The Untold Story of Texas and Lappland (Arknights)

The Past Bleeds into the Present

A/N: *le gasp* there's a bad word in this chapter! The mature rating gets to make sense today lol. Anyways, enjoy!

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At an undisclosed time . . .

Amarillo was good at a great many things. Running away was not one of them. The palms of her hands sweat as she gripped the hood of her cloak. A little hand fastened to the end of it tightly, the small body it was connected to a concerning presence against her. There was no time to send her son someplace else. Not after what she had seen. And even then, it was unlikely sending him away would ensure his safety to begin with.

"Mama, where are we going?"

She spared a small glance at her boy. So much of the Texas looks were in him. Sharp amber eyes with a tint of blue on the edges, dark hair with the faintest wisp of red. His young features hid cheekbones in pudgy skin, giving off a nonthreatening aura predictable for a child as young as he was. But this did not hide heritage by any means, nor did the dark hoodie she shoved onto him earlier.

"We have to leave now Denton. We're going somewhere . . . fun. Think of it as an adventure and try not to say anything till we get there." She told him as calmly as she could.

Her seven year old would not be so easily fooled. "But what about Da and Austin and Antonio?" Denton asked, looking up at her with wide eyes seeking answers.

She hardly knew what to tell him. A distant part of her remained thankful that her husband and her two youngest —the twins— were not in town right now. The trip to visit Dereck's family could not have come at a better time. I want to head there but . . .

No. It would likely put the rest of her family in danger.

And after the unnatural sight she had seen, the danger was probably greater than what she currently imagined.

Dallas. Alice. You . . .

"We'll see them soon enough. I promise." Should she really be doing so? Probably not. But what other choice did she have? The other option was the truth, something she herself was having trouble with accepting.

"But Mama—"

"Shush now. We need to keep moving." With that said, she tugged Denton down yet another alleyway. The small path they were on was bordered by hot trash. It stunk up the air with a putrid odor. Denton whined at the smell, but to his credit said nothing else. He was right to hold his tongue, lest it draw more attention to them.

Too bad it made no difference.

Any relief she was beginning to feel at getting so close to the exit of the pack land city was shattered as a new voice, chillingly familiar spoke up.

"Now now Amarillo. Where do you think you're going dear sister?"

She whirled around just in time to see the sharp end of a knife flying right at her throat. The speed with which she dodged almost had her heart leaping out of her throat. Her assailant wore a viscous smirk as ugly as the scarf wrapped around his neck. He was hunched over slightly, eyes dark with hidden emotion. An angry growl rose up within her. It best described the feelings roiling inside her.

Family should never harm one another. The Texas family carried this saying for a reason. Outside of accidental injuries while sparring, none of the members were prohibited to hurt one another. To do so would result in a punishment inflicted by the alpha. Not like we've had one for awhile though. She found herself thinking of Texas briefly. Just what was the supposed to be alpha doing in the big city so faraway? Houston claimed to understand; she hoped he did.