Something Bigger Part 1

Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

         It wasn’t as if he’d intended on disrespecting his father when he’d disobeyed him. Aden had been so single-minded at that moment, he hadn’t thought beyond his goal. But here, as he sat beside his mother and father and across from the empty seat that should have held Catherine, he could only think f the message such a disregard of explicit  instructions but have sent.

         The relief of Aden’s safety had clearly worn off, as the three family members sat in silent wait for Catherine. Aden’s father’s gaze held a cool glare each time her met Aden’s eyes. His mother refused to even meet his eyes. Of course, the disappointment emanating from his family couldn't match an ounce of the disappointment Aden reserved for himself. He’d lost two people to the same storm yesterday. But it wasn’t the storm that had so frightened the horses. No, instead of was the storm of pride and promise that swept them away. The storm named Brett. Aden struggled not to let himself channel that disappointment toward Brett - he was sure he could have done something if only he’d tried a little harder.

         So, as aden sat in silence and kept his head down and his face neutral, he waited for the news of his sister’s disappearance. First, his parents would merely assume she was out on some short errand turned long, or in a place in the manor infrequently traveled. Then, as time wore on, the worry would set in. His father might consult with the head staff; he might send out a search party; he might go out himself. But as days passed, hopelessness would replace worry. And all the while, Aden would know his sister gone, but  not missing. He’d know of at least two with which she kept company. But he would say nothing - what good does saying a thing do when one can do nothing with the information? Nonetheless, Aden suspected his parents would think him mad. Who was he to proclaim the existence of magic worlds run by man who could control someone with the twitch of an eyebrow? Yes, he would say nothing. Catherine and Iris would remain in their paradise, if that was what lied beyond that black wall of wonder, and he would remain silent.

         “I understand last night was hectic, but that is no excuse for our daughter to keep us waiting so.” Aden’s mother spoke in her soft, somewhat defeated voice. She waved over the girl tending to them in their pre-meal state. “Go and see what’s keeping Catherine.” She commanded as all lord’s wives must be able to.

         Silence settled into the room as soon as the girl scurried away. Aden didn't’ look up, but he could see his mother, tired and frail, watch him. He could just barely see the soft sympathy in her eyes, as if she knew something, sensed something, her husband couldn’t.

         Aden imagined the defeated mourning that would rest in his mother’s eyes in the coming months. It broke his heart to think of her eyes matching her form. He struggled against the thoughts of her inevitable increase in frailty in that grief.

         Something settled in the crack as his heart broke. It molded the halves, like cooling wax. He couldn’t bear to let his mother suffer as he imagined she would. Aden promised himself, and silently promised his mother, that he would find a way to Catherine. He would bring her back if only to give his mother joy. And if he convinced Iris to return with him? He would deny her, he would embrace her and never let her go again.

         Several minutes passed, but Aden was lost in him mind. The girl rushed into the room and timidly told Aden’s mother what she’d found: the empty room, absence of her presence anywhere on the grounds. “Miss Catherine isn’t anywhere to be found, m’lady.”

         Aden’s mother furrowed her brow and looked to Lord Lockwood for further action.

         In his sour mood, her shot the girl a harsh stare. “Nonsense - look again. But before you do so, bring us our food. Let the girl miss her meal if she wishes to hide from her maid.”

            And so it started.