Orphic

Spring Eight - Elliot

Abigail's parents were freaking out. They'd probably received the most damage, aside from Pam's trailer flipping over, but that was an easier fix than this.

They'd have to completely replace the roof, the wind had somehow been strong enough to rip the shingles right out, destroying the parts of the roof that were meant to keep rain, bugs and other things out of the house. I didn't quite understand it but I could tell it was going to be expensive to fix.

Of course, with everything falling apart, the last thing they wanted to do was let Abigail leave the house, so I'd somehow become her babysitter as we walked to Sebastian's house in hopes of catching up with the rest of our friends about how terribly things had gone.

Except for Leah, who refused to leave Shane's side until he woke up.

"That was different." i glanced over at the shorter girl, she'd been fidgeting with her grandmothers old ring that was resting on her finger. I was beginning to think she was going to be silent for our whole walk as we were almost at Sebastian's front door.

"Yea. i didn't think this stuff happened in Pelican town." I replied, dodging another fallen branch that had made its way onto the path.

"Neither did I, and I was born here. i've been here my whole life. and i didn't think someone could bleed so much without fainting." She made a gagging motion with her hand and mouth, briefly catching my attention and forcing me to stop in my tracks.

"Who was bleeding?" As far as I knew, everyone had gotten away uninjured.

"Oh it w-."

"Elliot, Abigail!" the arms were around us before i'd even noticed anyone running towards us.

my body was slammed against Abigail's as we were pulled into a rib crushing hug.

Sam finally pulled away after taking us in, he had the biggest smile on his face. I knew it was relief, he and Seb were always joined at the hip and too be separated for so long, knowing one of them could be in danger had to be unsettling.

Sam quickly looked us over for any injuries while Seb slowly made his way across the yard.

"Last night was crazy, I'm actually glad we live in such a small town, otherwise we might not of realized we were missing people." Sam commented, giving us one last hug. 

"Glad you all handled things well." Seb added when he finally reached us.

My mind flew to Cass who I had been avoiding thinking about since I woke up this morning. I thought I'd finally figured him out, only to be left more annoyed than I was before and he seemed to receive joy from my confusion.

"Any word on Shane?" Sebastian asked, not that he cared much but I'm sure he was still worried about Leah.

"Broken ribs, shattered collar bone but Harvey can't test much else until he wakes up." Abigail replied, for my thoughts to drift from Cass too Leah. It was normal not having her around, she was often too busy to hangout but it was strange, knowing that she hadn't left Shane's bedside since the accident.

"Hmm. That sounds rough. How about Cass? He didn't look to good last night." Sam pointed out.

I was definitely a little too mean to Cass the night before. If he really was that upset by it, I'd have to apologize as soon as possible.

"You saw too? I tried talking to him but he said he was fine." Abby sighed.

Neither of them seemed to agree.

Id have to go talk to him sooner rather than later.

"come inside, it's cold out here." Seb muttered, casting a nervous glance at the clouds in the sky.

there'd been no signs that another storm was about to hit but we were all still standing on our toes since the same dark clouds were still in the sky.

~

Abigail's parents came too fetch her shortly after we arrived, claiming they heard thunder and had to leave immediately. I had a feeling we wouldn't see her again for a while.

"This sucks. No offence Elliot, but I wish it had been you that got crushed by a tree." Sam muttered, tossing his controller onto the bed, I clearly wasn't much fun to play video games with. "That seems a bit harsh. I only let you win one round."

"No, I just mean, We'd all be hanging out together. Even if it was at the hospital. I hate that she thinks she can fix everything."

Leah had always been the mom friend, that was clear, but she certainly had a bad habit of inserting herself into things that weren't her business.

"Y'know, if she came and got help instead of sitting there, holding Shane's hand, we all would've been in bed much sooner. Maybe Cass' back wouldn't of been so fucked. He was already drained from helping you guys and searching."

Sam started another round but I died immediately, unable to take my eyes off of him. "What happened to Cass' back?" I asked finally.

He turned towards me, a worried look immediately covering his face. But it was Sebastian who answered, "he must've cut it when he was moving the tree but his white shirt and the rain made it look like a lot of blood."

I hadn't seen Cass at all after we got Shane out, I was way too focused on Leah. She'd been so stressed, I didn't even think to check on Cass.

"I should go see him." I announced, beginning to stand.

"Why? If he's really hurt, he'll go see Harvey like the rest of us."

I knew that if it had been anyone else in town, they'd agree with my decision, they'd even ask to come with me. Cass was still new and while everyone knew him, nobody really knew him, or cared too. Except for me of course. My interest in the new farmer was beginning to seem like an obsession.

I loved a good mystery novel.

~

"If he wants too, you're both more than welcome here, you know that." I sighed into the phone.

My mom had called to see if I was still alive and then returned to scolding me after I told her I and my small cabin survived. Then she started asking how I could be so rude as to never invite them over.

I ended up staying at Seb's with the boys until almost ten and I was just grabbing a late night snack when she called.

"Hmmph. Whatever. That's not the same as an invite Elliot I thought I raised you better." She complained.

Dad wouldn't even come visit me here unless I was dying and mom would not travel without him, meaning I probably wouldn't have to deal with them for a while.

"Do you have a girlfriend yet? It's important you marry a nice woman."

"No mom. Still single." I replied, grabbing a piece of cold pizza from the fridge.

"Boyfriend? If you are gay like your cousin it is okay as long as you marry a handsome man."

I really hated these conversations.

"No boyfriend either but thanks Ma."

She complained a little while longer before finally hanging up.

I was so tired that I actually skipped my shower and fell onto my bed, half a piece of uneaten pizza still on my nightstand and my phone on my pillow.

My mind briefly flashed to Cass, I made a mental note to ensure I visited him tomorrow, just to check in.