From Assassin to Motherhood

Chapter 7, Freezing

    It's snowing outside, as I stare out the window, lost in thought. It had really come down on this December day. The ground was thick with it. Martha was outside making an odd shape that I couldn't recognize. I had thought it was cute till she started taking a stick and started stabbing it. As I was watching the scene, I had realized the odd shape was cat. Just wasn't a very good one.

    It was a little disturbing to watch, cats being my favorite animal, and her knowing so. All of a sudden there was a loud, girlish scream. I jumped from my chair and raced down the stairs to see Gerrard and Tiffany. Gerrard had his back against a table being held down by Tiffany. Tiffany with her free hand, had a worm hanging above his mouth.

    Tiffany cruelly snickered, "Come on. A little earth worm never hurt nobody. It'll be good, I promise you. And when you chew, its insides will squirt everywhere in your mouth.". Tiffany made a squish sound. Gerrard struggled, "Let me go! Let me go, please!".

    I walked up behind Tiffany and grabbed her free wrist with her hand still holding the worm. Tiffany turned her head to see that my face held a dark scowl. I broke the firm, angry line that my lips had formed into, "Let go.". She gave me a mischievous smile and rather than letting Gerrard go, she dropped the worm.

    Time seem to slow down as the wriggly creature descended and eventually landed on my fearful son. Then everything went back to normal speed as he let out a loud screech. Sounded like a damn banshee. Tears were streaming down the hysterical boys face as he rolled around the floor, shrieking. Even after the worm was flicked off by him, he kept on going. The pink creature, seemingly unharmed, just inched across the floor.

   After getting Gerrard calmed down, me and Tiffany talked. Well, more like had a shouting match. Tiffany yelled her last word, "Well, I don't give a crap! He's an annoying little shit, and I hate kids!". With that she grabbed her coat off the rack and exited the house, slamming the door. I let out a sigh, then realized, "Wait! Where are you---Oh, forget it. I'm sure she'll be back later.".

    I plopped down on one of my couches, exhausted from the stress. I closed my eyes and thought of a nice place. I had trouble keeping my eyes closed. I couldn't relax myself. The door bell sounded. I let out a loud, tired sigh, "Coming!". I walked as slowly as I could. Whoever it was I really didn't feel like talking to anyone right now.

    I opened the door with an irritated, unwelcoming face only to have it change to a look of surprise. "Brother?" I said. My brother Ignis smiled, "Bad time?". "Kids," I explained. He nodded, "Oh. I see. I could help you out anytime if you'd like?". "That'd be nice. Thanks. You must be freezing outside in this cold," I motioned for him to enter.

   Ignis shook his head, and pointed to his car. I reply, "Where?". "To the circus," he answered. "Where you work?". "Yes.". "Why?". "I'll show you when we get there.". I really didn't feel like going anywhere today. I shrugged, "Fine then.". He smiled and turned to walk to his car. I followed.

Time Skip

    As we entered the large circus, the smell of food, people, and animal dung hit me. The food smelled good. The people and animals, not so much. My nose wrinkled. Ignis looked at me, "What's wrong?". I looked right back at him,"Hm? Oh, nothing.". He just shrugged and kept leading me through the place.

    "So, what are we here for?" I inquired. We came to a sudden stop. I had started walking behind him after he asked what was wrong with me, so I bumped right into his back. "Oops. Sorry. Why'd we stop?" I apologized. I looked around him to see a small black haired child, about the age of seven. He had a hospital blanket wrapped around him over the top of his head. He was sitting crisscrossed on the ground.

    "This is Blanket. He appeared here a couple nights ago. Claims to have no recollection of where he came from. We can't keep him here anymore because the ringmaster told us, this morning, to get rid of him. I honestly don't have the heart to throw him into the streets," my brother explained.

    I studied the little one before me. He looked very tired, for there were large, black circles around his eyes. His dark hair hung long, while his eyes held a dull black. His was skin was very pale, and he had very little clothing out in this cold weather. No shoes, not even socks. Just a pair of jeans with the bottoms a little ripped up and a stripped, long sleeved shirt. Last of all he had the hospital blanket.

   "The poor things lips are purple, and he's shivering so much. I'll take him," I said and then I held my hand out to the frozen kid, "Hello, Blanket. I'm Miss. Cat.". Blanket accepted my hand and I pulled him up. He spoke through chattering teeth, "Bl-Blanket says he-he-hello M-M-Miss. C-Cat.".

    I turned to Ignis, "Come on. Let's get him to the car. He needs to warm up.". My brother nodded and we took the freezing child to the car. Blanket's lips turned back to a normal color and he stopped shivering. The pale boy asked, "Where is Blanket being taken?". I found his way of speaking a little odd, but kind of cute. I replied, "To my place and your new home.".

   My new son cocked his head to the side, "New home? Are you Blanket's mother?". I flinched at his last question. I don't why, but I couldn't help but feel a little discomfort when I child called me mom. I answered, "Well, um, in a way. Yes. I'm your adopted mother that you call Miss. Cat.". Blanket looked down sad, "Oh...ok.". I couldn't help but feel a little bad.

   I got lost in thought, "I hope he can adjust well. He seems like he's been through a lot. It must be hard not remembering your past. Not knowing who your parents were. Whether or not you have a brother, sister, or any other relatives. Maybe he does remember something though. He holds on to that blanket rather tightly...".

Hey, guys. Sorry, I haven't written for so long. I went through a serious writers block. I hope the I think decently long chapter makes up for it. Don't be scared to vote or comment.