Rapire

twelve: Damian

Damian

"Damian! Please just leave me alone." Mom snaps as she slams her door closed. I stood there, shocked at my mom's behavior lately. It's been a couple days after we went into the mansion where Skye could've possibly been held hostage and my mom's behavior has gone downhill.

She snapped more, I could tell she wasn't sleeping cause of the dark bags under her eyes, very paranoid, and constantly locked herself in either her room or her office at the restaurant. She was distracted and wouldn't listen to anyone, not even me. I've began to realize that she was slowly losing herself. She was so kept on the promise she made to her brother that guilt of not being able to find the code and get Skye was making her lose it.

Nothing has been normal for the past two weeks or so.

*    *    *

The next day at work was like any other day. Mom and I open up, unlock everything, set the chairs down, and wait for everyone to get there. The only weird part was there was a black suv sitting outside of the restaurant. Mom gasps when she finally looks out the window, making me look over at her. Her hand was across her mouth and tears were filling her eyes, but wouldn't dare spill out.

My eyebrows furrow together in confusion and I lightly grab my mother's arm that was next to me. She flinches slightly, looking up at me. "What's a matter mom?" I ask softly, scared of her running away from me and locking herself up in her office like she's been doing lately.

"They're here." I try to figure out who they were, but I didn't know who she was talking about. "They" could be a member of the gang that took Skye, but I have a feeling they're being more careful. At this point I wanted to just tell my mom that she was being paranoid, but I knew that would hurt her feelings. I didn't want to her to close off herself away from me even more than she already has lately.

"Who's here mom?" She looks away from me and directly at the car, not saying a word. I look back out the window, trying to figure out who could possible be in the car that's causing this much of a reaction from my mom.

A loud bang and several footsteps pull me out of my thoughts as Sammy, Alice, and Leon enter the restaurant. "It's getting colder." Sammy announces with a red nose and flushed cheeks. A smile makes its way to my mouth as I pull her into a hug, needing a warm hug at the moment but I wouldn't tell her that.

"Are you warmer now?" I whisper to her. Even though I couldn't see her, I knew her cheeks were redder than before.

She pushes me off, glaring up at me and proving me correct when I see her cheeks. My smile turns into a smirk as I take in her expression and I open my mouth to say something, but was cut off at the sound of my mom's voice. The four of us stand in a line waiting for her orders.

"Concentrate on work and we'll get through the day just fine. Alice and Leon as usual you have the floor. You know what to do. Sammy and Damian you're the cooks. Keep your hands off each other. Alright sounds good. I'll be in my office." She says quickly yet quietly, before rushing off into her office.

I stared after her, taking note that she turned around three times just to look back at the suv, like she felt people were watching her. I turn back around as soon as her door closes and look at the suv, trying to determine if people were actually in there. The tinted windows made it hard, but I could see a trace of a silhouette or two.

I squint my eyes at them, but shake my head trying to rub off the weird feeling in my stomach. It's nothing, I remind myself. There just people sitting in their car. Don't overthink it.

Sammy grabs a hold of my hand, making me look down at her. Concern was written throughout her face and I knew the question she was wanting to ask me before she said it.