The Things We Want

CHAPTER 8 "CAUSING A COMMOTION"

"Fine, but if you try anything I'll have both your heads, you hear?" He said taking a step back. Eugene nodded and followed Jared's instruction.

"I-I'm sorry Ava," Eugene whispered.

"Hey who are you guys?" A voice came from outside. "Let me insi- HEY!" There was a thud on the door, a few more noises and then it swung open. Iris stood there, wiping blood off her face.

"What the hell is going on here?" She asked casually. Her demeanor changed though as soon as she saw their knives.

The man by Ava and Eugene ran forward, tackling Iris out the door and down the steps of the porch. Jared flipped around fast, snatching a knife off the man next to him and brandishing it wildly in front of his body.

"Eugene, get her out of here!" Jared yelled behind him, but he didn't need to give instructions. Eugene already held Ava in his arms, and he bolted for the door. He maneuvered around the guy getting his butt kicked by Iris and continued to run, going straight for the town square.

So early in the morning, the bustle of people setting up their shops had just started. When he ran into the middle of the town, holding a bloodied girl, and himself beat as well, people stared in bewilderment. One woman, in particular, moved forward.

"Lola?" Eugene asked, "W-wait... you're Sophia's... Sophia's your mother, correct?" He gasped, trying to catch his breath.

"Yes, she sent me to find you, she thought you would be getting into trouble and causing a commotion. Come with me quickly," she walked with Eugene, and they left the town square full of whispers and panic.

Shortly, the group arrived at a small cottage on the outskirts of the town. Once inside, Lola cleared off a table, laid down a blanket over the wood and left to grab supplies. Eugene laid Ava down on the blanket, and leaned on the table, breathing heavily.

"Lola?" He called loudly, "Could I get some w- woa-" his hand slid off the table and he lost his balance. He blacked out for a second and ended up on the floor next to a shattered vase.

"Eugene?" Lola rushed into the room, "Are you okay? I heard a crash."

"I'm alright, I'm fine yeah?" He muttered, grabbing the edge of the table and pulling himself up.

"You're clearly not," Lola commented helping him stand, "I'll get you some water, please sit here," she led him to a chair and then rushed from the room again. Eugene sat with his head in his hands, taking deep breaths.

Lola came back with water and then started to tend to Ava. Her wound had reopened, and her face was a ghostly pale shade. She took to the wound, getting new bandages and cleaning it to avoid infection.

Eugene graciously took the water, chugging it down in a few seconds. He was still a bit dehydrated, and in shock, but his concern was only for Ava.

"Is she gonna be alright?" Eugene asked, moving to the table.

"She will be, but not for a while. She was recovering, but something interrupted. I'm guessing that is the trouble you ran into?" Lola looked at Eugene with her hands on her hips, a disappointing gaze shooting daggers at him. He threw his hands up in defense.

"I did everything I could, Lola!" His tone turned serious, "They had weapons..." He trailed off, his eyes growing wider, "W-What if we were followed? A-And Iris and Jared.... They need help!"

"Right now, you need to be here," An elderly woman's voice said softly.

"Sophia! I-It's wonderful to see you... but I-"

"He has been poisoned..." She said matter of factly. Eugene stared between the two women, growing dizzy again.

"You never mentioned this before mother," Lola exclaimed a bit too calmly, jumping into action. She threw open cabinets, pulling items left and right.

"Poison?" Eugene gasped, relying on the table to keep him upright again.

"Your arm is cut. It is a small wound, I never saw it, but they laced their weapons in poison," Sophia said, taking one of Eugene's hands in hers.

"I-Is Ava-"

"She is not. I promise," She led him back to the chair, "Please stay here."

"Mother..." Lola stopped in her tracks, "We're missing an ingredient. Do I have time?" She turned to her mother, a hint of fear showing behind her calm mask. Sophia inspected Eugene closely, his skin starting to burn up.

"Hurry," Sophia stated, "I'll finish things up here so we can add it as soon as you arrive," Lola grabbed her satchel and rushed out the door.