Children of the Elements: Prey to Him

Chapter Thirteen: A Warrior's Tale

Chapter Thirteen: A Warrior's Tale

17th January, 2008

"Mum!" Callie shouted in her childish squeal. "Rob won't get out of the bathroom! I need the toilet!"

Will picked at the end of his paintbrush as he eavesdropped from his bedroom. His mother's footsteps floated up the stairs. "Can't you use a different one darling? You should be in bed by now; it's school tomorrow."

"But I have to brush my teeth and my toothbrush's in there!"

There was a hollow knock on the bathroom door. "Rob, what are you doing in there?"

Will couldn't make out what his older brother murmured in response to her, but seeing as the creak of a door told him Rob had left the bathroom, it couldn't have been too bad. "It's so hard to find some peace and quiet in this godforsaken house" Rob muttered as he passed Will's open door.

"Thank you Mummy," Callie said in a sickly sweet voice: her favourite tool for manipulating their mother. Will scoffed under his breath and turned back to his painting. He'd been working on his sculpture of a pirate ship for months now, and he was finally able to paint it: the best bit. The wood was smooth from his work with sandpaper, and he felt the familiar rush of joy spread through him as the paintbrush slid gracefully over its surface.

Just as he settled back down, ready to encase himself in his own world of painting, a head popped around the door. "You alright honey?"

Will pulled a fake smile dismissively, barely acknowledging her. "I'm fine, Mum."

His mother opened the door fully and inspected his ship. "Wow, it's looking very impressive. What are you going to do with it when it's done?" Will shrugged, dreamily dipping the tip of his brush into the black paint. She still hadn't left when he looked back up.

"What do you want, Mum?"

She ran her fingers through his dark hair, pushing it back from his forehead. "I'm just checking you're OK. You're very quiet at the moment." She paused thoughtfully as she twirled a piece of his hair around her manicured finger. "Is everything OK at school?"

"He's fine. You should stop worrying about him. It's not like he's like Callie." Rob's disapproving, if a little jealous, voice floated from the corridor. Squeals of protesting came from his little sister as she overheard Rob's insult.

"Rob, I'm not talking to you." She pushed the door to and turned back to Will.

Will ducked away from her touch as she reached out. "It's all fine, Mum. You worry too much" he copied Rob.

She looked upset that he'd denied her information, but to be honest, he didn't have time for her anxiety at the moment. He had a ship to paint. "OK sweetie, but if anything happens, just tell me and I'll fix it." Will nodded in response, not looking back at her as she sauntered out, pulling the door to a gentle close.

The second she'd gone, he dropped his brush and rubbed his head. Why does she always have to make me feel so guilty for not telling her anything? If only she didn't worry so much. It's not as if she could do anything about Adrian and his gang. She's never there during school. She'd never be able to stop them... Will shook his head to clear himself of the thought. He wasn't weak. He didn't cry at Adrian's constant teasing. Because it wasn't necessary. He had his painting and that was all he needed.

He fiddled with the paintbrush again absentmindedly, pushing his fingers through the hairs. They came off a watery black. Drowsily, he dipped it back in the paint and stroked it along the wood again, sinking into his thoughts. His eyes were drawn to his wall. A poster of superman was the only thing decorating his white walls, standing proudly for him to admire. Will sighed. If only he could be like Superman. He had a purpose, a reason to do good in the world. And people loved him...