I am Clara

Hidden and Discovered Secrets

I finished the little homework that I had and headed out to the local pharmacy. I didn't know how much the Sphere would help, and though it had barely been twenty-four hours, I really wasn't liking the colour my foot had taken. Even if Mimpi had promised the Sphere would completely heal the wound, I wanted to avoid the need for extra injections. I much preferred the natural, human way of healing. The moment I opened my bedroom door after returning from the pharmacy, something fell at my feet. A pair of crutches, left by Andrews, no doubt. I bent forward to pick them up, biting back a smile. I would forever deny the warmth that filled my chest. I've never, and never will understand why he's always so nice, or how he put up with me for so long. We usually did get along, but I wasn't afraid to admit that I've been a little testy since the start of the Terpilih thing. Adding stress and lack of sleep to my natural state of grumpiness, didn't help make my presence enjoyable. Nevertheless, Andrews stuck around, even offering me his home when I lost mine. As annoying as he was, I really ought to be nicer to him. His intentions were good. He meant well. Before leaving, I left a small thank you note on his door.

     The crutches saved me from a very long and painful walk. I'm sure it'd have taken me twice as long without them.

     Book bag filled with a very expansive purchase of random infection fighting products, wearily I made my way to my old backdoor. There was no way I was making it into Bella's window, today. I'd have to chance getting caught.

    The kids must have been really troublesome lately if mom didn't get the chance to change the lock on the backdoor. The house was a complete mess, and screeching howls bellowed from the living room. The loud argument that preoccupied the five worked in my favor. I made a dash for Bella's room, without a glance shared in my direction.

     I had had time to read all the children's books on Bella's shelf, before anything interesting happened. I was putting away my third Christian tale of the night when I was startled by the relentless ringing of the doorbell. What fool would test Laine's patience that way? I heard wretched coughing and the taping sound of a cane against hardwood floors, and everything made sense. Only one man could rightfully fulfill the position of that idiot: Mr. Welf. Mom had run out of babysitters, again? The kids probably scared the others off.

     A few minutes passed, before the front door was open and closed again, marking my mother's departure. I didn't like the idea of where she might be heading at this time of day.

     Following her exit, the kids gradually grew quieter, eventually reaching a state of complete silence. Something wasn't right. I risked a trip downstairs, knowing all too way that mom would be gone for a few hours.

     I found them all in the living room. A gigantic pile of yesterday's candy on the floor, Isaiah was sat reading a book, while the three younger kids huddled around a sleeping Mr. Welf. Their tiny bodies shook as they retained giggles.

     Isaiah saw me first, and he obviously wasn't expecting me. He jumped in his seat, book falling to the floor and losing its bookmark in the process.

    "Shit," he muttered, desperately trying to find his last page. My jaw almost joined the book on the floor. Isaiah, swearing? I've only been gone a few weeks. How did so much changed already?

     Three heads swung his way, as surprised by his outburst as I was. He rolled his eyes and smiled at the three. "We've got a visitor."

     There was no hesitation. Markers and stickers bounced on the floor, as Bella and the twins rushed towards me. Having abandoned my crutches to avoid worrying them, my injured foot wasn't strong enough to handle their weight. The four of us tumbled to the floor, and Tyler had to place his hand over Bella's mouth to ensure her giggles didn't escape. Though they were unsuccessful in being quiet, the old cranky man didn't wake.