Neal hoped these words were untrue, but, he had yet to believe that they were anything but, since no matter what seemed to be going well in his life, he always ended up losing it, and alone. The only real time he'd had a caring foster family, who actually cared about him came into his head, and so did the moment when it was taken from him.
THE PAST
Kansas- 16 years ago
“Jacket, check. Passport check. Energy bars check.” Neal said to himself, as he sat on his bedroom floor and started placing stuff in his suitcase lying on the floor. Neal didn't even hear his foster father reaching the door of his room until he spoke from his position against the door.
'You going alright there Neal?' Neal looked up and smiled, before nodding
“Yeah, I think I've got everything.” Neal said, standing up slowly and sitting on his bed.
Looking around the room, Neal found himself having a strange feeling in this new home. It wasn't the new home that was new to him, it was more the fact that he was actually happy at this one. And that they seemed to want him around for him.
Smiling back at his foster father he stood up and made his way over to where his foster father was standing, and placed his hands in the pocket of his jacket and looked at him.
“Are you sure that this is what's needed for our vacation?” Neal asked, unsure what to be packing for a trip of any kind. Let alone a family vacation.
'Of course, everything that was needed is on that list I gave you.'Neal nodded softly before looking at his foster father's eyes.
“Ok, I trust you. I've just never been on a trip like this before and I want to make sure.” Neal said.
'Well, get used to it. You're family now.' Glancing up, Neal raised his eyebrows. Did he really hear a foster parent call him family?
“Really?” Seeing that nod from his foster father
'Absolutely. In fact maybe this could be a permanent situation. Your foster mother and I were talking about adopting you.' Neal couldn't believe his ears, and he saw the biggest smile grow on his face as he continued to look up at him.
“Are you serious?” Neal asked, not believing what he was hearing.
'I know we won't be able to replace your actual family. But, we're going to try. If you want to stay here that is.' Neal nodded
“Of course I want to stay here. Thank you.” Neal said, and before he knew what he was doing, Neal went to hug him in gratitude.
“I love you.” Feeling the gentle stroke against his hair, he felt the chin resting on his head
'You're welcome. We love you too, and we want you here for good.' Neal just stayed in the arms of his foster father, and rested in them gently.
...
The past month had been so much better then Neal ever would've thought. He was about a week away from having a permanent new family, and he was doing better in school. For once everything was falling into place better then Neal ever would've thought possible. Things couldn't get any better then this, or at least he thought so. He was home alone for a while, while his foster parents were working, and his foster brother was out. A knock on the door brought him out of his thoughts, and he made his way towards it. Opening it, he noticed it was his best friend from school.
“Hey, are you ok?” Neal asked, noticing that something seemed wrong and that he seemed jumpy.
'I need your help Neal.' Glancing around outside the door, he checked whether anyone was there before turning his attention back to his friend.
“What's wrong?” Neal sighed softly and looked at him before inviting him inside.
'I did something stupid, and if I don't fix it. Things could get bad.' Neal watched him close the door gently behind him, and looked at him.
“What was it?”'Well Neal I...' Hearing the sirens, he looked around.
“What exactly did you do?” Glancing between the front door and his friend, he shook his head
“You have to go. I finally have a good situation going here, and if they see the police here. It'll just mess things up.” Neal said, beginning to push him out of the door.
'But, Neal please. You have to help me.' Shaking his head, Neal looked at him
“With what? I can't be hiding someone who broke the law, it'll ruin things here” Hearing the door open, he turned to see his foster parents standing there, with a policeman behind them.
'Neal what's going on here?' Neal glanced between his foster parents with the policeman, and his friend next to him.
“I promise I was just telling him to leave.”The look that his foster parents gave him made his heart break. He recognised it, and knew how this was going to end.
'Neal, you let this thief into our house. Knowing he could cause danger to our son.' Hearing those words made Neal's heart twang and his head drop
“Wait, our son?” Neal asked.
'I'm sorry Neal that isn't what your father meant' Sighing softly, he shook his head and frowned
“No, it's ok. I know exactly what he meant.” Neal said, grabbing the backpack from the table as he began to make his way out of the house. Stopping next to the cop,
“Whatever he's done. He's all yours.” Neal didn't care anymore, and glanced back to his friend and frowned softly before finishing to leave the house.
THE PRESENT
Coming back into the present, Neal blinked back some tears that had come to his eyes. He went to wipe them away, knowing that now this situation was all he had now. Living inside his father, trapped by his papa's dagger. And alone. Neal had been wanting to be close to his father again, but, this isn't what he'd had in mind. He was alone, and trapped in a cage all over again. Nowhere else to go.