Untangling Aella

Chapter Twenty Three

Hello faithful readers!!!!

Well, it is the first week of the school holidays so there is no better time to write an update! 

Part of me felt melancholic midway through this chapter so "Sunrise" by Winterbourne definitely helped me channel my inner emotions into the letter. As a side note, Winterbourne are one of my favourite Indie bands so check out their awesome music :) I saw them in concert a few weeks back and I first found them as they were busking outside the Pitt St Mall in Sydney. "The Boy Prince" and "The Sand" are other favourites fyi.

I digress. Here it is! Hope you enjoy it :) 

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Chapter Twenty Three

“What I want to know is who those men were and who they’re working for,” I wondered aloud as I paced.

“Not important right now!” Ari shouted at me, running into the room holding a pile of towels.

Aegeus, Gods love him, was standing around awkwardly, clearly not knowing what to do.

“I mean, I know that the Greeks aren’t a big fan of me but I thought some hate would’ve been alleviated,” I kept pacing, not giving away that I was paying any attention to their hysteria. “Gah! Its killing me not knowing who they are!”

But, Aegeus still had no clue and Ari it appeared had run off somewhere.

“Well, any clues?” I asked my Grandfather pointedly. That seemed to snap him out of it.

“No, my dear, they left no clues and the ones that are currently being interrogated have not said anything.” He said, ever the commander. At least his stupor is not broken.

But, when it seemed that the dust had settled, back comes in Ari with a jug of hot water. Why, I wondered. What was the hot water for?

“Well, I’m sure I can wander down there and get it out of them myself,” I say angrily, cracking my knuckles to emphasise how serious I was.

“No!” three different voices shouted in unison.

“There are more pressing matters to deal with right now,” said Calliope, who had appeared to gathered all that she needed.

“Yeah! Like pop out two watermelons for starters!” cried Ari, ever dramatically.

I just laughed at his antics which caused him to blow out a sigh with a huff.

“It’s going to take quite a while before that happens, like more than 10 hours,” I said to him, trying to allay his fear.

“And how do you know that?!” he said, throwing his body behind it, snapping his head to the side to emphasise his statement.

“Puh-lease, I have watched enough “One born every minute” reruns with Callie to know how much pain I’m in for and for how long,” I said, with a chuckle. Then winced because it finally hit me that the pain hasn’t even begun yet. Yikes, I was in for contractions that would hurt like a bitch. “’Geez, I’m going to whine about this to my kids for the rest of their lives. I’m going to be in hella pain soon, Big Brother. Do you think you could stay with me for this?”

I looked up at him with teary, fear-filled eyes, knowing that this is one time in my life that I really need my big brother with me. I need the support for something as momentous and painful as this.

His expression softened and he nodded, his warm arms wrapping around me, his chin resting on top of my chin.

“You’re my baby sis, of course I would be here for you,” he whispered to me.