No Saints

Alaric I

Alaric Griffin,  trudged into the kitchen, still half-asleep. He rubbed his bedhead, yawned, and stretched his long limbs before heading to the counter. His stomach growled but the aroma of burnt toast was a bit off putting. 

As he entered the kitchen, he noticed Mrs. Griffin standing at the stove, her back to him. She was a tall, imposing figure with a forced smile on her face. He supposed that she'd had either another rough night or his father had called about divorce paperwork again. 

Mrs. Griffin turned around, her eyes locking onto Alaric's with a mixture of exhaustion and determination. "Good morning, Alaric. How are you today?"

Alaric shrugged, not bothering to hide his disdain. "I'm fine."

Felix burst into the kitchen, with a panicked expression on his face. His brother stumbled while shrugging on a jacket and almost ran into the doorway. He redirected at the last moment before grabbing a burnt piece of toast off the counter. The fifteen year old didn't bother to speak instead he stuffed the toast into his mouth and began pulling out his phone. 

 Alaric rolled his eyes, feeling a pang of resentment towards his brother.

Mrs. Griffin slapped a plate of toast in front of Alaric and poured him a glass of orange juice. "Eat up."

Alaric took his breakfast reluctantly. Black spots marred the toast, making Alaric's stomach turn, but he knew his mother well enough to know that she wouldn't give him anything else. 

As they finished getting ready to leave for school, Mrs. Griffin gathered their backpacks and led them out to the driveway. Alaric stuffed his hands into his pockets listening to the click of his mother's heels. 

"I'm leaving town this afternoon," she said. She tossed their bags into the back seat before she turned to Alaric and grabbed his shoulders. "I need you to take care of your brother while I'm gone." 

For a moment, Alaric considered refusing then he nodded slowly. Maybe he'd get lucky and Felix would wonder off into the woods. He huffed then pulled away from his mother when she moved to pull her into a hug. 

The car ride was awkwardly quiet. Alaric looked out the window toward the large drill machinery that stood out against the side of the mountain. He eyed the dark metal before leaning back and closing his eyes. He couldn't wait to graduate and get out of this town.

"Mom, can I come with you instead of staying here," Felix asked. 

Alaric tensed but kept his eyes closed. 

"No, you can't miss three days of school," she said her voice firm. 

Just like he always did, Felix pushed on, "But you're going to see dad!"

Alaric's hand clenched and his eyes snapped open. He had to grit his teeth to keep from snapping at his brother. 

"It doesn't matter who I'm going to see," she said. Her voice was cracking."I gave you my answer."

Alaric almost relaxed when they pulled into the school parking lot. The slam of the door caught his attention. He watched Felix storm toward the large school building, before tensing. Why did his mother look like she was about to cry? 

"Mom?" 

She looked at him through the rear view mirror and he bristled. Although she hastily wiped her eyes, there was no disguising the liquid sheen. He grabbed his backpack and yanked open the door, nearly slamming it shut behind him. His boots pounded across the asphalt as he rushed after Felix.

The slam of his backpack hitting the ground was followed by a loud thud as he lunged toward his brother. But before he could reach Felix, a pair of tanned palms hit his chest, holding him back.

He looked down to see his girlfriend, Rita, standing in front of him.

The redhead girl pins him with a harsh look. He looked past her toward Felix only for her hand to lock around his wrist. His urge to pummel his brother into the dirt was almost overwhelming, but he allowed her to drag him toward the other side of the courtyard. This wasn't the first time she'd saved Felix from his wrath and he doubted that it would be the last. 

A random couple evacuated the bench in the secluded corner of the courtyard when he looked at them. He chuckled before growing silent when Rita motioned for him to sit down on the bench. A groan left his lips and he collapsed onto the bench with the engergy of a man that had worked for three days straight. 

"You can't kill your brother," Rita said. In a smooth motion she sat down on his lap and began to straighten his tie. 

"No one would miss him." 

"Ric, no." 

He huffed. 

"Not a dog darling," he said. He wrapped an arm around her waist. 

She raised an eyebrow. 

"Is that so?" 

He rolled his eyes before spotting a flash of blonde hair. An amused grin spread across his lips and he tapped Rita's hip. She followed his gaze toward the younger girl hiding behind the tree. 

"Are you spying Aria," she asked. Rita didn't bother to raise her voice or hide her amusement. She knew her sister could hear her. 

A small teen peaked around the tree with wary eyes. She looked between the two making sure their clothing was fully in place before abandoning her hiding place. Aria walked toward them then dropped his bag on the bench. 

"You forgot this," she said. 

"Thanks." 

He leaned back and watched the two girls lock eyes. Did all women have the ability to talk with only their eyes or just his girls?