HIDDEN (Hide Or Die)

Chapter 41

KYLE'S P.O.V.

"Hey boys, we brought back enough food for everyone, so come on, let's go down and eat." I sighed as I heard Mom say to Andrew and Matthew somewhere in the house.

Why was Ma avoiding eye contact with me all of a sudden? What was she hiding this time around? To be honest, I was sick and tired of all the secrets, dangers, and pains; I just wanted my life to return to when Ma and I lived freely in Bluefield; I wanted to know if my brother was still alive, if he had a decent life at least, and if I would ever get to see him someday. I wanted to be completely free and happy for once in my life. Was it really so much to ask?

“Ok ma'am, thank you." I heard Matthew reply Mom.

"Please call me Emily," Mom said before I heard her footsteps, and those of others, return to the stairs.

"I swear I'm going to kill you with my bare hands if you do it again, okay?" I heard Matthew say this before seeing him, Andrew, and Ma appear at the top of the stairs and started their descent.

Albert moved slightly in my arms as a result of their loud chatting, and I quickly retracted my wings from around him. His big brown eyes fluttered open and rested on me. His eyelids flutter a few times as if he was trying to shake off the sleep and confusion from his brain, but their fluttering dance soon came to an end, and his clouded vision gave way to meet my face with a newly found understanding.

"Kyle?" His voice was rough, and his brows creased in unison as he looked up at me. "Why am I in your..." His words stopped mid-sentence when his attention was suddenly drawn to Andrew's voice.

"Fine, Fine! Stop whining ok? I already said I'm sorry; and besides, you know it wasn't my fault, it was all Emily and Becky's. If only they knew how to ask for me to come with them nicely, you know, as normal people do," Andrew threw a glare at Mom and Becky, "you would have been the first person I notified even before my parents, who I believe are freaking out as we speak!" Andrew finished with a cute but sad pout at Matthew, who still wasn't ready to let go of his rage, before pleadingly turning his cute face in my direction.

"Kyle, tell him it wasn't my fault!" Andrew whined and my lips on their own accord turned up in a wide smile as I gazed up at him fondly.

"Please forgive him, Matthew, it truly wasn't his fault, it was entirely mine." Matthew threw a glare my way as Albert quietly tried to break free from my grip, but I didn't want to let him go. My instincts were screaming at me not to let him leave my protection. I felt like a father releasing his baby's hand in a crowded place. The feeling was ultimately frightening. But then I tried to stay calm and reminded myself that we were safe, that we were among friends and family, and that nothing could hurt him here, so I reluctantly let go of his arms and let him walk away.

Albert seemed to notice my hesitation because his brows creased slightly, but he didn't dwell on it; instead, he sheepishly smiled at me and said a shy thank you before slowly walking up to Matthew, whose foul mood quickly vanished when he noticed him and he immediately welcomed him into his waiting arms, which Albert unhesitantly snuggled into.

"I want to apologize to you, Andrew, about the kidnapping; I wasn't thinking clearly when I asked Becky to do that to you." Mom cleared her throat as she lifted her head to look guiltily at Andrew, who let a smile adore his face at her words.

"No hard feelings, Emily, just make sure to warn me next time," Andrew replied, and I noticed Mom's shoulder sag as she relievedly laughed.

"There won't be a next time, and I promise to get you back to your family soon, but for the time being, because you can't be separated from Kyle, we have to keep our location hidden from everyone ok?." Andrew nodded. "And, Matthew, I apologize for causing you to worry, it won't happen again." Matthew nodded as well. My gaze lingered on Ma as I examined her features. Her beautiful gray eyes were soft and glistening with unshed tears as she bit her bottom lips in shame. She looked nothing like the woman who had fiercely and unremorsefully given a willing Becky that terrifying order, and it filled my heart with pride that she was making an effort to do better.