Safe and Sound

Volume 3

If you could speak bluntly without any fear of repercussions, you would say that if you got to choose to live in any place you had ever been, it would by Bill and Franks. For a large majority of reasons; One, it was safe, two, they were nice (Well, Frank was nice, Bill scared you a bit) three, your parents trusted them which said all it needed to as far of your own trust being put in them. Well, maybe you lied, all of the reasons you liked the place could be counted on one hand. Nonetheless the thought was there, and that was what was important...right?

As your eyes drifted about the old greenhouse, where the lively plants and the colorful painting lay, you couldn't help but crack a small smile as a butterfly flew in, landing on a flower. You watched the butterfly for a minute before you heard your mother's voice calling for you.

You'll never hear it again

A quick turn on your heel and ran out of the greenhouse, running through the green ground and when you turned the corner of the house you saw your parents talking to Bill and Frank, who stood on the steps of the house, while your parents stood across from them. With a small smile you walked over to them, picking up your backpack from where you had set it and looked at your parents, prepared to leave, they noticed your expression and your father knelt down to look at you.

Joel was bad at explaining things like this to you, he would always try to leave it to Tess however she could barely look at you without tearing up at the moment, so he had to. "Starshine," He spoke slowly, taking the backpack in your hands and setting it down, "You'll be staying with Bill and Frank for a while." Almost within a moment he saw your expression change, not as much betrayal however just more of concern mixed with sadness as tears pricked the corners of your eyes. He. Hated. It. "Oh, don't cry, baby girl. We'll be back, it'll be a few months, but we'll be back."

That did nothing to help ease his weeping child, in fact hearing the word 'month' made it all the worse, the tears not being pint up in your glossy eyes anymore.

After a moment you try to gather yourself however you didn't notice how your hands gripped Joel's sleeve, "You-you owe me." You found that saying something classy and kind made everyone emotional, which was Rule Two: don't get emotional. So, instead you would make some attempt of a lame joke you only meant half-heartedly. Another moment passed as you wiped your cheeks, "A new book would make it up." Joel smiled, planting a small kiss on the cowlick of your hair before standing, "Easy."

That conversation had been two months ago, and every day after that had become more and more boring. Yes, it was 'peaceful' but that only did so much, you were still an eleven-year-old child at that point, you wanted something to entertain you, something to keep you engaged. Luckily, around a week ago Frank had convinced Bill to try to figure something out for you, if it be building a playground from the ground up; however, Bill chose something else. Archery.

Turns out you had a natural knack for it, so much so that all Bill had to do was show you how to load the arrow and pull back, the aiming was the easy part in your own 'professional' eyes. So, you stood in front of the house, the target about seventy meters away, arrow pulled back and your eyes forward, just waiting for the wind to stop. Which was stupid in hindsight but at the moment it made perfect sense. As you were about finally let the arrow let loose you felt a nudge on your back, which caused you to lose your balance and stumble forward. With a frown you eased your grip on the bow and turned around, facing Bill, of course, it was Bill. "Whatcha do that for?"

"You think too much."

A small scoff, "What does that mean?" "It means," He looked down at you and took the bow and arrow, pulling back, "Sometimes you just have to not think." Then he let the arrow fly, it whistles through the air until it landed on the target, and of course it hit the bullseye. When he looked back to you, he saw your ever-present frown and he almost chuckled, but he just cracked a smile and nudged you, "Sometimes, Starshine, you have to just trust yourself. No second guesses, you just have to do it." He handed the bow back to you, and then grabbed another arrow, "Try."