WITHOUT

Another's Plan.

We stayed at the cafe a while...Drank a little too much coffee. I had "magick" a pen and paper, I had to physically write down what I knew, and what I didn't....To try and work out if Ethan had given any hints about himself. He'd allow Clark and Benton some details....But, he honestly really hadn't given us much.

Mr Reed and Jerry had "details"....But, they always seem a bit cagey. Clark had once commented, Mr Reed may have not been allowed information. Benton told me once, the moment they had got him....The plan was to keep Ethan on the down low. Tell no one (And, they could've done just that) But, when it was announced I would be coming to mansion.....It appeared Ethan was known about (And Exie too)

My list of what I knew of him, was basically everything I knew from when I met him. Nothing of his past, or family. I thought about what I'd seen while lying on the table (I accidentally spilt some salt) EB was watching what the salt on the table was doing....It had scattered it's self into piles.    It was trying to spell out letters, strange ink blot pictures.

I had Briar (Not the one at the mansion) more the girl of the fire pit. I had met a young standoffish Ethan, that warmed to me on the spot.

That Ethan had parents (There were photos in frames. In his room)     He had four.   Two mothers, two fathers!     Had his parents parted and met others (Married again) Given him "step-parents"?

"Hate them. Away. Miss them. Hate me!"

Those were the words he would utter if asked about them. He would give me a stern look, if Clark was close by (And, she often was) He would look for her (Grin at me)...He'd grab the sleeve of her blouse. Clark would frown at him, but her sea-green eyes would give a small flicker.

He "hated" them, but "missed" them. They "hated" him?      What did he hate? What did he miss?     Why did they hate him?      My head was spinning a little, and I could hear a throbbing noise in my ears (That fourth cup of coffee shouldn't have been had. Two should have been my all)       EB wanted to join me in drinking of  "coffee" (That golden-bean drink, had her eyes popping out of her head after cup number three!)

We eventually left the cafe, the waiter hopped we would come again.    I took EB on a long walk, it also helped me think....Gave her chance to see the local city/village area. We walked quite a way...We talked every so often.

I shared the thoughts that worried me the most...."Stella was always good at seeing clues in things. Maybe it comes from having to be patient, while plants grow..."

EB gave me a small nod..."She doesn't rush me. She is good with details.."

"....And, handling things.." I used to be one of the "situations", she had to handle!.."

Our walk, lead us to a city hotel. The thought of having to stop walking, made me feel I hadn't completed a single thing. Yes, I'd tried to formulate things, get ideas....Not just stand in the middle of the city square or village mall - And scream at everyone (Till I had no voice) But, one thing I really needed was a good starting point. A crumb of where Ethan had gone!

••~~••~~••

Hector was dragged to the dinning hall, it was dead quiet. It was always dead quiet. The tables were lined each side, with silent bodies....They walked in, went to the table....Stood. Were told to sit. They sat, till told to eat. Not a word was spoken....Even the process of eating and drinking, was done with the least amount of noise.

The loudest sound in the room, was the slow scarp of spoons on plates. Maybe there was a small tap of a cup on a table top. Hector watched, sat silently too....His eyes darted about, he watched (But, he was careful to keep his eyes low) His thought weren't much. He just knew certain things. Most of what he knew, had deep fear attached.