A World of Silence

Chapter 7 - Coming Home

Levi POV

As Noah caught me in his arms like he expected me to do that I started crying.

I missed him so much.

He pulled my head from the crook of his neck so I could look at him.

'Hey little soldier.' He signed making me beam. I missed the little nickname.

'Hey big soldier.' I signed back. He chuckled and the feeling of his chest rumbling under me made me smile.

He let me down so he could sign better. He knew that reading lips proved a challenge to me and he made it easier by learning to sign.

'Im sorry I missed your birthday. But I did remember to get my favorite neighbor a birthday gift.' He signed reaching in his bag and pulled out a one of a kind 'Amazing Fantasy (1962)' signed by Stan Lee

I looked at him with wide eyes and the almost 20,000 dollar comic. Why is he trusting me with it. He could sell it for almost 60 grand. I knew he owned it but I never thought he would ever give it to me. He always kept it in a plastic wrap and a glass box hidden in a secret compartment in his closet. I've only seen it once and right now my brain was about to fry.

'You're actually giving it to me? Why?'

He shrugged. 'You're the only neighbor I've met that had an interest in comic books like I do. I can only trust that you won't sell it. If you do I will break your knee caps. If you don't have a safe place to put it you can always can keep it in my room and work on a hiding place in the summer.'

I nodded quickly and happily knowing he was staying for the summer. I gave him another hug and cried tears of joy as he held me tightly to him. He was the only one that treated me like I was normal. And that's what I love about him. I'd trade all my siblings for him any day.

He's the only one I talk around as well.

'Now come on. I have tickets to see a movie with you and Lucas.' I grimaced at that.

I hate Lucas. He's so mean. It seems like God made a mistake and gave us the wrong brothers cause Lucas would fit right in with my siblings. They both hate me.

'You were probably way happier to see me home then Lucas. But then again I gave you a comic book worth $50 grand and possibly more now since Stan Lee is dead.' He signed.

I remembered the day he died. When it was released to the public that he died I was so upset I didn't leave my room even for speech therapy.

I looked up to see Maya staring at us. More specifically glaring at me.

I frowned knowing that no matter what I do my siblings will always hate me.

Noah pretended not to notice and grabbed my hand walking me to his house which was right across the street.

Lucas answered the door and Noah ruffled his hair.

"Hey champ." Noah said ruffling Lucas's hair.

Lucas grumbled and glared at me as soon as he noticed me there. I tried to hide behind Noah but that obviously didn't work out right.

"What is he doing here? It was just supposed to be me and you."

"What do you mean? You hate hanging out with me which is why I thought someone your age would keep you in a happier mood." Noah reasoned. I looked at them confused. How could you hate hanging out with Noah he was the greatest.

"Whatever." He rolled his eyes. "If the freak is going I'm not going." I looked down not liking that word. I've been called it too many times to count. Along with, retard, idiot, dumbass, little shit, and the the list goes on.

Quickly remembering what my doctor said I pulled Noah's hand.

He looked down at me as I signed, 'I have epilepsy. It probably wouldn't be good for me if I watch a movie. That has flashing lights and it can trigger a seizure. It's okay if you go without me. We can just do something else another time. I'm just happy you're home.' I said genuinely. I was truly happy to see him just for a second to be honest. He is amazing.

'What do you mean you have epilepsy? Since when?' he signed quickly and angrily. I could tell he knew my brothers had something to do with that. He knew that my brothers didn't like me which is why he took on that role.

'I had an accident and something about my brain did something and now I have epilepsy.'

"Fine. We'll go to the movies without you. But tomorrow me, you and Lucas. It'll be fun. We can go to the pier and get ice cream to celebrate my coming home." I nodded hesistantly after quickly glancing at Lucas.

He sighed before nodding and talking to Lucas. He walked me home before leaving even though I could've walked across the street by myself.

*****
Levi POV

I think it was 3am by the time my brothers came back. I winced as they turned on the light when they entered the room. They each had a girl with them. I sat up in bed blinking at them in confusion.

"This is our little brother Levi. He's deaf so you won't get any words out of him." Alex said shrugging.

But then the girl came out from beside him and started cooing at me as if I were a baby. "Aww, poor baby. It's okay that you're deaf. Your whole family still loves you." She said accentuating each word.

I sighed and knew what was coming. They were going to kick me out so they could use my room. Not wanting to get punched I pulled my blankets off the bed and grabbed my pillows and went downstairs.

Maya came out of her room the same time I did and looked at me confused. She let out a big yawn before speaking. "Levi? What are you doing up?"

Knowing I couldn't answer her even if I tried I just pointed towards my room and turned on my heel to go to the basement.