24 Dreams Of You And Me

3) The Future Is Scary, Isn't It?

"I realized that there are no certainties in life. You can't manipulate fate."
- Bettany Frank

***

June, 1994

Kermit, Texas.

John Lauder bursted in through the door inside his own house. His wife, Bella, was helping their daughter, Alyssa, with her homework in her room.

Hearing the door slam shut, Bella made her way out and saw John's tensed figure.

"Honey, is everything alright?"

John's eyes softened at the sight of Bella. Her concern towards him always melted John's heart.

"It's Richard." John sighed and hung his head.

"His people are still in rebellion against us?" Bella frowned.

"Yes." John nodded and pinched the bridge of his nose. "It's going as far as threatening me."

Bella's eyes widened. "But why would Richard allow that?"

"What did Uncle Richard allow?" Alyssa asked from her room.

Her parents who were standing at the door looked at her.

Bella immediately covered up with a lie and gestured John to join her in their room.

"Perhaps we should tell her what's going on." John spoke after they closed the door.

"Are you out of your mind? She's just 12, it's way too young to get into all this politics." Bella replied.

"She should know how her 'uncle' has been acting. She's also best friends with Levi, isn't she?"

"John, Levi's 14. They're just kids. We shouldn't taint their innocence and friendship with elderly matters." Bella slowly spoke, emphasising her words.

"I just don't understand what to do, Bella." John laid down on the bed, his arm covering his closed eyes. "I don't think I can handle another spilt. It's been 17 years since Victoria and we haven't so much as seen each other, let alone speak... and the wound still feels fresh."

"Don't talk about splitting up. I'm sure it can all be talked out, there's no need of such extreme measures." Bella pulled out the ties from her light as day blonde hair and brushed her fingers through them.

"You don't think I've tried talking? I did it with Victoria, I've done with Richard. She just wanted to give up her power and he's being hungry for more power."

Bella sighed and looked down in worry. She didn't know how she could help her husband out. John had been through enough troubles to set the tribe all over America safely 17 years ago. Breaking up again would be something even he'd be unable to handle.

"What's everyone else saying?" She asked.

"Great Council is in conflict too. Some say Cahills should rule, some say they should be given a separate part to lead and exiled. Some say something else.." He sighed.

"I don't understand the cause of this sudden uproar. Why is just the Cahills' sector rising in rebellion? Why isn't Richard opposing it, he's in fact supporting it! Is he really betraying us for power?"

"I don't know, Bella. I don't feel right about this division... Richard was the one person who I used to go to for advises like these. First my sister then my brother..." He trailed off.

"I will accompany you tomorrow. I wish to talk to them myself."

Bella Lauder knew she has an influence within the tribe. She's also the wife to their leader and mother to their heiress. She's well respected.