firefly 𑁋 salvis.

XVIII

︶ ♫ ˚ ̟

School came again. The next morning, Travis awoke with no more than a sting in his back, a throbbing eye, and bruises on his knuckles to remind him of the previous day. He swallowed thickly as he groaned, eyes meeting Kenneth's figure in the doorway as soon as he sat up. Of course Kenneth would be sitting there, making sure Travis awoke right on time. Well, don't worry, father. You trained me well. Which is exactly why I broke down and obeyed you so easily last night.

Kenneth pushed himself off the door frame, shoes clacking on the wood of the hall floors. They fade for only a moment, and then they return. Kenneth has something in his hands, a stack of clothes from the looks of it. Travis' eyes narrow as he raises a hand to wipe the sleep from them, his teeth gritting. What more does Kenneth have for him? What more does he want from him?

"These were my clothes when I was your age. A bit outdated, but far more appropriate than those girly clothes you were wearing. These are more boyishly colored. Don't worry, I've already gotten rid of all the others. It's like you never had them in the first place." Kenneth walks over as he speaks, setting the clothes on Travis' bed. Like they were fragile. He was so gentle with his movements. Far more gentle than he had ever been with his own son.

He pauses in his position, half bent over with a hand on Travis' bed spread. He's still about a few feet from Travis' face, having set the clothes on the foot of the bed. Travis doesn't move, anxiety growing quickly in him as he considers what Kenneth may be thinking about.

Kenneth's mouth opens, as though he's going to say something. He shuts it back, considers something for a moment. Then he opens it again and finally speaks. "I know what you're doing. You didn't really think you'd get away with rifling through my things? I know where you are at all times. If you're smart, you'll stop while you're ahead." Kenneth straightens up then, not even looking at Travis as he turns and leaves the room.

Travis swallows thickly once more, hands shaking where they grip his sheets. Kenneth knew he was going through his office, and didn't do anything about it. He must have a bigger, underlying plan. That can't be it. That can't be the only thing Kenneth is going to do about this little issue. Travis knew it.

He slowly pulled himself out of bed, deciding to file that away for now. He was not going to stop, but he would be more careful. Clearly he hadn't put something back properly, or something. But he had to solve this. He had to know where she was. Where his mom was. Even if it killed him, he was going to find out.