||Hello Neighbour: A Better Timeline||

||Chapter 57: Facing The Past||

"I see. . ."
Ike nods,"Yeah, I'm really sorry. . . I know I previously reassured you Quentin wouldn't be. . . But he's. . .", Jay nods,"It's okay, I understand; I just hope you can find him and help him, it sound like this could be from lack of sleep.", Ike nods,"Thanks. . . If you see him, especially if he's doing something stupid or dangerous, call the cops or me.", Jay nods,"Will do; Thanks for warning me.", Ike sighed, looked at Theodore.
"Theo?"
"Huh? Oh, sorry. . . Mind is else where."
"Hey Dad?"
Aaron peered around the corner, holding tangled lights,"Can we have some help with this.", "Sure, no problem.", Jay smiled, Ike tensed as he checked his phone for any missed calls from Beatrix, but nothing.

=

Diana came down, adjusting her sweater now that it was getting colder, it was time to dress a little warmer.
"Kids are off to bed, dear."
. . .
Theodore was staring into the fire, cup of coffee in his hand.
"Dear?"
Theodore looked at Diana,"Sorry dear, you looked lost, something on your mind?", Theodore nods,"Yeah. . . As you know, we agreed no more secrets and. . . I think it's time I told them about, you know. . . My brother.", Diana rested her hand on his shoulder,"If you're ready and feel comfortable.", "I won't mention uhm. . . The whole bullying though.", "Of course: And I'm glad you can more open with us, Theodore.", Theodore nods, he put his cup down and hugged Diana.
"Thank you, Diana. . . For everything, and standing by me despite everything. . ."

=

"So, why do you think dad called us down?"
Aaron shrugged,"I dunno, I don't think we're in trouble, or if something has happened that might have something to do with. . . Dad?", their dad came in, holding a video camera and looking. . . Nervous?
"Uhm. . . Kids; You remember, how we agreed to have no more secrets in the family?"
Mya and Aaron nod, nervous as he knelt down and plugged in the video camera to the TV, clicking something.
"Well. . . There has been something I've been discussing with the therapist and with your mother."
He hit play, Mya and Aaron leaning forward a bit.
A but glitching, but then a kid over a blue shirt, overalls appeared as he unwrapped his present.
"Is that you dad?"
"Yeah, this was when I was around. . . 9 or 10? I remember, it was a train set; It was something I loved to collect."
Sure enough on camera he held up a train model.
"Cool! Another train to add to the collection!"
"Amazing Theodore!"
It was their Grandfather behind the camera, they saw a glimpse of their grandmother's dress and their Aunt Lisa, who looked very different!
Then someone sat next to their dad, they looked like Dad but taller, wore a white shirt and green vest and had some noticeable injuries like bruised knuckles.
"Let's take it out and add it to the collection!"
"Can we?"
"I don't see why not."
Mya looked at her dad, who was focused on the tape,"Dad, who's that helping you? Is he your friend and why are you two injured.", her dad had an medical eye patch, some odd scratches on his face and bandages that just peaked out from his sleeves.
Good eye, as usual, Aaron thought as they waited for dad to answer.
"That. . . That's your Uncle Franklin; My older brother. . ."
Older. . . Older Brother?!
Theodore sighed,"He was the oldest by many years, you never met him as. . . He passed when he was 18. . . In an accident, and I want to clarity that. . .", the tape ended, Theodore taking a deep breath.
Aaron and Mya immediately hugged their dad,"Dad, I know it wasn't easy to tell us that and I'm glad you showed us.", "He must have been so cool, and it's okay to tell us things little by little.", Mr Peterson smiled, hugging his kids back.
"Can we visit him and grandma and grandpa?"
. . .
"Yeah, we can. . ."

=

Standing outside of the cemetery, Aaron was nervous.
He looked up at his dad, noticing his hesitation and fear, Aaron reached for his hand and his dad looked down at him, he offered a smile,"Petersons Stick Together Right? We're here with you, dad. You said it was okay to be scared.", Theodore nods, gripping his son's hand gently as they walked in together with Diana and Mya.

~

Reaching the grave, Mya and Aaron approached it.

Franklin Peterson
××××-××××

In Loving Memory Of A Brother and Son;
May His Soul Rest In Heaven

"This is a nice place. . ."
Theodore nods.
Mya was talking, Aaron slowly approaching the grave with her.
Diana held Theodore's hand,"He must have been a wonderful man.", Theodore nods, Franklin was the best brother he could have had and he protected him. . . He still wondered if things would have been different if he thought back.
But. . .
He felt, lighter. . . Somehow?
He smiled,"I'll. . . Try amd share more stories about him, and kids. . .", Mya and Aaron looked at him,"I'm. . . So proud of you both, I hope you know that.", Aaron and Mya smiled, getting up and hugging their mom and dad.

A Raven flew over head them, taking a turn into the woods.

Resting on it's owner's arm.
"I see. . . Good to know. . . Eyes on the sky."
Then it flew back off.

=

Ike jolted awake, grabbing his phone as it rang,"Beatrix, or Quentin?!", "Beatrix.", "Oh thank God, sis what's going on-", "First off, take deep breaths I don't want to drive you into a panic attack or anxiety attack, or raise your blood pressure.", Ike did so, taking deep breaths and remaining calm as best as he could,"Sorry about all that, the train broke down and I lost signal for a while; I'll try and get back as soon as I can, I just need to buy a new charger for my phone and find a way home.", Ike took a deep breath,"Okay. . . Thanks Bea, please be safe.", Ike felt more relaxed.

~

"Don't worry I will."
Beatrix was horrified.
He hung up, turning to her,"Things are pretty easy once I can get the tone of a voice just right.", Beatrix couldn't run or hide, she trapped and no one could save her.