Their Light

Chapter 39

Hadley

I hugged my warm mug of tea to my chest as I rocked back and forth on the porch swing. I decided the swing was where I wanted to say goodbye to this place. Sitting sideways, the armrest of the swing dug into my back, but I didn't care. My knees pressed against my chest. Joe had hopped up and joined me. His paws hung off the edge of the bench. I could feel his soft fur against my ankles. The cool morning breeze floated through my hair as I watched the guys get the vehicles ready.

This was really happening.

We were really moving.

I was going hours away to a place I'd never been before, with seven guys that I met not too long ago. I couldn't believe I'd only known them for such a short amount of time. It felt like a lifetime ago that I was living in that warehouse, worried about where my next meal or paycheck was going to come from.

Now I had other things to worry about that made those worries seem insignificant in comparison. My gaze followed Isaac as he walked around the moving truck. He was back to his usual energetic, happy self this morning, but I was keeping a close eye on him just in case.

I was still a little sore today, which meant he was probably still feeling it, too. He was just better at hiding it than I was. My ankle was feeling a lot better, though. Peter thought my release of so much power before might have helped speed along its recovery. I winced once coming down the stairs, though, and was banned from helping with anything. I wanted to protest, but seeing me resting here in their sight, safe and sound, was making them all feel better. Being a lazy slug was something I could do if it helped ease their concern.

I made eye contact with Caspian, who smiled at me, which I returned. He headed my way, sitting down on the other side of the bench, technically the way you are supposed to sit on it. But I like my way better. Joe didn't stir between us.

"He's okay," he said finally, and I instantly knew who he was talking about. My eyes found Isaac again.

He was talking to Finn about something. My gut and the mischievous look on their faces told me that they were up to something. Peter stepped out of the house and paused, taking them in as well. He headed back inside, probably before he was roped into whatever they had planned.

"I know."

I did know that he would be fine, but the fear of it happening again to any of them made my heart stop. Not even a month and I felt like I couldn't live if something happened to one of them. That was not normal. None of this was normal.

"I can see your brain working a mile a minute," Caspian stated, smirking at me.

He leaned over, grabbing my ankles gently stretching my legs out so that my feet rested on his lap. My legs made a slight dome over Joe. He huffed, but otherwise didn't seem to care. I was confused about what he was doing until he began to gently knead my foot with his hands. He was careful of my ankle.

A groan escaped me as my head fell back. God knew what he was doing when he made these boys. A foot massage for no reason just because he wanted to. They were spoiling me way too much. He cleared his throat but continued with his sweet torture.

"It's the same for us, you know," he said, getting my full attention. I took another sip of tea as I waited for him to elaborate. "I know it's only been a short time, but we feel the same way you do, if not more so. Don't overthink it."

"But this isn't normal," I said, trying not to sound rude or insulting. He just chuckled.

"But your normal has changed, hasn't it? Who's to say what's normal now?"

I thought about that for a second. That was true. We were not playing by the rules of 'human' society anymore. They never were. It's just me being tripped up by social conventions that don't apply to me anymore.