𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐧𝐝...

Chapter Thirteen

 We all sat on the floors of the watchtowers watching as Victor and his group moved in to the farm next to us to the right. "How wonderful me and my father are neighbors now" I thought to myself. It took me a long discussion with Dana and Fahad not to tell everyone that Victor is my dad and in some miracle they agreed without fighting this time.

We got down when it was lunchtime and ate outside since the weather is getting nicer. After lunch, we still outside together enjoying the cold winter weather. "How does a woman come to be with a child?" Haya's middle sister, Awrad, came from inside the house with such a question that made every adult freeze. "Eh- Awrad what a question?" Her mother stared at her and gave her the look that moms give as a warning if you don't stop. But that 12-year-old didn't. "I thought we needed to be married first!" she added. Haya, her older sister, tried to interrupt her and stop her but she continued. "Apparently it's not even a requirement!" she gasped. Everyone avoided looking at her to not get asked how. "AWRAD! That is more than enough!" her mother, Muneerah, scolded her and she looks disappointed. She went and sat between James and Matthew. I was really happy that the guys are growing into the family and now everyone is comfortable with them around and they are the same. "I take it the two of you know?" she kept going, this girl is wild today. "Do not look at me" Matthew warned and decided he won't join the conversation. "Have you ever visited a farm?" of course James had to step in that conversation. Matthew quickly moved his hand behind Awrad and slapped the back of James's head to stop him, he grunted. "I do hope the two of you are not encouraging improper topics of conversation" Aunt Muneerah turned to them with a glare. "Not at all, Mrs. Muneerah" Matthew spoke. James stood up and looked between Awrad and Matthew, "In fact uhh, we were just heading off to... take our sticks out" he smirked and I was shocked. "JAMES GRAYSON!" I called. "To check if the electric fence works!" he defended himself. Matthew and Alexander were holding their laughs and smirking so hard that it made me laugh a little. Thankfully, no one else got the comment but Haya.

After the afternoon tea outside around the beautiful fire, the guys went off to the last clearing patrols. I told them I wasn't feeling well and I should stay and they should take Fawaz and Mohammad to the patrols and only observe how it's done, I lied. Vetone... or Victor wanted to see me after they all go.

I went over to our new neighbors and told my family that I'm just checking if they settled in or not yet, I lied again. I walked in the house and his guys were just staring at me as I waited for him the hall. "Take your eyes off of her or I will take your eyes and gift it to her" Victor threatened his men as he walked in the hall and sat down across from me. I looked at him and then looked at his guys stationed all around like he was a president or something. "Leave the room" he ordered his guys and they all walked out and left us alone. He exhaled harshly as he examined my face. I rested my head on my hand which was supported by the armchair as I looked at him, waiting for him to say something. "How are you? Since our last talk?" he asked. "Fine" I pretended to smile. "You are not... It's in your eyes" he said. "Well it was an unexpected invite and I'm tired, I woke up really early," I said. "Okay okay fine! You don't wanna talk about it? Fine" he sighed. "What's behind the invite? What do you want?" I cut straight to the case. "I said I will try my best to make you forgive me and I'll try to be a better father in our last conversation, didn't I? But now you're making it harder. You're not talking" he said. I chuckled, "you think that when you invite me over and ask me how I am doing is being a better father? I don't need words, I'm sick of them. I need to see actions. Words can be easily said and forgotten remember?" I replied. "Ayee my dear you are so complicated" he laughed and I just stared at him. "If you are not up for it I can leave if you want. I can lose you again, I've done it before so many times and it doesn't make a difference to me anymore.... I've lost some people that are way more important than you" I stated and admitted. "No I did not mean it. And let us not bring them into this please?" he defended.