Me and the Devil: Sebastian Sallow

Chapter ONE OH FOUR - Puzzle and Peace

(To Build A Home - The Cinematic Orchestra, Patrick Watson)

Anne had nearly fallen over in her haste to stand from the blankets, blinking rapidly at the floor as she righted her brain. I stood with her, in partial terror that she might collapse but also in defiant solidarity.

"Please uncle. They've only two more days anyway." Her fingers dug into my wrist and I hoped Solomon wouldn't notice the way she struggled to stay on her feet. I hoped Sebastian didn't either. "Please."

I expected to see more of a reaction from the man. Perhaps a hint of pity for his niece, anger at the alleged disobedience, happiness at the prospect of being rid of our nuisance... but instead he stared down at the two of us, blank and passionless. A chill shivered down my spine, mind failing to wrap around his ultimate mindset.

His brows dropped low on his forehead, lifting a single finger and speaking quietly. "One."

Eyes flicked to mine.

"One more day. I want you gone first thing tomorrow morning."

Sebastian started forward, lips parted and one foot out in front before Ominis clutched his arms, dragging him back to his chest and struggling to hold him there.

"Thank you uncle Solomon." Anne's singsong voice trembled, gritty and far too compliant for the usual Sallow girl.

Solomon huffed and hauled his shoulders back. "Right then." He paused for a moment, eyes drifting over Sebastian, wrapped beneath Ominis' arms. "You all are to stay indoors and I want no banging about - I need some sleep. Wake me only if Anne needs something."

Three paces more and he had nearly slammed the door to the back room as he disappeared behind it.

"Get off me." Sebastian bit, pulling from Ominis' arms but frowning to the ground, thumb rubbing against his pointer finger and adding quietly. "Sorry mate."

Ominis only took a deep breath in, making no move to speak.

"He can't do this."

"He can." Anne stepped carefully over the pillows, tucking herself into one of the kitchen chairs, only then dropping my hold. "And we are going to make the best of it. Alright?"

Though she'd phrased it as a question, there'd been no room for opposition in her tone.

Sebastian kicked at the ground, worrying his bottom lip between his teeth as he watched his sister. Another silent sibling conversation flicked back and forth.

"...Fine." 

----

We'd spent the rest of the day as close together as possible.

The quiet warmth had slowly seemed to ease our Sebastian back to us, his grin cutting through his own worries and woes.

We had moved from room to room, cuddled up on the couch, sprawled out on the floor, munching on little bits from the kitchen... our minds frantically trying to ingrain every moment in each other's company. At one point, Sebastian had settled himself in a kitchen chair, completely upside down, hair dusting the floor as he fiddled with the hem of my trousers. Anne was back on the couch, Ominis sprawled out aside her, head in her lap once more. I had read through the small set of instructions and was now fiddling with my camera. 

Click

A snap of Sebastian's heated cheeks, hair fallen away from his brows and tongue poking out to the lens.