mini a/n - A nice little song to close off ITTW. It should play too, so you can play it while you read. I think it adds an extra something. Hope you like the ending :)

6 months later . . .

Blake

The camera's clicked and flashed. Fifty different pairs of intent stares only made my nerves grow and my hands - rested on the wooden polished podium - tremble.

Mom, Dad and Blair were seated in chairs off to the side behind me on the platform. When I reminded myself of that, I knew that I could do it. Especially when I found the pair of familiar blue grey eyes.

I closed my eyes. Inhaled. Exhaled.

"My name is Blake Taylor," My voice was steady and confident. "March 30th, I was taken out into the woods behind my house to visit a creek. Curtsy of four kids who attend Arlington High School. Next thing you know, a white cloth is being pressed against my nose with chloroform on it. I was kidnapped. Not taken by a ghost. Not shot in cold blood. I was kidnapped.

By a man named Jace Parker. And you might recall a few years ago, a girl named Annalise Parks that was also kidnapped. Her mother, Kristy Parks was shot in cold blood by the same man. We were both held hostage in the same house stranded in the middle of the woods.

At different times. I found her journal while I was there. I was abused, underfed, unnourished. For six months," It was hard to bite back the tears . . . so I let them roll. Yet, I still kept a firm confident tone.

"But I got out. I survived the woods. I made it home. Even though I gave up so many times, the hope was always there," It would be complicating things to tell them about my encounter with Anna. I needed to keep this simple.

"That's the story. That's the real story. No more rumors. No more getting it twisted. So mark my words. Even though I'm safe and back home, doesn't mean I'm still not going through anything. I am. And I ask that you respect that and my privacy . . . Thank you."

It's been five months since that press conference. I still like to think back. It took a load off my back doing that, as nerve wrecking as it was. Since then, I've gained a sense of respect.

I've gotten a few requests to visit schools and deliver a motivational speech on my hardships and how I overcame them. I like to do it, here and there. But it's not something I want to do for the rest of my life. Still figuring that out.

Since then, Mom, with her growing baby bump has rectified herself. Especially with the baby on the way, she's more family oriented. Oh yeah. By the way, it's a boy.

Blake, Blair . . . and Blythe Alexander Taylor. Good luck with that one Mom and Dad. I laughed to myself when I envisioned the both of them getting tongue tied and calling us the wrong names.

Mom feels that Blythe is her second chance - third chance really - to rightfully fulfill the roll of an affectionate mother. To give Blythe the best childhood memories. Ones I'll never truly have.

But I'm happy that my little brother won't grow up with a rigid mother like Blair and I did. I'm happy to say that the Taylor family is in a pretty stable state now. A functional family. This time, we all have our heads on straight.

I pulled in a parking space at the Riverside apartment complex and turned the engine off. The friendly springy air greeted me as I stepped out of my car, putting my sunglasses on to shield my eyes from the rays of the blinding sun.

I took long strides up the stairs to the second level and skimmed over each number adorned on each door until I found the one I was looking for.

I gave the door a firm knock. No answer. I tried again. No answer.

I sighed, bending down to retrieve the spare key hidden under the worn matt.

I jammed the key into it's keyhole and unlocked the door. Stepping into the semi - tidy apartment, the sound of rushing water flow perked my ears. I kicked the door shut behind me and the sound of water quickly ceased.

Drew strolled out from his bedroom. Clad in black cargos, a pair of Tims and he seems to have forgotten how to put on a shirt. The band of his Calvin Klein underwear peeking above the hem of his pants. I subconsciously bit my lip at the sight of his cut abs and walked closer to the half dressed boy.

"Let yourself in I see."

"Well maybe if you answered the door. . . " I sassed playfully.

"Mmhm," He hummed as I neared him.

I pecked his lips.

"Now finish getting dressed," I smiled sweetly. "I'm taking you somewhere today," I walked into his kitchen nearby and he followed.

"What?" He laughed. "Where."

I gave him my best evil smile.

"Blake you know I don't like-"

"Surprises! I know," I was bursting with excitement. "But I'm not telling you. Now get a shirt," I shooed him off.

"But-"

"You're gonna love it," I promised. "Now go."

He sighed defeatedly and walked back into his bedroom. I smiled, reaching up into the cupboard behind me for a mug.

I'm rudely awaken to my hair being harshly tugged back and my body being dragged up against the wooden floor. The side of my stomach now covered in scratches and pieces of wood stick to my skin. My scalp feeling as if it's in flames.

I dropped the mug.

"No," I whispered, clamping my eyes shut. It's all coming back.

His hand whips across my face.

I begin heaving, taking large gasps of air.

I turn my body around to my face coming into contact with someones fist. . . Jace. He lifts me up, his arm squeezing tightly around my waist.

I collapse to my knees, begging for the unwanted flash of memory to stop.

"Blake," I heard Drew's calm gravely voice. He knelt down and took me by the arms and I continued to weep. "Blake, baby it's over. Stop. It's ok," He engulfed me in his arms.

Even though it's been some time since I've been kidnapped, the memories never faded. It's a constant battle trying to fight them off and rid them from my mind. I get them every once in a while.

Yes, the hard part is over, but now, what's even trickier is healing. Not only is my family helping me cope. But Drew is. After my homecoming party, he became the person I confided in.

I did to Stel and Peyton too, I know I always can. But with Drew, it's deeper. I told him everything, in depth.

Sometimes he would even sneak into my bedroom in the A.M with a pack of Oreos after I had the nightmare. And talk with me to distract my mind.

The way he looked at me while I talked . . . made me feel beautiful and important. My mind was set. I couldn't prolong the whole friendship thing any longer. Blair was surprisingly cool with it, she took it well.

Turns out she figured from the moment she saw the ring. She admitted that she had feelings, but in the back of her mind she knew they wouldn't happen. The two of them are still good friends though.

"Have you had the dream?" He pulled away to look at me, swiping away my tears. I shook my head, taking his hand in mine. "I'm okay."

"Sorry about your mug," I laughed, lightening the mood.

"It's whatever," He shrugged. "Are we gonna go now? So I can see this surprise," He combed his ring clad hand through my hair.

I got up, tugging on his hand as I did so and he sighed heavily which lifted my mood.

*

"The art gallery," He looked at me with a raised brow.

I pulled the key out of the ignition and opened my door. "Just shush."

We walked across the street and Drew swung the heavy glass door open for me. When we walked the in the open spaced room, a woman greeted me as we passed her.

"Good afternoon Ms. Taylor."

I nodded curtly. "Good afternoon."

Drew followed closely behind me. His eyes wandering from wall to wall. When we came to the middle of the gallery, He frowned when he saw a gray satin sheet covered over an exhibit.

I yanked off the sheet. His lips parted and he stood in awe . . . at Annalise's own photo exhibit. I charged Jace's camera that she stole and found the photos she took.

That's why she stole it. Because photography was her dream. So I pulled a few strings and got her own exhibit. Stellar photos of the woods were displayed on the gray wall with the light reflecting off each photo giving them a nice glow.

Some pictures were with her legs dangling off a small cliff that overlooked a pool water. Some with of the orange pink painted sky.

Drew ambled closer to the exhibit and laid his hand next to the photo . . . of Annalise. She took a photo of herself. Smiling brightly right at the camera with the beautiful greenery of the forest as her background. Drew's lip quivered and tears spilled from his eyes.

I remember what she told me when I asked her why she didn't want to come home.

"I don't know. It's not that I don't wanna see them again. It's just. . .this is my home. . . It's beautiful out here. It's earth's gift."

So that's what I named it. In big bold black letters, off to the side. Along with a short paragraph on her in smaller writing.

Earth's Gift
By Annalise Parks

"You did this for me?" Drew whispered, looking to me with tear stained cheeks.

"For us," I nodded.

Drew's lips curved into a smile and he wiped away his stale tears. He walked to me, slithering his arms around me from behind.

"Thank you," He pressed his lips to my ear. I placed my hands on top of his and we stood there together. His chin rested on top of my head, we slightly rocked side to side. Both of us admiring the same photo.

The one photo of her that probably triggered so many memories in Drew's mind. Not only his mind . . . . but mine too.

My whole experience can be looked upon as a hardship. It is, no question about it. But sometimes, sometimes you can look at things with a positive perspective. I was beaten, abused and underfed. But all that compiled into the strong thick skinned person I am today.

The woods. I was stranded in the place I was terrified the most. Yet without knowing, it shaped the new me. I understand where Annalise was coming from when she once told me:

"It's alright. He grew up. People change. . . I changed," She pointed out. "But the same thing is gonna happen to you too Blake."

And she was right.

• the end •

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A/N > *wipes tears* it's over. WOTW is officially over 😭

Did you like the ending? I figured I'd base it around Blake and Drew since it took the whole story for them to get together lol.

Thank you so so much to all my voters and commenters! I'm so appreciative of all the support 😘!

please read the note after this! x

Votes/Comments, much appreciated! xx

-kya h. ∞