldn't want them wandering the house. And if they got out, they could get lost in the woods. No, what wouldn't do at all.

But still... I had hurt them... Perhaps it was time for another punishment session. Heading into the special room I had prepared for such things. I wonder how Shina would like it?

Picking up one of the razors, I slowly began tracing it over my skin, adding to the already intricate network of scars that covered my body.

Ahhh, Shina... If only it was you holding the blade.....

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After showering off the dried blood, I began preparing lunch for the twins. Hopefully they would be up to enjoying a meal with me. I know I would need to explain things to them, how them and their mother, Shina, had been stolen from me so long ago while I lay helpless in the hospital, lost to a coma.

I understood it would take time, that they had been raised to believe a lie their whole lives. That Shina had likely been forced to teach them that lie. But I was patient, I knew they would come around in time.

I wonder how they would like hotdogs for lunch? Yes, kids always like hotdogs.

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My heart had broken when they had cried as I told them about how their mommy had been stolen from me. They had refused to believe my words, refused to believe I even knew their mom, until I brought out the pictures of us together, the books with notes of love from me to her written in the front, even the movies we had watched together once.

Their eyes grew wider with each one, until they cried out at seeing one specific movie.

"That's Mommy's favorite..." They had whispered quietly together, reaching out to touch the movie case.

It was Phantom of the Opera, the case worn more than any of the others had been. Even the book of the same name had been obviously more read, the pages carefully turned over and over again.

It was obvious to anyone that both items had been treasure and cared for by a very loving hand, but such care can only do so much to combat the wear that comes with being a favored item.

"Don't worry. I'll rescue her from that man. And then we can be a family, just like we should have been all these years."