Chapter 8.3 - The Gravity of the Situation Sinks In

"Ok first thing, how legally binding do you think this arrangement is?" Luna started.

"They don't need you to be alive to submit the paperwork" Ryan replied, giving Luna a side look as they strolled to the gazebo together.

"That sounds kind of murderous" Luna said and laughed.

"Do you have your birth cert?" Ryan asked.

"No"

"Do you have your passport?" Ryan asked again.

"No"

"See where I'm going with this? Most parents in these circles have it all figured out. Since you were adopted you wouldn't realised it but our parents, or your foster parents, technically own us until we are 21. Even if you run to the authorities, they won't do anything because everyone in our town is in their pocket. They will just return you back to your aunt and uncle and close whatever case you open against them" Ryan explained.

"Yeah but I got out, I live on my own –"

"And you don't have your identification documents? How are you going to leave this town, or even this country if you mean to escape them? I'm sure you have a relative overseeing everything at your university right?"

"Yes. Luka is in charge of all of my application documentation" Luna said.

"And what about your credit scores? Your transcripts and your certificates, where do those get sent to?"

"Luka"

"And who do you think keeps all these documents? Do you really think he just collects them for you in a box? Or does he hand them over to his parents, your foster parents, for safe keeping?"

"Shit"

"Yes, this is how they control us. They have everything. You wouldn't even be able to get a job without them knowing about it and having a hand in it.

Until you are 21 you are stuck either marrying me alive, or barely alive. My aunt got married in a mental asylum, trust me, there are many ways people are coerced into an arrangement like this" Ryan explained dryly.

Ryan and Luna walked up the short flight of stairs into the gazebo and took a seat on the beautifully carved wooden bench in the centre of the domed structure, which provided an uninterrupted view of the entire garden.

From far away, it looked like a cozy romantic couple's conversation that was happening between Ryan and Luna. Much like their lives, everything was an illusion from far enough away.