X-Marks: Stealing Shadows

Spaces

"You don't look alright. Are you sure?" Ocean said and locked nans pantry.

I wiped flour dust on my pants and left white prints up the cloth.

"Really, I'm just a little tired," I lied.

I didn't know why I lied. I almost felt better when pretending, almost.

Ocean pulled her arm into the sleeve of her yellow jacket.

"I don't feel right leaving you like this," she said, "I'm sure I could tell Neirin -"

"No, no don't do that," I interrupted.

It wouldn't be fair to keep her from what she enjoyed the most. Not for me.

"Are you sure?" Ocean said and pulled the hood over her bun.

"I'm sure," I said and stirred up a laugh, "Neirin couldn't even catch dust without you."

Ocean laughed with me, this time it filled her whole face the way it should.

I trailed behind her as we left the kitchen until she was out of my sight. We would be heading in opposite directions, and I was in no rush to return to the canopy.

"Hope I'm not keeping you from anything," Buggy said at my side, his eyes on me like a lost pet returned home.

"You're back!" I said and fell into his patchwork jacket.

Buggy returned the embrace and said, "I always will be."

The sides of my lips pulled down in a scowl.

Buggy was always the type to leave, but ever since the first collections, he was more of ghost to me than Madelyn was. No one knew where he was or when he would be back. He was just away I was always told.

"Where were you?" I scowled and pulled back.

"Hey, now!" he said, hand on his chest, "This wasn't the welcome home I was expecting."

"You never told me you were leaving," I said and gripped my bucket of tools tighter.

Buggy's stare softened, "I know, I should have," he said and rubbed the back of his head.

I hated to act this way, but maybe it would make him stay a bit longer this time. And maybe, just for me.

"Just let me know next time," I said and eased my frown, "Okay."

Buggy said and bowed, "It's a promise."

"See you later for dinner?" I said and turned to the stairs.

Buggy gripped my hand, the hollow rings of his eyes strained.

"Actually, I was hoping to catch you now."

"I have to be on the canopy. You know that."

"Never mind that," Buggy said and swatted his hand like there was a pesky fly between us.

"But, what about your father?"

"You can tell him, I kept you. He's my father, I can take any heat he brings."

"You sure?"

Buggy looked around the balcony, "Positive," he said.

"Well, what is it?" I asked and grew more uneasy with every unanswered question.

Buggy turned to watch a couple joined each other at the top of the stairs.

"Why don't we come around here," he said and turned to the broken end of the wall.

There in the wall was the odd opening behind a curtain, with just enough space for one. Surely that couldn't be what Buggy was talking about. I was unfortunately right.

"Buggy, what are you doing in there?" I said into the opening of the wall and broke cobwebs on my way.

"Just come in, and I'll explain," he said and held the curtain up.

I knew it had to be serious, but not this much.

I wedged next to Buggy into the opening and against the sharp wall. It's edges pierced my bones like needles.

"Valen," Buggy said, so dire it made my fingers curl, "I need you to pay more attention to what I'm about to say than anything you've ever heard in your life."