All That We Are...

Chapter 25

Henley

Walking backwards into the house with Carter's arms wrapped around my waist and our mouths are still attached. Once we pull apart I finally take a relaxing breathe. Every since we left Jessica's room I had been holding my breathe with fear. Fear that something had happened to Max, I would not have been able to live with myself if something had gone wrong and I never had a chance to apologize to him about my outburst earlier.

"Come on it's getting dark I wonder if they found candles." I say to Carter as we walk through the house. The fear in his eyes earlier while that man had a hold of me made me realize just how much I mean to him. He still feels tense as we walk and he has both arms holding me close to him. I want to tell him to talk about it with me but it's still way to fresh to relive.

This house is huge, even though I haven't been here in years I still remember how to get around. Taking a set of stairs that lead to a big basement that of course is done just as fancy as the rest of this house. The floor is hardwood and the walls are a dark brown. A big sofa takes up the middle of the room and sits in front of a massive fireplace that is now blazing. On the other side of the room sits a mini bar with a pool table, a dart board and I believe a card table. Jess's dad used to always be down here whenever he was home. When him or his wife weren't here which was often. Jessica would throw the biggest parties here, everyone would come. I only came twice with Christian, just to make him happy. I honestly loath the person that he is but I am just a tiny bit grateful for him because If he didn't get to Carter at the time he did I wouldn't have him standing behind me right now. Once everyone notices us walk in the room they all nod and go back to lighting candles.

"We have lanterns in each room upstairs when we all go to bed." I hear Jessica tell everyone.

As much as I want to stay in Carter's grip I need my brother right now, I need to know he's okay. Walking towards him he puts his arms out and I walk straight into them.

"Oh sis, I'm so glad you're okay." He states resting his check on my head.

"I'm fine. I'm glad everyone is okay. I was pretty worried there for awhile. Never thought I would say this but it will be nice to be back home behind our safety fence tomorrow." I laugh nervously and pull back to look at him.

"Yeah same here. I just keep raking my brain from where they came from. As many times as we have come out we've never seen a living soul. It's like they came out of no where. They said they had some place to live but where? It just doesn't make sense." He says and leans against the wall. My little brother isn't so little anymore. His hair has gotten longer and he's got facial hair finally growing, in spots. Everything he has gone through makes my heart hurt.

"Ya know what, let's not think about it. It's done and over with. We came here to what was it again, Be reckless and young for one more time?" I ask him smiling and reach to mess his hair up.

"Hey watch it." He ducks away from me.

"I'm serious though Max let's go be young for a night. We have done the reckless part already."

"I love you Hen." He says it. I know he wants to say more but this is how we get over an argument. It's easier if we don't talk about it and just make lite of things. I forgive him even though I don't say it out loud, I will always forgive him no matter what. I still want to know why he didn't tell me everything once he found out but it's not the problem anymore. I know now and it's really my dad that I need to discuss the rest with. Giving him one more hug I tell him I love him as well. Then we walk over to the bar where everyone is sitting.

Jessica starts sobbing like a baby the moment she sees me. Here we go.

"Oh I was so scared. They came out of no where and grabbed us. I could not be standing here right now. What if I was dead. Oh god Carter thank goodness your so brave." She is crying historically. Carters standing in front of a sink washing his hands. All I can see is his back but I know right away he is laughing and I do the same. Throwing my head back I let it take over me and laugh the realist laugh I have in awhile. Soon everyone follows even Jessica through her tear streaking face. When we are done my stomach hurts and I see Gabby wiping tears from her eyes.