HER KIND

Marshmellows and Fires

'chapter 27'

─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Three months had passed since the group moved to the mountains. Their small claim on the secluded land brought both solitude and uncertainty. The idea of remaining hidden from the world indefinitely didn't bring comfort; it left everyone anticipating the next unexpected event.

Dria observed the boys from the sideline, her eyes tracking their movements during training. Jared insisted on physical training, emphasizing the importance of relying on their bodies rather than solely on their powers. Although Dria resisted the idea, others sided against her. She acknowledged her tendency to worry and hover, especially after recent events.

Elliam avoided eye contact with her for days, displaying caution as if any movement might trigger her. Marcelo, on the other hand, stuck close, attentively observing her every action. When Marcelo switched places with Pierce, citing the need to help him sleep better due to nightmares, Dria sensed there was more to it—Pierce was avoiding her.

In a state of confusion, Dria found herself uncertain about what steps to take.

She found herself immersing more in her father's books and journals, trying with all her might to be useful to the group. She would wake up earlier than everyone to make breakfast. Even though she tried to be quiet when leaving the room, Marcelo's little eyes would flare wide open before jumping out of the covers and following behind her. His tiny feet padded behind her, only to sleep on the kitchen table as she got things ready for breakfast.

She played with Wrex when no one seemed to want to give him attention and often attended to the horses that seemed to enjoy her company more than anything in the world. She felt adrift, like she was floating and didn't know which role to play in this supernatural world. Everyone seemed to have a role, a purpose in this fight, but she stood stagnant, still playing the motherly sister role in a world filled with hunters and godly beings.

The sound of a grunt brought her out of her thoughts as Elliam fell to the ground, and Marcelo stood over him. Elliam's head hung low as Marcelo towered over him, and she knew instantly what had happened. The training had gone too far.

"Take a step back, Marc," Jared's authoritative voice filled the small meadow. "You've won this one."

For a moment, Marcelo stood in his place, showing no plan to move until he sighed and walked back to his position on the other side of the dirt circle. Elliam stood up, dusting himself off, but his eyes still looked down.

"Jared," her soft voice called to him. He hummed, his eyes meeting hers. "May I speak to the boys in private?"

Jared shrugged. "I need a break anyway," he said before walking off.

Dria called them over and they both sat on either side of her.

"Remember Papa's promise, that if we ever got mad or upset, we speak about it, even if it was scary to speak about?" Both boys hummed, "Then why have you guys broken Papa's promise?"

Silence filled in between them, the small sound of the wind rustling the trees around them echoed, and she all but nudged them both.

"You didn't wake up for two days, Dria. I was so scared. W-what if you didn't wake up?" Marcelo asked, his voice low as he moved closer to her.

"I was okay, Marcelo. I just needed a little rest. I—" Dria began, but Marcelo interrupted her.

"You were resting for too long. You missed breakfast, lunch, dinner. You missed Wrex chasing her tail and playtime, you missed bathtime, you missed tucktime... you missed it all twice, and all because of him," Marcelo whimpered. He was now standing, his eyes glaring at his twin brother, whose tears silently rolled down his cheek.