CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
While Jeremiah was whisked away to medical, his brother Zane was being ushered to the emergency room to reunite with him.
“Hey guys, hold up,” said AJ. “You need to talk to those two. We don’t think they’re actually brothers or that they were born to the Millers.”
“What? What do you mean?” asked Remington.
“I mean, the brothers are too close together. Monty and Zane were eleven months apart, close to a year. That’s not unusual but then we have the other brothers, Martin and Denis are only six months apart.
Peter and Daniel, four months. And Jeremiah isn’t twenty-one, he’s twenty-five.
Just three months older than Daniel. The boys are not related. ”
“Jesus, she stole those kids,” said Remington.
“It’s more likely the women they sent on the hunts had babies and she took the boys. Zane and Saylor both said there were more boys than girls. We think this is why,” said AJ.
“Shit, those two have been through enough,” said Remington.
“Let’s speak with them,” said Rush. “Then we need to speak with Saylor as well. None of them may be the biological children of these people.”
At the clinic, the brothers were clinging to one another, Zane holding his brother’s hand as Layla examined King’s work.
“You did great, King. I wouldn’t have done anything differently. We’re going to put you on some antibiotics and give you some medication for pain if you need it.”
“Can we leave?” asked Zane.
“Actually,” said Ham stepping into the room, “we’d like both of you to stay until we can find the others. We’ll make sure you’re safe and you can stay together in one of our cottages.”
“Okay,” nodded Zane.
The others stared at the two young men noticing how very different they were. Jeremiah was lean, muscular, with dark brown hair and brown eyes. Zane had light red hair, blue eyes, and face full of freckles.
“Boys, we have some questions for you,” said Ham. They both nodded. “Zane, do you remember when Jeremiah was born?”
“No,” he said shaking his head. “Our parents kept us away when newborns came home. We stayed with one of the other families. They said it was because of germs.”
“I see,” nodded Ham. “Jeremiah, do you know that you look almost as old as Zane.”
“Yes, sir. Our mother always said it was because of my coloring.”
“What’s going on?” asked Zane.
“We’ve run some bloodwork on both of you,” said Rush, “and we’ll know for certain soon enough, but we don’t believe that you’re biological brothers. We think you were born from the women used in the hunts.”
The boys looked stunned at first, then stared at one another, then back at the team in the room.
“I’d like to say I’m shocked,” said Zane, “but nothing shocks me any longer. We look nothing alike. None of us. There’s nothing similar in any of us other than scars.”
“You and Monty were eleven months apart, but Martin and Denis are only six months apart. Peter and Daniel, four months. And Jeremiah you’re not twenty-one, you’re twenty-five.
Just three months older than Daniel. The birth certificates were fakes but they did have the correct birth dates on them.
I’m guessing you never saw your birth certificate. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” said Jeremiah. “They’re still my brothers and I still want to help them.”
“Which makes you very different than your parents. You should be proud of that,” said Rush. “I know you’re hurting, Jeremiah, but we’d like to ask you some questions about this other property. We need as much detail as you can give us.”
“What do you want to know?” asked Zane.
For two hours the men asked questions, while Zane and Jeremiah drew maps, explained the terrain, and talked about the animals that were there the last time they were on the property.
“This is very helpful,” said Remington. “We should be able to find this and get them out.”
“Can I make a recommendation?” asked Zane.
“Of course. We’re relying on your expertise to help us,” said Ham.
“Wait a few days. Let them get settled and think that they’re safe.
They’ll be less edgy, more likely to think they’ve escaped.
We’ve seen it before. When you get there, get to our mo-, get to Mrs. Miller first,” said Zane.
“If you take her down, the others will feel panicked and most likely will either surrender or harm themselves to avoid jail.”
“That’s a good plan,” said Remington staring at the two young men. “You seem okay with the idea of us possibly killing Mrs. Miller.”
“If you knew the hell she’s put all of us through, you would understand. It’s a miracle that we’re even remotely normal considering what she did to us,” said Jeremiah.
“You’re more than normal,” said Rush. “The way you’ve handled all of this is admirable.”
“Even though we didn’t fight back?” frowned Jeremiah.
“Son, sometimes fighting back is not an option. The only alternative is to survive. You’ve done that and should be proud of yourselves,” said Ham. “Believe me, survival is where freedom begins.”
“Yes, sir,” he nodded.
“Is there anyone else on the property that we should be particularly worried about?" asked Rush. He felt certain they’d be able to handle anyone or anything thrown at them but they preferred a no surprises attack if at all possible.
“Just Mrs. Miller,” they said in unison. The brothers smiled for the first time and the others in the room smiled with them.
“Get these boys some food,” said Claudette wiggling between the big bodies. “Hello boys. My name is Claudette and you can call me Aunt Claudette, Claudette, or Mama Claudette. Whatever you like.”
“Claudette, we just got them home,” smirked Ham. “We’ll get them some food.”
“Y’all will get them some food now or I’ll do it myself. They’re too skinny and they need some love. Move them to the cottage near the big house. We’ll all be checkin’ on ‘em throughout the day.” Jake walked in with a wheelchair and a big smile.
“Jake, we need to wait,” started Ham.
“They can go,” smiled Layla. “We’ll check on them in the cottage but Claudette is right. They both need a good meal or twenty.” The others laughed and Zane smiled at them. When a familiar face appeared in the door, both of the young men looked as if they’d cry again.
“Hi, Zane. Hi, Jeremiah,” said Saylor.
“Saylor,” whispered Zane. “You’re okay. You’re alright.”
“I’m better than okay,” she said grabbing Remington’s hand. “This is my husband, Remington. We just had twin boys.”
“Wow, congratulations!” said Jeremiah. “You’re safe here, right?” She smiled at the two men, once friends.
“Yes. We’re all safe here.”