Ven: Part 1

Ch. 23: Implied Royalty

"Big show tonight, huh." Jacob says despondently from the stairs.

I spin around, I've been up to see him every day this week before going out to train.

Trying to get him out of bed by telling him about all the crazy looking people walking around outside hasn't worked in the slightest.

He hadn't budged.

Now he's standing at the bottom of the stairs looking even more dishevelled then yesterday with bits of tree and vines peeking out from his skin.

"Yeah, I'm going to put what old man Ro taught me to the test," I give him a shaky smile.

"Cool," he says, "can I come?"

"Yeah, of course!" I say, a little too enthusiastically.

"You should probably shower first," Marney says timidly.

Jacob just glares at her and stalks off.

"What's that all about?" I ask.

"Haven't you noticed? It's been like this all week," her face drops and she pushes her breakfast away.

"I guess I've been too busy, I haven't really been around you both at the same time," I laugh nervously. "Sorry about that."

"It's alright," she sits back and crosses her arms.

"I'm trying my best with him," I rub my face. "I don't know what good it's doing though."

"I hope it's doing something, it's been awful around here."

"Well, I'm sorry," Jacob says bitterly from the stairs.

We both jump and spin back around to look at him.

"Sorry that my sadness has brought you both down," he spits. "Why do you even care, Marney." He jabs and accusatory finger her way. "You didn't get a chance to meet Jasper properly!"

"I'm sorry," she says quietly, looking down. "I'm sure he was a good horse."

Silent tears fall from her face and pool on the table.

"A good... A good horse!" Jacob's face darkens, veins bulging in his neck. "He was the best horse! He was there with me through everything! You were just too busy scaring him into becoming a robot to notice!"

"Hey!" I shout, "That's uncalled for, Jacob."

"I-I can't..." Marney begins. She gets up, rams her mask on her face and runs out the door.

"Marney! Come back!" I call from the door.

"Let her go, you never liked her anyway," Jacob spits.

I slowly turn around and face him.

I glare at him.

"Go on then," I say quietly. "Let it all out."

"Oh please, don't look at me like that! Where was this level headedness when you were blowing your top at us?! Huh!?" He gestures wildly. "Or when you were promising to get Jasper back! What are you even doing, Ven? What are any of us doing?! You're hanging out with Marney all day and giving me pity visits in the morning! Who do you think you are!?"

I clench my teeth and fists.

He's sad.

Don't get mad.

"So many bad things have happened since you found me! What's the point!" He screams. "What's the point, Ven!"

Keep it together, Ven.

"I want to go home!" He stamps his foot. "I want my horse! I want..."

Screw this.

"GROW UP!" My voice booms through the house.