Spiraling Storm (Book 1 of the Storm Chasers Series)

Chapter 6

"Raven! I'm not a child," Crow complained. "I don't need all these bandages and ointments to have my arm heal. Just slap some mud on it and I'll be fine."

"No, you won't be. We are going to treat this wound properly, so it doesn't get infected. Unless what you want is another day off and an itchy, pain filled arm." Raven chided.

"Aye, fine. Give me the poison," Crow turned his face away from Raven, preparing for the worst. Raven tied the bandages tight, turned Crow's face towards him and popped a pill in his mouth. Raven handed him water as well.

"Drink and swallow. I don't want to deal with you groaning in the middle of the night from the pain," Raven instructed.

Crow grumbled and drank the water. He sighed, waiting to feel some difference in his arm. Nothing changed, however. 'I guess this is one of those things where I have to wait,' Crow huffed. He threw his head back on the couch, staring at the ceiling.

The pain on his knee was sharp. Mud and rocks dug into his skin, making the wound hurt more. A young Crow was trying to limp back home bravely and get used to the pain.

"Come on, body! We can get there. Aye!" Crow stumbled and fell on the ground. He could see his house now. The lights were on and his parents were inside. 'Please come outside,' He pleaded inside his mind. Thunder started rolling overhead, dark clouds looming.

"Mom! Dad! Please, I don't want to die!" Crow yelled, tears forming. He was terrified of the oncoming storm. His dad heard Crow's yells and burst outside, fear on his face. His father rushed over and picked Crow off the ground.

"What happened, son? Are you ok?" His dad asked, brushing off the mud.

"I fell out of the tree again," Crow mumbled, trying to get out of his arms. His dad sighed, a small smile on his face. He held Crow closer, carrying him inside. His honey brown eyes twinkled, making Crow happier to see him.

"Let's get you cleaned up, son. The thunder isn't pleased that it has another competitor," Crow's father teased.

"Can you tell me that story about how you fought a lightning man again?" Crow pleaded.

"Ha! That. Aye, I can. You have to keep it a secret, though. He's not too happy, you know."

"Ok, dad."

Crow smiled, fond of that memory. He quickly tried to force it out of his head after, not wanting to remember any more. 'He used to be a good man,' Crow thought. 'It's better if I don't think about that right now.' He watched Raven go to his room. All Crow could do was sit there.

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Raven left Crow to his thoughts. He went to his room, flicking on a lamp. He turned to his bag, deciding to grab his notebook. He opened an entry he made when he was 13.

'My older sister is going on a date with Arynn today. I don't know where they'll be, but I hope things will be ok.'

An old memory suddenly hit him.

"Come on, kid. I'll take care of her," Arynn smiled reassuringly. His amber eyes shined happily.

"I know. I just don't want you to go," Raven replied.

"You know you can't come with us, tiny artist. You'll figure out something to do here, right?"

"There isn't much to do."

"Practicing drawing hands, that's something."

"Oh. That," Raven glared, thinking about it. Arynn laughed and ruffled Raven's hair. He stuck his tongue out at Arynn, scrunching up his nose. Arynn shook his head, taking out a pen. He took Raven's hand and drew a wobbly raven. Raven laughed at it, looking up at Arynn. He also was laughing a little bit.

Raven took Arynn's hand and drew a crow. He wasn't all that good at ravens yet, but he could draw the tiny corvids. Arynn looked at it, admiring the work.

"Wow, you really outdid yourself, kid. You're good, you know?" Arynn mused.

"Thanks. I'm trying my best."

"I know. You know, you should talk to your sister before we leave, ok?"

"Yeah, I will." Raven muttered, before giving Arynn a hug and approaching his sister to bid farewell.

"Hey there, buddy," Luce said, patting Raven on the head. "You took so long saying goodbye to Arynn over there that I was starting to think that I'm just a ghost!"

"No. I just like him better." Raven joked, smiling.

"Oh, I see."

"Yeah. I was told to say goodbye, but I don't want to."

"Why?"

"'Cause I'm afraid I wont see you again."

"What kind of nonsense is that? Of course you will!"

Raven came back to the present with a sharp breath in. The memory cut through him like a knife, bringing tears to his eyes. Strangely enough, he's been trying to come to terms with the past several times. Recently, seeing somebody who looked so much like Arynn? It hurt him.

Raven set the book down lightly, walking over to his window. The same storm clouds hung overhead, giving the room a dark mood. He's been fighting for years to prove himself, to get to Arynn. All so he could reign his wrath down upon this one person. So quickly Raven forgot how much he cared.

He felt numb, like a speck in space. Raven sat in his chair by his desk, pulling open one of the drawers. His movements felt mechanical, as if he was accustomed to this routine by now. He reached into the drawer, grabbing the knife from inside and rolling up his sleeve afterwards. Raven held his breath, looking behind him.

He relaxed, not seeing Crow. As he prepared to cut his own skin, Crow burst in the door. The knife fell out of his hand and clattered to the floor as he jumped out of his chair. Raven frantically tried to pull his sleeve down as Crow stood there.

"Raven...? Out of all these years we've lived together, and I never knew..." Crow said in disbelief.

"Crow, how many times have I told you to knock?"

"You were going to hurt yourself, knocking wasn't an option."

Raven slowly picked the knife up off the ground, setting it back in the drawer and closing it. Crow stood, staring at Raven with a disbelieving look. Raven sighed, trying to explain why. For once in his life, he couldn't get any words out. Crow slowly walked to Raven, giving him a hug. Raven looked down at Crow in surprise, not really expecting this sort of response.

"Please don't do that again," Crow mumbled.

"I-...I don't know... I'll try."

"You better. I can't be left alone again. Especially by you."

"Ok. I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I should be the one saying sorry, anyway. I tried making cheesy noodles for you."

"You burned it, didn't you?"

"Aye, more like cremated."

Raven sighs and starts laughing, wrapping his arms around Crow, hugging him tight. Crow smiled, hugging tight as well.

"I wasn't joking, though," Crow said seriously.

"I know, this is just nice."

"We need to clean up the ashes."

"Yeah, let's go do that. Also, you owe me new pans."

"Haha, no."

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