Mid-2007, Age 10
Everyone hates having their secrets blown and out of the open. She was no exception. After countless weeks of hiding him, she couldn't believe that those two would be so nosy. If they were traumatized by what they had found, it wasn't her fault. At least, that was what she told herself when Richard began to methodically avoid her.
On the bright side, they seem to understand that this was her business and hers alone; and she didn't need to hide anymore. Richard held himself back from speaking against her plans and if Carlisle - that was his father's first name, apparently - had any objections to what she had to do, he didn't voice them out either. She left the house and came back whenever she felt like she needed to. On weekdays, she waited until Richard is sent to school; on weekends, she left after taking care of the afternoon laundry.
Loads of people would question as to why there is a girl wandering the streets on her own and lugging a bulging black bag over her shoulder. There were a few occasional grown-ups who'd stopped her and asked about her parents. She never bothered giving straight answers. She would walk around town, her pewter eyes clear and piercing as they searched her environment meticulously. In the end, however, she would be trudging home, feeling exhausted and disappointed. Carlisle would be standing at the front porch, waiting for her... or is he guarding the house from her?
Tonight was no different, only she took longer to walk. She plopped down hard onto the sidewalk. Her thick dress soaked up the sweat, her hands were blackened from scouring dirt and trash. She caught her breath, struggled with the strap, pulled the head out of the bag. She noticed then, for the first time, the horrible rasp that rose from her throat as she spoke to it.
"Where are you? It hurts when I can't find you, you know."There was more to say, but she didn't. She always operated this way: she kept her promises and never complained.
When she got home, Carlisle stood up from his seat on the porch, face pale and stony. She closed the small gate behind her and ascended the wooden steps. She said nothing, expecting him to silently step aside and let her through.
Not tonight. She stepped back slightly as he knelt down, gave in as he enveloped her in his arms. Too tired to reject the obvious sign of affection despite it all, she managed only one question:
"Why..."
Why do you still keep me?
***
Author's Note: Included music - Safehouse (Downfall Remake OST 2016)
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The Black Bag (Part 1 of 2)
ParanormalRichard Brammer is a run-of-the-mill 'normal' boy, living in a normal life with a single father. Despite his talents and intelligence, he has always been a social wallflower. There isn't a time when he didn't wish that he'd stay that way forever...
