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Emily stood under an umbrella in the rain. At the mere age of 12 she watched as her parents got lowered into the ground. She looked around, there were a lot of people present but nobody that she knew. Her eyes landed on the two tombstones standing side by side. Anthony Prentiss and Elizabeth Prentiss. By her side stood the social worker, Sarah that approached her that night in the hospital waiting room.
She and her parents were on the way home from dinner when their car got struck. After that moment the next thing that she remembered was Sarah sitting with her in the waiting room. In her hand she clutched her mother’s broken bracelet that she had found on the floor of the ER as the doctor’s pushed her mother in to surgery. She felt her ears start to ring when she noticed the doctor walk towards her.
Her father died on the table. She felt the news wash over her, he always referred to her as his ‘little princess’ but now she would never hear those words again. She refused to leave the hospital waiting room until she got news of her mother. Finally, after almost 11 hours the surgeon came and took her to her mother’s recovery room. Emily stopped just short of the entrance to the room, through the window she stared in horror at her mother. The women that she knew to always be put together was lying limp on the bed, scratches and bruises all over her body, a tube down her throat and a bandage around her head.
Emily exhaled, “Mom!” the young girl ran into the room to her mother’s side. “Mommy, you’re alive. Daddy’s gone.” Emily and her mother never really got along. Her father always mediated their arguments and helped them understand each other. But in that moment, Emily had never been so happy to see her mother. Emily reached into her pocket pulling out the bracelet, “I found your bracelet. The one Daddy gave to you when you both got married. It’s broken but we can get it fixed, I’ll take good care of it for you.” Emily gently lifted her mother’s arms and slid her way into the hospital bed. The young girl rested her head on her mother’s shoulder, “Please wake up soon. I miss you and Daddy.” Emily exhaled shakily. Tears now flowing down her face, staining the hospital gown that Elizabeth was wearing. “Daddy already left. Please don’t leave me too.”
Emily was sat quietly on her bed; she still held her mother’s broken bracelet in her hand. There was a crowd of mourners downstairs. Even in the sea of people Emily felt alone, she was alone. This was her last day in her home, when this was over, she would be taken to a foster family. She wouldn’t be able to return home until the house came into her name at age 18.
There was a soft knock at her bedroom door, Emily looked up and met eyes with Sarah’s. “Everyone has left. It’s time for us to go.” Emily nodded silently. She got up off her bed, picked up her packed bags and walked out to the hallway. She stopped in the doorway and looked back into her bedroom; her memories flashed. Her parents reading her bedtime stories, jumping on the bed with her father, playing dress up with her mother, they were all just memories now. The young girl shut her eyes and walked out the door. She trotted down the steps. Emily made her way into her father’s office, opened his desk drawer and pulled out a book. ‘Naughty Amelia Jane’ her favorite book from when she was younger. Her dad always said that she was just as mischievous as Amelia Jane. After tucking the book into her bag, she stopped in the living room picking up a small picture frame containing a photo of the 3 of them.
Emily left the house, she stood at the curb staring back at the house with vacant eyes. In the last 72 hours she lost everything that was ever important to her. She had nothing left in her life.
She stared out the window of the car. She watched the scenery change, the car ride felt long. When they reached the house, she hesitantly exited the car. She had lived all over the world before, but she had never been to this part of DC before. The house ahead of her seemed small, and slightly run down. The front yard wasn’t very well kept but she didn’t really care. Emily looked up the street, the area seemed like one those neighborhoods that her mother would warn her about. She probably wouldn’t be riding her bicycle up and down this street.
Emily followed behind as Sarah led her to the front door. Sarah knocked on the door and a middle-aged women answered the door. The older lady welcomed them in. Emily was in shock; she couldn’t believe that this was happening. She watched as Sarah conversed with the older lady; she turned her head when a middle-aged man walked into the room. “Emily this is Mr and Mrs Clark. They are going to look after you.” Emily just nodded her head and gave them a small wave. “She doesn’t talk much, does she?” Mr Clark said to Sarah. “Not since her mother passed.” Sarah sighed.
After a short while more Sarah bid Emily goodbye and left. Emily was sat perfectly straight on the couch just staring ahead at the wall. Mrs Clark shut the door after Sarah left, the older women approached the pre-teen. “Come on Emily, I’ll show you where you will be sleeping.” Emily nodded her head and followed the lady. Mrs Clark opened the room door, in the room a young boy was sat on the floor reading a book. “Emily, this is Spencer. He has been staying with us for almost 8 months now. You guys will be sharing a room.” Emily nodded again and walked further into the room. “I’ll leave you both to get acquainted.” Mrs Clark shut the door behind her as she left.
Emily silently put her stuff down beside the bed and flopped down on the bed. She stared at the ceiling and a few tears fell from her eyes. She heard shuffling and then there was a small voice, “Hi Emily. I’m Spencer.” Emily turned her head and narrowed her eyes at him. The boy was small and skinny. He had light brown hair and chestnut eyes. “What’re you reading?” The little boy’s face lit up at the question. “Quantum Physics for Beginners.” He could barely lift up the heavy book to show her the cover. “Quantum physics? How old are you?” Emily lifted her head furrowing her eyebrows at him. “I’m 4.” He smiled. “Huh.” Emily made a shocked face. Emily rested her head back onto the bed, shutting her eyes.
Emily woke to a clattering sound. She shot up on the bed, looking around the room. Her eyes finally landed on Spencer who gave her a sheepish look, “Sorry.” He spoke. “It’s alright.” Emily yawned. Spencer held his up a toy train to her, “Do you want to play trains with me?” Emily looked back to the young boy, “Sure.” She shrugged. Emily settled on the floor and helped Spencer build a train track. She enjoyed listening to all his fun facts, it took her mind off all the depressing things going on in her life.
Dinner was mostly silent except for Spencer talking about whatever it was that he was reading about. Mrs Clark seemed sweet, but Mr Clark was nowhere to be seen. Emily hadn’t seen him since she arrived. After dinner Mrs Clark made sure that both children were showered and ready for bed and she bid them goodnight. Spencer had fallen asleep, Emily was intending on reading but having spent the early parts of the day crying, she was exhausted. She fell asleep not too long after.
The pre-teen woke up when she heard a crash from the living room. It was followed by shouting and more crashes. Emily slipped out of the bed and walked to the door hoping to investigate. Just as she reached for the door she heard a small voice behind her, “Don’t go out there.” Emily gave Spencer a confused look. “It’s Mr Clark, he’s always angry. Please don’t go out there.” Just then there was another shout and Spencer hide behind his blanket. Loud footsteps could be heard approaching the room, “Pretend to sleep.” Spencer said and Emily scrambled back into the bed pulling the covers over her face.
Her heart slammed in her chest. The door opened and she could see his shadow approach the two of them. She watched him bend down and peel Spencer’s blanket of his body. When the man noticed Spencer shaking, trying to stay asleep. “You’re supposed to be asleep boy.” She watched as Mr Clark dragged him out of the bed by the ear. Emily immediately jumped up off the bed, “It’s my fault, I woke him.” The man dropped Spencer and the little boy ran back to his bed. “Maybe you aren’t accustomed to how things work around here. After the lights go out, you should be asleep. You think that just because you are some little rich girl that you can do whatever you want.” Mr Clark walked up to her, but Emily stood strong in her position. He bent down some that they were face to face, “Well now your parents are dead, and money can’t save you now.”
Spencer sat in his bed and cried as Emily got dragged out of the room. This was all his fault. He heard Mr Clark shout and Emily scream out in pain. “Where are you going?” He heard Mr Clark shout. “I’m just going to check on Spencer.” Mrs Clark replied from just outside the door. “Leave him!” The man shouted back. A little while later he saw the door open, and Emily walked back in. “Are you okay? I’m so sorry.” Spencer looked at her with pleading eyes. “I’m fine Spence. Don’t worry about it and it’s not your fault.” Emily walked over to Spencer’s bed. With the low light from the window, she could see a wet stain on Spencer’s bed. “Spencer, what happened?” She gave him a concerned look. “I had an accident. Are you mad?” Spencer looked up at her with watery eyes, she could see the fear behind them. “I’m not mad. Go change and get yourself cleaned up. Meet me in the laundry room with your dirty pajamas.” Emily gave him a warm smile. Spencer’s eyes widened, “We can’t go out there!” He exclaimed quietly. “They’ve gone to sleep. It’ll be fine I promise. I’ll protect you.” Emily brushed tears off his cheeks.
Spencer got off the bed, gathered clean pajamas and made his way to the bathroom. Emily stripped his bed of the sheets and carried them to the laundry room. Spencer was waiting for her there. In the light of the laundry room, Spencer could see the bruises Mr Clark had left on Emily’s arms and legs. “Emily, Are you alright?” Emily shot him a weak smile, “I’m just fine, Spence.” The two of them loaded the dirty laundry into the washing machine. Emily put in some detergent and started a quick was and dry.
They returned to the room; Spencer settled into Emily’s bed. She insisted that he sleep, and she would wait for the laundry to finish. After some time of tossing and turning Spencer sat up, “Em? I can’t sleep.” Emily stood from the desk chair. She pulled a book out from her backpack and sat next to Spencer on the bed. “What book is that?” He asked. “It’s called Naughty Amelia Jane by Enid Blyton. My Mom and Dad used to read it to me every night when I was your age. It was my favorite.” After 15 minutes of reading Emily looked to her left to see Spencer fast asleep. The pre-teen quietly made her way back to the laundry room to remake Spencer’s bed. After remaking his bed, Emily lifted him off hers and placed him back in his.
~
3 Years Later
It’s Emily’s first day of 10th grade. Over the past 3 years Emily and Spencer had grown very close. He is the little brother she never had. Spencer is now 7 but he is going into the 6th Grade, in Emily’s opinion he is smart enough to go to high school.
Emily was waiting at the bus stop for Spencer to get off the bus. When the bus doors opened, Spencer ran out. She was expecting him to bombard her with his excitement about learning new things, but Spencer was quiet for the duration of their walk back to the house. “Spence? Do you wanna tell me what’s wrong.” Emily looked down to the little boy walking beside her. “They all made fun of me. They called me weird.” Emily sighed.
She stopped walking and bent down to Spencer, “People are always going to be mean. The important thing is that you know who you are, and you are comfortable with who are. Spencer, you are so smart. You could rule the world one day if you wanted to. Don’t let them bother you. However, if they give you too much if a hard time just let me know and I’ll sort it out.” Spencer beamed at her, letting a grin play on his lips, “Thank you, Em. I love you.” Spencer threw his arms around her. Emily embraced him, “I love you too Spence.”
A few weeks later Mrs Clark got called into the principal’s office of Emily’s high school. Emily had a tendency to play truant in school, it had been going on ever since her parent’s death. At first it started small, like violating dress code but it had only escalated since. However, the teen always found her way to charm herself out of trouble.
Mrs Clark walked into the office to see Emily sitting in the chair. Emily was sat opposite the principal; she wore a smirk and was twirling a pen in her hand. “What did she do now?” Mrs Clark asked sitting down next to Emily. “Ms Prentiss here was caught with a pack of cigarettes.” The principal stated. Mrs Clark turned to look at Emily in shock, “Emily!” She chastised the teen. Emily just smiled and shrugged in response. Emily just barely got away without a suspension. The teen walked out of the office leaving to return to class, Mrs Clark was running after her calling out for her. Emily finally turned around wearing an annoyed look, “What!” Emily snapped. Mrs Clark was taken a back, Emily had never snapped at her before. “What are you doing? You’re going to ruin your future.” Emily chuckled, “My future is just fine.” Emily’s tone was cold. “Why are you using that tone with me? I’ve been nothing but nice to you since you arrived.” The teen let out a scoff, “Just because you don’t hit us doesn’t make you a good guardian. Yesterday, I got back late to find Spencer covered in bruises because I wasn’t there to protect him. No, wait. It’s because you weren’t brave enough to protect him.” Emily snapped and walked off.
~
Another 3 Years Later
Emily is now 17 going on 18. She was so close to escaping this nightmare. On her 18th birthday she gets access to her inheritance and her home. She was starting at Georgetown in the fall. A better life was ahead for her and for Spencer. There was absolutely no way that she was leaving him behind. She was going to put him in a good school, a school that could accommodate his brilliance. She had done her research; she had a plan. Now all she had to do was wait for the summer to be over and for her birthday to come.
It was August, 2 months to her birthday. School for Spencer starts in a few weeks. On this particular day, Sarah came over. She was accompanied by a man that looked to be in his early to mid-40s. He introduced himself as David Rossi. He looked well to do and put together. Mr and Mrs Clark spoke with him, Emily and Spencer were stood at the back of the living room watching. Sarah then called Spencer over. “Hi Spencer, I’m Dave.” Emily watched from the back as Spencer and Dave conversed.
After a short time, Sarah dropped a bomb. “Spencer, Mr Rossi is hoping to adopt you.” Spencer’s face lit up. He gave Dave a quick hug wishing him ‘thank you’ repeatedly. He then ran to Emily, and they shared a big hug, “Em! Did you hear that! We’re getting out of here!” The 10-year-old was ecstatic. Emily’s smile faded and she crouched down to him, “Um, Spence. Mr Rossi wants to adopt you. Just you.” Spencer smile faded, “What? But I need you.” The two shared another hug, “It’s okay, Spence. You don’t need me anymore. You’ll have Mr Rossi. He is going to take such good care of you.” Spencer buried his face into Emily’s shoulder, “Promise me that you’ll come visit?” Emily sighed, “I’ll talk to Mr Rossi about it, okay?” Spencer lifted his head and nodded, “Good. Now let’s get rid of those tears. Today is a happy day. Go pack your stuff.” Spencer nodded again before retreating to his room.
Mr and Mrs Clark were in the kitchen with Sarah. This left Emily a chance to talk to Dave, “I understand if you don’t want me to visit Spencer. I don’t want to impose.” Emily spoke up. “He’s a great kid. He’s kind, brave, and smart. God, he’s so smart. What school were you thinking of sending him to?” Dave raised his eyebrow at her. Emily’s eyes widened, “No. No, um, that’s not what I meant. It’s just that I was doing some research on schools that would be best suited for him and these are what I think are the top contenders.” Emily walked over to her backpack and pulled out 4 brochures and handed them to Dave. “I see. You’ve done a lot of research. You really care about him.” Dave said to Emily. “Yeah, after the age of 12 he’s the only family that I have had.” Emily expressed to him.
Spencer then came out of the room holding his bags. Dave stood up, ready to leave with Spencer. Emily ran into the room to get something to give Spencer. “I’m gonna miss you Spence.” Emily wrapped him in a hug. “I’m gonna miss you too Em.” Spencer squeezed Emily as tight as he could. Emily bent down, “I want you to have this.” Spencer looked to the book that his ‘sister’ was holding. The cover read ‘Naughty Amelia Jane’. Over the almost 6 years that they have known each other they read that book together countless times. “But that’s the book you parents used to read to you?” Spencer looked at her with teary eyes. “Yeah, but it’s also the book that we read together almost every night.” Emily pulled Spencer into another hug. Spencer took the book and bid her a final goodbye.
It was the end of September, and it was finally two weeks until Emily started at Georgetown and two weeks until her birthday. Emily was walking back to the house from the park. As she approached the house, Emily noticed a familiar car and man standing out front. It was Dave Rossi. She hadn’t seen him or Spencer since the day Spencer left. “Emily! We need to talk.” Dave exclaimed jogging towards her. “Mr Rossi, it’s nice to see you again. How’s Spencer?” Emily replied. “Call me Dave and that’s what we need to talk about.” Dave informed her. Emily lifted her eyebrow in confusion. “Spencer is doing great, but he really misses you. I think it would be beneficial if you both kept in touch with each other.” Emily smiled, “As much as I would love that, Dave. I can’t actually keep in touch with him until after my birthday. That’s when I get access to my bank account, I can buy a phone and a car, and I can come visit.” Dave smiled proudly, “That is why I got you this.” Dave pulled out a brand-new cell phone and offered it to her. “Dave, I can’t at all accept this.” Emily took a step back from him. “Don’t worry about it, pay me back after your birthday. It is pre-loaded with my cell number, the house number, and my office number.” Emily smiled brightly at him, “Thank you so much Dave.”
Emily turned away from the man and walked up the driveway towards the house. “You could always come with me?” Dave spoke up. Emily stopped in her tracks her back still facing him. “I’ll adopt you. You can live with Spencer and I. You both will be together.” Emily finally faced the older man, “It’s nice of you to offer but there’s no point really. By the time the paperwork goes through I’ll be 18.” Emily gave him a warm smile, “Plus, I’m sure that you’ve heard about how much of a ‘handful’ I am.” Dave chuckled. “Yes, Mr and Mrs Clark had something to say about that. I believe the words they used were, difficult, defiant, reckless, rebellious, and crazy.” Emily smirked; she took pride in the fact that she made her foster parent’s lives hard. “Didn’t you bite a couple that tried to adopt you a couple years back.” Emily let out a loud laugh, “Yeah, that’s a good story.” The FBI agent narrowed his eyes at the teenager, “Why would you sabotage your chances like that?” Emily sighed. “I couldn’t leave Spence here by himself.” Emily wore a gentle smile as she referenced the house behind her.
Dave’s face lightened with confusion, “See this is where I’m at a loss. From what Spencer says and judging by how you treat him, I wouldn’t think you were capable of doing those things.” Emily shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly, “We all do what we have to do to survive and protect the people we love.” There was a short silence. “I’ll see you soon Dave. I’ll call Spence tonight.” Emily spun on her heels and entered the house.
Later that night Emily spoke with Spencer on the phone. Spencer talked non-stop about his new school and all the fun things that he learned. He was so excited to hear from Emily. She promised to celebrate her birthday with him.
~
It was the morning of Emily’s birthday. It was a Saturday; she was going to start at Georgetown on Monday. The first thing Emily did on the morning of her birthday was to go to get all the paperwork done to accept her inheritance and finally move out of that godforsaken foster home. By 3.00pm, Emily was an independent person. From the bank she went to her mother’s old jeweler. The moment she walked in, everyone recognized her, she looked exactly like her mother. They all greeted Emily with hugs. Emily presented them with her mother’s old bracelet, she finally had the money to get it fixed. Within half an hour the bracelet was repaired, polished and re-sized to fit Emily.
After that Emily took a cab to Dave’s house. When they entered the neighborhood Emily felt an unsettling warmth wash over her. The further into the neighborhood they drove the more everything flowed back to her. She knew these streets; they were the streets where she learned to ride a bike. The cab stopped in front of Dave’s house and Emily got out. Emily stood at the curb and looked up the street. At the end of the street, just off the cul de sac, she saw it. Her home. She has lived all over the world, but that house. The first place she came home to from the hospital, the place she took her first steps, said her first words. Countless parties hosted there. Countless memories. From where she was standing, she could still picture her and her parents playing in the front yard.
Emily took a deep breath and knocked on Dave’s door. On the other side she heard Spencer run to the door. Before she knew it, the door was open and Spencer was hugging her, “Happy Birthday Emily!” He exclaimed. “Thank you, Spence.” The two of them walked into the house and found Dave in the kitchen. “There’s the birthday girl. In honor of your birthday, I am making my famous pasta.” Dave exclaimed. “Thank you, Dave.” Emily smiled at him. Spencer and Emily sat down at the kitchen island. “Wow Emily. It’s beautiful. You got fixed already.” Spencer looked down at her wrist. Emily smiled and held her wrist up, “Yeah, it really is beautiful isn’t it.”
Spencer was working on his homework in his room and Emily was sat across from Dave in the living room. “Alright Emily. I got you something. Spence got you something as well which I’m sure he is just itching to give to you.” Dave handed Emily a small gift box. Emily wished him a thank you as she opened it. Inside was a shiny silver key. “It’s a house key. You’re welcome here anytime. I know that you are going to Georgetown but if you ever want to come home, Spencer and I will be here.” Emily grinned at Dave. Both of them stood up and Emily gave him a hug, “Thank you, Dave. You have no idea how much this means to me.”
Emily and Dave continued to chat. Dave began to notice Emily’s vacant eyes and distant nature. “Em, is something wrong? You seem distant.” Emily snapped out of her daze, “I’m fine.” Dave laughed, “Emily, I’m a profiler for the FBI.” Emily smiled shyly, “It’s just that you mentioned home and while I do think of both you and Spence as my family. The house I grew up in is just up the street. My Mom was an ambassador, so I have lived all around the world, but that house was always the constant.” Dave’s eyes widened as the dots connected in his head. “I remember. I didn’t recognize you but almost every evening when I was reading on the porch, I would see you and your father ride your bikes past, on the way to the park. You were always so lost in conversation, but he always waved.” Emily smiled fondly at the memories. “When was the last time that you were there?” Dave asked. Emily chuckled dryly, “Not since the funeral.” Dave got up from his seat, “Give me a minute.” Emily nodded as Dave disappeared up the stairs.
Dave reappeared not to long after with Spencer in tow. Dave walked straight past Emily motioning at her to follow. Emily scurried along behind Dave grabbing her bag on the way, “Dave where are we going?” Dave opened the front door and held open for Spencer and Emily, “It’s not about where we’re going Em. It’s about where you’re going.” Emily rolled her eyes. The older man always had a flair for the dramatic. “Fine then, where am I going?” Dave locked the front door and turned walking past Emily again. He stopped on the sidewalk and gestured towards the cul de sac, “Home.” Emily was stunned, she had dreamt about this day for a long time, “I don’t know if I can do this.” Spencer rubbed the side of her arm, comforting her. “We’re here for you Em. You’re not alone.” Emily smiled at her ‘little brother’, “Let’s do this.”
Emily, Spencer and Dave stood at the foot of the large house. Emily felt like she was floating as she walked to the door. She looked around the front yard, her memories swirling around her. She attempted to unlock the door only to find that it was already unlocked. Emily cautiously pushed the door open. She was met with the view of the familiar foyer. Emily turned her head to face the living room when she heard quiet steps on the hard wood. Emily broke into a smile when she saw he old housekeeper.
The older women stepped forward, “Miss Emily, you’re home!” The older lady smiled. She stepped forward and Emily shared a comforting hug with her. “Mrs Lopez, what are you doing here?” Emily asked but it’s like the lady didn’t hear her. Mrs Lopez held Emily’s face, “You look just like your Mommy. After Sir and Madam passed, they said that you would inherit the house one day. I came here once a week to make sure that everything was perfect for when you got home.” Emily’s eyes were filled with tears as she stood with the person that helped raise her, “Who has been paying you?” Mrs Lopez laughed, “Oh nonsense, after everything that your parents have done for me. I was happy to do it.” Emily rolled her eyes, “We will sort this out later.”
Emily brought Mrs Lopez over to where Spencer and Dave were standing, “Mrs Lopez this is Dave and Spencer, I never would have survived the last 6 years without them. Spencer, Dave this is Mrs Lopez she was our housekeeper and she helped raise me.” The older women shook hands with Dave and Spencer.
Emily walked through her home; her memories still fresh in her mind. She walked into her bedroom; it was decorated exactly how she left it. She has yet to decide what to do with the house. She already had an apartment near Georgetown, but she didn’t have it in her to sell it. So, she discussed a deal with Mrs Lopez, who agreed to maintain the house until Emily decided what she wanted.
Back at Dave’s house, Dave, Spencer and Emily enjoyed a pasta dinner. Dave was pleasantly surprised to learn that Emily knew Italian, she had lived in Rome from ages 8 to 11. Spencer was extremely excited to show Emily the room that he and Dave had decorated for her in Dave’s house. Emily decided to stay the night in her new room. She and Spencer were watching a movie in the living room. On her birthday 6 years ago, she felt completely alone. She had lost her parents just a week ago, the only thing keeping her going was an adorable 4-year-old that depended on her. Now finally, she and Spencer were free and happy. Emily was ready to put all her pain behind her and start anew.