Guardian

Chapter Six

Damn it! The one time I can't be around to make sure that she's okay and she burns herself! If there was one time during the day the I hated more than anything, it was when Feather got into the shower. it was the one time that I can't go in. Not that I can't, but I don't, because that would be taking everything a step too far. Even though there are times like these that made me rethink it.

I stepped out of the room after a few minutes of running my hands through Feather's hair, trying to reassure myself that she was okay, but it didn't work and I found myself punching a tree repeatedly. How could I have let this happen?

I heard the backdoor open and I looked up to see Feather walking out and the house with her arms crossed, physically shaking. My eyebrows furrowed and I felt that my fingernails -which had started the elongate- went back to normal and I made my way over to her. I stood in front of her for a few moments, hands on her shoulders, watching her. But when her eyes started to fill up with tears, I pulled quickly into a tight hug, wrapping my arms around her shoulders tightly.

No, she didn't know that I was there, but that didn't matter because she needed me. It's what I was there for. Yeah, I hated it more than anything and I wanted more than anything to love her and hold her. To hold her and have her know. I missed the days when she knew I was around.

When she was younger, I was her imaginary friend. While it wasn't ideal, I still got to be with her, hold her through her nightmares and make her laugh, which is all I really wanted. But the time came when she had to stop believing and I couldn't be visible anymore. It broke her little heart, as it did mine, but her parents were getting worried about her and for her sake, I had to.

Sighing to myself, I hugged Feather a little tighter, feeling her shoulders shaking a little bit and she cried. I assumed she was still upset about her dream that she'd had last night, so I made sure to hold her a little longer.

"Fee! Come here!"

Feather looked up, wiped her eyes quickly and made her way back into the house once she was sure she looked okay. I followed her, grabbing onto her pinky finger to make sure that she stayed close to me.

Paige was stood in the kitchen, holding the hand of a boy. he looked around Paige's age, maybe a bit older, his hair was styled and his teeth were bright white. When Feather walked in, I watched as he blatantly looked her up an down -elevator eyes as it was called- and grinned a little bit. I scowled and tightened my grip on Feather's finger as she stopped walking.

"This is Malcolm, Malcolm this is my little sister Feather!" Paige said brightly.

Malcolm smirked "Nice to meet you Feather." He put his hand out for her to shake.

Feather shifted uncomfortably under his stare and didn't lift her hand back. "Pleasure."

I almost laughed, if I didn't find him annoying. Feather wasn't one of physical contact with strangers, she didn't generally like shaking hands, though sometimes she did it anyway.

Malcolm brought his hand back, but didn't stop starting and smirking. Paige kissed his cheek and turned her back to reached into the fridge. during this time Malcolm leaned forward and pressed his lips to Feather's cheek and turned his head a little to whisper to her.

"It's really nice to meet you."

This act only gave him enough time to go back to where he was standing before as Paige turned back around. Feather's cheeks were bright red and she was looking down to the floor, shifting uncomfortably on her feet. Where as I? I was just about ready to kill this guy.

How dare he touch her? How dare he touch Feather?

I felt myself changing again, growling a little bit under my breath.

"I'll be right back" Paige said as she ran from the room "You guys talk!"

"I think I can arrange better than that."

In two big steps, Malcolm was right in front of Feather, hands on her hips and he pulled her to him, out of my own grip. He lowered his head and tuck his face into her neck and Feather's eyes widened. She put her hands on his chest and began pushing him away, trying to at least. He didn't move his head away and he kept a tight grip on her hips, so tight, that I heard Feather wince.

And that was the last straw for me. I grabbed him by the back of his neck and dragged him back, overpowering him easily and I knocked him into the counter. Feather wasted no time to run out of the kitchen and up the stairs quickly. Malcolm watched after her and laughed. I growled lowly and faster than ever, turned and punched him straight in the mouth.