Hydrangea

Chapter 3

     Charity is sitting on the old worn couch in the living room. Doing as she was told. Charity sits still watching the fire place. The logs burn steadily with the flames moving back and forth, in a methodical dance.

     Ryker was calming down Andrea, at least that's what she assumed. Last Charity saw he was carrying Andrea to her room. Andrea was having a break down. Who wouldn't after seeing what was in that room. Charity shivers at the thought of ever having to see her own mother that way.

     Charity immediately pushes the thought out of her head with a grimace. She pulls the thick blanket she had been gripping with her hands over her shoulders. Charity snuggles into the blanket rubbing the soft fabric on her face.

     She hears muffled voices coming from the other room. Charity can't seem to make any of it out. At least the sobbing had stopped and Andrea has calmed down more.

     " Is it worth it, Andrea, is it worth all this," Charity straightens and looks toward the hall at the sound of Ryker's voice.

     "It better be," Andrea says stiffly. Charity frowns.

     She misses her mother's perfume, she misses her lamp, her view of the brick wall, her slippers. Her feet are cold. Charity misses for once the fact that everything used to be so simple.

     Yet, she feels like she has to be here. For Andrea, and Andrea's mother. That Charity never got to rightfully meet. Charity thinks to herself and promises silently to Andrea. I can't do much right now, but I can and I will be there for you. Just don't spill any more tears, please.

     Charity looks back at the flames that sway from side to side. A hypnotizing warmth, that didn't reach her feet! She rubs her feet with the blanket but stops at the sound of a creek.

     Charity turns her head to see the twins standing at the turn of the hallway. Charity smiles warmly and sincerely.

     Andrea smiles back at her but it doesn't reach her eyes, which are red and puffy. She walks to one of the tattered arm chairs next to the couch.

     "I-" Charity starts but is stopped by Andrea holding up her hand.

     "Please, hold the apologies. It wasn't your fault...... it wasn't," Andrea states sadly.

     Charity nods and Andrea continues," I'll be taking you back in the morning. Don't worry the time works differently between Hydrangea and the natural world. Every day here is simply an hour there, so you'll be fine."

     Ryker looks from Andrea to Charity and says," We decided that we'll do this on our own. We won't drag you into this huge mess."

     Charity looks at them like they were deranged and states," Are you two stupid!" There solemn expressions change into one full of wrath and irritation.

     Ryker leans forward and says menacingly," Excuse me."

     Charity looks him dead in the eye and says," I'm sorry about your mother, really, but that doesn't mean I'm just going to leave. I want to help!"

     Andrea snickers at Charity, but it still comes out painfully sad, and says," You always have wanted nothing but to be kind."

     Ryker turns to her sister with a really look and asks," Kind?"

     Andrea looks at her brother and says snarkily," Well you never exactly gave her a reason to be. You're not exactly approachable or deserve it."

     Ryker rubs his right hand down his face and says," This is ridiculous."

     Charity giggles and says," I don't want to leave, at least not right now. Okay?"

     Andrea smiles sadly and replies," Alright."

     Ryker sighs and says," Fine, but we will have to tell her everything."

     "Right," Andrea agrees nodding her head. Ryker leans against the wall behind the chair Andrea is currently seated at.

     Charity leans forward slightly as Andrea begins," Well it started a few years ago, merely weeks before I first met you. I was sleeping but woke up to smoke surrounding me, and enveloping me." Andrea explains sadly and graphically about the morning they lost their father, and their home. Ryker scowls when she explains.

     Charity swallows forcefully taking in the traumatic story.

     I never knew that this had ever even occurred. Every time Andrea had come over, had seen my family. Did it hurt, did she hate me for it. She's not like that. Never has been, or is she. She seems to be able to hide this much without even flinching. No, Andrea's my friend and has been as open as she could've been. Right?

     Charity's emerald eyes are downcast watching the fire flicker and whirl as she stammers," I-I don't know what to say."

     Andrea nods knowingly and responds," You don't have to." Charity looks up at her friend who had tears in her eyes. Making the icy blue in her eyes blurry and darker like an oncoming storm.

     " Andrea," Charity mutters softly.

     Ryker studies the tattered floorboards, a mournful expression on his face. His shoulders sagging and his hands hanging at his sides. Andrea looks back at him and then back at Charity.

     "After that happened, we went to live in this cottage with our grandmama. It was my mother who began looking for the person who led all those things here. Who killed her husband. My mother used to travel all over Hydrangea following leads; but she soon grew very sick and couldn't do it anymore. So we took it upon ourselves to continue, but we knew we would need another person for help," Andrea explains gesturing to Charity.

     Charity nods and says," Is there anything else?"

     Andrea shakes her head and Ryker finally speaks," That depends."

     They both look at him and Charity asks," On what?"

     Ryker glances up at her and replies," If you have anymore questions."

     Andrea scans Charity and says," Is there anything else you would like to know?"

     Charity inspects her hands as she twists the blanket and says," How do you do it?"

     Andrea looks at Charity's hands and says," Emotions change so quickly. So, there isn't any point on staying focused on the negative ones for so long."

     Charity glances up at Andrea to see a troubled expression painted on her face. She stops twisting the blanket and stands. The twins stare up at her. Charity takes a big step forward and wraps her arms around Andrea. Enveloping her in a tight hug.

     Andrea gasps at the sudden movement and touch. She lays limp in Charity's arms for a moment before she grabs tightly onto Charity. It was like clutching onto a bright light in a sea of darkness saving her from drowning. Then that sea began to stir and spill but it fled out through Andrea's eyes.

     Ryker stood up straight and walked out the front door noiseless. Andrea looks up from Charity's now soaked shoulder and watches the door shut as silent as when he left.

     Charity slowly stroked Andrea's back as the sea in her eyes calmed. Andrea pulls out of the warm hug and wipes her eyes with the heels of her hand.

     She sniffles and says," You should probably rest."

    Charity nods smiling and states," I'm not the only one. Make sure you sleep as well."

     Andrea nods and stands walking towards the door to track down her brother.

     She silently murmurs to herself," If I could."