Above The Horizons Part 1: The New Sun

30. Tears That We Shed.

Nathan's POV:

I was running on the deck, deciphering the situation I'm currently in. I was too confused. I kept scanning my surroundings so I can't get lost.

"Help me! Somebody! Please!"

In a wink of an eye, I started racing towards the direction of the voice. As I enter the room, I fall on my knees when I see her begging for mercy. I see Aunt Teresa crying and screaming. I wanted to go to her and get her free from those cuffs, but I wasn't able to move. I was completely paralyzed. Again and again, she was shouting about leaving someone alone. In an instant, her gaze landed upon me and she trembled with fear.

"Go."

It was a whisper. I wanted to tell her that I want to save her, let alone run to her and kill the one who caused these bruises on her body.

"What are you waiting for, boy? Go! Save your life!"
"But-
"Now! I don't want to see you ever again."

I was left speechless. I was petrified by her outburst.

"Now, you know under what circumstances I brought her here? Don't you, Nathan? That's what happens when you cry, when you show your weakness to the world. Your loved ones die, because of you."
"No, please no-
"Say your final wishes to your motherly figure, Nathaniel Parker!"

She was smiling. Even at the time of her death she was smiling.

"Goodbye, sweetheart."
"No-

It was too late. The trigger had been pulled. The bullet had hit her. She was dead. Even in her last breaths, she was smiling.

"Teresa! No! -

"Oh you big oaf, WAKE UP ALREADY!"
"TERESA!"

I was sweating hard, my body incapacitated, my face stinging. I gradually started moving my body and let out a yelp.

"What was the idea of screaming in my ear?!"
"What was the idea of slapping me on my face?!"

We simultaneously yelled at each other.

"It's your fault. How come it's my fault?! Stop copying me! Stop it! You're annoying me!"
"Would you two shut up?!"

Our unison howling was stopped by the high pitched voice of my bonehead best friend. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, he is none other than Jacob Haynesworth.

"Sorry, Jake."
"Sorry, man."
"Much better."

He moved in a comfortable position and closed his eyes, trying to fall asleep on the sofa.

"What's with him?"

I nudged Cleopatra with my arm. She slapped my arm and stuck her tongue out.

"Because of your dream, nightmare, or whatever, he was awake all night."
"Why was he with me?"
"Take a look around, Boogerhead. You slept in his room and kept him awake all night because of your trauma."
"I see."

He huffed and stood up.

"Move over."
"And why?"
"Stop whining like an ill horse, Nate. It's my bed, and I wanna sleep."

I scooted over to the side where Selena was sitting and pushed her over. She fell to the ground while Jacob on the bed with a thump. She narrowed her eyes on me, mouthing 'You're so dead'.

"Ugh, Sweet Jesus, Nate you stink like a skunk! Go take a shower, you asshole."
"Gimme your shirt and jeans."
"No way in hell! You stink like you haven't showered in three days!"
"So what if I haven't?"

Jacob covered his nose after reminding me I haven't showered in days. Selena was engrossed.

"Eww! Nathan, go take a shower, I'll bring you clothes. Jacob, make me some coffee, please? My head's spinning. He reeks of sweat!"
"Sweet salty sweat, keeps a man ahead!"

I sang the verse on my way to the bathroom. Jacob threw a pillow on my face and said 'skunk' in a low voice. Selena 'gave no damn about it' and slammed the door shut. Heh, that's my sis.

After a refreshing shower, I went out to find Lilac embracing me in her arms. I hugged her back and kissed her cheek. She giggled and we walked to the two airheads who were debating on something stupid. Lilac slipped out of my grip and gave high five to Jacob. Selena pouted and stuck her tongue out. I smiled and glared at the two cousins.

"Who dares tease my sister?!"
"Don't be a over protective twin, Boogerbag!"

She threw a pillow at me. Throwback time! I threw the pillow back at her. We chortled all the way.

"Time for the counselling, Nate."
"I know. But can't we talk alone?"

I signaled her to Lilac. She nodded.

"May you guys excuse us?"
"Why should I? This is my house."
"Jacob, don't be childish."
"I know everything, why bother sending me?"
"Please?"

She was trying her best. He put his hands in the air.

"Nope. Not going."
"I will stay here too. I want to know, Nathan. What did you hide from me all this time? I knew about the counselling with Jacob but I really want to know what happened."

They both gave me puppy eyes. Buh, not again.

"Don't give him a hard time, you guys."
"Look who's talking?"

I turned around to face them.

"Not today, you both."
"Alright. Come on, Lollipop."

They both eyed me and left. I let out a deep breath.

"Tell me, what'd you dreamt of?"
"Aunt Teresa."
"What happens to her?"
"I see her die."
"How?"
"Gunshot?"
"By who?"
"Subhead."
"Name?"
"Catherine."
"I see. Can you tell me everything?"
"It's difficult."
"Try. Otherwise you won't feel better and the counselling will be over."

She stood up and poured water in the glass, handing it over to me.

"Drink. Slowly."

I did as she asked me to. It felt good. I didn't know I was holding my breath. My dry throat was now wet.

"Feel better?"

I smiled.

"Much."
"Go on."
"One year passed. I was not listening to the rambling they did. They made me agree to go on a mission. I was returning from it. I was riding a ferry. When I heard screams, I ran to the voice. I found out it was her, Aunt Teresa. She was begging me to run, but being me, I stayed. That pain in the ass woman, i.e. Catherine, kept talking crap. She said Talons who are weak, cry. Therefore, as a punishment she will take the life of my loved one, Teresa. She shot her, and I can't quite figure out where. I think she shot her on her head. She was smiling. Even before her death, she was smiling."

I felt something wet on my cheeks. Was I crying? I can't cry. I'm not weak. I quickly wiped my tears so she can't notice. Too late. She saw me.

"Every day, I thought about her, of her stinging words and her wishes. I couldn't even feel her insults. When she died, it was like my life had been taken out of me. I felt empty, like nothing ever existed. I kept having nightmares. Jacob helped me overcome it. He helped me get rid of this trauma. They stopped until-

She hugged me and sniffled. I felt her tears wetting my shirt. I patted her back.

"Until I saw you in that state. Anger blinded me. I was too hard on poor guy. When I felt your presence, I felt satisfied, but that flashback- that took me. You know I can't loose you, no matter what. You are my sister, my only sister, the only one I consider my true family. You are my own blood, I can't loose you at any cost."
"I know, Nathan. I know. That's why it hurts to see you in this state."

Oh god, why in the world was I weeping too? I'm not weak. Not me.

"It's okay to cry, Nate. Everyone cry, even the strongest cry. If they say they don't, they're wrong."

We released each other from our bear hug. She wiped my tears with her soft hands. Cupping my cheeks by her hands, she put her fingers around my lips and stretched them, making me look like I'm smiling.

"By the way, tears don't look good on handsome boys like my brother."
"And hot."
"And wild."
"Not like you, Chubs."
"Chubs is the short for chubby."
"I'm not chubby."
"You are. Chubs."

She lightly punched my shoulders and we laughed, the tension breaking between us. She ruffled my hair and kissed me on my cheek.

"Come on, Boogerbag. Gimme the best smile you got. The smile that puts the most handsome man alive put to shame."

I gave her my biggest smile that makes girls faint. She grinned.
"We gotta go."
"Okay, Chubs."

And we laughed all the way outside.

"Where are we going?"
"To find those two nosy cousins." 

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Word count: 1355