Underground

37

Estelle
I stare up at our wall of Pangaeans, Leeciy Propkin standing out amongst the crowd.
I walk to the office, grabbing a slip of paper, a pen, and a match. I write Leeciy Popkins and a tracking rune on the paper before lighting a match and the page.
He was at an abandoned house, sitting in a chair, a cat curled up on his lap. His eyes were weary, almost as if he were holding them open.
The cat awakes and walks to the shattered window, an exit sign by the highway.
Leeciy walks over to the cat and picks him up, walking back to the mildew-spotted chair.
Then everything went black.
The flame on the paper burnt itself out.
I stand, going to August's desktop computer.
As quick as I can, I search up the number I saw on the exit sign. 
An image of the sign with an abandoned building popped up, an it was only about half an hour away.
I click the print button and the wireless printer starts printing it, giving a soft beep when it's done. I walk over and grab the paper, going to find August.
August was in the kitchen, cooking pasta and laughing with September.
I walk into the kitchen. "August."
"Yes sweetheart?" He turns, seeing my face, a slightly-dry stream of purple blood trailing down my cupid's bow. "You're bleeding." He grabs a paper towel and hands it to me.
I wipe my nose, tossing the paper towel in the trash. "I need you to take me somewhere."
"What's going on?" September asks, confused by both my determination and my purple blood.
"Where?" August asks, ignoring his little brother.
I hand him the picture. "I tracked Leeciy to here."
"Okay." He stares at it. "Is he okay?"
"I doubt it." I say. "He looked exhausted and frail."
"Should we help?" He asks.
I nod. "It's not a long drive."
"Can I come?" September asks.
"No." I say. "He's got the Mark of Aegis, he could be dangerous."
"Okay, what's the Mark Of Aegis?" August asks.
"It means your Oura konnes is stronger than most Pangaeans'." I explain. "The first time my mother met one, it tried to attack her."
"What the heck is a Pangaean?" September asks.
"Well, if he's going to hurt you, I'm coming with." August says.
"Duh." I say.
"Why can't I come?" September asks.
"Because you could get hurt." I answer, grabbing a couple of waterbottles out of the fridge.
"I'm fourteen! You both treat me like I'm eight!" He says, quite loudly.
I turn to face him. "The second time my mother met someone with the Mark of Aegis, she almost died. So yes, you are fourteen, but fourteen's a rather young age to die."
"We can drop you off at Ned's." August says.
"Fine." He huffs.
***
I grab the bag full of snacks and water out of the back of the car and sling it over my shoulder.
"Ready?" I ask August, who nods.
He goes first, pushing open the door before using the flashlight on his phone to illuminate the house.
About ten steps in the house, I step on a creaky floorboard, the sound echoing through the silent house.
August looks back to me, putting a finger to his lips.
I nod, looking to the left.
Leeciy stands there, eyes wide, the cat walking around his ankles. "Awren Ubern?" He asks, which translates to who are you?
"I'm Estelle." I say, pointing at myself. "Do you speak English?"
He zones out, his eyes glowing softly and pupils dilating. A moment later, he nods.
August steps next to me, putting his hand on the small of my back.
"Who's that?" Leeciy asks, stepping forward. His voice was coated with an Australian accent.
"This is August, you can trust him." I say.
"I'm Leeciy." He says. "Leeciy Propkin."
"We know, we're here to help you." I say, walking towards him.
"Why?" He asks.
"I'm like you." I coax.
"You have the mark?" He asks, surprised.
"No." I say. "But I'm Pangaean."
The cat from his feet hisses at me, preparing to pounce.
"Reiba." Leeciy says, looking at the cat.
Reiba looks up at him, before growling lowly and walking away.
"So, why do you want to help me?" Leeciy asks, pushing his white hair out if his face. "I don't need it."
"You're starving to death, and water wouldn't hurt." I say, pulling the bag off my shoulders.
"We brought you food." August says, unzipping the bag.
"I don't- I don't want it." Leeciy says, staring at the bag.
"Leeciy." I say, reaching for his arm.
"Don't touch me." He jerks away.
"Leeciy, I'm not going to hurt you." I coax.
He narrows his eyes. "How do I know that?"
"Just trust me." I whisper.
Once again, his eyes glow and pupils dilate, and in a moment he snaps back to reality.
"Alright." Leeciy says.
I grab a bag of chips from the bag and open it, handing him the opened bag. "Eat the stuff on the inside."
Leeciy nods and does so, stuffing chip after chip in his mouth.
"That worked." August murmurs.
I nod.
"W-water." Leeciy demands.
I grab a water bottle out if the bag, untwisting the cap.
He reaches forward, ripping it from my grasp. He chugs the whole thing in three gulps. "Thanks."
"Leeciy?" I ask.
"Hmm?" He hums, wiping his mouth.
"Will you come with us?" I ask.
He raises an eyebrow. "Where?"
"Home. A place where you can be safe and eat chips everyday, and have a life."
"Can Reiba come?" He asks.
"Of course." I say.
He looks like he's in deep thought. "Do you have more of those chips?"
I smile softly and nod. "Yes, we have more chips."
"Fine." He says. "I'll go with you, but you better not lead me into some elaborate torture trap."
"I'd never to that." I say.
"Let me gather my things." He disappears into another room.
August's hand finds a place on my shoulder. "Good job."
I nod slightly.
Leeciy comes back, a jacket thrown over his shoulder, and Reiba in his arms. "Let's get out of this mildew covered mess."