The Everlasting Andersons

Chapter 4 Transmission

A silent empty fear clung to the air. To watch your older brother die was one thing, to watch them come back to life was another. She couldn't decide which was worse. Relief trembled in her eyes before giving way to caution.  She stumbled back against the wall as he protested with his hands raised in the air.

"Keia. I'm me. I swear." This thing sounded like him. The calmness in his voice. She felt a part of herself move to hug him as the other part, probably the more sensible of the two, stayed behind. She'd be a bit more bold if she still had her magic by her side. Unsurprisingly magical reserves tend to be the last thing on your mind when you watch your brother die.

"Is me coming back to life really the strangest thing thats happened today?"

"YES!" She screams. "Stay away from me!"

"Keia. I can't die."

The fuck does that mean? You got me bent if you think I'm buying this."

"Keia on everything I love it's me. I can't.....die. I don't really know why. I just heal somehow." The way he says it seems like he's confused about it himself.

"Keia," The creature says as he inches towards her, "Please."

As he got closer she swung her fist at him and he simply grabbed it. He pulled her in close. This was it. The creature had her right where he wanted her, he would certainly.......hug her? A strong but gentle hand rubs her back slowly as she is pressed into him. He holds her like he is afraid she will never hug him again.

"I'm right here." Something in his words made her snap.

"You died. You fucking died!"

"Yes yes, we've been over that part stupid." She could hear him roll his eyes.

He pulled away from her. She looked at him, words piled up from her throat but she just swallowed them.

"Explain!" She says crossing her arms.

"I promise. I'll tell you everything I know when we're all together again."

"You better. And if this is some trick and my brother is hurt or.....worse, I will do horrible things to you! Fucking horrible."

"Yes ma'am." He says not the least bit intimidated. He puts on that stupid Anderson grin on his face and Keia wants to punch him.

They start making their way to the exits. Keia notes his swiveling head and serious demeanor. His pace was just fast enough to keep in front but could protect her should something go wrong. If this wasn't her brother he was doing a fantastic job at imitating his mannerisms. She feels somewhat safe around him. As much as their current predicament would allow. They step outside and both breathe a sigh of relief as they slip into the car. Ricardo looks at the backseat. His stepmother was still fast asleep. He sighed and leaned back in his seat.

"So what's the moves?"

"We go to the safe house. They should be there by now. I'll explain everything I know when we get there."

The car ride is silent. Seconds drift into an imitation of hours as the silence punctuates the grim tone of the day. She'd slipped so deeply into the quiet she nearly jumped when his hand touched her shoulder. "I know it's rough on you but we'll get through this, I promise."

"I....I know." His words were comforting. She looked over at him. He was sound asleep. Maybe she'd been too hasty to think he was some monster. She could never be too careful though.

There was a tense quiet second as gears turn in her head. Her eyes darted to him again. He was leaned against the window. One hand was on his cheek and the other hung loosely off the seat. Her eyes slowly moved to the hand on her shoulder. As if response the hand presses down harder, sending a stinging sensation through her arm.