A Faltering self (Distorted Reality book 2)

Chapter 36- When with Her

(Kalston's POV)

Running through the grass after Iris, her laughs make me forget about the horror from earlier. With her always makes me forget the bad that is around. That is until I need to protect her from it. And right now, in this moment as it turns to night, I enjoy having fun with her.

She holds her hands out like she's flying before she slows down to a complete stop. (She notices PS) I make my way to her knowing something probably grabbed her attention. She stares into the distance, something seems off, but she turns to me with a smile before going back to playing around.

"Tag, you're it." She taps me on the shoulder before running in the same direction we came from.

I chase her again, this time letting myself move faster. The cold starts to sting against my cheeks as the nights have been getting colder. I run back into the house and I lose sight of her before I'm through the door too and bump into someone. I look up and notice Iris's mom, she seems angry before she closes her eyes and stays quiet for a moment. Ema is the one to speak right behind her with her tone firm.

"Peter, let's slow it down. You know better than to run in like that."

I realize how getting caught up playing made me forget to be responsible.

"Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry."

My eyes stay on Ema before she speaks again.

"I'm not the one you need to apologize to, it's Anna-Marrie that you ran into. It's her house and rules you're disrespecting.

I hear steps slow to my left, but keep my focus on Ema and Mrs. Anna. Straightening myself up to show more respect in my apology, I try to keep my words clear. Ema always says that's what you do to show you mean what you say.

"I'm sorry, Mom. I'll be sure to listen better next time, will you please forgive me?"

Mrs. Anna looks in the direction of the stopped steps with a calmer, yet still frustrated expression before taking another breath and focusing on me.

"Of course I forgive you. I'm sure you got caught up playing, but let's please work on staying aware of our surroundings. You too, Iris."

Mrs. Anna looks back up to the space from before with her expression beginning to calm some more. Ema takes a few steps closer to her before whispering something. She steps outside with Ema's focus on us.

(Tells her to that he can take a moment while she finishes with the kids.)

"I think it's about to start settling it down, okay? Why don't you guys play in the room or put on a movie for now and I'll bring you dessert in a moment."

She gives me a sweet smile before kissing me on the head and joining Mrs. Anna outside as well.

I turn to where the steps where and notice Iris standing there with her eyes on the floor as she waits for me to join her before we walk to her room.

"I'm sorry, Peter."

I know she feels guilty for running inside, but mistakes happen and I don't want it to make the rest of the night bad, so I tickle her side. It makes her begin to laugh again, maybe a little too loud, but I'm just glad she's smiling again.

"It's okay, I. So, what movie do you want to watch?"

She looks at me with a grin that tells me everything I need to know, I can guess which movie she'll pick.

The Spectaculars

"The Spectaculars! Daddy got it from the movie store the other day, but I wanted to wait to watch it with you."

She told me about it the last time I was here, and even though I told her she could watch it, I knew she wanted to wait. It's a superhero movie we've been wanting to see for a while now.

"I think that sounds like a great pick."