Runaway - A DEVIL'S NIGHT FANFICTION (PTBR + ENG)

Chapter 34 - Ivar

Four years ago...

When I arrive at the station and can't find Nini's bike, I know she's gone, but I still stand there looking for her, gasping for breath after running and hoping to find her hidden away.

Fuck, I can't believe I've ruined everything!

I had no intention of offending her and I didn't even know she would react like that, but things got out of hand and I couldn't understand her stubbornness in not accepting help! I kicked one of the trolleys in frustration and took a few deep breaths to control myself, until I heard footsteps behind me.

"What happened?' Tavi asks, coming closer. – "Where's Nini?"

I look at them both and bite my lower lip hard. They didn't know anything. Nini never told them that she was leaving... that she was going to be taken away. They didn't know and I couldn't even think of telling them. I couldn't even imagine that that could have been the last time I saw her.

"We had a fight," I admitted and sniffled a few times, trying to control my voice and blinking to stop myself from crying. – "We argued on the carousel and Nini got sad, so she went home."

That damn place where she lived, to where she preferred to run rather than stay with me and accept my help.

"What did you say to her?" Mads asks, the expression on his face changing to the familiar one that tells me I'm going to be machine-gunned with his questions.

"We both said a few things," I correct him, grumpily.

"Why? What did you say to her? Why did you have to fight on the first day of vacation?" he repeats.

"Because normal people argue, Mads!" I retort.

"Ivar!" complains Tavi, her dark eyebrows coming together in the angry face she always makes when she's annoyed. – "Don't talk to him like that."

I roar with frustration and kick the trolley once more, running my hands through my hair. Today I was being the king of assholes.

"I'm sorry, okay? But people argue. We don't always agree on everything, I mean, we hardly ever agree on anything! And this time, in the middle of the argument, I said something stupid and she got hurt. That's why she left," I explain, trying hard to keep it together.

Mads is watching me intently, but his fists are closed and his fingertips are touching the hem of his uniform.

We both have difficult temperaments. He just had to learn to control it much faster than I did.

"I can't believe you made Nini cry," Tavi mutters, also getting upset with me. – "You'll have to apologize to her tomorrow."

I swallow the lump that forms in my throat and kneel down in front of her, standing at her height.

"Tavi..." I start, grabbing her arms, but I stop and look from one to the other. I couldn't do that. – "I know, okay? I'll find a way to apologize to her and sort everything out. I promise."

And then my sister hugs me and runs her hand through my hair, just like my mother does, and it only makes me want to burst into tears.

"I know you will," she assures me. – "You're good. Really annoying. But you're good."

I smile and kiss her cheek, knowing that at least she's forgiven me, and get up.

We walk back to the park, Tavi now dejected by what happened and making us look like a trio of losers, right on our last day at school.

"Hey, where are you going?" Uncle Will's voice calls out from behind us and we turn to see him. He's wearing jeans and a T-shirt, and was probably there helping with the assembly.