A Forgotten Beginning

Chapter 8: A Warning

"Megan, hold this. Careful." The boy smiled at me as I held the sword in awe.

"What happened to Mummy?"

His sad eyes turned to me. "I don't know."

"Daddy?" I asked. He shook his head and I moved over to him. "It's okay." I assured him. "You always have me."

He laughed and I beamed.

"I know Megan, I'll always have you."

"I'll always be here for you Adrian." I said as I lay beside him due to yet another nightmare that had left me breathless. He turned his head towards me, eyes still closed.

"I know Megan." His voice deep with tiredness. 

So I curled into his side and didn't say another word my mind drifting to our conversion in Derek's office. His soft green eyes suddenly filled with determination as he made me promise to.... to stop him... The thought could not even form in my head. I had left the room in silent tears. 

I shivered thinking about it and Adrian's arm tightened protectively around me in his sleep.

***

"Here you go." I said putting the rice down on the table.

"You cooked?" Adrian pulled a face.

"Ha-ha funny."

"Just eat it Adrian." Derek sighed.

"Oh Derek here's my Math results." I shoved the papers across the table then stuffed my face.

"Here is mine, Dad." Adrian said smugly. He had obviously gotten an A making my D look even worse.

"Good job Adrian. Megan..."

"Yes?" I asked around a mouthful of rice.

"I thought you studied."

"I tried but it's just a bunch of letters and numbers, it doesn't make sense."

"Maybe if you actually tried." Adrian added. "Like you do in English."

"Oh shut up, you." I glared at him but his attention was on his Dad who had a thoughtful expression on his face and his eyes sparkled. 

"Oh damn.... Dad?"

Derek's eyes shone excitedly, a smirk spreading slowly. "You can tutor each other!"

"What? No!" Adrian and I said together.

"Yes, Adrian tutor Megan in Math, and Megan tutor Adrian in English."

There was a scramble of words before Derek said, "I know everyone’s grades."

"Oh."

"Now ten Sunday morning for Math and one Sunday afternoon for English with a one hour break at noon."

"But I'm going shopping with Erica on Sunday." "Dad!" We protested.

"Enough! Be there at those times!" Derek shouted. "As your guardian and your teacher, I say this will be good for both of you."

"Bull." I said getting up from the table but not making it two steps before falling to the floor.

"Don't do that." I shouted tugging on the boy's pants, wincing.

"What Megan?"

"Too close."

He laughed softly and said, "Don't be scared Megan, we won't fall." He moved away from the cliffs peak, anyway, down towards the beach. "Now Megan you wait here, okay?"