Flerae: A Lie Untold

Chapter 25: The Awkward Silence That Has Plagued Us

- Ocean -

"Um... my parents will be wondering where I went... I should get going..." says Brittney, "um... stay out of trouble, Okay? I hope... I hope... you make things up with your dad. Um... see you... at school." She quickly turns and flies away, eager to get away from the awkward silence that has plagued us since I stopped talking. 

I watch her leave, growing smaller and smaller in the distance. With a sigh, I return home, or to the pile of leaves I've always thought of as home. Throughout the long walk, my mind repeats my conversations with Brittney, and with Esemais. Both of them... care about me... I don't really even know Brittney, but she still cares about me... Why? Why care about the mysterious kid who lies about his past? Why care about me?

On my pile of leaves, a cat dragons waits for me. Oh no, I think, please don't let that be Mom or Carp. I really don't want to face them right now.

As I get nearer, it becomes obvious that this cat is neither of my parents. She stands, looking around as if searching for something, while also looking a little bit lost. She spots me, her eyes brightening. "Hello! Are you Ocean Weather?" she calls to me when I reach the edge of the leaf pile. 

I frown at her. "Who're you?" I ask, not able to hide the suspicions in my voice.

"I'm Ti and I'm searching for Ocean Weather. I've been notified that he is homeless and doesn't have very good adult supervision. Do you know where I can find him?"

"Um," I say, not completely sure how to answer that.

She stares at me, tilting her head. "Do you know where I can find Ocean Weather?" she repeats.

"You've found him. What do you want?"

She smiles. "I would like you to come with me."

I don't budge. "Why?" 

"I'm going to bring you to the Orphanage."

"I'm not an orphan, I have parents. What about them?"

"From what I've been told, your parents only check up on you once a month. That isn't how parents should act. If they come and try to take you from the Orphanage, we can figure something out. For now, you're coming with me."

I take a step back, anger rising up in my emotions. "Was Esemais the one who notified you about me? I told her to not tell anyone!"

Ti nods. "Ese- however you pronounce her name, cares about you. She wanted you to get help, and when you refused, she got it for you," she says in a calming voice, stepping towards me.

Despite what she said, my feelings of betrayal don't disappear. "She lied to me!" I yell.

"Ocean, please. Come with me."

"My life was just starting to get good! I finally can go to school, I have friends. But she lied to me! She lied to me!" Turning around, I run, back into the forest.