Oz Vessalius: The Golden Present

3

"Ella, come back home."

The young man slowly stepped towards me until he was finally only two yards away. He stopped and offered me his left palm. I took a step back. The corners of his mouth lifted upward in amusement.

"What? You don't remember your own brother?"

He feigned shock that was much too obvious to let slip aside. Then, as if taking my silence as a "yes, of course I remember you", his smile stretched out just a little wider. I took another step backward. In response to my impulsive reaction, his smile faltered immediately, and the look in his eyes grew solemn.

"Ella, come home. Don't go running off thinking you have the right to be free and prance around however you please."

My eyes narrowed in spite. The strong urge to punch him in the face built up in my belly, and my fists were clenched to the extent of its skin turning white. I refused to speak. His eyes narrowed even further, and by now his lips had formed a straight line. What came next was something I hadn't expected.

"Don't go thinking you were meant to exist in this world. The only place you belong is back at the mansion. Do you understand, Ella?"

Both the loud pattering of the pouring rain as well as the blood rushing through my ears made everything in that moment almost completely inaudible. I was finally starting to feel the thorny cold prick at my arms and legs. I felt tension build up so quickly in my chest that I was afraid I would burst and spatter into bits, splashing in all the nearby puddles. I stared at something farther away than the cobblestones my wide eyes were locked on. I could feel myself ready to crumble and fall apart, but he continued to speak as if he couldn't have cared less.

"All these people are bound to leave you, no matter what you do or say. You have a role you must fulfill as the eldest daughter of the Arkwright household. Accept your fate and come back home."

"N-no."

I was just as surprised as he was after that one word clumsily stumbled out of my mouth.

"Excuse me?"

My legs weighed me down like anvils were connected to each of them. He moved closer, but my feet wouldn't budge even if my life depended on it. As much as my conscience screamed at me to step away, I just couldn't. Upon reaching me, he used an index finger to tilt my chin up so that I was forced to look into his glowing amber eyes.

"You wouldn't dare defy your older brother, would you?"

I've been gone for a good six months, and now you come looking for me? I defied you the moment I decided to run away.

These words wouldn't come out, but they played over and over again in my head like a broken record. A wave of rage washed over me and I pushed him away harshly. He was sent stumbling backward, and nearly fell on his rear in a large puddle of rainwater.

"Get out of my face, Cole," I growled.

The hollow look he gave me whilst he dusted off the sleeves of his shirt sent spears through my torso, but I stood my ground and glared him down. He quickly strode towards me.

"Now, Ella, do you reall-"

Gilbert stepped in and held him by the collar.