Golden Threads

Chapter 21: When Hope is all thats Left;

Author note; I was able to get one more chapter in before the year ended. My goodness. Sorry for the wait. Life took a turn for the worst, I lost a couple family members, my job shut down and got rebought by someone who laid everyone off. I had the worst case of writers block ever... and I'm honestly not super happy with this chapter, but it is setting things up for the last chapter to this series. After this, I plan on writing for a different fandom.

Enjoy!!
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It was thundering without rain the next night when Mallory planned to reunited with her family again. The air thick with the promise of a storm that danced behind the curtain.

The stars and moon hidden behind swirling clouds that cracked with lighting.

Mallory loved nights like these. Her hair whipping in a dance even as she stood still, simply being in a state where she felt so powerful, yet so very very small. The rough breeze playing with the hem of a new dress like a lovers caress.

The boys had taken a lot of convincing to leave her. Intent on soothing their own protective instincts by remaining by her side.

But Mallory knew, as it was now, inviting them in the presence of her angry twin was a recipe for disaster. They Would provoke each other, and it Would end in a physical altercation.

The young woman imagined her grandfather wouldn't be too happy with having his house destroyed.

Dwayne was the one she asked to drop her off outside the property line, as he was the most reasonable. But even he held onto her hand a bit longer than necessary, causing her to sigh and press her forehead against his, promising that she would be okay.

He watched her for a bit longer before the bike engine revved and he drove away. But Mallory knew better, he'd be nearby, in earshot. And they both knew he wasn't adverse to breaking in and all but kidnapping her if he decided she was unsafe and needed to come home.

Home....

Mallory - deciding in her head that she had to be mentally ill because why was she okay with that? - shook her head at the absurdity of it.

Nanook was the first to run out and greet her. He had growled at her presence before he caught her familiar scent... the lingering essence of her humanity, and began howling his greeting, wagging his tail and doing that happy paw dance his breed were prone to do.

Mallory smiled and lowered herself to greet the hairy mutt. She had missed him. "Hey Buds, I'm home, I know, I missed you too. Wow, so many big emotions!" She laughed as he continued howling.

"Nanook? Buddy what's wro-" Mallory looked up at the sound of Sam's voice. He had frozen mid question when he saw her.

For a beat, they just stared at one another. Mallory gave a shaky smile, feeling her eyes begin to burn as she felt the stress of the past couple of days reach its peak.

"Hey Sammy.... I'm back."

Sam gave a shaky breath, his own eyes shiny as he rushed forward, crashing into her and throwing his arms around her.

"MALS!"

She had braced herself to catch him, wrapping her own arms around her baby brother.

It wasn't long for the commotion summoned the other members of her family. Lucy had greeted her enthusiastically as well while Micheal stood in the doorway, watching over her with a scrutinizing eye.

Okay, so, clearly, he was still upset.

Papa walked by and raised his signature glass root beer bottle in acknowledgment while mid chew on an Oreo.