These Shattered Remains (GE Series, Book One)

Eleveɴ: Pαper Aιrplαɴeѕ

Author's Note.
Hey, it's me, and I'm announcing that Max is officially 7, not 5, and I'm editing the last chapters to fit this and stuff. So, please, remember that Max is now 7, not 5.

Two Weeks Later

Oliver

Something was up with Max. He seemed to be very out of it as he went through his every day life, and it was slowly concerning Oliver. Normally, Max was full of life and joy, his eyes always alight. But, recently, he seemed so sad. Something was obviously on his mind, and Oliver was determined to find out what. Ryn had already tried to get to the bottom of it, but she hadn't been able to get too far, and he knew that Max would tell her anything. He was obviously afraid.

Oliver glanced out of the window, seeing the little boy sitting out in the yard, staring blankly at the fence. His eyes were dull and lifeless, too unhappy for a little boys's eyes. His eyebrows knitted close as he looked at the boy. Slowly, he opened the back door and walked out, his bare feet sighing as they hit the cool, soft grass. He sat down beside the boy.

They both stayed quiet for a moment, the wind blowing their hair around as Oliver waited. After a long lapse of time, he glanced at the boy. "Max," he said softly, gently, "What's wrong?" His arm slowly went around the boy so he could hold him close to him in a protective way. Max shook his head, "I... I can't tell you." he said softly.

Oliver ran his hand through his curly brown hair, "Why not?" he countered, his gaze flicking back up to the fence that Max seemed so enthralled in. Oliver heard him sigh, along with the shuffling of him lying down. He did the same, now looking up at the sky. Max began to hum softly underneath his breath. He made it through the entire song without Oliver's interruption.

"Do you have someone that you would do anything to have back, someone that you feel like is miles away, and no matter how much you wish for them to come back, you know that you can't get them back, ever?" he suddenly blurted out after he finished his song. Oliver was taken aback, not knowing what to say. His mouth fell open slightly, "U-umm, yeah, actually," he replied after he gathered himself.

For a little kid, Max sure knew how to spit out philosophical phrases like they were nothing.

Said little boy continued with his words. "I miss them so much, Ollie. Everyone that I love left. Mommy, Daddy, Skitty. The only one I have left is Ryn," he whispered, before he quickly added, "And now you and M-mama." Max had grown a habit of calling Oliver's mom "Mama," and though she didn't have a problem with it, whenever Ryn heard him calling her that, Oliver always saw the shock streak across her face.

Oliver sighed softly, his eyes darting across the sky as he looked at the clouds, the planes, the birds, everything in the sky. His mind was racing as he tried to decode what he should say. "I... I know exactly what you mean, Max, just not... not who exactly you're talking about."

"Is there any way to be able to talk to someone that's miles away, and you don't know where they are?" he asked quietly. Oliver noticed that his eyes were closed, and his face was slightly tense, as if he was trying to keep tears in. He was still avoiding his question.

Oliver tapped his chin softly, "You'll have to be more specific. Is this... er... person alive?" he asked after a moment, careful with the tone of his voice so he wouldn't strike a nerve in the young boy, who nodded. "Yes. Well, I think so. I haven't seen them since I was 1, and I don't remember much about them. They left when I was young."