Wren
The afternoon and evening were pleasantly spent - Cedar painted two portraits, June read a story to us, Branson sang, I played violin, and we had toasted cheese, roasted apples, and bread and butter for tea. Mr. Price joined us after speaking to the constable.
It was warm and safe, and more importantly, it was time together. But it slipped away so quickly I was taken by surprise. Night was upon us, and I had a dark, foreboding feeling.
"Come, Wren, it's my turn," June said, bending to scoop me up. "I'll keep you safe tonight."
His skin felt so smooth beneath my fingers as I trailed them down his jaw. Tenderness welled inside me until I didn't know what to do with it. I wanted to kiss him, but I knew it wouldn't feel right in that moment. As if he knew what I was thinking, he smiled, gently resting his forehead on mine.
Our breath mingled, our lips were so close we could have touched them together by speaking. His hands fit around my waist, resting on my bony hips, lending me the warmth I craved. His eyes were closed, exposing his dark eyelashes and hiding his kind, amber gaze.
"I love you," June stated, affection heavy in every word.
They settled around my shoulders like a down blanket. A smile broke through, shining past the darkness that had encroached on my heart. Maybe love was worth the pain. Maybe Mr. Price was right...
June pressed his lips to my cheek, lifting me easily into his arms. His muscles felt like steel ropes beneath his skin. I rested my cheek against his shoulder, watching him as he climbed the stairs to his room.
I loved the heavy, square jaw that stubbled overnight. His hair was usually held back by a single ribbon, and reached just below his shoulders. It was slightly wavy, like the sea on a mostly calm day. His eyes were amber, the shade of honey when the sun shine through it. His lips were pale pink, and full enough to make them plump and juicy.
"Why do you look at me like that?" He slightly frowned, looking a little troubled.
I shrugged, using my thumb to smooth the wrinkles between his brows. His shoulders lost their tension, and he seemed to take that as an answer because he didn't press the conversation.
"I suppose you are allowed to look at me however you like," June chuckled after a moment. "Just know that I may return the favor."
I flushed, but knew he wasn't telling a lie. In fact, the boys seemed to always be staring at me for one reason or another. A strange thought occurred, and I wasn't sure how I felt about it...
What if they looked at me the way I had been observing June?
I shook my head, preposterous!
~
The moon shifted behind the clouds. The house creaked in response to the light wind that rustled the trees. A lonely owl hooted, but other than that it seemed quiet. I squirmed closer to June, feeling a slight chill creep up my spine.
"Love you too," June mumbled in his sleep, turning and trapping me in a firm embrace.
He talked in his sleep, something I never would have suspected, but that I found amused me. Most of his nonsense was jumbled and puzzling, like his exclamation about Robbie eating too many letters, and Mr. Price dancing with pigs on the roof...
But some things were sweet and loving little comments. He mentioned Sal's curls, and Orion's laugh. June was quiet, but I knew he loved deeply.
A creak in the hallway brought me back from my wandering thoughts. I would have thought nothing of it if the doorknob didn't turn silently. The door slipped open, and a black figure ghosted into the room.
I closed my eyes immediately, not daring to let the man know I was awake. I could hear nothing but the soft rustle of his clothing brushing together. Chills trailed up and down my spine and my hair stood up on end; but I knew my only hope was to lay perfectly still and be careful to keep my breathing even and unchanged.
All my senses felt heightened. My ears perked so hard I could almost hear the grass rustling outside. I felt the whisper of leather touch my skin, but didn't move. I couldn't. I was paralyzed - he could kill me right then and there if he so wished...
When the door clicked shut once more, I sank into the mattress. My heart was racing, hands trembling, and mind so shaken that reason fled. I wasn't sure what I needed to do first.
I carefully sat up, noticing the white letter that seemed to mock me from the bed table beside June. A single rose laid on top of it, and a familiar wax symbol sealed it tight. My heart shuddered to a stop.
I shook June awake, tears already trailing down my cheeks. June was a heavy sleeper, but the salty drops on his face were enough to rouse him.
"Wren...?" He groggily blinked, pulling me into his chest. "What happened?"
I pointed to the table which hosted my dark gifts. June scowled, hoisting me up in his arms, pressing me tight against his body. I could hear his heart pounding, but his voice was calm as ever.
"I'm not letting anything happen, love. I'm going to get Mr. Price. Fletcher and Branson will stay with you, alright?" June said, kissing my hair even as he got to his feet.
My arms were weak, but I clung to him with all the strength I possessed. He didn't say anything, just shifted my grip so I wouldn't choke him.
"What is it?" Fletcher yawned, opening the door slightly. "Wren? What happened?"
"Hold him," June avoided the question. "I'm getting Branson and Eddie. I'll be right back."
"It'll be alright, Wren. Shh," Fletcher soothed me, opting to trust June rather than prying further into the matter.
Fletcher's room was much like him - soft, soothing, yet not feminine. His room was grey with blue curtains and bedding. The rug was also silver and blue. It wasn't too tidy like Mr. Eddie's, but it wasn't chaotic like Orion's. It was lived in, as was evidenced by the papers on his writing desk, the small pile of unwashed items in a basket and the stack of books on the bedside table.
"Look at me, precious," Fletcher ordered, "We're going to be just fine, do you understand?"
I wanted to believe him, but tonight just proved what I already knew: nowhere was safe. June didn't even hear the man! And the only reason I was aware was because of my sleepless habits. He was silent, and so close he could have slit our throats without a single warning.
Would he slaughter us all? Would my beloved boys be caught in a quarrel they had no part in? And who had set him on my path? Who would want me dead? I was invisible, weak, and overlooked. Who could benefit from my death?
Time was lost. I drifted in my thoughts. It could have been mere minutes, but I couldn't differentiate between hours and seconds. They all felt the same to me: an eternity.
"Wren?" Mr. Eddie clasped his hand in mine.
I jolted, cowering away from him and into the sheltering arms that held me tight. Fletcher cooed something senseless and sweet, but I was caught in Mr. Eddie's piercing eyes.
"He left another note. Do you want to know what was in it?" Mr. Eddie inquired.
I licked my lips, but shook my head. I didn't want to know. I already understood that my death was inevitable. I would die.
"Wren, the guards will be here day after tomorrow. Until then, we are all going to take shifts to make sure everyone is safe," Mr. Eddie promised. "I'm going to ask for a few watchmen to be sent from the constable's company."
Branson's arms tightened across his chest, and his expression darkened. I could feel his anger coming off of him in waves.
"You can't guarantee that," Branson objected.
Mr. Price opened his mouth, but shut it again in the end. We all knew Branson spoke the truth. My eyes watered, and I knew my bottom lip trembled but I couldn't help it. I was terrified of what was coming.
"Let's go back to bed. There's nothing to be done at the moment. But I won't let any harm come to you, my boy," Mr. Eddie promised, eyes heavy and dark.
I knew he'd try. But was that enough?
YOU ARE READING
Treasured
General FictionPreviously known as Mr. Price's Institute for Troubled Boys Wren Daily is being sent to a school for troubled boys. He has been hurting himself, refusing to eat, neglecting sleep, and decided to stop talking. After he tries jumping off his balcony...