Breathing Soul

╰┈➤ ❝ [C H A P T E R S I X] ❞

      The next day, Rena was up at dawn. The sky was still a deep shade of blue when she tip-toed down the stairs. Every board creaked under her feet, and she winced with each one. The last thing she wanted was to wake up Aunt Helen this early. She stealthily grabbed her bag by the door, quietly opened and closed the door behind her. As she stepped out, the morning air was crisp and quiet, the silence almost heavy. It was still too early for the town to be awake.

With her sneakers making soft squeaks on the wet pavement, Rena headed towards the Chief's house, towards Kaz. As her house faded behind her, Rena focused on the walk ahead. The path was familiar, a route she had taken a hundred times before. Every crack in the pavement, every stray leaf, was as known to her as the back of her hand.

After a short while, the Chief's house came into view. She paused for a moment, taking a breath to steady her racing heart. What was she expecting? Would Kaz act like nothing happened?

Summoning her courage, she stepped up to the front door and gave it a soft knock. The house seemed still, only the sound of a dog barking distantly in the quiet neighbourhood.

For a long moment, there was no response. Then, the sound of footsteps and the door creaked open. But instead of Kaz, his older brother peered out, his hair neatly tucked, his smile was as bright as the morning sun. "Hey, kiddo," Kai, Kaz's older brother, said, his voice gravelly with sleep. "What brings you here so early?"

Rena could see a mug of coffee in his hand, the steam still rising from it. She swallowed, her heart hammering against her chest. "Is Kaz up yet?"

Kai chuckled, taking a sip from his mug. "You know my brother. He's not an early bird."

Just as he said that, a door upstairs creaked and Kaz stepped out. His hair was sticking up at all angles and he was rubbing his eyes, clearly half-asleep. "Speak of the devil," Kai commented, his smile widening.

Kaz's eyes, still bleary, landed on Rena. He froze for a moment, his expression betraying surprise. Then, he gave a small cough, smoothing down his hair. "What are you doing here, Rena?" he said, his voice a bit groggy.

Rena suddenly felt flustered, her tongue tied into knots. "I, uh, thought we could walk to school together.”

"How romantic," Kai gaze a low whistle.

Kaz shot his brother a glare, his cheeks turning a slight pink. "Shut it," he muttered.

Kai just laughed, taking another sip of his coffee. "I'll leave you two lovebirds to it."

Kaz practically groaned at that. He gave Kai a last glare before turning his attention back to Rena. "You can't be here this early. Aunt Helen's gonna have your head if she finds out."

Rena suppressed a sigh. It was typical Kaz. Straight to the serious stuff, like he always did. "I'm careful," she said, trying to sound nonchalant. "No one saw me leave."

Kaz's gaze sharpened, his eyes searching her face. For a moment, he looked like he wanted to ask something, but then he seemed to change his mind. "You're reckless," he muttered instead.

"Just taking a few risks," Rena countered.

"More like putting yourself in the firing line," Kaz retorted, his frown deepening.

"Oh, come on," Rena said, rolling her eyes. "Lighten up. We're just walking to school."

Kaz's expression didn't soften. "This isn't something to joke about," he said, his eyes darkening. "Going to the beach alone, staying late, and now you're even sneaking out without Aunt Helen knowing. You're asking for trouble, Rena."