20Hey guys! First I want sincerely to apologize for not updating for years! I want to thank all who have followed, favorited and reviewed on this story. As I got older writing began to seem dull to me and life got busy with school. I'm trying to find my passion for writing again, but nevertheless I finally finished translating this fic.
Also I have done a little fixing in the previous chapters in grammar and added POV's (thank you Maria Rose and Blairx6661)
So here I present the final chapter of The Famous Five: Captured. I hope you enjoy!
Chapter four: The Finale
Julian's POV
"Are you in any pain?" Mia asked while looking concerned. Only then did I notice all the soreness I had. I had been in a coma for quite a while but my wounds hadn't had the time to heal completely. I had a huge headache for two reasons: a big wound and amnesia. Still, I didn't want them to worry anymore because of me so I lied, "No, I'm not."
"Oh good," she sighed relieved.
There were a lot of people around me, but I had the slightest inkling that something was missing. I tried to recollect what I had seen in my dreams. It was light-coloured and always with George… A dog! That was the missing thing. I frowned for a second before smoothing my expression quickly. It probably wouldn't do any good to ask about the dog. It would most likely open the floodgates for questions if I remembered anything else. I just silently petted Anne's hair to further quiet down her sobs. But what was the dog's name?
The others began carefully questioning me about different things that could help me remember. I shook my head to every question until George mentioned Tim. I froze. Tim… Tim? It was the dog! It was George's dog's name! Oh, wow I actually remembered something. Huh. Returning to reality I jerked in my bed before quickly shaking my head. Though the others didn't buy it and looked at me knowingly. Fortunately, Anne, whose head was still in my lap, continued the questioning and the others let it go.
When it was time to leave everyone said goodbye and promised to visit me again tomorrow except Mia's family. They had to return to Switzerland. After the nurse had checked my condition and left the room, I wondered what dreams I would see tonight. After snuggling a little deeper into the blankets, I let my eyelids drop and welcomed the darkness.
Mia's POV
George was all but beaming when we walked out of the building.
"He remembered Tim, didn't he?!"
"Well at least he recognized the name," her mother answered.
Would it be the first step towards recovery? Hopefully so. He looked oddly calm but I'm pretty sure it was only a façade for our sake. Because who could really remain absolutely calm without remembering anything? He really was strong.
"It's a shame we have attend school. I wish we could just skip!" Dick exclaimed suddenly.
"Yeah, but maybe you could tell him about your adventures tomorrow?" I asked the three members of the Five.
"Now that does sound quite good. It's not too early to speak about them, is it?" Dick turned his hopeful gaze at his parents. They thought it wouldn't hurt as long as Julian agreed, and they would stop if it distressed him.
3rd POV
During the next couple of weeks, Anne, Dick and George recounted their adventures to Julian as he listened without looking stressed. He had this drowning feeling of hopefulness but hid it well. Clearly, he was important in their lives, but he just couldn't remember anything about them. Yes, he had been dreaming about them and their adventures, but it really didn't help him recall his memories. Nevertheless, he learnt to trust them over time.
Julian's POV
After a month I was released out of the hospital. I would have to return to school soon. Though, my parents told me that I could wait until after the next holiday aka summer. When I was back home everybody started going back to everyday life little by little. They every now and then even forgot I had amnesia. First time George came to visit me at home, Tim ran to me and greeted me enthusiastically licking my face all over. He had noticed my absence and the atmosphere caused by it.
My siblings and cousin started to plan a trip in the summer with relish until Dick remembered my condition. Then they thought dispiritedly that I wouldn't want to go on a trip after the last fateful outing. I of course told them that it didn't bother me and that they could leave without me if my presence made them feel uncomfortable. They assured me that my presence was on the contrary very much relished and that they were clad I was still with them and so the Famous Five was once again assembled. Tim even barked his opinion of the matter and came to sit next to me. That settled matters so they continued planning as I watched from the sidelines. In the end I suggested that we could ask Mia to accompany us. They agreed.
Next week we went camping to a nearby moor. I tried to act as natural as possible. It seemed to work since everything run smoothly. When the tents had been set up, I went to fetch water from a well close-by. Tim trotted happily beside me his tongue lulling outside his mouth. The others remained at the camp side to make food or fetch firewood.
Just as I had filled both buckets Tim started growling.
"What is it, boy?" I asked him while looking around. He had probably heard something moving in the forest, a rabbit or hedgehog or some other animal. I turned back to the trail going to the camp when I heard footsteps. I quickly hid behind a bush and Tim quietly followed me. I saw a man creeping around with a gun in his hand. I told Tim to go warn the others and he slinked away luckily unnoticed by the man.
My heartbeat was thundering in my ears and I was afraid the man would hear it. He was inspecting the well and the footprints leading to it. I moved carefully closer so I could see the man's features better. It was a big mistake. Just then the man swirled around and reached for my arm. I was going to yell for help, but he covered my mouth with his big and sweaty hand dropping the gun. As I struggled in his grasp, I saw another man coming straight to us. He picked up the gun and asked me about some strange thing that I had no knowledge of. The new man struck my face with his fist when I didn't answer his question. He repeated his question and this time took out a knife when I refused to say anything. He started to cut me in the arms whenever I refused to answer his repeated questioning. I was able to hold my agony for awhile but soon enough I was screaming out loud in pain.
I began to think about my friends who had told me about our last adventure together which ended in me losing my memory. They had told me how I had been tortured for trying to free us from the captivity. I also had supposedly known about the same strange think these men were asking me about. Oh, my friends must be frightened to hear my screams once again. I hope that Tim will make sure that they don't come after me. I didn't get to scream for long, as the one cutting me took out the gun and struck me in the head with the handle.
That's when it happened. My whole life flashed before my eyes like a film. I remembered everything! Then everything went black.
Mia's POV
We heard screaming. It sounded awfully familiar. It was Julian! We looked at each other feeling horrified. Tim had run back at the camp without Julian and tried to get us do something. Before we could take action, the screaming had started. Suddenly the screaming stopped, and we froze. When we heard a man curse about a boy who doesn't speak, we could move again. It was the same man who had interrogated us back then. Dick ran to get help while we went to hide in the forest and to keep an eye on the men.
After a couple of minutes, the men found our campsite and began to rummage around it. They seemed to be looking for something specific. They had taken Julian with them. He was unconscious and his shirt seemed to have blood on it. Why did this have to happen too? Hadn't he suffered enough already?
After about ten minutes Dick came back with the police. There were six officers and they managed to surround the men before they could escape. The men couldn't do anything else but give up and surrender. One of the policemen began to examine Julian and to bind his worst wounds. After making sure he was able as he could be, he carried him to one of the police cars further away. We followed him and asked if we could come with. He agreed and so we sped away to a hospital, but this time with only one wounded.
3rd POV
When Julian's parents were called to tell them that their eldest was in a hospital, again, and unconscious, again, it resulted in a fainted mother. Good news was that Julian wasn't in a coma this time. He would wake up at any moment. He had a nasty bump on his head and cuts on his arms, but they would heal, and he would be okay in time.
Fifteen minutes after his parents had arrived, Julian woke and sprung up on his bed as if waking from a nightmare. At that moment, he grimaced and held his head with both hands. Only after a doctor and a couple of nurses arrived came to check him and asked a bunch of questions did he notice he was in a hospital. That's when he noticed his family and friends.
"Oh, hi," he said and continued confused, "how did I get here?"
The others began to explain the situation and the doctor tried to get an answer to his questions if it hurt anywhere, if he was feeling dizzy, if he felt nauseous, and so on.
"Well my head hurts quite a lot, but I don't feel concussed. It's not like I'm in a coma or anything. Everything's fine." Julian tried to joke lightly.
"I guess you remember us then," George asked cautiously.
"Well of course I do! You're my cousin George, you are my sister Anne and my brother Dick. My father and mother and my friend Mia," he said but continued when the stares he got where not convinced, "Mia's favourite colour is turquoise, Dick and I are crazy about tomatoes. Anne wouldn't care to go on adventures but is bravely involved in them and Tim is the most important thing for you, George, and you also own an island called Kirrin Island. Is that enough proof that I remember you?" He was definitely teasing them towards the ending.
"Oh, Julian, you really remember!" Anne exclaimed and threw herself around his neck, once again.
"Yes, I do," he answered softly and embraced his sister.
His eyes sparkled again with desire for life and adventure. So after all, everything was fine again. For now.
Once again thank you for the journey! I have deeply appreciated your comments and would like if you write your thoughts of this last chapter.
Truly thank you all!