1 Five Years Later

Her silky black hair sat perfectly on top of her head, tied with a ribbon. For a girl on the streets, she was as clean as a freshly groomed cat. She wore a brown hood that draped over her shoulders. The hood came over her ponytail and cast a shadow over her eyes. Around her were other people who lived on the streets that formed allies with each other, but she walked alone. She did not let anyone come within five feet from her. She walked down the marketplace and listened to the sellers' tales of adventures.

"Have you heard about the rich girl that went missing five years ago?" A women spoke in a whisper to her husband that helped run the fruit stand. "They say someone spotted her near here."

"You mean the girl with the golden eyes?" The man replied. "Maybe she came back for her eighteenth birthday. I heard it's this month."

"This town loves their gossip." The girl mumbled to herself as she continued walking down the marketplace.

She stopped by a nearby convenience store to cool off in the air conditioning. While doing so, a young child ran by holding a loaf of bread close to his chest. Quickly after, a group of bodyguards came running after him. They had no mercy in their eyes for the little boy. Once one of the guards caught up to him, he tackled the boy and started a fist fight.

"Please! My sister is starving to death! She's the only one I have!" The boy yelled as he held the loaf tight, letting his face become bruised and giving him a bloody lip. She walked over to the middle of the street but stayed in the far distance from them.

"Release the boy, Phillip!" Her hood flew back in the wind, her gold eyes shimmer in the sunlight. The guard hesitated for a second then let the boy go. She nodded to him and the boy ran off with the loaf in his arms.

"MiLady, Your family will be happy to see you." One of the guards reached out to kiss her hand but she backed up immediately with shaky hands.

"Don't touch me!" People around the street stared in confusion. They don't remember her being like this five years ago.

"Yes, sorry MiLady. The limo will be here soon with your brother."

A few minutes later, a white limo with a hired driver drove up the road. A boy with the same gold eyes as the girl cracked his window slightly to talk to the guard.

"Where is she?" He asked with a stern voice.

"Over on the sidewalk, Sir. She won't let anyone of us get near her." The officer replied giving the boy a deep sigh.

"Did you catch the thief?"

"No, Sir. MiLady let him go." The boy got out of the car and walked by the sidewalk where the girl sat while holding her knees.

"You just got back and are already causing a mess." He mumbled to himself. He walked up to the girl that trembled if anyone got near. Her Haphephobia was growing the more time she spent alone. "Come Aaron. I'll bring you away from the scary people." The boy held out his hand but she denied it and sat farther back from him.

"Don't touch me! Don't touch me Ellias!" Aaron said, disregarding the fact that he was her brother.

"Fine, I won't touch you if you come home with me." Aaron and Ellias sat in the back of the limo as the driver brought them to the Alby Mansion.

As soon as they got there, Aaron took a shower as the maids washed her clothes. They looked around to find some new close for her to wear, but they didn't know her measurements now so they just washed the ones she wore. Aaron sat on a leather couch and read a book. A boy with red hair and the same gold eyes as Aaron and Ellias sat next to him.

"Where's Aaron? I thought you found her." He asked looking around at the empty living room.

"We did, Nestor. She's washing the feeling of other people off of her." Ellias replied while reading his book.

"Seriously?! She could at least great me before she freaks out again. How did she survive five years outside of the mansion if she can't last a minute near a family member."

"No one could find her anywhere so I bet she was in somewhere she could isolate herself. You should have seen her when I met up with her. She was worse than I have ever seen it."

"That's great...Do the new maids know about her Haphephobia?" Ellias put his book down and covered his ears, confusing Nestor.

"DON'T TOUCH ME!!!!" Aaron's voice came screaming down the stairs. They looked up to the tall staircase to see Aaron running down the stairs with wet hair. Her baggy shirt and short cut jeans were warm and freshly washed with the addition of fluffy slippers. "The maids are scaring me!" Her breath was heavy and her eyes were watery. A maid stood at the top of the stairs with a towel draped on her arms.

"I am so sorry MiLady. I did not realize." The maid said with a bow.

"It's fine Clara. Go back to your room." Ellias ordered and the maid ran off to a different room. Aaron made eye contact with Ellias and Nestor, stopping in her tracks.

"Aaron, nice to see you again! Where have you been?"

"Please don't touch me. Please don't touch me."

"Calm down. Deep breathes in and out. We aren't going to touch you."

"Promise?" Aaron said, her eyes as serious as ever.

"Promise." Ellias and Nestor agreed to allow Aaron to calm down.

"Okay good. I'm hungry, where's the food?"

"And here I thought you changed at least a little," Nester said as Ellias picked up his book again. "There's lunch in the kitchen." Aaron walked off to the kitchen with the same face as her indifferent bother.

"Sable and Red are in the kitchen," Ellias spoke as Nester's eyes widened.

"They know she's back...Right?"

"Now they do."

Aaron walked into the kitchen to see a girl and a boy with blonde hair and golden eyes. They turned around to be shocked at what they saw. They knew her condition so stayed a distance away but were happy to see Aaron back at home.

"Aaron! Since when have you been back?!" The girl said excitedly as she made tiny jumps.

"Aaron! What have you been doing? Have you found a solution for your phobia?" Aaron shook her head and kept her distance from the two.

"I just came to get something to eat. Leave me alone." She grabbed a glass bowl with chicken pot pie and headed back up the stairs.

"Do you think Aaron doesn't like us?"

"Why would you think that, Sable?" The boy said sarcastically.

Aaron's room had little furniture and was cleaned very well every day with cleaning chemicals and the wash of all fabrics. This continued after Aaron went missing for the day when she's come back.

Aaron stayed hidden in her room until late at night, far past sunset, when their parents came home. A maid knocked on the door and with permission, opened the door. But not dare take one step in the room.

"MiLady, your father would like to talk to you and the rest of the family in the living room." Aaron nodded slightly as she fidgeted with her index finger.

The staircase always seemed so long to get down, but as she walked down this time all she could think about was how she wished they were longer. Her father, with a strict face, sat in the middle of the biggest sofa while the rest of the kids sat around him. A young boy stood behind the couch. He had well-groomed brown hair and bright blue eyes.

Seeing so many people in one place made Aaron feel sick. It was nauseating to her stomach for all those people to be so close together.

"Disgusting." Aaron held her gloved hand over her mouth as she tried to calm down.

"Aaron, how should you greet your father after five of being absent?" Said a man that resembled Nester and was clear to be Nester, Ellias, and Aaron's father.

"Good evening father. Thank you for accepting me back." Aaron said with a bow.

"Very good. Now come over and meet your new therapist." Aaron's eyes widened as she looked at the group of people she was told to go near.

"Excuse me, sir," The therapist said. "But being around this many people at once can make her phobia worse until it gets better." Their father snickered a bit and continued to what he was saying.

"Fine then. Word in town got out about Aaron's returning and is looking forward to seeing her. I have a business meeting with a bunch of other famous companies in two weeks. Everyone's invited to be ready to go. I will send an email to everyone's phone with the details about the event."

"Yes, sir." The children said avoiding eye contact with him.

"Good, now go to your rooms. Except for Aaron, go with Zyron here." He walked away leaving Aaron and the therapist, Zyron.

"Hello, my name is Zyron Cooper. I'm here to help you with your Haphephobia." Zyron said with a small smile.

"I don't need help. I'll pay twice as much my father paid if you leave now and never come back." Aaron said as she walked up the stairs, avoiding the railings.

"I can tell you don't enjoy your house here. That's why you ran away. Your phobia is getting worse by the day in this house. Meet me at the barbershop tomorrow and we'll start therapy."

"Barbershop?!"

"Don't worry, we can stay in the back room. I work there part-time."

Aaron ran up the stairs as he left the house. In her room was a private bathroom where she threw her gloves in a trashcan and scrubbed her hands until they scabbed. The water ran down her fingers and the soap would burn the freshly born cut. She put a new pair of gloves on and lied in bed...Until her eyes finally shut.

In the morning, Aaron decontaminated her room and washed herself to prepare for her meeting with Zyron. She put a mask on her face with her several layers and a hood covering her head. She wore long pants and tennis shoes with a new pair of white cotton gloves.

Not an inch of her skin was able to be touched on this hot summer day as she made her way to the door hastily. She sprayed the doorknob with a chemical and slowly walked out the door. Down the road was a barbershop that wasn't very busy. Aaron stopped by the door and froze. As she waited, Zyron opened the door for her and welcomed her.

"Don't just stand there, come on in." He said, letting Aaron walk in while playing with her fingers. "Sit on the couch over there and I'll give you your first assignment." Aaron walked over to a small green couch with a strong fan next to it. Even though it looked freshly cleaned, she pulled a small spray bottle out of her pocket and sprayed it where she was about to sit. Zyron placed a notebook that was covered in a napkin on the table near her, allowing Aaron to pick it up. "Write down the top ten hardest things for you to do because of your phobia." Aaron nodded and started writing some things down.

Hugs, Handshakes, Someone in my room, Touching people's things, Doorknobs, People touching my things, sharing food, sports, public restrooms.

Aaron placed the notebook back on the table for Zyron to read. He nodded his head and gave a confused look.

"You disappeared five years ago, did you ever read a book or keep practicing academics?"

"No, that would involve some kind of communication at some point, doctor."

"Well, last time I checked this is nine, not ten."

"You think I didn't know that! I am almost eighteen!"

"Then what's the tenth one?"

"I don't know yet. There are many things I can't do because of my haphephobia. Some things are just more difficult than others." Aaron said, once again avoiding eye contact.

"Okay, then when you figure what that is, write it down in this notebook." He said, putting the book down once more. "I want this to be a notebook that you can write anything that is bothering you or if something changes with your phobia." Aaron nodded and whipped the cover of the book with a wet wipe. "Where are you getting these from?"

"I never leave the house with my things. You don't know what will happen, especially in a barber shop."

"Haha, okay then. Would you like to stay for a while? There's good air conditioning."

"Why would I stay here?" She spoke as she walked towards the door.

"Because your family is at home." Hearing that, Aaron turned around and sat back on the couch.

"Your right. I'd rather stay here than be there."

"Good. Starting with your therapy, take off your gloves while you stay here." Zyron said as he organized shelves and prepared to open the shop.

"What? No way, you're absolutely insane,"

"It's fine, I won't make you touch anything. You want to get over your fear as well, don't you."

"I hate therapist."

Aaron stared down at her white-gloved hands and pulled on the fingers. Her pale skin showed as the glove rose higher and higher. Once the glove came fully off, it showed her scabbed, brushed, and bloody hand. She then took off her other glove to reveal her hand was in the same condition.

Aaron dazed down at her hands and went silent. It was like she lost consciousness but was still awake. Zyron walked over to her to see the condition of her hands. He took a deep sigh and sat down in one of the chairs.

"Your hands are not unusual. Most people with Haphephobia end up washing their hands till they bleed." Zyron said, watching Aaron zone off. "Aaron? Aaron Alby, are you okay." Aaron looked up quickly noticing she was spacing out. She held her hands down at her knees.

"Y-yeah. Sorry," Aaron said normally. "Can I wash my hands?"

"Why? You haven't even touched anything. I'm not a very good doctor if I let you continue your bad habits. You can wash your hands once your hands get dirty."

"But the shop will open soon."

"That's fine, the more common customers know of my second job. I've brought a few other patients to hang out while I work."

"...You're not a very good doctor. I'm surprised my father paid for you."

"I'm a great doctor."

"And I go around kissing babies."

"You left school when you were twelve. I have a medical degree and have graduated from college twice. You should listen to your doctor"

"I think a good doctor would at least check their personnel file."

"Nah, I wouldn't want to come across something my clients didn't want me to know."

Soon, the first customer came in. He seemed to get along with Zyron well so Aaron figured he was a regular customer. The way Zyron cut hair was gentle, he paid very good attention. The place had very few customers, but they all seemed very happy as they left.

Close to noon, the boy from the kitchen yesterday walked in. Aaron was cuddled up on the couch with her hands by her stomach, unable to see him. Zyron walked over to him to greet.

"Good evening, Liam. Would you like your hair done?" Hearing that name, Aaron rose her head and met eyes with the boy named Liam.

"No thanks. I'm just here to pick up Aaron." He said, walking over to Aaron.

"What do you want?" Aaron said, clutching her stomach.

"I'm here to bring you home. Your appointment with Doctor Cooper ended a little over an hour ago, so I came to get you."

"I'll walk home myself, go home."

"Sorry, but Uncle Brian doesn't want you outside of the house any longer than you have to. If you don't want me to drag you to the car, you should come without complaining." Aaron grabbed a new pair of cotton gloves out of her jacket's pocket and slid them on her hands. Zyron friendly waved as the walked to the car.

The car was silent enough to hear the heavy breathing coming from Aaron. She kept her head down and her hand clenched her shirt. Red pulled a pill container out of one of the Limo's cabinets and handed it to her.

"Here are your antibiotics," Liam said as he handed the small container to Aaron. "You shouldn't stress yourself out so much like that."

"You're the one who's stressing me out." Aaron opened the container quickly and swallowed one of the pills.

"Did your lungs ever act up while you were away?"

"What if they did? Doesn't matter anyway, as long as I'm alive the family's fine. So stop asking what happened while I was gone."

The wind came in through the window, blowing the dark purple curtains along with Aaron's black hair. She looked down at her bare hands, nothing but a blank stare. There was a small scratching sound at the foot of the window, causing Aaron to look down. There was nothing but a few scratch marks in the paint.

The ledge was a little more than three feet wide. Aaron stood up and slowly stepped on the ledge and sat down with her legs dangling. Her window showed the back of the house. The yard looked like it continued on forever. Bright green grass was neatly cut around the sidewalk. Small gardens with beautiful flowers were at every corner. There was a polished white fence around the yard with guards blocking the gate.

"Guess you guys really can't handle me leaving for a second time," Aaron mumbled to herself. She grabbed a rope from her room and tied it to the desk. The wind blew it back a bit as she threw it out the window, long enough to reach the ground. Aaron looked down at her clock to read the time. "5:30. I have an hour before someone checks in for dinner, I can get back before then."

Her gloved shocked her hands as she slid down the rope. Her feet landed smoothly in the soft grass. Each small strand of her hair blew behind her cheeks as she walked to the side of the fence. She stood in front of a big tree with wooden planks nailed in to make a treehouse. In the back of the tree was a latter up into a trap door at the bottom of the house.

With a push, the trapdoor managed to open. Inside was nothing more than a rug and a few math books. They looked to be from middle school or junior high. Dust covered the walls and floors.

"I'm glad to see no one's been in here since I left." Aaron sat down with her back towards the window and looked down to her phone.

Soft knocked tapped on the marble door. Inside the room were bookcases lined on every wall. In the middle of the many books, was a queen size bed was Ellias sat reading a book.

"Sir Ellias, dinner is on the table." The voice of one of the butlers came from outside the door. Ellias opened the door to see a young man with a suit.

"Has Aaron gone down yet?" He asked as he walked with the butler.

"She's not responding to the maids."

"Take me to her room. I'll get her out." They walked downstairs to Aaron's floor, was a maid stood outside the door.

"Oh, Sir Ellias. Miss Aaron has not spoken back to me. She hasn't had dinner yet." The maid said. Ellias knocked on her door with no response.

"Aaron, come and eat dinner before I have to come and get you." Ellias knocked once more but when there was no answer, he opened the door.

The phone ringed for a few minutes until there was finally an answer.

"Doctor Zyron Cooper, how may I help you?" Zyron's voice came through the phone's speakers and into Ellias' ear.

"Dr. Cooper, is Aaron with you by any chance?" Ellias said as he ran down the stairs towards the back door.

"No, Mr. Nestor came and picked her up earlier today. Why, can you not find her?"

"If you see her, call one of us." Ellias hung up and headed to the garden. "When I find you, I'm getting your number, Aaron."

"Wait! Ellias, wait for me!" Ellias turned around right before he opened the back door to see Nestor running up to him. "I think I know where to find her."