Heaven Gilded Zarcroft Hybrid

Six

I drowned in the dark of the bedroom. My legs ached from kneeling in the futon mattress for hours. Why did I let that happen? Sitting in silence wouldn't do anything, but I couldn't stop replaying it in my head.

A path of yellow light stung my eyes. I looked over to see Pasitheo standing at the door. The aroma of rice and vegetables filled the room from downstairs, as well as the sounds of clacking dishes.

"Are you alright?" his soothing voice was a welcomed break in my gloom. "We're making spaghetti downstairs. And you must be hungry after sitting up here all day."

I didn't answer.

He leaned on the doorframe, and I realized he was in a nightgown. My mind wandered. So I guess he wasn't just watching over the house; he was staying.

I flinched at a sudden weight in the mattress next to me. A warmth I've been missing came from him. He outstretched his legs, kicking his feet like an anxious kid.

"I overheard what happened," he said. "Your friends were talking about it."

I rubbed my knees as I struggled to my feet. For a second, I forgot I had changed into my pajamas beforehand. I forgot a lot of things from earlier. I trudged to a window across the room.

"I caught a bit of what happened outside," he said.

"It's not that bad," I sighed. "I suppose it's better I spend time with Dorothy than focus on stupid things."

"What things?"

Theo felt my shoulder. I flinched, and met his softened, warm eyes.

I shifted away from the touch, focusing on the window pane instead. "I've been collecting these weird giant feathers for a week now. They're really pretty, and they had this blue dust on them. But for some reason, I had this weird dream and-"

I glanced back at him.

"Go ahead," he whispered.

I mustered the dry courage to tell him everything else, but nothing came out.

"I don't wanna talk about it."

He mouthed something.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing. I was just thinking."

"It's just that... Korey didn't even know what they were. He just burned them like they were his. But I guess they aren't really mine, huh? They belong to whatever giant bird they came from. Or a marketing team. Have you heard of that new Trident's Lane movie?"

Theo patted me on the back. "That doesn't mean they're his either."

I smiled, but I didn't know how real it was. "There aren't anymore. I checked. They were so pretty."

"Let's get something to eat," he said. "To get your mind off of things."

We made our way downstairs into the kitchen. The golden light made the cabinets and countertops look so much more beautiful. A black pot of brown rice, beans, and vegetables sat on the island counter, surrounded by black bowls. It definitely wasn't spaghetti.

Dorothy folded the rice as Jamie threw a constant stream of season salt.

"Not so much sodium!" she grabbed the shaker from him. "I'm already cramping."

"Where's your coastal spirit?" Jamie elbowed her, laughing.

"Gerard."

"Dorothea!"

"It looks good to me," I chimed. My mouth watered. I grabbed the spoon and filled a bowl to the brim. Dorothy and Jamie were too busy debating.

Pasitheo suddenly stood at the porch door, holding his meal.