Eric drives through the large gates into the compound, his right hand still laying affectionately on Mina's legs. He stops out front and chooses to open the door for her.
The first Campbell to notice their presence is Susan, peeking at them from her room's window and as Eric opens the door for Mina, she cowls deeply, shutting the window closed with a loud bang before heading to the living room to let her parents know of their arrival.
The new couple enter the house to meet a very cold welcome, but Mina is actually relieved.
"Good afternoon." One of the head of staff greets, Mina smiles back, recognizing her.
"Good afternoon ma'am. Are they in?" Mina asks.
The woman nods. "Yes, but they all went up the stairs in the other direction. What did you come for? Do you need me to call them ma'am?"
Eric listens in on their conversation while his eyes takes in the place. Its pretty shabby for a family who thinks themselves so high and mighty.
"I just came for my personal items. It's completely fine. I'll get it and we will be on my way."
"Yes ma'am." She steps out of their way and watches as they go up the stairs.
The house had one long staircase that splits into two in the middle. One of the ends leading to where Susan's parents had their rooms. While the other staircase leads to the storerooms and Mina's room. Susan's room is downstairs, the second largest one in the whole building.
Mina opens her door and smiles, feeling like she is home for one. The room has been left untouched, her small student sized bed still draped over with the one sheet has had for many years now. This is the only place she will miss in the house.
She rubs her hand on the bed fondly, a small smile lining her lips.
Eric stands by the door and follows every movement with his eyes.
She picks up a small duffle bag under the desk and chuckles, seeing that no one had gone through it. "Let's go."
Eric frowns immediately. "That is everything you own?"
Mina nods. "This is everything I own."
Eric walks over to the wardrobe and flings it open. It is lined with rows of clothes, not much but they are clothes all the same. "What about these?"
"They are clothes I got from Susan when she outsized them."
Eric pauses, realizing. "You mean to say you never had new clothes that are solely yours?"
Mina chuckles in derision. "I got one. The one I wore to your home that night. Greta bought it specifically for the occasion."
Eric slams the closet door closed and stalks to her, grabbing her by the wrist and snatching the duffel bag from her. "You lived with them for twenty years and you mean to tell me you never saw how mean they were to you?"
Her eyes hardening for the first time since he's seen her, she snatches her hand from him. "What would you know about having to survive? They fed me, clothed me and sent me to school. From kindergarten to college. What more could I wish for? Even if I could tell that they needed me for something like this, would I have run? They never loved me as their true daughter, that I knew and understood but what I did not know is that they did not love me at all!"
Eric lets go of her hand and scoffs. "You stayed for your own selfish reasons then. You know, you are probably like them."
Mina tears up but keeps her defiant look. "Think whatever you want but I was not born into a life of luxury, I don't even know who my parents are but out of the crooked goodness of their hearts, they took me in and raised me, even if I had to pay the price later." A tear drop rolls down her face.
Eric's eyes soften. He raises his hand and softly wipes the tears with his fingers. He grunts frustratedly. "I'm sorry I misunderstood. You had to do whatever to survive."
She turns and stares into the closet like room. "And look where it got me. They played their game well." She whispers.
Eric grabs her hand and entwines his fingers into hers. "Being in this house is making me toxic. Lets get out of here." He takes the duffel bag and follows her out.
At the top of the stairs, both of them descend slowly, hands still entwined.
Waiting at the bottom of the stairs, is Larry, Greta and Susan, each of them holding hands and blocking the end of the stairs.
"Eric Walters, you can leave my daughter behind. You are not leaving here with her." Larry commands, his eyes glinting and his lips wide with a triumphant smile.
Eric tightens his hand around Mina's. "I would like to see who will stop me."
Pulling her softly, they continue their descent down the stairs.
Suddenly, Susan flashes a knife. "Leave her here and go."