We Bent Fate

Chapter 10.

 I had woken up with a dizzy feeling and a heavy heart. I have just pulled over my parent's house in Leeds after napping for an hour or two in the nearest convenient store's car parking lot in the night.  It takes two hours to drive to get here and it feels like I barely slept.

I jogged to the front door and rung the doorbell. "Austin." Mum gasped as soon as she open the door, giving me a hug before I walk in. "What are you doing here, child? You never told us you're coming. I should have made something you like for lunch."

I hadn't been in this house in two years. It still smells the same; Lavender. Everywhere I looked had framed pictures of us, standing on the sills of the fridge, the TV and the side table. 

"It is okay, Mom. I am leaving soon. I need to speak to Dad." I said. 

"Okay, honey. He is in the backyard. But is everything okay? You don't look so good." Mum cups my cheek and I smile a little, nodding. "What do you want to talk about?"

"I need a gun license. Martha-"

"Martha? You met a girl and you never told us. Do you love her?" She chirped excitedly and I mentally face palmed myself. "Does she need a gun?"

"Just a friend, mother. We have just started seeing each other." I said and left for the backyard, avoiding her questions. "But why does she need a gun?" I heard her ask as I padded my way to Dad.

The miniature woodland structure of the backyard brought in a feeling of nausea as I moved about them to where Dad was seated, on his usual wooden chair drinking a hot cup of Darjeeling tea. He must have heard my footsteps coming, for then he turned around and lunged at me for a dad-son hug. 

"Son! What on earth!" He beamed at me, clapping his hand behind my back. "Didn't sleep well?"

"Its okay, Dad. I wanted to ask about the gun license and if you have my spare one? Can I take it?" He looked a little wary then nodded. 

"Of course, son. Its yours. But is everything okay? Why do you need a gun suddenly?" He narrowed his eyes and I regretted the fact that I didn't plan how to answer that question. 

"A friend is asking me to teach them how to shoot a gun. They'll get a license soon." He didn't answer right away but then nodded. 

"Sure. But be careful. Don't do anything nasty." He slapped my forearm playfully and I nodded, rolling my eyes. 

Soon enough, the gun license and the gun was in my hand, and I was starting to leave. Mother told me to get some sleep at least and eat before I go but I refused. "I need to get going. Robbie will be waiting." I lied. 

"Honey, you can't look properly if you are tired, let alone pull up a two hour drive. Your eyes aren't even opening properly.  At least eat something." She insisted and I agreed on a toast and an apple. She obliged and added more butter and cheese to my toast. 

The conversations were the same as always. It was all about college and how well am I settling in Manchester. Occasionally, mum would say that she wished I was here more and I would have to tell her that I didn't want to put much pressure on them.

 "I am leaving." I announced, taking a few sips from my cold coffee and rushed outside. Mum kissed on my cheek and I gave her a side hug as I climbed in the car. "I wish you guys stayed there in Manchester with me." I whispered as I waved them a goodbye. 

Taking a deep breath, I started the engine and hit the road. My chest felt so tight that I felt like I was going to explode. It physically hurt to be away from her, to not know if we are going to last in this relationship forever, to not know if I would last or if she would be  taken away from me. 

I couldn't just sleep on this. It was one thing that was bothering me the most besides the attack and a mythological war happening soon. I thought things over a lot, yesterday. Life is so short and I need to spend it with her and even my parents. We hardly spend time. What if in the midst of things, something happens to one of us?  I gripped the steering wheel tightly as I drove, turning on the radio for a distraction. 

As Manchester closed by, I vowed to myself that I will make the most of everything I ever spend with them from hereon. 

***

"Wow, you look horrible." Lila said when she opened the door and I nodded as if taking it as a compliment. I walked straight through the door and jumped on the sofa, groaning. I did feel horrible too. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I am fine. Where's Martha?" I asked and she told me she'd be along. It was getting very quiet and I could practically hear my pulse beat. "I went to my parent's place last night. Can I shower, first? Then I can teach Martha about guns. We'll practice today with my gun and I have the license. I just need something to place as an aim. Maybe you guys would have an old mattress, a cardboard or something?" I asked and she nodded. 

I feel the bile rise up to my throat as I prepare myself to ask something I had dreaded myself to ask throughout the drive, "Uh, Lila...Can I take Martha for a holiday? At my parents?"

"Are you serious? Now?" She frowned back at me in shock, disbelief written all over her face. Wow, I blew it up. "What part of 'a war is coming and Martha is in danger' do you not understand?"

"I understand. But the place is not far away from here and I'll always be around. I'll take care of her. Please. And perhaps, your Gods would not realize that we are not here and wouldn't find us there? She'd be safer there, right?" I said, trying not to look straight into her eyes. She sounds furious enough to listen to. 

"Sure...just like Augury and the furies didn't know where your house was? They obviously don't have powers, do they?" She laughed sarcastically and I wanted to throw something or someone on the floor. 

"Why don't you come with us? You can meet my parents too. Please, Lila. You know how much I love Martha and I know that you understand love. I know that life is short and unfair, and I want to spend my life or of whatever is left of it with Martha and my parents. Please understand." I begged and her expressions softened for a fraction. 

She huffed out a sigh and nodded, "Fine, I'll talk to Chloe about it. But don't put your hopes up. Keeping hope is an uncertain thing." She said looking back at nothing but her eyes suddenly darkened as if it meant something. I frowned a little and stood up to take a shower.