Fine Line {A.D.C x you} Book III

~4~

July 1st, 2038

"No, no it can't-" Olivette speaks out. Her back to the painting, her arms crossed over her chest. She stands, clenching her jaw. Asher bends down in front of the painting, squinting.

"It definitely looks like it is, but did you see what the painting is?" Asher asks his sister. He holds up the lantern in front of him, the whole painting in view. He tilts his head, his eyes focused on every single detail.

"I can't. It... It reminds me of pain," Olivette whispers, keeping her back to Asher and the painting.

"O, I'm pretty sure that's the point-" Asher pauses and points to the painting, tracing it with his finger without actually touching the canvas. "Look, it's like mum painted her pain but with her own blood. Or it's just red paint."

"Asher."

"Olivette I'm just telling you what I see," Asher says, glancing over his shoulder to his sister. "There's probably something in here that'll give us something on why she's in pain or at least a hint. Start looking."

Asher stands to his feet, keeping a hold of the lantern.

"It's bad enough we broke in Ash-" Olivette pauses and shakes her head. "But you're right. What are we looking for exactly?" The young girl turns and the two begin going through boxes stored behind the paintings. Dust covers them.

"I'm not sure. We just look until we think we found something."

"So we'll be here for hours?" Olivette opens a box. Asher glances to his sister then away.

"Or until we get busted. Everlynn's on the way."

"She catches us she'll surely tell mum." Asher glances to his sister again. Olivette doesn't notice. Her eyes focused on the box she was on. Her hands rummaging through it. The boy's face is soft, his gaze softens on his sister. His heart had a special place for his sister and his mother. Ever since they were little Asher stepped up, he always felt the need to protect Olivette and his mother. It didn't matter what the situation he tried to make them feel okay. Happy. He hated seeing them sad.

"Then we just don't get caught," Asher says. Olivette picks up her head, looking to her brother. Asher's lips form into a smile when the two siblings lock eyes.

"We always get caught Ash."

A chuckle escapes the boy's lips as he shrugs, tearing his eyes from the girl and into the box he's rummaging through.

"True but this time should be different unlike what happened before. That was my fault."

"As much as I want to agree with you, I can't. That was both our fault."

"O, you ended up in the hospital because of me."

A sigh escapes Olivette's lips as she takes her hands out of the box. She reaches over and places her hand on her brother's shoulder, squeezing it. Asher slowly turns his head. The two locking eyes again. Both looking at each other with care and gingerness.

"It's not your fault," Olivette whispers. "Yes, I went to the hospital but I also made the choice to go out there. Unfortunately things happened that shouldn't have. But we're okay."

"Now you have a scar on your head though."

Olivette squeezes her brother's shoulder one more time before slowly dropping it. Her head dropping as her gaze looks into the box. She lifts her hand up and places it on the back of her neck. Slowly she trails her fingers up and towards the back of her head, near the back of her ear. A scar as long as a toothpick ranges down the side. Her fingers still able to feel it. The bump from the wound and the surgery.

"And you know what mum says about scars" Olivette finally speaks. She drops her hand and bites her lip. Her eyes move back to her brother. The two lock eyes.

"Scars are forever and we may hate how we got them. They let us not forget what happened even if we really want to but at the end of the day they make us stronger. And we're still breathing. Still living," both Asher and Olivette say in unison. Small smiles curve on both of their lips as they look away from one another. Their hands rummaging through boxes, pulling stuff out and examining it then putting it back. Silence dawns over the two. Focus and determination floods the two as they begin searching through a criminal offense amount of boxes.

<<<<>>>>

"Remember, no touching. No giving anything. Talking only. But you know the drill," the officer spoke. Alycia slowly nods her head up and down. She reaches up, grabbing the pen that sits off to the side. She signs her name and then drops the pen. She bites her lip as another guard comes into view motioning for her to follow.

Alycia does. They walk through a locked door and down a variety of different halls. Without the guard guiding Alycia she would surely get lost. Hell, it didn't matter how much she could walk these halls she'd never be able to figure her way out without somebody helping her out.

"If you need us, you scream. But you should be alright," the guard says and Alycia looks at the door in front of her as they've come to a stop. Slowly she turns her head to the officer and nods. Her eyes trail away and the guard nods. A buzzing appears swiftly allowing the guard to open the door. He holds it open, standing still while Alycia places one foot in front of the other heading into the room. The door closes behind her once she's a little ways in. There her heart begins to beat fast. Fast like a tiger hunting for its prey. Except Alycia felt like the prey, not the tiger.

She gulps walking closer to the glass, steel cell. Her stomach twists as she heads to the chair in front of it. Slowly she sits and a shaky breath escapes her lips.

"Now what do I owe the pleasure of having you here?" A voice asks. Alycia eyes focused on the person in front of her, who's facing away from her.

"I had to see if you were still here," Alycia says, a shakiness in her voice. A laugh escapes the person as they turn around. Alycia's eyes soften but her heart races more. Her leg beginning to bounce up and down rapidly.

"And why would you need to do that knowing good damn and well I'm here because of you kitten."