The Eye Of The Ankh #Wattys2016

Chapter Nine

Thursday, Ethan had no basketball practice after school. It was moved to six thirty for whatever reason. So, after school, I went over to his house.

Walking into the door of his home, I felt so comfortable. Everywhere was signs of a lived in house. Scruff marks on the wood, the smell of cookies in the air, a dog running around Ethan's long legs, and music.

Exactly the music I'd like.

Balmorhea.

Ethan led me down the main hall, past dozens of photos. He was in most, along with a younger version of him. The brother.

Into the kitchen, there was a woman, moving around the room cleaning. A little boy sat on the counter, reciting his times tables. He had blonde hair, just like the woman's and Ethan's. He perked up when he heard us enter.

"Momma! Ethan's home!"

"Finish your eights." The woman—their mother—said, not even looking up. "Eight times eight?"

"Sixty-four."

"Eight times nine?"

"Seventy-two."

"Eight times ten?"

"Eighty. Can I go now?"

She looked up, looking at Ethan, then looking surprised at me. "Ethan, I didn't know we would be having company. Who's this?" She dried off her hands as the little boy ran to Ethan, throwing his arms around Ethan's thighs.

"Uh, Alice, this is my mother. Mom, this is Alice."

His mother held out her hand and I shook it. "It's nice to meet you."

The little boy let go of Ethan and looked up at me with missing teeth. "I'm Tate!" He threw his arms around me. I smiled.

"Hi, Tate."

"Uh," Ethan sat down his backpack. "We'll be downstairs, okay?"

Their mother nodded. "Okay, door stays open."

Ethan rolled his eyes and I followed him downstairs.

Their basement was a decent size. A TV was mounted to the wall, leather couches arranged around it. back into the basement was a bathroom and Ethan's room. Ethan turned on some music, shitty rap on a low volume.

"I have a sister too. She's two years older than me."

I nodded. I knew that.

"Your brother doesn't seem shy at all."

Ethan laughed. "Yeah, he's pretty outgoing, unlike a lot of kids his age. He really likes to join me when I have friends over. One time he drew a whole bunch of pictures to decorate the basement for one of my birthday parties."

I smiled. "That's cute."

"My friends laughed at him. He cried."

My smile faded. "Oh."

Ethan shrugged. "He's over it. Hates those friends, but over it."

My phone rang and I dug through my bag for it. I pulled out my phone and saw that no one was calling. Shit! I kept digging until I found the one given to me by Eota. I answered.

"The deadline is approaching."

Ethan gave me a look, questioning why I had two cell phones. I turned my back to him. "Deadline for what?" I spoke in a whisper.

"For killing the boy. Do you not remember your mission, Amenta?"

"Of course I do... I'm just... I'm working on it. I need more time."

"Well I'm sorry, but time is not something we can give you. Hurry."

The phone beeped and I pulled it away from my ear. The call had ended.

"Who was that?" Ethan asked, leaning over my shoulder. "And why do you have two phones?"

I pocketed the Eota phone. "It doesn't matter."

Ethan was still close to my face. So what do I do? I've got to get his mind off of the call.

I press my lips to his. He kissed back, the phone thing long forgotten in his teenage mind.