Ethereal Madness

Chapter 22- Belonging

-Tucker Perspective-

I woke up experiencing pain akin to constant torture. The simple flex of my arm burned hotter than fire, and I swear I thought my leg was broken after a simple stretch.

Gah, everything hurts.

My arm dropped beside me, onto an unexpectedly soft surface. It was then I realized that my head felt my head was nice and comfortable.

Huh?

Around me, were mocha walls and varying furniture. In front of me, a television was propped up on a stand.

Where am I?

It was clear now that I was on a bed, and my head was sunken into a pillow.

I sat up and I swear my body rejected every movement made.

This is almost as bad as the time I decided to spend all week at the gym.

Suddenly, the door creaked open, and Key's head popped out. His brown eyes locked onto me, surprise and panic smeared all over his face.

"T-Tuck!"

"...Key? I coughed out.

"Hold on. I'll go get my mom."

"W-wait." I held my arm out, but he was already out of the door.

"Ow ow ow." The pain in my arm spiked and I dropped it down.

"Just what's going on? I'm in Key's house? Why? How'd I get here? And why does everything hurt?" I studied the cuts and bruises on my arms when the bedroom door flung open and Ms. Inoa burst through the door, her blonde hair and youthful look convincing me she was a college student for a second.

"Ooooh Tucker!" She sang. "Are you alright? Lemme have a look." She danced around the bed, intently studying different parts of me where I was injured. "You were all hurt when Kiki found you."

I almost burst into laughter at the sound of his nickname, but my chest didn't agree with my movements and caused me to cough uncontrollably.

"Tucker!" Key ran to me.

"Relax. I'm fine." I assured him.

Ms. Inoa pouted, her gentle face reminiscent of an angry child. "You're not okay at all! You've got cuts and bruises all over the place!"

I managed a chuckle. "I'm telling you, I'm alright."

She slapped my back and I died a little inside.

"Still wanna say you're fine?"

I was about to speak but held my tongue when I saw a scowl beginning to form.

She crossed her arms. "As my oldest child, I'll need you to stay out of trouble. You need to set an example for Kiki after all."

"Oldest?" I asked.

"Child?" Key finished.

"Of course. You're adopted into this family, you know. I thought this was established."

"B-but Ms. Inoa, I already have a family."

"Is there a law against having two families?" She retorted.

"Umm, well, no." I was ready to admit defeat.

"...But shouldn't Tuck get a choice in being adopted?" Key asked.

"What he said," a fire lit in me and in this moment, I appreciated Key more than I ever have before.

Her smile lit the room. "Of course not. Most children don't get a choice."