UMBRA

Blue Roses

"Hey! Look at you all grown up," said Grandpa from behind, "Where are my young boys?" Olly rushed in to give him a hug while Jace and I managed to fake a smile. His loose and gaunt skin had more wrinkles than ever, and his back was curved like an archery bow. He walked with small, frail steps. His eyes showed that he had many wakeful nights. I felt sorry looking at his condition when a heartless voice said to me, He did this to himself. I never felt more guilty. I hated myself to think like that.

Grandpa stood there laughing and happy when he gazed in our direction, Will I not get a hug from you both?

I looked back, Nope. Ain't gonna happen.

Jace's face replied something like, Keep dreaming.

"It's good to see you," said I.

"You are one bad liar," he laughed (mocked actually).

"I wonder where I got that from." I narrowed my eyes.

Before the world war began, Mom came barging in. She probably understood that I had lost my mind the moment I saw Grandpa's face. The anger in me was by-default.

"Dad, I missed you soooo muchhh!!!" said Mom exaggerating her emotions. She dragged him indoors and made an angry face, Watch it!!

Eh, whatever.

Coming to Dorick was like coming to another dimension, the one where each second slowed down to ten. The first day was the best. You could say that you had traveling sickness because of all that exhausting journey (I actually was) and confine yourself to a nice, small bedroom in 'sweet solitude.' My room was pretty good, actually (compared to the rest of the house). It used to be Mom's room. Its furniture was soft peach in color and had a single bed with a small bay window where I would spend more than half of my vacation. Best of all was the ladder near my window, which led to the roof. It was oddly placed nevertheless perfect for an emergency exit (must've been its purpose initially). I even had a cactus in my room (the only thing that could survive in the house— plus—it was the perfect weapon too).

The night passed peacefully (to my surprise), and the next day arrived. My body was soaked in water. Not really surprised.

This is going to be the last time Olly drenched me!!!

I charged up to his room and rotated the knob.

Locked.

I pounded my fists on the swollen wooden door.

RAT-A-TAT-TAT!

"Open the door, Oliver!" I snarled, "Open it!!!"

Silence.

"I can see your shadow near it you bonehead!!" I blasted. "Open it!!"

RAT-A-TAT-TAT-TAT!!

The shadow stepped away and came back to the door. The doorknob turned and opened.

"Do ya mind! I'm on vacation!" Olly screamed.

"Why the hell did you close the door!"

"Yeah, right! I closed the door with no locks on this thing!!"

I realized what he was talking about. His room never had any locks on it. Besides, even a stranger could recognize that Olly had woken up right at that time. There was no way he could've drenched me, I thought. Maybe it was Jace. My speculation blew up when I saw Jace snoring in the room (even an earthquake can't wake up Jace).