Broken Arrow

Chapter Six - Orphan

"You need to eat Oliver." His mother says softly as she places a bowl of soup in front of him. Oliver softly pushes the bowl away from him as the bile rises in his throat. The image of Jennifer Hert's body still fresh in his mind.

Amy takes the bowl away and places it in the microwave for when he is ready to eat. "What happened in The Forest Oliver?" She questions.

"I don't want to talk about it." He mutters.

Sighing, Amy sits opposite her son and holds her hand out for him, he takes it and she rubs his knuckles gently. "Please talk to me Oliver, I haven't seen you this shaken since your first night on The Border."

"You heard about the car crash, right?" He asks and she nods. "It was no accident; the car was purposely pushed into that tree to look like one." He pauses and looks down at the table. "There was so much blood and glass when I got there, Michael was talking to the Angels and together we all went into The Forest with our weapons."

"Please continue Oliver." Amy presses softly, her eyes closed and she controls her breathing.

"Joe and I separated from the group when we heard a scream. We were too late." He trails off and wipes his eyes. "Jennifer was dead when we found her. The bitch ripped her heart out." He chokes.

"Jennifer Hert is dead?" Amy gasps, Oliver nods. "And Charlie? Does she know?"

"Michael is going to tell her, he made a promise to Jennifer." He mutters before looking at his mum, tears falling freely down his red cheeks. "I've let her down mum, I've let my best friend down." He cries, Amy wraps her arms around Oliver as he sobs into her shoulder.

**

"How are we going to tell them Michael?" Gabriel questions as they walk slowly to The Mansion. Michael stops in his tracks and looks at Gabriel.

"We'll have to be gentle Gabriel, but I don't know how the words will come out"

Gabriel stares at Michael in shock. "You being gentle? Is that even possible?" He chuckles dryly.

"Shut up Gabriel, come on let's get this over and done with." He continues towards The Mansion, Michael's heart thumping in his chest as they arrive at the door.

"Michael? Gabriel?" A voice comes from behind them, they turn around to see Philip standing at the bottom of the driveway. "What a pleasant surprise." He mutters.

"Philip." Michael says softly.

"I must say the chauffeured driver was unexpected." He chuckles. "Come on in." He says excitedly.

"Phil, I don't know how to tell you but this is not a happy visit." Gabriel explains. "It's best if we speak to you and Clive first."

"Is it about Jenny?" He questions, Gabriel nods. He sighs before getting his keys out of his pocket. "You best come in then. It's a small town, I don't want everybody knowing our business." He says while unlocking the door.

"Phil?" Clive's voice chimes through the hallway from the kitchen.

"It's me Clive, we have company." He replies while closing the door after Michael and Gabriel enter. Clive stands in the doorway to the kitchen and stares at them, his face is puffy and red from crying.

"Afternoon Clive." Gabriel says politely. "May I ask where Charlie is?"

Clive nods before answering, "She is in her room."

"Will she be able to hear us?"

"She came down fifteen minutes ago to grab a bottle of water, she told me she will be working on her essay, which means she will have her headphones in." He explains.