Chapter 25:

Whoever was walking up was still at the bottom of the stairs. So Aaron had a chance.

He quietly closed the door again, then turned and sprinted towards the crib. At first sight, he thought he was doomed when he realized that there was no way he'd be able to climb up without a proper boost, but a flash of wood from the corner of his eyes brought some hope into the equation.

The rocking chair.

Quickly, he climbed onto it, shaky hands gripping the armrest.

His heart thumped, each beat extending to slam against his ribcage as the chair beneath him swayed back and forth. He reached for the top of the railing of his crib and held onto it tightly, all his strength poured down into that fateful grasp. Then, he stepped onto the armrest and let his legs swing toward the crib. He hoisted himself up, his feet pushing against the bars for support, until he was on top of railing, and for once he was glad he was so thin and light.

Aaron dropped down onto the mattress and relaxed when he realized he'd gotten back safely, but his breath hitched as the intimidating sound of feet pattering against the floor grew dangerously closer.

One final cautious look around made Aaron notice that the chair was still swaying, an indication to the captor that he'd been messing with it. He extended his arm through two bars of the crib then gripped the curved leg of the chair, forcing it to stop swaying so violently. Aaron held it down until he felt that the person was now standing so close to the room, the wooden door the only separator between them. He let go and watched it stay in place just as the door clicked, then it inched open and the captor finally walked in.

Mommy.

"Baby? Why aren't you sleeping?"

Aaron felt a bubbling horror in his gut, but he strained with all his strength to ignore it and focus on answering instead. But before he even spoke, he could sense how his words were about to waver and blow his cover up if Mommy hadn't done so already. Aaron gathered himself, quickly putting up an innocent face.

"I'm thirsty, Mommy," Aaron said. "But no one came to give me water. Did you forget me, Mommy?"

Mommy's eyes widened, and she shook her head frantically. "No, baby, of course not. We didn't forget you. Call for us when you need something next time, yeah?"

Aaron couldn't believe she bought that lie-not that he wasn't happy, but it felt so surreal for an aware captor like her to fall for it so easily. But then, just when he thought he'd gotten out of trouble safely, Daddy came into the room, crashing all the relief over Aaron's head like a pile of bricks.

"What's wrong, baby? Everything okay?"

Mommy looked back at Daddy with a faint sense of annoyance in her eyes. She could handle her baby alone. "Yeah, everything's fine," she said. "Aaron's just thirsty, he couldn't sleep."

Daddy suddenly had an apprehensive expression on, eyes drifting past Aaron where he'd been looking. His frown was calculating. Aaron hoped he wasn't gradually coming to a conclusion.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, baby. Call us when you need something. Don't keep yourself thirsty." Daddy reached down and picked Aaron up, holding him close to him. His face read soft and welcoming again, and Aaron almost thought that he'd passed Daddy's guards too, but that was until the captor continued, doling out words that had Aaron's spine chilling to a frozen spike in his back:

"And baby, I'm serious. Call us next time, don't try to get out of the crib on your own."

Daddy's arms tightened momentarily around Aaron like a gentle threat. Aaron squirmed inconspicuously at the uncomfortable pressure suddenly pressing onto him, but then Daddy loosened his grip again. Aaron had no idea what that implied: if Daddy knew that he'd tried to get out or if he were simply warning him about ever trying to.

Either way, Aaron decided he needed to distract him from the entire situation. "Okay, Daddy." He blinked at him, quick and earnest, voice softening. "I wouldn't get out on my own. It's a rule. I'm scared of heights anyway."

He wasn't scared of heights and he sure as hell wasn't scared of jumping down the crib, but if they saw him as a baby, this had to pass.

Daddy raised his eyebrows with surprise, but then he smiled. "That's my good boy. Let's go get some water?"

Aaron nodded, then curled one arm around his neck and leant down to rest his head on his broad shoulder. Even through the fabric of the sweater covering Daddy's shoulder, Aaron felt how the muscles were strong as they contracted and bulged beneath the weight of his head.

This immense strength scared Aaron slightly, and he was undeniably glad the captors weren't using their power on him in a different way. Those burly arms and shoulders and mighty knuckles were doubtlessly capable of inflicting so much pain and damage. Aaron could only thank God that all they did was carry him around rather than punch and kick him.

For once, Aaron realized, some people weren't using their physical power to hurt him.

Mommy watched sadly as Daddy took Aaron down to the kitchen. He just took him away from her. Again. As always.

Daddy supported Aaron's weight on his hip with one arm, the other hand reaching out to get a sippy cup from the cabinets. Aaron watched wordlessly as Daddy filled it with water, and maybe it was the sound of liquid slamming against the plastic in the surrounding silence, or the sight of it as it poured inside the cup in a crystal streak that made Aaron realize how thirsty he was. So, so thirsty.

Daddy gave Aaron the cup. Aaron wasted no second to bring it closer and latch his lips willingly around the spout, sucking in the water. He didn't really realize how he'd finished the cup so fast until he felt that he was no longer sucking in water, instead merely inhaling air through his mouth as the hollow sound echoed in the plastic of the cup.

"Ooh, someone was really thirsty." Daddy chuckled as he removed the cup then carried his baby up to the nursery again.

Aaron pushed his face into the crook of Daddy's neck, purposely letting out a short breath against his skin because he knew they all found it cute. The stubble across his sharp jawline scratched Aaron's own skin in the most annoying way, and he wished he could stop Daddy's scent from ambushing his nostrils. Disgusting, but it'd distract the captor.

Daddy cooed at Aaron's action and walked with him quietly around, trying to make him as sleepy as possible so he'd actually sleep. Eventually, and when he noticed that his
eyelids were now occasionally drooping, his little lips parting in a small yawn, he decided he could put him down. He tucked him in the crib then turned and left the room.

Just as Daddy door closed behind him, Aaron expected to hear the click of the lock. But it didn't happen. As far as he had heard, Daddy didn't lock the door, and it brought more confusion to his mind. Made him wonder if Daddy did or didn't notice that he'd gotten out of his crib.

Aaron hoped not.

He put his head down on the pillow and closed his eyes, the silence around him slowly lulling him to sleep. His consciousness began dissipating into thin air, wafting from his body as he slowly lost the battle against his strong longing for sleep. And then, he did.

Aaron slept for hours, woke up only once or twice during the night before rousing a final time just as soft morning sunshine poured over him.

The silky rays illuminated his face and made his skin glow a rich color beneath the golden light. Mommy sat beside the crib, just watching her baby, admiring how his little lips shone their natural pink beneath the sun, how his thick black lashes fluttered slowly, sleepily, as he gradually woke up. Between each blink, she'd catch a glimpse at his sleepy grey eyes that reflected various shades as the light struck them from different angles-one second they were a striking silver, the other a faint cluster of smoke, but then they came back around to their natural bright color when the light stopped playing around his irises.

She couldn't believe how lucky she was to have him.

Like a curtain suddenly being pulled away from the front of his vision, the blurry sleepiness disappeared and Aaron could see properly again. The first thing his eyes fell upon was the smile that held onto plump pink lips just behind the bars, and then as they swept further above they absorbed the glow of adoring green irises staring right back at him. Mommy, he realized. Mommy and her creepy looks.

Act normal. Aaron forced a smile as effortfully as he forced himself to sit up, then leant against the bars.

"Good morning, baby."

There was a brief moment of silence. "Morning, Mommy," Aaron murmured, closing his eyes again for one last second of peace before he'd have to get out and tolerate all the usual horrendous routine.

Mommy reached her hand through the bars and tickled his neck. Aaron raised a shoulder to hide his skin from her fingers, and he squeezed his eyes shut, baring his teeth in a short artificial laugh.

Mommy watched him for a moment, but then she realized that he needed to get out of the crib, and it was then that her smile faltered to a somber frown.

Now she needed Lou or Daddy to pick him up. Couldn't she just have a nice moment with her baby for once?

Surrendering, she called Daddy. When he came, he quickly carried his baby down to the kitchen and placed him in the highchair.

Mommy tied the bandana-shaped bib around Aaron's neck, then her hand slithered from behind where she'd been standing and gently held his head stable as she leant forwards and kissed his cheek. Her lips lingered against the warmth of his soft skin. She valued each second with him, and this longing for him brought the realization out to her eyes: she definitely wasn't having enough time with him.

And she was ready to fight if she needed to.

Her blonde hair slipped from the curve of her ear, now curtaining down her face like a golden sheet. Some strands brushed against Aaron's face and he tried turning away from the ticklish feeling.

Everything about Mommy felt gentle. Even the way her hair fell against him, like each little tress was stroking his cheek, never once poking his eyes. And her hand that held the side of his head-so weirdly soft; the pads of her fingers were placed firmly against his hair to keep him stable, yet the pressure she created was so indescribably delicate.

Gentle but disturbing. That was what she was for Aaron.

Mommy glanced up, only to notice that Daddy was dragging a chair closer to Aaron's highchair. A frown formed, marring her forehead with creases when she realized that he'd decided he was feeding him. But she wanted to. Her hand gripped the backrest, green eyes flitting over to connect directly with Daddy's gaze. "I want to feed him," Mommy said.

"But you did last time." Daddy's fingers curled around the wood, his grasp landing just beside Mommy's hand. Both stared down at their own hands, but Mommy suddenly tugged the chair closer to her. Her movements were slow and sharp, somewhat possessive as she remained gripping the chair, claiming it to herself. "Let me this time. You'll do lunch."

Mommy didn't have time to answer, because a new voice suddenly rang in the kitchen. "Can I do it this time? I've never fed him before," Lou said, his hand now joining the other two's grip onto the chair.

"And I've never had enough time with him." Mommy offered a tight-lipped smile, but it gave off nothing less than the fury that emanated from her voice.

Daddy raised an eyebrow. "Okay, now you're exaggerating," he said. "I mean, I'm pretty sure you've spent some time with him-"

"I'd like to see what you'd feel in my place. You and Lou are literally with him all the time. Don't even try to deny it."

Lou opened his mouth to respond to Mommy, then closed it again as his eyes wandered back to the boys. Aaron watched carefully as a conflict worked on his face; he could see the way something stirred in his mind. A frown was apparent on his brows, and his eyes were intense as the bickering between Mommy and Daddy went on in the background.

Lou's fingers loosened from around the backrest of the chair, and then he was the first of the three to retreat. Almost like a surrender. Suddenly, he turned, completely ignoring whatever form of fight had been slowly brewing. He walked over to Leo, but not before ruffling Aaron's hair with the heel of his hand as he passed by him.

Leo.

Aaron had almost forgotten he was even present. He craned his neck to the side for a proper look, and it was then that he realized all what consumed Lou's focus a little ago had been this; Leo didn't look happy, quite upset with his brows furrowed and lips pressed into a straight line, yet his eyes glistened with sadness.

"Let's start eating, baby?" Lou asked. A grin broke the grim layer on Leo's face. He nodded, waiting patiently for Lou to begin feeding him.

It was as if Lou's behavior knocked Mommy and Daddy back into reality, and suddenly both let go of the chair after giving their boys a quick worried glance. They realized that they'd almost fought in front of them. Sometimes, they couldn't control how badly they were trying to spend the majority of time with their baby.

Daddy pushed the chair towards Mommy. "Here, you feed him. You're right about that. I'm sorry. Just go ahead."

Mommy smiled, and it was somewhat apologetic yet still laced with triumph. She sat beside Aaron then reached for the plate she'd placed on his tray. This time, oddly enough, the food was a little heavier than the previous times: grilled cheese. Usually, they fed him soft mashed things, so this was a change.

Mommy cut the toast to tiny pieces, then she fed Aaron one by one. "I hope his stomach doesn't decide to reject the food." Mommy glanced at Daddy for assurance. "I mean, we've been going for soft and mashed for a while, and suddenly this?"

Daddy tutted. "I don't think so. It'll be fine."

And so breakfast passed by. The captors wiped off the boys' mouths then took them out of the highchairs, deciding to let them watch TV for a little while. They carried them over to the living room and set them both on the couch beside each other, then began flicking through the channels until Leo gave them approval. Just when they made sure that the boys were comfortable and content-or at least seemed to be, on Aaron's part-they left them alone.

Aaron found watching Leo watch the show much more interesting than doing so himself. The screen appeared like a distant image in Leo's eyes; it flickered and glowed in them as the colors flashed.

Aaron still had no idea what the show even was about, because he was either just focusing on Leo's reactions throughout, or floundering to resurface the ocean of unorganized thoughts drowning his brain. But then Leo suddenly gasped, turning all his attention to him. Leo pointed at the screen, jaw slack with disbelief, blue eyes wide.

"Stranger, Aar. Look." Leo nodded at the screen, and Aaron glanced at it. Apparently the show displayed that children shouldn't talk to strangers. "Shouldn't talk to strangers, Aar. Mommy told me that too. They're not good. Scared of them."

Aaron nodded, but then something caught his attention. "Wait, you're scared of strangers, Leo?"

Leo nodded. Aaron quickly continued: "Then how weren't you scared of me when I first came? I was a stranger to you."

"You're not a stranger, Aar!" Leo said, almost offended as he turned to face Aaron. "You're my big brother. Not scared of you."

"But... I kinda was a stranger the first time you saw me. You weren't scared of me?"

"Told you no, Aar. Wasn't scared of you. I knew you anyway."

"Never mind, why am I- hold on, what did you say? You knew me?"

Leo hummed his response. "Knew you before you came, Aar."

What?

The confirmation came like a bullet that scattered Aaron's thoughts and disoriented what he barely even had organized. In just a second, so much flashed in his mind; remembrances, recollections and distant images of most people he'd seen before flooded his head, filled his vision until he could no longer see in front of him properly. How could Leo have known him before?

Aaron didn't remember him anywhere in school, or his neighborhood. He was sure he hadn't met him, or at least that was what he could remember. Perhaps they'd been in the same school, but Aaron had always been too reserved, too focused on the disconnected world that lived in his head that he barely ever noticed people around.

"How did you know me?" Aaron insisted, his voice now firm with urgency. "Did you, like, go to my school or something?"

Leo frowned, shaking his head like Aaron had just said the furthest thing ever to reality. "No, Aar. Saw you in pictures before you came."

Pictures.

It already started clicking in but Aaron tried not to believe it. "What? Why pictures? How?"

Perhaps it was the sudden flow of questions that stunned Leo a little, or maybe he'd just gotten bored of the conversation, but Aaron practically saw how his confidence and determination in responses died down slightly. His shoulders sagged, and he no longer looked as excited to answer, now reluctant even as he barely opened his mouth to speak, each word barely above a whisper.

"Forget it, Aar."

"No. I can't forget it." Aaron caught Leo's arms, maintaining eye-contact with him. "Keep going. Tell me, how did you see pictures of me?"

"Mommy or Daddy or Uncle Lou used to go out, Aar. When they came back they used to show me pictures of you. Daddy told me that you're my big brother. And that you're going to come live with us. Mommy used to tell me what you like and hate," Leo explained, but his voice was weak, almost like he was unsure of what he was saying, or at least unsure he should be saying that all to Aaron. "Sometimes Daddy brought videos of you too, Aar. He told me that some bad people were hurting you."

Each word that Leo spoke felt delusional. The realization that was about to hit Aaron stalled a little, distracted by a question that was faster to spring forwards in his mind. Aaron opened his mouth to speak, but a part of him didn't want an answer just as much as he wanted one. "Leo? For how long did you know about me before I came?"

Leo hesitated. "Three, Aar."

There was a brief moment of silence, and Aaron swallowed past the lump in his throat that labored his breaths with the pain of anticipation. "Three what? Days?"

"No. Three months, Aar."

Aaron didn't react at first. It all happened in seclusion up in his head, almost like his body and brain were disconnected from each other. Then the realization rose like a hurricane, and it brewed and stormed and wiped out Aaron's composure.

But Aaron remained frozen throughout all that, the only functioning muscles in his body those in his arms as they failed their grasp onto Leo's arms and slipped down helplessly. He sat there without a slightest move, not a word falling past his lips.

They'd stalked him. For three months.

And everything made sense now.

They'd known it all. The red bandana, because they knew he liked red. The honey cereal, because they knew he liked honey. The stars on his onesies and the astronomic toys and shows, because they knew he liked astronomy. Skipping cartoons every time, because they knew he hated cartoons. The strawberry yogurt, because they knew he liked strawberry.

They almost knew everything about him.

His body and brain suddenly connected again. Aaron was left with no color in his face, the paleness now gone to an extent that it was snowdrop white.

"Aar?" Leo called nervously, head tilting as he peered at Aaron with unsettled eyes. "Shouldn't have told you, Aar. Sorry. Forget it, please."

The sound of Leo's voice interrupted the storm within Aaron, and he for once strained to pull himself out of the trance. But it was at that moment that his body decided to react to the news. His stomach churned, its contents now set into a circling, swirling disaster.

Aaron looked at his hands, and he couldn't really stop when he noticed how they were trembling, each finger moving and unstable even as he stayed still and solid in his place, willing himself with all his power to stop. His heart was pumping, each beat emitting a hollow yet loud sound like rocks constantly being thrown down an empty well. The echoes were so strong they filled his ears and clogged them.

They'd been so close to him all the time. They'd been following him around, watching, taking pictures, straining to gather information about him. They'd been breathing down his neck and he'd had no idea.

Aaron's head pounded, like a hammer slamming against his skull from the inside. He squeezed his eyes shut as the earthquake tore down his head, but it did nothing to soothe the pain. And then his unsettled stomach suddenly lurched, the swirling motion jerking to a sudden halt that sent all the contents flying up his throat. The only warning was the acidity that suddenly ambushed Aaron's mouth.

Aaron suddenly hopped off the couch, and he frantically searched for a bin to empty his stomach in. But in vain. He didn't have time to even move towards one, and all he could do was drop to his knees and press one arm against his abdomen as he retched and spewed all the food he'd eaten onto the rug in a slur of a revolting thick liquid. And it continued until he was left with a heavy breath, the muscles of his stomach now exhausted from contracting and coiling so harshly against the food. He leant back slightly, and his puny chest rose and dropped with each strained breath. His shoulders heaved along as he tried composing himself, but all he could think was that he'd been stalked for so long.

So that was slightly, partly, satisfying. He'd wanted to throw up long ago.

Leo came to his side, and his eyes were worried as he offered tissues. "Aar? Tissues?"

Aaron just nodded. Then he regretted nodding, because now he felt like the movement had jarred him further. For a moment or two, there was complete silence, with nothing to listen to but the sound of his labored breaths as they strained to even out.

But then, footsteps pattered frantically closer and a hand suddenly landed gently on his shoulder-a gesture that had Aaron wincing and jerking away, his eyes widening when they fell upon Mommy's face.

That stalker. That creepy, touchy and weird and possessive stalker.

"Don't touch me," Aaron hissed. The resentment shone in his eyes. Slowly, Mommy removed her hand, shocked at the response. Her brows furrowed with uncertainty, and her eyes carried pain at the sudden shift in her baby's attitude.

Aaron recognized that look, suddenly returning from the depth of anger. He couldn't mess up the act now. He'd gone too far, he couldn't ruin everything now that he was so close to succeeding. "S-Sorry, it's just that I think I need to throw up more. Please stay away."

Mommy relaxed visibly again. "Oh. It's okay, baby. Take your time. I'll take you to the bathroom, wouldn't that be better?"

Aaron nodded, but it was at that second that he realized something. It clicked in all of a sudden, like the previous revelation had brought a connecting chord between his past and present. Those shining green eyes and soft blonde hair-he could recognize them. He'd seen them before.

He'd met Mommy while she was stalking him. And he'd been completely oblivious.

*_*_*_*_*_*_*

What do you think of the stalking thing?

Edit: forgot to say, next chap's gonna start with a flashback!

ALSO this book is #1 in mystery-thriller rn <33 reads, votes, and comments help me rank up like that, so thank youuuu to everyone reading/voting/commenting!!