In Control (HIATUS)

Ch 21: A̶m̷e̸l̶i̷a̶

Azrael pov:

It's been about 2 more months since the incident with the kids. Nothing has come up or been shown since then and it put me a little on edge. I tried asking Amelia about it but she assured me that she would try to make it up to the kids.

Something I did notice though was how erratic they all started acting. It was beginning to freak me out but I just thought it was the trauma that was getting to them. What the trauma is I have no idea.

I would wake up from nightmares and find a spot missing in my bed. Usually I'd find Amelia in the kitchen late at night, just standing near the knife rack. Each time I'd call out to her and she'd snap out of it like she was sleep walking.

If it wasn't her that I was worried about it was the kids. I'd find Riker out in the backyard staring up at the sky, even when it's pitch black. Arthor would be in my study with books scattered all on the floor. Athina would be up in her room having a 'tea party' with her stuffed animals that were missing heads.

Each time I'd call out to them and they'd snap out of it like Amelia. It looked like they were all sleep walking and it freaked me out. I wanted to help them and tried but it didn't do much. When I tried to go out and do things they'd always pull me back in and keep me in the house.

They'd say it was because they were worried and scared I wouldn't come back. I could understand that but… I haven't seen anyone else besides them since I got back. I was antsy, on edge, and slowly freaking out over all of this.

I often slept with a knife under my pillow, be it my nightmares or the strange activity of my family, it freaked me out all the same. I tried to just act normal and hope that they would all calm down and not act so weird anymore but that's not doing anything.

"Daddy! Pay attention!" Athina grabbed my arm and pulled me with her to the backyard with the others. I chuckled and went with her, feeling the surprisingly strong grip she had.

"I'm sorry princess, I'm paying attention." I assured her, looking to see the boys working on their forms.

It shocked me how much they had improved. They looked less messy and more precise with their attacks. They worked shirtless in the spring heat, grunting and laughing as they sparred.

When they started to get more aggressive I broke them up, ushering them to their separate corners. I placed a hand on Arthor's back and motioned for him to step aside so he could calm down.

I noticed that his left shoulder didn't have a scar from when he got injured on the mission he went with me. Shaking my head I think maybe it wasn't as big or as deep as I thought.

"Something wrong dad?" He asked me, wiping his face from sweat. I rubbed my neck and shook my head.

"It's nothing. Why don't you show me some of your moves?" I wave him off, moving myself to stand on the mat.

"Sure thing!" He smiled and followed after me, getting himself ready in front of me. I positioned myself to stand comfortably, waiting for him to do his thing.

With a clap from Athina he started. I don't know what they've been doing since I've been gone but it must have been productive. I've never seen him this fast, he was on me in a second. He got close and threw a punch I barely avoided.

Backing up I see a kick come at me. I grab his leg as it hits its mark, knocking some wind out of me. Using his momentum I pivot on my foot and throw him to the ground, taking a moment to catch my breath. He flips up quickly and charges me again, swinging just as hard and as fast as before.