fire and ice

ICE // 3 of 3

"yes ma'am come right over" said the policeman, placing the telephone back.

"your grandparents are your only other guardians" he said turning to Caleb and I. "they're coming over to pick you up Ron"

"Why just me?" i croaked. Calebs small hands found their place in mine and i gave it a squeeze.

"They're old, kid" he replied, not quite meeting my eye. "they can't afford a nine year old running around, physically and financially"

"I-I won't run around" stammered Caleb. There were tears in his eyes now.

"I promise"

I wrapped an arm around Caleb's fragile frame, afraid that if i looked at him, i wouldn't be able to let go. He sobbed on my shoulder begging me to not leave him and i finally looked him in the eye, telling him everything will be alright, feeding him empty promises i did'nt quite believe myself.

The police station door flung open and my eyes darted from from Caleb's to a pair of icy stares. 

I stared, wide eyed, at my mother's supposed parents. They looked nothing like mom, with blue eyes too wide and sheet white faces too clear. They shared the same height, boney frame, and platinum blonde hair except my grandmother's hung right above her shoulders and my grandfather's was buzzed. To me, they looked more like twins than husband and wife.

They walked towards Caleb and I in unision and my grandfather stretched his lanky arm out in front of me. His thick purple veins were the only sign that he was human and not a perfectly carved wax figure. 

"We have'nt met before" he stated the obvious in a dull tone. "The cab will be here soon"

After a moment of hesitation, i shook it, flinching at his abnormally cold skin and firm grip. I let go almost immedietly, shuddering. Subonciously, I rubbed at the goosebumps that began forming on my arms.

His eyes travelled to Caleb and without a word, he turned around walking away to join his wife. How he acted to so unbothered and collected even after his daughter's death was a mystery to me.

The cab arrived about twenty minutes late because of the snow storm that ended moments ago and I looked at Caleb, asleep on my lap. I wiped his tear stained cheeks and gave him one last squeeze. I was'nt even sure if i would ever see him again. I stood up and gulped, fearful of the life that awaited me. 

A single teared trickled down my face and i ferociously wiped it away with my sleeve. I felt a strange pain in my chest and hugged myself, trailing behind my grandparents. i couldnt quite believe it, i would never see my home, my parents and my brother who i adored more than life itself ever again.

I made my way out the office, stealing one last glance at Caleb, who was still asleep. I bunched my fist on the cloth above my chest, god it hurt so bad. The bright yellow cab contrasted with the grey roads and buildings and the thick layer of white snow below my feet. The wind howled as i looked up at the ebony sky, feeling the icy snow flakes fall one by one on my face. 

"Come along Ron" said my grandmother, placing a bony hand on my back. She smiled a sort of smile that sent chills down my spine, with thin lips, extremely hollow cheeks and beady eyes.

I placed a hand on the car's door handle, hesitating. I shivered, but it wasnt because of the cold. My body screamed at me to get away but my limbs lay still and numb.

A realization dawned upon me that raised the hairs on my neck.

My grandparents didn't blink once since our encounter at the station.