Legend Series AU

Chapter 23-Day

I stand in the doorway of June's house, tapping my foot repeatedly. I do everything I can to stop the wave of horrible thoughts flowing through my head but it doesn't work. I can't help but think the worst. I'm not even sure what the worst is I just feel like something awful is happening.

Just then, June comes running back. I look at her hopefully but she shakes her head. Fuck. "I shouldn't have gone today," I say.

"We'll find him." Is all she says in response.

"Where?! Where the hell do we even start?" I yell then breath deeply. "Oh, June I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you."

"It's ok, I know how you're feeling right now, just take a few breathes and clear your head. I'm going to go search the house just in case."

"Ok. Ok, that's a good idea. I'll come too. Did you search inside my place?"

"Every room." She responds, nodding her head.

"Ok, I'll check upstairs you check down." She nods again and we head inside.

I run upstairs, opening doors and calling out for my brother. When I continue to hear nothing in response I move faster and more frantically. A few tears leak out of my eyes. How can this be happening again? How is this fair?

A few minutes go by and I've checked every upstairs room 3 times now. I slump against a wall and let the tears come freely. Why on earth did I go to school today? How could I let this happen?

"Daniel!!" I hear June call from downstairs. "Day get the fuck down here!" I leap up. She used my real name so it must be important.

I take the stairs 3 at a time, almost falling on my face when I reach the bottom. The sight in front of me crashes into me so hard that it takes a few moments to register. June is standing by the back door, hugging Eden tightly. She's picked him up despite his size and his legs are wrapped around her torso, face buried into her neck. He doesn't seem to be crying, just immensely relieved. Lucy is sitting on a yard chair outside looking guilty. The back door is standing open.

They were in the fucking backyard. I fall to my knees and let a sob loose. June walks over slowly but I barely register it. It's not until she kicks me lightly that I snap out of my funk and stand back up.

I put one hand on Eden's back and use the other to wipe my tears away. "Holy fucker" I say quietly under my breath. As soon as Eden hears me he pops up from June's shoulder and lunges for me. He doesn't go in quite the right direction so I have to shift to catch him. He throws his arms around me and latches on just like he was doing to June a moment ago.

He's heavy and I have to adjust my grip a few times but I hold my brother tightly, walking over to the couch. I sit down and breathe deeply, calming my pounding heart. "Holy fucker." I say again, this time letting out a small laugh. "I think I just lost ten years of my life." Eden lets out a scoff and then starts to giggle. June joins in soon after, plopping down on the couch.

Soon, we're all full out laughing. It's not funny but I can't stop. Lucy comes over. "I am so so sorry Daniel. He finally came out of his room and I thought it would do him good to be outside."

"It's fine Lucy," I laugh, waving her off.

Soon after that, June gets up to do chores around the house and Lucy leaves. Eden stays on top of me and I don't plan on making him get up any time soon.

We stay there for a good half hour before I need to start packing our stuff up. I get up, still holding Eden, and walk into the guest room. I begin putting what little belongings we have into bags with one hand. I swear Eden has been so still that I thought he was asleep until he speaks. "You can put me down now if you want."

He sits up and begins to unfurl from me. I set him down and hold his hand tightly. "I seriously had about 9 consecutive heart attacks when I got home kid," I say, heaving a sigh.

"I know." Is all he says in return.

"I'm just glad you weren't kidnapped or something."

"Who the hel...heck would want to kidnap me?" He giggles blush at his slip up.

"Good catch," I smirk at him. "Also I don't know, some crazy ass criminal. Why would someone want to kidnap a kid at all?"

"Hey, you get to cuss, why can't I?" He sticks his bottom lip out, pretending to pout.

I shrug. "I don't know, Mom didn't let me cuss until I was 12. I guess you can if you really want to just don't like go super overboard with it. Curse respectfully."

He give me a smile. "Will do big bro."

"And don't ever call me bro again." He giggles at me again.

"Ok.....broski"

"Do I need to take away your curse word privileges already young man?"

We both laugh and I pull him along to help me pack up the rest of our stuff.