Pay the Price

Chapter 46- Auntie's Comfort

As Larisa finished tying up her hair, a knock on her bedroom door caught her attention. She went over to the door, opened it, and found Christopher standing on the other side. He seemed unhappy about something, his hands clasped before him as he held a lot of papers. He frowned, and his posture was stiff.

"Hello, my sweet angel." Larisa greeted, allowing for him to walk into the room, rubbing his back. "Is everything okay? You seem fairly down about something." She pointed out as they sat on a pair of armchairs. Christopher released an exhale, asking a question that was burning in his mind in a trembling tone.

"Do you think I'm dangerous?" His voice was almost inaudible, but Larisa still heard it. She felt her eyes widen at it. No one had ever asked her a question like that. She didn't think he was dangerous, certainly not intentionally, but he felt the question necessary because of what Madelia said to and about him. He was only dangerous if he lost control over the mystical creature, but he rarely did. When he did, he hid himself away.

"Of course I don't think you're dangerous, sweetheart." Larisa answered, taking his hand. "I'm so sorry that Madelia said that to you, she is completely wrong. You're not dangerous. I only think you need a bit more control of your magic for your safety and to prevent the burnouts." She explained to him, running her thumb over his knuckles. "None of this is your fault. You're not a defect either. You're perfect."

Christopher needed that assurance from her. He was just a child, not an adult. He nodded at her words, his breathing becoming shaky. Larisa rubbed the back of his head, feeling horrible that he felt so bad about himself. He didn't deserve to feel that way.

Larisa knew he was scared. She knew he didn't want to kill Andreas Zandailias, but he had to. He didn't have a choice. Even if he had to kill someone, he deserved to have someone there with him to tell him that everything was going to be okay, that he wasn't a terrible person. There were two people meant to, which was Madelia and Hedeon, but they did the opposite.

Raelene, Myrah, Connor, Larisa, and Bryson took that place instead. But seeing as Raelene, Myrah, and Connor were also children, Larisa and Bryson would take on it all. Christopher believed no one would ever be there for him because of how he grew up, but Larisa was never going to let those thoughts continue.

She was going to be there for him and treat him like her son. He was the one person that needed the support. She twirled his braid, courtesy of Raelene, putting it over his shoulder.

"What if I fail?" He questioned, keeping his gaze on his feet. He didn't want anyone to see his tears. "Am I... apart of this family?" His voice changed to a whisper, evidentially scared of her answer.

"You will always be a part of this family. You always have been. You're our gem, Chris. And I promise you won't fail." Larisa responded, cupping his cheek lightly. "Can you please look at me, sweet angel?" Reluctantly, Christopher looked up her, and she sighed as she noticed his teary eye. "Oh, my dear."

A tear slid down his cheek, which Larisa cleaned away. She knew he was having a very hard time, but imagining it wasn't the same as experiencing it. He had gone through worse in ten years than Larisa would in her lifetime, and nothing she thought of would ever compare.

Bryson walked into the room as Larisa gave their nephew a hug, his smile dropping as soon as he saw Christopher's shaking shoulders. He walked over immediately, kneeling by Christopher's side to check on him.

"What happened?" Bryson asked, rubbing his nephew's back, seeing the rolling tears. "Are you okay, Chris?" Bryson was worried about his nephew, knowing he was having a very hard time with life.

"I just want someone to be happy to be my parents." Christopher said, ignoring the original questions. "I'm so tired." He whispered, looking at the carpet as his eyes kept pouring tears like a river.