Their Light

Special Chapter - Peter, age 18 Part 2

Peter, age 18

My heart pounded like a drum in my chest. I couldn't tell if it was from excitement or dread. I had made the decision. It was impossible to take it back now. Not that I wanted to. My freedom was within my grasp, and I was going to take it.

Finn's words echoed in my head for the millionth time. I couldn't believe that it had only been a couple of weeks since the bridge. He had been true to his word. I heard from him almost every day. He was so carefree and full of life. I felt like a different person the more time I spent with him. I liked that person better.

I had contacted his brothers. I feared they would turn me away at the first mention of my name, but they didn't. It shouldn't have surprised me. Finn hadn't reacted poorly to my name, and he mentioned his brothers being the reason.

They readily agreed to meet with me. I couldn't believe how honorable and capable they were as Kustos and leaders. They treated me with respect, and I did the same in return. It wasn't until the end of the meeting that Kent had brought up my father.

It was a hard topic to discuss, especially since they seemed to know exactly what he was like. They pushed, and I was finally honest. It was difficult, but it was worth it. I felt better now. I just hoped they weren't duping me. Trust was something that had to be earned. Finn had earned mine the second he pulled me away from the edge. Now, I was trusting his word about his brothers.

At the end, they accepted my application into their Statio. They already had quite a team forming. I got to meet them all while I was there. Zeke was quiet, but I knew a bit of his background. His father ran in the same circles as mine. I knew, if the rumors were true, we had similar issues at home.

Caspian took one look at my outfit and stated that it wasn't right. I didn't know what he meant by that, but it warmed my heart when he explained. My father had always had a certain standard, even when I wasn't in uniform. Caspian explained that my clothes didn't feel like me, and he wanted to help me fix that. I couldn't wait.

Isaac ran screaming through our meeting as black smoke billowed out of the kitchen. I reacted instinctively and rushed into the kitchen. It was one of my havens from my father. He would never approve of such a hobby, so I made sure to hide it well. The twins were impressed. Apparently, none of them were particularly culinary inclined.

The Statio itself was in the midst of construction and design. I could see the look they were going for. I wanted to part of that picture.

The best part was when they said I could move in today. I was ready to get out of that house. My father was drilling me every day on the invitations he had procured to various guards. He demanded the best of me. I didn't like who I was when I was his opinion of 'best'.

As I walked back to my house, I dreaded the inevitable conversation. All of my excitement at my fast approaching freedom couldn't erase the fear I felt. It tightened my chest, making it hard to breathe. He would not take this decision well.

I paused outside the front door, barely realizing I had already made it home. I contemplated turning around and walking longer. But it would just be putting it off. It was better to rip off the Band-Aid now. I was mostly healed from my last lesson. I could take whatever punishment he gave me. This would be the start of my new life. I would not turn back now. He couldn't make me.

I walked in, my footsteps echoing on the marble floors. The silent house felt deathly still. The silence I grew up with was so different from my short trip to Statio Asa. It felt worse now in comparison.

"Peter!" I jolted at my father's yell. "Where have you been?"

He stormed down the far staircase, heading straight for me. The anger I saw shining in his eyes was very familiar. I didn't expect to confront him this quickly, but Fato de Sorte had other plans apparently.

"Father," I greeted, dipping my head. Some habits I don't think I would ever be able to break. He stopped in front of me, glaring down at me.

"Where have you been?" Each word was spoken through clenched teeth. He hated repeating himself.

"I had a meeting," I informed him. I gathered up all the courage I could muster.

I was going to need it.

"What meeting?"

"I met with Kent and Ryder Ellington of Statio Asa," I told him. He paused for a moment, eyes narrowing as he took that information in.

"Why would you meet with them?" He asked slowly.

"I applied to an open position at their Statio." I spoke quickly, getting the words out before I could talk myself out of it. The change in his face was almost immediate. Red crept up from his neck as his eyes widened.

"You have to be joking," he stated, gritting his teeth. "Tell me this is joke, now."

"I can't," I told him. "I'm just here to get my things. They said I could move-."

My words were cut off as he backhanded me across the face. My head whipped to the side at the impact. His heavy breathing from the only sound in the space. It wasn't the first time this had happened.

"No," He said as if nothing had happened. "You are joining Cassandra's guard. I've worked out everything already."

"No, I'm not," I breathed. Although my voice was quiet, it was firm. He took a step closer. I lifted my head and met his gaze.

"What did you just say to me? A pathetic excuse for a Kustos like you, thinks that you can disrespect me like this?" he asked, but I knew he didn't want an answer. "I think you need another lesson."

As he took another step forward, I braced myself. At that moment, a firm knock rang out from the door behind me. He glanced at the door and then back to me. Two more knocks followed the first. He huffed and motioned for me to answer the door. He would never be caught answering the door of his house. It was beneath him.

I opened the door and froze at the sight that greeted me. Finn stood with his brothers behind him. Flanking them, I saw Caspian, Isaac, and Zeke. The entire Statio Asa was at my front door. I blinked at them. Finn smiled and stepped forward.

"We came to help you pack!" he cheered, pushing his way into the house. He stopped upon seeing my father. He straightened and dipped into a bow. The others followed suit after him. Once they had greeted my father, Finn grabbed my arm and pulled me upstairs.

"Which room is yours? How much stuff do you have? We brought boxes, but if we need more one of us can make a run. We brought multiple cars too so don't worry about space. Worst case scenario we can always make multiple trips."

He rambled as we walked. I steered him to my bedroom. It was spotless as usual. My father woudn't stand for anything less.

In a whirlwind of chaotic organization, Statio Asa helped me pack all of my belongings and load them into the various cars. I caught glimpses of my father, but he never approached me with them present. I even caught them, hovering around me at times. Finn's eyes kept diverting to my throbbing cheek. He never asked about it, though. I don't that he needed to.

As we carried the last box out, my father finally made his move. He met us at the front door. Only the twins were left with me inside. The others had already gone out to the cars. With his usual dead look of veiled anger, my father stared me down.

"I disown you," he declared. "You are no longer a son of mine."

He turned and walked away without another look. I didn't feel pain at his words. Instead I felt relief. Relief tinged with sadness. I was sad that my father would never be the type of father I wanted or needed. I was relieved to no longer have that pressure on me. The weight had been lifted.

He was no longer a father of mine. And I was okay with that. I didn't know if that made me a horrible person or not, but at that moment I didn't care. The twins followed me out with the last box. Finn greeted me with another of his bright smiles. We split up amongst the vehicles and headed to the Statio. My new home. My new life was starting, and I refused to look back.