Alamort | Troy Otto

1.23

[1.23]

That night, they found Alicia. Hidden in an abandoned building, they had dinner, talked a little, but it was mostly between Alicia and Nick. Thena tried not to listen, but sometimes she just couldn't, and she found herself staring at her canned food as the siblings argued. Troy would do the same, and Thena could feel him tense from time to time.

While the three were still eating, Thena left to wander around. She found a few pieces of clean clothing and took them with her, not knowing if they might need it. The night ended quickly and when the sun shone, they were already ready to leave. Thena was waiting by the truck with Troy, having already said her goodbyes to Alicia. They were waiting for Nick in silence.

The moment the boy shut the passenger door, Troy's foot was already pressing on the ignition. Thena let herself fall back in her seat, the wind ruffling her hair as the car gained in speed. It was Troy's voice that woke her up from her almost-nap, and she couldn't help but let out a small groan, knowing she wouldn't be able to get any ounce of sleep with the two men talking.

"Why does everybody hate you, Nick?" asked Troy, "it sounds like you were a real treat back in the day."

The younger man let out a small sigh and looked away from Troy. "Old news, and not your business," he said, "besides, Alicia's wrong. That's not why I stayed at the ranch."

"No? Why did you stay?"

Before he could talk, Nick turned around slightly to look at Thena. "Don't worry," said Troy as he glanced through the rear view mirror, seeing Thena's eyes closed and head fallen back, "she's asleep."

Nick didn't listen. "She's great at hiding it," he whispered before tapping her knee a few times. When he realized she wasn't moving, he let out a sigh of relief, not even thinking of the possibility of her faking her sleep anymore.

"So?" asked Troy again, "Why did you stay?"

"Travis was dead," replied Nick, "And Luciana was sick. Thena needed someone. But my mom was falling apart... so I had to keep it together."

Troy couldn't help but laugh. He chuckles over and over again, making Thena frown from her seat in the back. "It's bullshit," said the man between chuckles, "bullshit."

"Why didn't you tell me why I stayed?"

"All right, you stared at the ranch because you love me. It's alright."

The girl couldn't help but smile at the response. Somehow, she was seen, because after Troy's and Nick's laughter died down, it was obvious that Troy's words were directed to her.

"Don't think I didn't see that smile, sweetheart."

~