I'll Help You Hide From Them

Parents

I'm relieved to see my parents look reasonably unscathed when they let me, Kier and O'Malley in.

"It's so good to have you here, we were really worried about you after losing your friend. We tried calling but no one was picking up." My father instantly pulls me into a hug.

I let myself take in the feeling of safety and security of his arms while O'Malley shakes my mother's hand, she also apologises to Kier about what happened to his brother. Kier looks a little hurt to be reminded but smiles at them as he expresses his appreciation.

"I missed you so much. I'm sorry I couldn't answer your calls. I've been basically sleeping at the office until the people responsible are behind bars." I reply childishly to my father, deliberately keeping the detail that I'm actually living in a secure safehouse that even they aren't meant to know the location of.

When he stops hugging me, my mother opens her arms for me. I hug her as well, missing the both of them so much.

"I've made your favourite." She tells me softly.

I squeeze her slightly in delight at this.

When I get ahold of myself, I let go, going suddenly shy like I often do in front of them.

They are used to this so they turn the conversation to both Kier and O'Malley. I'm surprised that he is so social but remind myself that I must be overgeneralising a little.

I notice that Kier seems surprised at how I'm behaving in front of my parents but he doesn't say anything to draw attention to it.

"So are you studying to be a cop like your brother?" My mother asks Kier.

"Yeah, I used to want to be Ralph when I was younger. I thought I could do him proud by being a cop just as good if not better than he was." Kier admits.

"We have a couple of funny stories about your brother and Drew here." My father chuckles.

"Dad!" I embarrassedly intercept. "He's still just a kid, some of those stories he's certainly not of age to hear yet." I add.

"We haven't heard much about you, are you a new friend of Drew's?" My mother asks O'Malley.

I tense up at the idea that they know I'm still in danger, fortunately he notices this and covers for me.

"I'm Kier's supervisor. Since he's not exactly of age to be a fully fledged detective, he needs someone to watch over him. I also report back to the Academy to update them on his performance." He calmly answers.

"So no alcohol for Kier then?" My father smirks playfully.

They manage a soft laugh. My eyes drift to the doorway into the living room, noticing streamers on the walls spelling out "Welcome home Jake". My mother gives me an uncomfortable look when she notices where my attention has been drawn.

"I didn't know Jake was up for parole." I murmur.

"They were considering letting him out for good behaviour but he got in a fight with someone so his release is being held back." My mother explains.

"Good." I mutter.

My parents give me a look of "don't do this now" so I retreat to twirling my food with my fork, refusing to look up or say anything.

After dinner, my father shows both the two guests through some of my old things. I stay and help my mother with the dishes.

"You should learn to forgive your brother." She tells me after a painful silence.

"I don't think so." I tell her.

"He's expressed that he's sorry for what he did-" She tries.

"-He's not! He's just being selfish! He knows that if he says things like that he's got more of a chance to be let out but he hasn't learnt anything!" I snap.