Life, Death, Together

Chapter 20

"But he's your brother?" 

He seemed to nod in response like some doll with no control over himself. "Rein." I peeked over, looking at him as he stared at me, his eyes were the darts, aiming right toward my soul. "Can I cry? I-in your bathroom I mean?" I must have looked offended because he immediately looked down towards his hands. "It was a stupid question. I'm a man after all!" His smile was fake and I did one of the only reasonable things. I wrapped my arms around his neck and whispered into his ear. "Everyone can cry. Go." 

He was taken aback but scrambled to his feet and I showed him the bathroom, he gave me a smile before closing the door. He mouthed toward me, 'thank you' I don't know why he didn't talk, but it felt right.

He was a growing man, sure, but he's had all of his emotions bottled up and I feel so bad for him. Sure he let his emotions out a few hours ago, but that was only part of it. I couldn't imagine everything inside of him. I felt so bad for him, he was taught his whole life how to be tough and strong and the only time he can let it out is alone. He's all alone. And I'm going to change that, one way or another.

I got up and went into my parent's room, I was searching for a toy I used to have that always made me calm down. I knew Thorn was a man but it might help, even though he's in high school. I went into a drawer and saw a note with the toy, I picked up the small envelope and read the title. 'Hunter Esquadros' then it stated both my parents names and I was confused as hell. Who's Hunter? I opened the envelope and read the note. 

'We are both sorry, we know we shouldn't have but what else were we supposed to do? We thought she was going to die. That dragon child beside her must be a powerful dragon in the future to have the ability to save our baby. We don't know how he did it, but he did. Make sure our baby doesn't die or ever see another dragon again. Try and figure out how she almost died, was it the medicine or the fact she's not normal? We couldn't figure it out. Make sure Rein is safe.'

-Hunter Esquadros

Who..

What are my parents keeping from me? I looked around the drawer and saw multiple other notes that were never sent and they were all from my parents. I knew I was adopted but, was this Hunter person my actual father? I sighed, too many questions, even if I only asked myself two questions, they were difficult. I shoved all the papers back in the drawer and grabbed a sticker note and a pen. 

'I'm confused, but I won't ask you guys any more questions. I want to live my life to the fullest, I'm leaving and figuring out who I actually am.' I shoved the sticky note in the drawer and knocked on the door to the bathroom, the crying had stopped and all I heard was sniffling. "I'm coming in-" I tried opening the door, but Thorn came out first. I was going to ask him how he felt but he wrapped his arms around me. He had my legs wrapped around him and we were both beet red. He brushed it off and used one hand to cup my face. Dang he's strong. "I wont ever hurt you, I promise. I've never been more grateful for you in my life." His lips touched mine and it was a passionate kiss. 

"Thorn." He looked like he would do anything for me, and I was grateful for it, but I had to tell him. "I wanna run away. Far. Anything to get away from here." He looked away. "I'll come with. You'll need protection, right?" He was more stern now, like he had just released everything, everything that had been making him so... 

I can't even explain it.

"Yeah." He pointed toward my room. "Grab some stuff, i'll go get my jeep." I nodded but turned back. "You have a jeep?!" He laughed. "Did you actually want to run?" I scoffed and he left, I grabbed some old bags and suitcases and put clothes and some valuables in each. 

He came back sooner or later and we loaded up. And as I looked back on the house I wondered. "Would my parents miss me? Should I stay?" I was biting my lip. "It's your choice isn't it?" I looked toward him and was taken aback. "I said that out loud?!" He laughed. And my brain quit the questions. I hadn't even told Thorn why I wanted to leave. We hopped in the jeep and started driving. "Where too?" I thought for a moment before answering. "I want to go somewhere with fields and nice people, but not too calm where i'm bored.." I thought about it for a little while. "Choose a state already!" He laughed. "Alright.. I found the perfect state!" He waited for my answer as I gave him anticipation. 

"Iowa!"