broken thieves

twenty-five

The sun returns within the next few days, the sky blue and the whole village glittering. I feel a little better than I did a few days ago, despite the fresh injuries and raw memories, and waking up on a warm summers day brings a bit more light to a world that has felt very dark recently.

Naturally, everyone is making the most out of this weather. While a small group have gone on a raid, including both of my brothers, some have gone out to the beach while some simply sunbathe out in the fields with wicker baskets full of food. As I look out of the window, I can see some of the girls by the lake, getting into their swimming costumes in front of one another with no shame.

Maeve asked me to join them earlier this morning, but I found that it wasn't something I felt up to. Swimming around and having fun in a lake while knowing that I threw two bodies into one not that long ago, along with the knowledge that there are still bruises dotted across my arms and spread across my torso, put me off it. Although, as I watch as Maeve pushes Fauna into the lake and goes to do the same to Elodie, there's a longing sensation that settles in my gut.

I feel like I don't deserve any fun, and I really wish I didn't feel that way.

The door to my bedroom opens. At first guess I imagine it's Blake, but I know he's cooped up in one of the cottages with Danielle, Zavier and Crystal for the next few hours as they search for the Drakan's, so I realise it must be my father. As I turn around, I see that I'm right.

"Hey," he smiles, walking further into the room. "Why aren't you out there, enjoying the sun?"

I shrug my shoulders. As usual, all I want is to be five years old again, seeking comfort from Dad whenever something wasn't going the way I wanted because he was the only parent who wasn't a dick. Even though I've told Danielle, I really want to tell someone else.

But not Dad. I know he'll flip his shit if he heard about what happened that night. There's no way I can tell him.

"I will at some point," I say. "Why aren't you?"

He shrugs, in the exact same way that I had. "I guess I'm just keeping to myself. There's not really any other middle aged people here for me to be friends with."

I think for a moment, watching him as he strolls over and sits at the edge of my bed. "Are you lonely?" I ask him. I've never even thought about the possibility before.

Then it's his turn to watch me, opening his mouth before rethinking his words. "No," he eventually says. "I wouldn't say I'm lonely. Being trapped in a marriage was lonely, but I'm free from that. I guess it's just weird. I've left my entire life behind to keep ourselves safe. I haven't spoken to any friends or other family in a while. I usually spend time with the twins, but obviously they're on that raid..." he trails off, eyes moving to somewhere in the distance.

"Are you worried about them?" I ask.

"Maybe a little, I think that just knowing how dangerous these 'raids' can be is making me nervous," he admits. Then he sighs. "But I know that they can take care of themselves, so... they'll be fine."

"They will be fine," I reassure him, leaning against the desk in my room. "These smaller raids aren't really dangerous unless you get caught. But they won't. So... it's fine."

His eyes finally flicker back to me; so green, only a few shades darker than the twins'. "Thank you, Aurora. I know that one day those twins will get themselves into trouble, but today will not be that day."

"Today is definitely not the day," I smile.

He pats his legs, gradually standing up to his feet as if he's trapped in a body twice his age. "Well," he says. "I might take a book out and read for a bit. And I think that you should go and hang out with those girls. Not going to lie, Sweetheart, but you're as pale as anything." He nods out of the window, and I follow his line of sight to see Maeve, Fauna, Elodie and Pandora playing some wild game in the lake.