A Boy Called Noah

Chapter Fifty-Two

Amalthea Galanos

A week after Noah's surgery Thea finds herself standing outside of the James Manor door. He has officially been home for four days. Four agonizing days. Thea's mother has yet to speak to either her or Thalia and if she is, to be honest, she actually prefers the complete silence. No worries, no fights, just silence. 

Thea's fist lightly knocks on the door and footsteps slowly, almost sadly make their way to the door. The door opens to show an unsmiling Vera. She steps out of the way to let Thea in and silently closes it behind her. She walks away without a word and Thea is left alone in the utterly silent house. A scream suddenly echos through the house, making the hair on Thea's arms stand on end. A chill runs down her spine and she makes her way toward the pained sound. 

She opens Noah's bedroom door and finds Vick holding him down on the bed while Jessie does something on his stomach. He screams in pain again and Jess suddenly stops and pulls away. She wipes the tears streaming down her face and Vick gently releases Noah. He too wipes tears from his cheeks and quickly walks out of the room. 

Jess gestures for her to come closer, "He's okay now. Just exhausted." Thea's eyes are wide as she stares at the tube protruding from his lower left abdomen. Bright red skin surrounds it and the gauze that Jess used to clean it lay on the bed next to him. His chest heaves quick, shallow breaths and his eyes are shut in pain. 

"Noah, Thea's here. Do you want her to come in?" Noah shuts his eyes tightly and shakes his head. A single tear rolls down his cheek before Thea turns her back and leaves the same way she came. Jess makes no attempt at stopping her and gently closes the door after she exits it as well.

Yvette catches Thea's elbow crook as she practically runs past her. Thea tries in vain to pull her arm free without looking back. Yvette's grip tightens and she turns Thea to look at her, "Where are you going?" Thea's face morphs into a snarl, "I'm going home, Yvette. He doesn't want me here. I..." Her face twists in pain and a tear runs down her cheek, "I have to go. I'm sorry." 

This time Yvette lets her go as she pulls her arm away. Thea's form quickly disappears down their long driveway and Yvette closes the door with her heart in her stomach.