Nomad'er What

Chapter 2: De Raps

Chapter 2: De Raps

Aileen's Pov

"You know, you never did tell me your last name," I remember asking Pierce this as if it was yesterday, though that conversation is more than 3 years old now and it hadn't come up until now.

"That's because it isn't important," Pierce had huffed stubbornly, he turned to our dinner cooking on the fire; a silent way of saying he was done with the topic. 'Well too bad,' I thought,' because I'm not going to budge.'

"I told you my last name even though it's not important," I grumbled going out of my way to face him with folded arms.

"Why do you even care," he threw up his arms defensively.

"Because, you are my best friend and I tell you everything," I clenched my jaw, "and I'm supposed to be your best friend Pierce, how can I be if you're not even comfortable sharing your life with me?!"

"God why is this so important to you? Can't I keep some stuff to myself? Or do you need to know every little detail about me?" I seethed at me.

"It's just a name Pierce," I mumbled accepting defeat, "can't you even trust me with a name?" I said softly, I'm not even sure it could be heard.

"De Raps," he gave me a long stare and I knew it as his apology, "but you are wrong, it isn't just a name, never was. It's a death sentence," I spit, "and it'll kill you and me both if it's ever spoken, do you understand me?"

I nodded solemnly.

"Don't ever talk about, no one must ever know that it belongs to me, no one can ever hear you say that name," he declared, and kissed my forehead, "not even me Ail, not ever."

"Thank you," is all I could manage to say as my throat dried up from his intensity. He brushed locks of hair from my neck affectionately.

"We're ok, you and me," he smiled, "now and forever."

+ + +

"We'll tell me boy! What is it?!" my father brawled at Pierce, whom stood there utterly still and obviously out of ideas. I shuffled my feet.

"Uh Sir," Pierce fumbled, "I..."

"It isn't difficult! Just tell me your bloody name! Have you forgotten it?!" Now my Dad's face was red and he was yelling.

"Dad calm down!" I hissed. Pierce was still drawing blanks; it was terrible I'd never seen him like this before. He was always so quick on his feet; it scared me to see him like this. It dug up the mystery I'd never worked out about him for all these years, that last name and why is so lethal. Until now it was just a question at the back of my head, but thanks to my dad today it would be answered.

"De Raps!" my Dad growled, "is it De Raps boy?!" Pierce was now a ghostly presence in the room, but his unfurled to a phantom portray of horror.

"So it's true," my Dad's eyes opened as he looked between me and Pierce. His eyes narrowed to slits, "how do you know this...this...Scum?!" my Dad pointed towards my very upset love.

"Mr. Excoilion I can explain-" Pierce started but was cut off.

"No! None out of you!"

"Dad when you ugh... when I left..." stumble through my Dad's rage, "I was sick and alone, I was dying Dad." My eyes splintered with tears and my hands shook. "He saved my life," my voice was so low I wasn't sure if he'd hear it. "And he's looked after me since, without him I would be dead," it was like reciting the alphabet to say it, I'd always known it, without Pierce I'm barely alive.

"Get out," Dad seethed, his rage directed to Pierce.

Pierce bristled, but simply nodded. I was glued to the floor, I felt like a supernatural force was preventing me from objecting as Pierce made his way to the door.